Though most homeowners yearn to create a warm, inviting environment, that “mi casa es su casa” sentiment has its limits. Sure, you want your friends and family members to feel welcome in your space, but nosy neighbors and unwanted onlookers? Not so much. That’s exactly why some designers are turning their latest projects into fashionable fortresses.
According to designer Helena Clunies-Ross, everyone has that intrinsic urge for peace and tranquility. “We want to be able to unwind in a safe environment, that we trust will ‘have our backs,’ not worry that someone might catch us at our most vulnerable in a way we’re not prepared for anyone to see,” says the designer, who has offices in New York and London. But, in what’s perhaps a sign of the times, the need for privacy has become even more pressing. “Our lives are becoming more and more visible to the outside world,” adds designer Kristina Phillips, who works in the tristate area. “Either through social media or smart devices that record our every move and word, as well as perhaps living a stone’s throw from a neighbor.”
How to Create Privacy in Your Yard
For Clunies-Ross, who creates secure spaces for high-profile clients who have “no desire to be a collection of pixels in someone’s photo reel,” privacy starts outside. While tall hedges are a classic way to create an isolated outdoor oasis, you don’t need to undertake a huge landscaping project to score some solace. “On one of the terraces of our Tribeca Apartments project, we had a series of trees in large pots full of soft grasses, in order to zone various seating areas and create a privacy barrier against overlooking apartments,” she adds.
To deftly bridge the gap between landscaping and hardscaping, Blair Moore of Moore House Design looks to arbors, pergolas, and climbing plants. “They give you that private retreat feel while adding a touch of charm to your yard.”
If you’re looking for a bright privacy idea that hold its own all night long, the right lighting can work wonders. “Use lighting to draw attention to landscaping, trees, and objects of interest rather than your front porch or door,” designer Nadia Watts suggests. Trade in the typical overhead light fixtures for softer uplighting, sconces, or illuminated walkways.
How to Create Privacy With Your Windows
But while a boundary-boosting backyard might be a first line of defense, it’s important to think about how to keep peeking passersby out of your space too. If you want to think beyond window treatments and strategically placed houseplants, you might want to rework your windows. For example, Victoria McKenney of Enviable Designs likes to create privacy with windows made of leaded glass or with opaque accents. “Creating a beautiful moment with leaded glass designed with various textured glass is a wonderful opportunity to turn an unfortunate privacy issue into a beautiful art piece and feature,” she explains.
How to Create Privacy With Your Decor
When you think about privacy in your home, you might immediately envision all the ways to strengthen the barrier between the great outdoors and the great indoors. Turns out, security is an inside job too. The case for creating privacy inside is even more imperative if you have an open-concept layout or live with roommates.
In a recent Palm Beach project, Watts created some privacy between the foyer and living room by hanging art on columns facing the front door. Meanwhile, strategic accent tables create a stylish separation between entry and living. “Traffic still flows freely around the round table, however the eye has plenty of places to play around,” Watts adds.
If you don’t have built-in columns creating some natural privacy, you can employ a room divider or partition. The key is to be thoughtful about the materials you use. “Blocking natural light within a space can lead to a claustrophobic environment, [so] it’s therefore important to balance privacy with openness,” says Clunies-Ross, who recommends semi-transparent fabrics or a bamboo sudare (a type of screening material).
Of course, on-point privacy isn’t just visual, so you’ll want to create a secure place for all of the senses. “Soft finishes and furnishings such as rugs, heavy drapes, and acoustic panels can add a layer of auditory privacy, enhancing the overall sense of seclusion,” Clunies-Ross says. Peace, quiet, and total privacy? Music to our ears.
