Help with door/privacy issue

8 years ago

Hello!

I'm looking to move and love everything about this apartment, except that there is nothing making the downstairs private or any sort of door to lock. I wouldn't even mind some type of make shift door if it could just lock. Please help! I am very open to any advice and/or suggestions. Thank you.

Featured Answer

PRO

GN Builders L.L.C

8 years ago

Ask the landlord if you can add a temporary partition with a door to make it more private, or add one but you will have to return the place to the original state after you move out.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

thinkdesignlive
8 years ago
Is there an egress window or another door to the outside from this space? It may be a fire safety issue closing it off.
Related Professionals
Pensacola Interior Designers & Decorators · Elkton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Juneau Interior Designers & Decorators · Elizabethtown Cabinets & Cabinetry · Flint Cabinets & Cabinetry · Oneonta Cabinets & Cabinetry · Superior Interior Designers & Decorators · Kissimmee Furniture & Accessories · Sebring Furniture & Accessories · Carbondale Furniture & Accessories · Waterbury Furniture & Accessories · Portsmouth Furniture & Accessories · Elk City General Contractors · Torrington General Contractors · Sheridan General Contractors
PRO
Business_Name_Placeholder
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Ask the landlord if they could fix this before you invest into something you'll have to remove. If this is a problem for you it may be a problem for future renters. Especially it it's a safe, security thing.

If it's a reasonable request & makes their rental more rentable the landlord may do it for you. Example, I have had a friend who was going to move due to old carpet floor, she told landlord & the landlord got a new floor install to improve property and she stayed.

It doesn't hurt to ask.

if they don't, you'll have to remove when leaving.

possibly a fix is Making a barricade with big box wardrobe furniture. Ikea has them.

https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/systems/10387/19053/19086/

Keep a walk through space & buy tall fillers for hinges to open and a tall door or 2 doors to match. Make sure the space to walk through is big enough to walk through & can evacuate safely if fire. Safety 1st.

It won't be totally secure, but a deterrent. Above the top fabric curtain to hide view from stairs over back of wardrobe barrier.

You may need a handy man or contractor to install, make sure to tell them it's a rental & to not damage walls.

It's a wild idea, but if you want to lock it without being permanent. Plus you get a lot of storage space.

I remember renting & having to be creative not to do permanent projects while decorating. Not easy.

Btw, I just remembered in college, a friend installed a ceiling fan into a rental with verbal consent from landlord. Later when moving, during check out, they charged him to remove it!? So, get it in writing,signed & date. Also take before pictures of whole apt & after before leaving.

Enjoy your new apt.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
8 years ago
P.S. Courtney, see if you have a company nearby who installs Pressurized Walls... If you in NY, they are very popular here and many landlords are OK with tenants installing them and as I said before as long as you remove it after you move out. Or as Sharon said you can use a piece of furniture or a decorative freestanding separation.
PRO
Business_Name_Placeholder
8 years ago
Pressurized walls, good idea GN builders
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
I guess I would have a couple of questions. Like do you live alone?If so do you have lots of guests? I think all of the answers above involve hauling heavy stuff around to create a wall of sorts with not much noise reduction. I think you would be just as good off with a heavy drape and when you move patch the wall where the rod was