Software
Houzz Logo Print
rosemarierinn

Too many windows for coziness

2 years ago

One of the reasons we bought our house is that it has great natural light throughout thanks to there being lots of windows. However, now that we're living in it, I realize an uncomfortable consequence of having so many windows is the feeling of being on view to anyone walking by our house, which is also on a corner lot. We find ourselves waving to morning walkers from our breakfast table or evening walkers from the dining and living rooms. My husband isn't bothered by this. Beyond pulling the shades for privacy in the bedroom or when sun beats into a room too harshly or a cold snap calls for covering windows to keep the heat in, he wouldn't cover any of the windows at any time. But he understands that for me to feel more comfortable, some tweaks are called for. So aside from resorting to regularly covering the windows and losing the beauty of all the natural light, what are some things to do with furniture or accessory placement, or lighting to enhance privacy?

Comments (19)

  • 2 years ago

    Hi. It would help to see some photos of the windows and how the furniture is placed in relation to the windows.

  • 2 years ago

    You could do double shades where the bottom shade is a sheer that would allow light to pass through but limit visibility into the home at least during the daylight hours.


    I know someone who runs a company professionally applying window film to home and businesses. I know the window film available now has a variety of purposes (sun protection, ballistic protection, etc). I imagine they must have some for privacy that would still allow you to have the view without having the shades drawn.

  • 2 years ago

    Top down/bottom up cellular shades work well in that they give you privacy below a certain level while still enjoying the sunshine or the view. They disappear when you open them completely. They're also decent at temperature insulation when they are completely closed.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    There are window films that allow one way viewing - you see out but no one can see in. Or you could consider cafe curtains. they will cover the lower half of the window but allow the light trough the upper section.



    Good luck!

  • 2 years ago

    From what I understand the one way viewing film does not work at night, but does work during the day.


    My sister put in bottom up top down shades. I think they are a fantastic way to limit the view.





    At my last home I planted a privacy hedge near the street so people couldn't see into my living room.


    In my current home I placed a frosted film over the bottom of some of my windows so my dog wouldn't see people walking their dogs.


    I have also used light weight white curtains in front of public windows - sheer enough to allow a good amount of light through, but thick enough that it didn't feel like sheers.


    Film can void warrantees on your windows, so you will want to check that before adding film.

  • 2 years ago

    Fence or hedge to block the walkers' view inside, especially if one side of the corner is an oft-travelled route. Check local regulations about heights and permits before building a fence.


    Other than that, sheer European style "glass curtains" (cafe or longer length), privacy film or blinds will cut down on people being able to look inside. Inside-mount tension rods with cafe curtains are an easy, fast solution.

  • 2 years ago

    We have a light outside our bedroom window that goes on when the bedroom light goes on, which prevent visibility from the outside during the evening in our tinted window. It is also the only window with an automatic opener for the ability to check out the weather. Although you would think we dont have to worry about people looking in, we can have people fishing just a few yards away from shore.


  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Honestly not one pic to even begin to give us some context . Post pics here in a comment DO NOT start another post. I never really think people aere looking in my windows and I ma not doing anything that might be private so I do not close my drapes in my living space . I do however like to control heat and UV so I use solar shades on some windows for that .

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Cover the bottom of the windows for privacy and leave the top open.



  • 2 years ago

    If you don't have deer, arborvitae are a component in your beautiful landscape solution. Depending on where you live hibiscus can be added.

    and hydrangeas.

    Berms are also beneficial.

  • 2 years ago

    @ Nancy Karr - I love your solution! I will be keeping that in my back pocket for sharing with others. Having the outdoor light come on with your indoor lights is just brilliant.

  • 2 years ago

    Shutters on the lower half of the window/lower sash only.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Investigate privacy window film.

    For your information only. I have not used this dealer. I have use a local dealer.

    https://campbellwindowfilm.com/services/one-way-window-film-privacy/

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Some one way film is actually two way, it is only one way at a time, depending upon where the stronger light is.

    I know someone who has one way film and you can't see in in the day time when it's brighter Outside, but you can see Everything when it is dark out and the room is brightly lit compared to outside. That's exactly what you would Not want.

    Ask someone who has film like this about walking through their house naked at night because they can't see out. (Not me)


    Please note what this one way film description says. My Italics.


    What Is One Way Window Film?

    One way window film is a type of mirrored privacy window film that offers a high level of daytime privacy. The reflective finish of one way privacy window film gives the glass a one way mirror effect when there is more light on one side than the other.

    This means that, during the day, people on the outside of the window can’t see in through the glass, while you can still see clearly through it from the inside.

    You can apply one way window film to any windows into rooms that you want more daytime privacy in.

    For example, applying reflective privacy film to ground floor windows, patio doors, and bathroom windows allows you to open up curtains and blinds during the day with the comfort of knowing that people outside still can’t see into your home.

    One way privacy film also lets some natural light in, though how much light it lets in depends on the darkness of the tint.


  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    My understanding of window films is that they are primarily for daytime privacy so you can have any window treatments wide open to let the daylight in without being in a fishbowl, but they do Not Replace the need for window treatments at night, because they one-way aspect is reversed, and people can see In.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Different solutions for different rooms and we are seeing no rooms. NOT one.

    No sense of what, where, what decorating style etc . Essentially.........a "mystery meat" without any context.

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6411000/how-to-houzz-how-to-ask-questions-how-to-get-helpful-answers-and-e#28784466


  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    I don’t believe these three options were mentioned: shutters, wide slat blinds, and zebra blinds, of which the last two can also be raised and lowered for better view on lower half, as that sounded important to your husband.






    Window treatments don’t have to be same (unless you want the front of the house especially to be consistent). Consider your specific needs per room for daytime: clear, muted or and/or partial and what provides privacy at night.

    Another big consideration is what treatments fit within your budget (custom if required).

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    I guess the OP has found a solution since we have still noy one pic of the spaces.