Have a Bad View?
Sometimes you get lucky and get a phenomenal view of urban skylines, serene forests or glistening water, and sometimes you get views that aren’t so great, such as those that look straight into your neighbor’s yard – or worse, their home, and those that provide you with nothing more than a view of a boring, brick wall. The problem is that while good views sell, bad views have been known to distract potential buyers from closing on a home, no matter how great the deal being offered.
Instead of living in a cave, let the light in and take control of your perspective, with ideas intended to conceal unsightly views both inside and out. We recommend using one or a combination of these easy techniques to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Many of these techniques will afford you increased privacy as well, which will enhance your home life, if your plan is to stay put for a while. Here are five of our favorite techniques to conceal a bad view.
- Stained glass window décor. Stained glass window décor, while translucent, provides privacy and works well to conceal a bad view. Many online retailers and local shops offer a large variety of stained glass and even window films for you to choose from. You can even get a custom design at some places. Window films provide UV protection, in addition to the same benefits glass affords you. The design will remove attention from what’s just outside the window.
- Create a living screen. If you have a green thumb, a living screen will provide countless benefits, such as: reduced environmental noise, increased privacy, increased shade, and a far better view. You can use bamboo or fast growing Acacia plants to block the view; or a combination of the two. Be sure when planting to add a root barrier to reduce spreading. If you choose to go with fast-growing vines, you’ll want to first install a trellis.
- Create a focal point with plants or sculptural art. Simply defined, a focal point is a point where two or more lines converge, and everything else drops into the background. While a focal point, won’t completely conceal the neighbor’s home, it will distract the eye. To use this technique, find the center of the window or fence, and hang plants or pile stones, so that the poor view disappears into the background. You can be as creative as you’d like.
- Use window treatments. Adjustable window treatments such as roman shades and blinds can be used to allow light in, thus brightening any room, without you having to sacrifice privacy. Simply adjust the treatment so that each panel is either blocking the top or bottom of the window. Solar shades are another great option for blocking views, increasing your privacy, and letting light in. Many of these window treatments offer UV protection.
- Conceal using a fabric privacy screen. This technique is quick, easy, and affordable. Unlike a living screen, there’s no need to wait for privacy, as a fabric screen affords you the opportunity to immediately block an unsightly view. That said, however, you may need to acquire a city permit if your screen is above a certain height. Be sure and contact your local government for more information. Fabric screens are available in a number of color options.