8 Tips to Help You Live in Harmony With Your Neighbors
Privacy and space can be hard to find in urban areas, but these ideas can make a difference
Being in close quarters with what feels like the whole neighborhood may be par for the course in city living, but it can nevertheless be challenging. With some smart planning, however, you can ensure that you hear, smell and see only what goes on inside your own home — and remain blissfully oblivious to what’s occurring beyond your walls. Consider these tips to help you enhance the privacy and sense of space in your home.
Opt for sound insulation. If the screaming baby or barking dogs next door are driving you mad, you might want to consider upping your property’s sound insulation.
The way to reduce the level of noise coming in is to use a combination of a void and a sound-absorbent material. This is achieved by fixing a simple frame to the interior wall or floor in question to create a void. This could be a basic wood lath frame, but for best results try the lightweight steel frames available for this purpose. Rubbery sound-absorbent material is available by the roll.
The way to reduce the level of noise coming in is to use a combination of a void and a sound-absorbent material. This is achieved by fixing a simple frame to the interior wall or floor in question to create a void. This could be a basic wood lath frame, but for best results try the lightweight steel frames available for this purpose. Rubbery sound-absorbent material is available by the roll.
Weigh the costs. The two key points to consider when installing sound insulation systems are the price per square foot and the depth of the system — how far it protrudes from the existing wall. The size of the adjoining structure will dictate which standard of product is economically viable for you. If it’s just one bedroom wall, then choose the top-of-the-range kit. If you are under siege by noise from every angle, pick your battles and make an informed decision.
Most modern frame and clip kits have a fairly minimal profile, so you shouldn’t lose more than a couple of inches out from the surface of the wall. Where this will start to add up is if three or four sides of a room need to be insulated, since 2 inches from each side will have a significant impact on overall floor space. So again, consider your options with care.
Most modern frame and clip kits have a fairly minimal profile, so you shouldn’t lose more than a couple of inches out from the surface of the wall. Where this will start to add up is if three or four sides of a room need to be insulated, since 2 inches from each side will have a significant impact on overall floor space. So again, consider your options with care.
Ensure clean air. In addition to sound, there’s smell. In this case, it may be of your own creation or by your neighbors. Cooking, garbage, sewage and pets — these can all be an issue, particularly when living in an apartment or townhouse. Generally, restrictions on space result in an obligation to consider air flow.
The best way to tackle this issue is with a ducting system. Centered on the kitchen or bathroom, for example, ducting will extract unwanted odors directly to the outside. In some cases, this may be achievable in voids between joists and stud work. However, exposed ducting, as seen in this living room, can make a great feature in contemporary interiors, so don’t worry if you’re struggling to hide it.
The best way to tackle this issue is with a ducting system. Centered on the kitchen or bathroom, for example, ducting will extract unwanted odors directly to the outside. In some cases, this may be achievable in voids between joists and stud work. However, exposed ducting, as seen in this living room, can make a great feature in contemporary interiors, so don’t worry if you’re struggling to hide it.
Extract kitchen odors. To ensure that cooking smells don’t waft into your neighbors’ properties, invest in a high-powered kitchen fan. Watch out for those decibel noise levels, however.
The best and most efficient way to use a kitchen ventilation system is not to blast it at maximum speed for 10 minutes, but to leave it on low for a longer time to create a gentle, consistent air flow. If you’re “landlocked” in the middle of an apartment building, with no possible way to duct out a fan, this limits you to a filtered exhaust fan. Be sure to change the filter frequently, otherwise the fan will become noisy and ineffective.
How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
The best and most efficient way to use a kitchen ventilation system is not to blast it at maximum speed for 10 minutes, but to leave it on low for a longer time to create a gentle, consistent air flow. If you’re “landlocked” in the middle of an apartment building, with no possible way to duct out a fan, this limits you to a filtered exhaust fan. Be sure to change the filter frequently, otherwise the fan will become noisy and ineffective.
How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
Avoid prying eyes. Even with the friendliest of neighbors, we all prefer the inside of our homes to be private.
The most common areas from which your home is likely to be seen include patios, terraces, balconies and rooms with huge windows. All these areas are also the spots where you’ll want to enjoy privacy.
The key is to screen the view in both directions aesthetically. Floor-to-ceiling windows like the ones in this bedroom can be dressed according to who is visible to whom and the style of the windows. Options include one-way blinds that still let light through, Venetian blinds and window film.
In exterior areas, nobody wants to build a giant wall — or look at one, either. Instead, choose screening that’s easy on the eyes. Use an attractive rustic brick wall or a plastered wall with lights, for example, and be creative with fencing and plants. Bamboo or lattice, for example, is less imposing than a solid wall or hedge.
The most common areas from which your home is likely to be seen include patios, terraces, balconies and rooms with huge windows. All these areas are also the spots where you’ll want to enjoy privacy.
The key is to screen the view in both directions aesthetically. Floor-to-ceiling windows like the ones in this bedroom can be dressed according to who is visible to whom and the style of the windows. Options include one-way blinds that still let light through, Venetian blinds and window film.
In exterior areas, nobody wants to build a giant wall — or look at one, either. Instead, choose screening that’s easy on the eyes. Use an attractive rustic brick wall or a plastered wall with lights, for example, and be creative with fencing and plants. Bamboo or lattice, for example, is less imposing than a solid wall or hedge.
Let in the light. Another great material for ensuring privacy, especially on balconies, is an opaque, tinted or frosted-glass balustrade. This requires much less maintenance than other options and will let plenty of light through. Again, mix it in with other finishes and consider potential sight lines from neighboring windows and other open areas.
Build with consideration. Townhouses and apartments are often more restricted when it comes to obtaining planning permission for a building project, since any design must protect neighboring properties and not impinge on their light, visibility and general proportionality. Check on what kind of permitted development is warranted for your property.
Tell us: What steps have you taken to improve the privacy of your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More: 100 Contractor Tips to Read Before You Remodel
Tell us: What steps have you taken to improve the privacy of your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More: 100 Contractor Tips to Read Before You Remodel
There are two types of noise transference: airborne and impact. Airborne noise includes voices, music, the TV and so on. Impact noise includes footsteps or the whirring of a washing machine. The remedy for both is the same.