3 Stylish Ideas For a Safer Home
Your home should be a haven in which you and your family are protected from harm. Accidents, burglaries and potential break-ins are not only distressing, but are also disruptive of your lifestyle. Additionally, you may find yourself not being able to get over the feeling that your home is no longer safe.
Most probably if you’re reading this because safety is paramount for you. Nonetheless, your safety doesn’t have to mean a compromise on style. So, I’ve put together three smart ideas that will offer you a safe home without settling for a less than sophisticated home flair.
Importance of a Safe Home
When thinking of home safety, you have to understand that you’re investing in your peace of mind. There are many circumstances in which people can feel uncomfortable and unsafe in their own properties (i.e., single parents, the spouse is often away from home, no pets to work as little alarm systems and others). This issue can have a negative impact on your health due to increased anxiety and can ultimately affect your relationship with other members of the family.
Looking over your shoulder is exhausting, so by having a safe home, you will be able to relax and enjoy time with your family and little ones. Furthermore, home safety is indispensable when you’re at work or on holiday, since you know your home will be safe. Thus, you won’t feel so paranoid and anxious while you’re away from home.
Have Curtains and Blinds
You might have experienced walking past a home only to have your attention drawn by a bright TV you notice in the corner of your eye. Unfortunately, the same situation can be applied to those who don’t have noble instincts – because electronics and TVs can pique the interest of innocent or not-so-innocent passersby. Therefore, it’s essential that you hang blackout curtains or even roller blinds that are capable of shielding the inside of your home from unnecessary attention.
Additionally, covering up or not allowing people to understand the layout of your house will make it less likely for perpetrators to spot objects which might be of interest (i.e., electronics, jewelry, musical instruments and expensive clothes). Doing this will significantly reduce the incentive involved and the risk will outweigh the benefit.
Complete the look of your home by choosing a curtain with a coordinating waterfall valance, or a Venetian-style blind made of non-translucent materials. Alternatively, opt for an elegant silk-look valance that does not only feature a blackout material, but also heat retaining properties.
For more modern homes, a color-blocked design with soft neutrals or soft-grays can create a stylish and luxurious look, which can accompany any window panel and shape a casual draping effect.
Light Up the Area
If your home is located in a secluded and shadowy street or driveway, chances are someone will believe it is the perfect place to break-in. Although lurking robbers are considered a cliché of bad movies and cartoon representations, a dark house is undoubtedly effortless to approach – since robbers can more easily avoid detection.
To avoid this risk, put lights up and map out any potential entryway into your home. Also make sure that alleyways and back yards are well lit, especially since intruders can easily jump fences and hop onto your property. For example, choose external floodlights that are capable of lighting up large areas, or opt for motion-activated lights. Not only will they light up when someone is around, but will also catch anyone by surprise and possibly scare them off.
Between wall lights, spike lights, bollards, post lights and more, there are ample options to choose from. Whether you want modern or traditional designs, you will find it. One such example is with lamp posts, which are considered ultimate outdoor lights. While some are traditional and almost historic, more modern replicas can offer the sleek and avant-garde look that some homeowners are looking for.
Strategic Design
Some might think that using a window or door which is locked up tighter than Alcatraz will fail to match the outstanding beauty of their home. However, this is not always the case, as some companies pride themselves in designing modern and even elegant security doors that don’t take away from the overall look of the building.
If in doubt, a road trip around your neighborhood will make you understand – as you’ll soon be glancing over to their security doors more than twice, that we can guarantee.
In addition to this, ensure that you trim hedges and trees in such a way that the outdoor lighting will be able to outline your entire garden, as this is ideal for night-time illumination. Alternatively, should you enjoy the beauty of untamed nature in your garden, use these elements to your advantage: ensure that they can cover ground-level windows or basement ones.
Another option is to choose the latest technology in cameras to monitor access points to your property, or install fences or high walls, or even select an electric fence – nobody would want to be caught in that!
If everything else fails, consider changing locations or upgrading your security – including windows, doors and any other aspect which causes concern. If the risk level of the area is already high, then you might need to combine all three of these techniques in order to ensure the absolute safety of your family.
Also, take into consideration factors such as police responsiveness, your proximity to neighbors and a contingency plan in case of an emergency. In other words, if you live in a neighborhood where risks are higher, pay close attention to any needed security means and equip yourself accordingly.
Although we all want a home which radiates style, elegance and grandeur, there is another aspect which you need to cater to: safety. There are many stunning homes around the globe that – in addition to their sophistication and cultivated beauty – have integrated lighting options, curtains and other design features which add security and safety. So now, with these tips, you will be able to be vigilant yet stylish, as well.
