When it comes to building a custom home in Washington, there are numerous factors to consider, like who to hire, the building materials you will use, eco-friendliness, the number and sizes of rooms, the amenities you want to include, and so on. However, a design consideration that can make all the difference when feeling comfortable and secure in your own house – privacy — is sometimes disregarded.
The requirement for privacy—both inside the home, from other residents, and outside the home, from neighbors—is typically a topic of discussion during the custom home design process. We take privacy seriously in our design approach, and we know our clients care strongly about it, especially given modern architecture’s love for open floor plans.
We’ll look at why it’s so crucial to think about privacy, as well as a few different ways to incorporate privacy into modern architecture, in the sections below.
Outdoor Private Spaces
The location of your home will have a significant impact on the amount of privacy you can expect. You will naturally have far more built-in privacy if your home is located amid a big woodland lot, where the nearest neighbors are half a mile distant than if your home is situated on a densely-packed city block.
Even in a densely populated region, you can include privacy in your home design. Planning for private outdoor areas in the form of one or more inside courtyards is a great way to do this.
These areas allow you to appreciate nature, fresh air, and natural light while remaining hidden from curious eyes.
Thinking Outside The Box
If privacy is a significant priority for you in your new custom home, you’ll want to discuss it with your custom home builder in Washington. There are bound to be house plans that fulfill your demand for privacy, yet looking at non-traditional designs may be necessary to locate your perfect solution.
One creative idea is to construct your own home without ground-level windows facing the street. While you could expect a darker interior, as a result, you might compensate by installing a bank of extra-large windows in the back of the house. A skylight, clerestory windows, or reflecting solar tubing could potentially maximize the amount of natural light in the room.
And that’s only one possibility. If you’re innovative, you’ll be able to find a variety of ways to strengthen your home’s privacy while still displaying your sense of style.
Taking a Look at The Layout
When it comes to privacy, both from guests and visitors, as well as from other family members, your home’s floor design is crucial. While various noise-proofing techniques minimize sound transmission within the house, the correct physical layout can also prevent intrusions into private spaces.
Family bedrooms or private offices, for example, should not be located next to or accessible from public or entertainment areas such as the living room. Instead, some form of buffer should exist between the two. This could be a guest bathroom or bedroom in a single-story home, or all of the private family bedrooms could be located upstairs in a multi-level home.
Another technique to increase your home’s privacy is to have more bathrooms than bedrooms. Each family bedroom should, if possible, have its own bathroom, and there should be an extra bathroom — or perhaps a half-bath — for guests near the house’s communal areas.
This not only protects your personal space but also raises the market value of your home.
Landscaping with Plants
Believe it or not, strategic landscaping is one of the best ways to protect your privacy at home. This way, you have the perfect solution: privacy and natural beauty.
Privacy hedges
These are evergreens that proliferate and serve to enclose your land. Cherry laurel, box hedging, holly, and privet are popular.
Trees
Mature trees give privacy, beauty, and shade, as well as acting as a natural fence around your property. Consider Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, Willow, Leyland Cypress, Eastern White Pine, or Paper Birch.
Climbers
Climbing vines can completely transform your landscaping by covering fences and walls. Climbers also give a pop of color to your yard because many are flowering plants. Clematis, wisteria, trumpet vine, climbing roses, and hydrangeas are popular choices.
Fences and Walls
Fencing and walls are the final touches.
A quality fence or wall is difficult to surpass for ultimate outdoor privacy.
Wooden fences, typically made of pine or red cedar, can be stained or painted in any color, allowing you to create whatever design you like. Individual panels and pickets can be purchased at any home improvement store in the event of damage, making repairs quick and economical.
Vinyl fences are designed to be low-maintenance. They don’t rot and don’t need to be treated every year.
Boundary walls built of brick or stone, while more expensive than fences, protect your privacy, provide protection, and give your home majestic air. These walls require no upkeep, are weather-resistant, and are impervious to accidental harm.
For almost 35 years, Home Source Custom Homes has been a leading custom home builder in Washington. We are a family-owned and run company known for our unwavering commitment to quality, enthusiasm for completing projects using cutting-edge technology and premium materials, and meticulous attention to detail.
Contact us today to see what your dream house could look like!