It’s common knowledge that a beautiful view raises a home’s value. But can a bad view actually lower its value? Bottom Line: Everyone wants a Room with a Beautiful View… but some rooms don’t always come with one.
Here are a few great ideas to help create a Room with a View:
1. Conceal by planting a living screen.
Planting mature trees to block a view requires ample space, time and funds. Installing bamboo is one stylish way to conceal a building adjacent to a narrow side yard. Bamboo is often praised for its beauty and screening potential, but it can be invasive if not planted with a root barrier.
Note When Planting Bamboo: Bamboo is often praised for its beauty and screening potential, but it can be invasive if not planted with a root barrier.
According to Anna Foleen, a representative from the American Bamboo Society, many types of bamboo can thrive in a strip of land as narrow as 8 inches, depending on adjacent ground conditions. They also can tolerate limited lighting conditions and can grow 3 to 5 feet every year.
2. Conceal with a fabric or wood privacy screen.
Unlike with a living screen, there’s no need to wait for a fabric or wood screen to grow to the desired height, although screens above a certain height may require a city permit. This type of privacy screen can have various openings that frame desirable views of the sky and trees.
3. Create a focal point with plants or sculptural art.
Using plants or art might not completely conceal the view beyond. Instead, the view will just disappear into the background.
4. Frame the view with an adjustable window treatment.
Like clerestory windows, the Roman shades on windows bring in light from above while maintaining privacy. They might also help conceal an offending feature outside.
5. Hang distractions in front of the window.
Hanging plants and decorative fabric is a playful, budget-friendly alternative to installing formal window treatments.
6. Combine indoor and outdoor strategies.
Applied frosted window film inside and a placed living privacy screen just outside this room gives the view depth and dimension even though there is no idea what lies 5 feet beyond the window.
