The Importance of Privacy in Your Home

After a long day at work with lots of polite chatter, deadlines to meet and focus to be held, the thought of getting home and closing the door on the world is very inviting. However, what responsibilities lie therein?

You love your family, flatmates and friends but having a safe haven away from everyone is a must, even for the most sociable among us. Never underestimate the importance of privacy, especially in the era we live in of living our lives in the public eye with social media.

A place to call yours

Having a space that you know is yours aids ‘alone time’. A sometimes cliché term but a process that is actually very important for your own mental health. Time on your own is not a scary thought to be avoided at all times, instead it affords you the opportunity for some peace and quiet to do a few things for you. Read that book you’ve wanted to devour, catch up on the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy or sort out your finances (boring, I know, but very satisfying).

Whether this is your bedroom, the study or even the kitchen, it is importance to section of that space and put aside that time for you.

Closed doors and locks

It sounds glaringly obvious but being able to close a door, and at times lock it, is essential for getting away from it all. A lock is a base requirement for a bathroom so you can be sure of no interruptions from excitable children while you’re soaking in the tub, or from those barging in on you while you’re on the toilet!

We’ve all lived in places where a door doesn’t quite close properly or the lock is a bit dodgy, and this stops you enjoying a space without interruption – always wary of the next intrusion into your space. If you still live in a space like this, then try to be creative with letting those around you know that your small place of sanctuary is off-bounds, such as these cute ‘do not disturb’ signs from Etsy.

A transitioning space

Having privacy is great but we don’t always ‘want to be alone’ like Great Garbo in Grand Hotel. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to have a space that can transition from somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle, into a part of home that could be great for inviting in the hustle and bustle for a gathering.

This can be done with internal bifold doors that can literally take you from ‘alone time’ to sociable butterfly in a matter of seconds. A cosy nook for reading separated from a living room for catching up on the soaps, can be transitioned into one large area for entertaining or simply bringing the whole family together.

Having an understanding

There are various ways to approach the subject of needing some privacy and it all depends on your relationship with the people you live with. Here’s some quick tips on establishing your need for space:

Family

With those closest to us, it can be easier to be forthcoming and direct with your need for some alone time. It could be as simple as a rule of no interruptions while you’re in the bath, to giving you an hour to yourself each night to read. As long as you afford others

the opportunity for their own space then this request should not ruffle any feathers!

Friends/Flatmates

If you live with friends then this could be the trickiest of the scenarios unless your pals are up for privacy themselves. We all have friends who can’t spend more than a loo break by themselves, which certainly won’t help your quest for peace and quiet. Simply coming in the door and running upstairs to your bedroom will not suffice, as before long you’ll hear the tap on the door…

Here you’ll have to find a way to be direct without wounding them or making them feel like a pest. Explain how much you love spending time with them but let them know that you need to be alone sometimes – to get your head in order and to recover from the busyness of your day.

Partner

Living with your significant other is amazing. You get to spend every day with them and they’re your constant plus one to social engagements. But, too much time together can make you lose the spark of seeing each other and it’s important to spend time apart so that this feeling stays.

Most people enjoy their own space so this conversation may not even be needed. However, if you think that this could be something that upsets them, try to pick times that suit both of you for doing your own things. If your partner is busy baking up a storm in the kitchen, then take that time to go pamper yourself in the bathroom.

Be honest about your need for time to yourself, but also keep in mind that they might want to spend as much time with you as possible – and that’s not a bad thing!

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