I just found a house that I LOVE. The house is great, it has a great view from the back of the house and it's priced right. The only problem is that the front door of the screened-in porch is literally one foot from the sidewalk and maybe 3-4 feet from the road. It's a one-way street and not often used except for kids to travel to the local middle/high school.

Even so, being so close to the road and in such plain view of my neighbors bothers me. I could use some suggestions on how to make the front of my home more secluded without blocking all of the sunlight from my windows. Is there a good landscaping solution to this problem?

 

Hi Autumnwindflowe,

Without more info such as photos, sun conditions, space available for planting and where the house is located make it difficult to make landscaping or plant recommendations. Some type of curtain or possibly a roll-up shade come to mind so they can be pulled aside or pulled up to allow light into the house.

Newt

 

Sounds like the porch was an addition. Privacy will be of greater concern when wanting to entertain or relax on the porch. You can install blinds that can be dropped down on porch when needed and raised when enjoying the indoors. Or, flowing sheers on porch can provide year-round privacy and all light to enter. Porch could be decorated as an extension of the livingroom or foyer.

Sheer curtains on windows are great for allowing light indoors during the day and maintaining privacy. Then, draperies that can be drawn at dusk will maintain evening privacy. Roman blinds on interior windows would allow them to be raised during the day for light and lowered at night for privacy.

One foot between porch and sidewall leaves little room for planting. And, you certainly would not want anything with invasive roots that could damage foundation or sidewalk. And, I can't think of any shrubs that have a spread no greater than one foot. If the porch roof has an overhang, plants need to be out beyond the dripline to receive rain. For a touch of greenery, perhaps liriope or other decorative ground cover like periwinkle can be planted along the foundation. If steps are wide enough, pots of inviting, red geraniums could draw visitors' eyes to the entry.

The 3-4 feet to the edge of the road is probably part of the right-of-way. This is something you need to know. Again, 3-4 feet leaves little room for planting and roots can damage sidewalk and road. Landscaping is, indeed, a challenge.

Talk with neighbors to make sure that the one-way street is not used as a short-cut by residents who do not live on the street. Are the kids travelling to school walking or driving? Heavy traffic before and after school can create congestion and interfere with your getting in and out.

 

if your porch is only 3-4 feet from the street it seems to me that it was built on the utility/drainage easment. make sure the porch addition was permitted and legal before you purchase the home. it could be subject to removal if it were not approved by the city or county. j.m.o.