Incorporating Good Design into Your Home Security

I’d like to thank Kate for this wonderful guest post that she wrote for HomeAlarmSystems.com! With a passion for design and a DIY addiction, Kate is one of the best people to talk to about DIY home improvements that will not only save you money but also impress your guests! Read on to see what Kate has to say about incorporating design and home security and check our her blog at CentsationalGirl.com!

A home is built to be functional and serve the needs of its residents.  We also love our homes to be beautiful, but one of the most important tasks of home ownership is ensuring its security.  Incorporating smart home security solutions into your interior and exterior design takes a little thought, but they are important considerations for all who seek to protect loved ones, hard earned belongings, and family heirlooms.

Consider opaque instead of clear garage and front doors.  Clear glass will give an intruder an idea of what’s inside your home and make it a potential target.  Rather than replacing windows, there are products you can buy at home improvement stores to add frosted finishes and greater privacy to your windows from spray paint to window films.

Image credits:  inthefunlane.com and 7thhouseontheleft.com

Intruders look for homes where they can easily hide from the eyes of residents or neighbors, so think about your home’s security when planning your landscaping.  Install a gravel path around side windows or rear doors so those who approach can be heard outside, and keep shrubs low and well pruned so they don’t become an easy hiding place.

Image credits:  thisoldhouse.com and montanaheritageproject.org

A well-lit home is attractive to neighbors and visitors but not intruders.  Path and motion detector lighting solutions are effective deterrents to crime and the added bonus is they highlights your landscaping in the evening hours.

Image source:  johnsearslandscaping.com

It’s always good to have an extra key stashed outside, but thieves look in all the predictable places like under a mat or a flower pot.  Instead, think about hiding your extra key in a hidden rock that blends into your landscaping.

However, there’s no need to even hide a key with a more flexible keyless security solution like a keypad deadbolt.  Schlage makes a few finishes that will complement your home’s existing exterior.  This solution installs easily and is also  handy for housekeepers, house sitters, or renters since it avoids having to issue keys or change the locks when tenants move.

Image credits:  roclok.com  and handlesets.com

Home alarms are a huge deterrent to break in, but often we’re stuck with an unsightly electronic keypad in the entry.  This easy DIY project is a great disguise for your entry alarm keypad and also allows you to place your favorite art or family photographs on display.

Image source:  beforeandafterbrookside.blogspot.com

Finally, there are many clever video cameras and receivers on the market today which look exactly like home accessories and are easily placed around the home to fit in with your existing décor.

Image sources: brickhousesecurity.com (1) and brickhousesecurity.com (2)

Home security doesn’t require ugly or obtrusive solutions, so take the time to research smart solutions like these, you’ll be on your way to better security in and around your home.