How to avoid becoming the next Big Brother celebrity on your street

We’ve all been there. Walking the dog after work, just as night is drawing in - we can see straight into our neighbours’ houses.  We don’t (really) want to, but it is all there for us to see. 

Avoid minor celebrity status in your street by following our simple tips.

·         Think cosy, think cocoon

It’s Halloween and Coronation Street is about to come on.  The door bell has been ringing all night with groups of pink witches and cute cats demanding sweets.  But you’ve been in the lounge with the lights off for 25 minutes now and seem to have fooled them.  Will turning on the TV to see how Fiz and Tyrone are getting on with Hope's prognosis end up giving you away?  Are your curtains going to block out the light and absorb the sound from your TV?

To ensure a lovely warm room, safe from prying eyes of passers by the single best thing you can do is hang a gorgeous pair of fully lined luxury curtains. Not only will they absorb some of the sound from your TV and block out the light but they will make your room feel luxurious by adding an extra layer of protection from the outside world.  Create your own cocoon this winter.

·         Contemporary blinds make a stylish alternative to net curtains – yes really!

We are all proud of where we live.  Our home is a reflection of ourselves. However, the house-proud women of our Grandmothers’ era would not approve of our lack of net-curtains.  The colour of your ‘nets’ said a lot about how you cared for your home.  What was it about ‘nets’ that was so important?

Well, previous generations were onto a good thing when they insisted on net curtains at every window.  They provide a barrier against drafts; protect you and your possessions from prying eyes as well as allowing light in. They defuse the light in a bright room – and bring a cosy feel to colder parts of the home.  The curb appeal of matching curtains cannot be underestimated, whether they are twitching or not!

Most of the benefits of net curtains can be achieved with some of the new contemporary binds.  Roman blinds protect from drafts and coordinate beautifully with the furnishings of a room.  They are also cheap enough to have a set at every window. So make your granny proud and get yourself blinds for every room.

·         Protect kids with funky blinds

Your six year old is old enough to play in her room on her own; dressing up, making up dance routines or playing on her iPad. With the light on, her activities are fascinating to passersby.  They will love to see her change from Anna to Elsa and perform her own rendition of Let It Go – but do you really want them watching? Do you want them to see her iPad abandoned on her top bunk bed? 

Protect your child and her possessions by shielding the windows with a funky blind. There is an enormous range of child-friendly designs on the market.  You can even get blackout blinds to help her sleep or translucent blinds to let in the maximum of light during the day.