Our tips for harmonious relationships with neighbors

The big city houses or apartments unfortunately do not always allow enough distance to the neighbors, which can cause us a lot of stress. Loud music or regular barbecues are just some of the causes of heated discussions.

But if you plan carefully, you could secure your home against the intrusion of unpleasant noises or smells and protect your privacy better from prying eyes. Consider our tips:

---

Noise transmission is a very discussed topic when you live in close proximity to other people. When difficulties arise between neighbors, it is usually because of loud music, noisy children’s games, high TV volume, or frequent parties. These are sounds that are spread through the air. This also includes the noise of a washing machine.

If you regularly suffer from annoying noise from the neighboring apartment, you should consider sound insulation at home.

Sound absorbing material can reduce the level of noise. It is attached to the inner wall or on the floor. It is best to seek advice from a specialist. There are also inexpensive alternatives.

There are two main points to consider when it comes to noise protection: the price of the insulation system per meter and its size. The size of the adjacent structure also becomes crucial in terms of noise insulation. To reduce the noise level in one direction, you could rely on a high-quality and complex acoustic insulation system. However, if you hear annoying noise from more than one direction, you should take comprehensive measures.

Most modern wall insulation is fairly thin, so you won’t get laid more than a few inches from the surface of the wall. There would be a significant impact on the total area if three or four sides of a room were insulated. Therefore, consider the options carefully.

Sometimes it is not noise but an unpleasant smell that may be the cause of disputes among neighbors.

Various sources of odors such as cooking, grilling, sewage or pets can cause this, especially if you live in the house. It is mainly advisable to have a ventilation system in the house.

Air duct systems can be installed in the kitchen or in the bathroom. The pipes will direct unwanted odors outside. However, the handsome plumbing can be a great feature in a modern industrial style interior. So you don’t necessarily have to hide it.

To make sure that the smell of food does not reach the neighboring house, you could get yourself an innovative extractor hood. However, be careful of the noise level. The extractor hood should be set to a low level to ensure continuous ventilation.

In an apartment, a built-in ventilation system could play this role. The filter should be changed at least three times a year, otherwise the fan will be noisy and ineffective.

Even if you expect friendly neighbors, you want to protect the privacy of your own home. You often enjoy the time out with a cup of coffee on the terrace or balcony. However, these places are actually not protected from view.

Bedrooms with glass walls like the one in the photo here need a secure privacy screen. Window film, horizontal blinds or translucent roller blinds would be possible solutions.

In the outdoor area, you could rely on chic screens. For a nice effect, you could create a natural privacy screen from plants.

The frosted glass as a privacy screen would also be very suitable, especially on the balcony. The glass is easy to care for and translucent. Combine it with something else, with green plants or a fence, for example. You will surely be well protected from the prying eyes of passers-by or neighbors.