Sellers often wonder what to do if the house next door is too close or if it doesn't make the best first impression on buyers. Buyers are known to form an opinion about whether or not they like the house in less than 10 seconds, so sellers have to remove anything that could become "deal breakers" and stand in the way of a buyer making an offer.
We recently viewed this lovely, large home in an excellent upscale neighborhood in Tualatin, Oregon (a Portland suburb). However, upon entering the home and walking down the hallway, one of the first main rooms a buyer would see is this dining room ...
The house next door is nice as well, but it seems too close upon entering this room. Even with window coverings added, you'd feel like you didn't have enough privacy. Buyers need to feel comfortable and secure when purchasing a home.
This quick GREEN solution was easy!
Adding ten arborvitae trees was the perfect eco-friendly solution ... they fit easily in a narrow space and grow up rather than out. These evergreen trees form a nice hedge and allow for privacy -- and are much prettier than a fence (as well as much faster to install). It took the landscape crew only about two hours to dig the trench for these arborvitaes and get them in the ground. They require very little care as well (Oregon's rain pretty much takes care of that).
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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR. We help homeowners, real estate professionals, and builders stage homes so that they sell quickly. Our home staging techniques work! For a free home staging proposal give us a call @ 503-246-1800 or take a look at our menu of home staging services to help YOUR home sell faster.
Staging That Sells Portland Homes!
Portland home stager Maureen Bray of Room Solutions Staging was a Featured Designer for HGTV's popular show "My First Place" 
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Maureen- what a creative solution. Most would either consider window treatments or a fence but the cypress trees offer privacy and a focal point. Not too shabby staging in the dining room either. You transformed a rather cold dining room into a room with warmth and a view.
Hi Kathy ~ Thanks, I just couldn't stand the thought of the seller investing in staging this home and then having to overcome objections about the lack of privacy in the dining room!
Maureen this just goes to show that professional stagers, like yourself, go above and beyond when it comes to helping sellers make the sale. I know that you probably didn't get any financial gain from that landscaping install BUT you helped the sellers with their problem and that's what professionals do. BRAVO and KUDOS to you! (and nice staging too!)
That is a fantastic fix! Those trees actually make for a gorgeous, dramatic backdrop!
Maureen,
What a great idea!
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
I bet after putting those up that the house sold in no time, I'm not sure anyone would want someone looking in on them while they are eating.
Great job!
At first I thought they were painted in, great idea, we have those here too, like in Tuscany. At least it's not the shack above, but still, looking over someones patio...not too private. Great privacy wall!
Hi Ginger ~ Thank you for confirming my belief that this was the right solution to the problem!
hi Tamara ~ Thanks, the trees are so much nicer than the house next door aren't they?
Hi Ann ~ Glad you liked it.
Hi All Brokers ~ I don't think it would be comfortable at all with neighbors coming and going and looking in!
Hi Cindy ~ Not painted in -- planted!! LOL it does make a good "wall" of green!
It does look like a painting! You are so clever and wise!! Beautiful and so green in more ways than one!
Hi Cathy ~ Beautiful and GREEN, yes!! Nosy neighbors, NO! :-)
Maureen,
I can't imagine anyone buying that home and having to stare at the neighbors house every time they sat down to dinner... the arborvitae was a fantastic solution and really created a pretty scape! BRAVO!
What a great idea, Maureen. I've sometimes used a spring rod and sheer halfway down the window when there are non-working cars and/or dog runs in the next yard. This is much more eco-friendly!
Maureen - In a word "Perfect." Prior to them adding the trees, that house just felt looked SO close. Your solution was excellent!
Kathy
Excellent solution Maureen! Much better view!
Excellent solution, and it didn't appear to cut off much daylight.
Yop not only provided a nice view from the dining room but you added privacy both inside and out. And the best part is that you planted trees which is eco-friendly. Great solution all the way around. Thanx for sharing this great idea.
What a great solution. The dining room is now calm, serene and "green". Now, I just need to talk to you about the curb appeal in your "turn of the century" home above... ;-)
That was a GREAT solution and you still get all that natural light & a VERY pleasing view!! Congrats on a very creative solution!!
Hello Maureen, this is a timely post for us. Very recently we had a very similar situation and we also recommended that the owner use evergreens as a shield. As long as there is a good buffer area between the window and the evergreens (as in your photo) it looks very natural.
Hi Michelle ~ I felt the same way ... even if we added window coverings, the house next door would still remain the focal point of the room.
Hi Janis ~ I've used the same solution you mention before too .... but in this case, more "coverage" seemed necessary.
Hi Michele ~ Thanks, the "view" now is a nice green one!
Hi Sandi ~ We may have lost just a little daylight, but I think the trade-off was worth it. :-)
Hi Mannie ~ Solutions that work and also happen to be Green are the best, aren't they?
Hi Sally ~ Oh yes, well that one we haven't gotten to quite yet ..... LOL
Hi Gary ~ Glad to hear you used a similar solution and that it worked well! You're right that there needs to be enough room so they don't appear too close to the house.
Hello Maureen,
What an excellent idea to the sellers problem. It not only is beautiful but a perfect privacy wall.
Rita
What a great before and after picture. This solution was just perfect and now potential buyers won't even have to think about the view out the window.
What a great suggestion...You are sooo smart Maureen!!
What an excellent idea and a permanent solution to the privacy issue! I like how you did not go with drapes, because you do NOT need them. Fantastic solution.
Wonderful smart solution. Nice job
Fantastic solution! And as usual your staging is sensational Maureen.
Maureen, You never cease to amaze me....keep it coming girl, love learning from you!!!
Hi Rita ~ Thanks for your feedback, and also for reblogging my post!
Hi David ~ That was the goal -- to take away any objection that likely would have come forward from a buyer :-)
Hi Valerie ~ You're a pretty smart cookie too with your terrific idea on hanging window panels without rods!!
Hi Kate ~ Here in the Pacific Northwest we need all the light we can get ... and you're right, I didn't hang drapes because we want buyers to see the fabulous custom woodwork in this house. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Virginia ~ As stagers it's our creativity that often helps our clients. We all bring good ideas to help properties sell faster!
Hi Patti ~ Thanks very much for your comment ... love your new photo by the way!
Hi Donna ~ We all learn from each other here ~ If I can help you that makes me feel great!
Bravo, Maureen!! What a great solution -- adding privacy and value at the same time! Thanks for sharing.
Great idea! Would not have thought of it myself, but will in the future. Fantastic!
Hi Nancy ~ That's it -- "instant" privacy and added value!
Hi Linda ~ A fence can be expensive and require a lot more maintenance than these evergreen arborvitae trees.
Maureen,
I think I am going to use this on my house!
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
Aloha Maureen,
I see you gave your client the edge with a great hedge;) It's eco friendly and allows for natural light to enter the room and you dispense with the costly expense of custom drapes. Lovely!
Peace,
The perfect solution, Maureen! No objection from buyers in this room now!
Hi Ann ~ I hope that it works at your home too! You can see it blocks out anything you don't really want to look at (or have others looking in at you!)
Hi Kimo ~ I love your saying, "gave the client the edge with a great hedge" -- cute. Most likely the buyer of this home will use some type of window coverings, but at least they won't have to keep shades always drawn to provide privacy any more.
Hi Sharon ~ You're right, this room is now free of objections -- goal met!
That is professional creativity in action! Very nice way to think outside the "fence!"
Hi Jim ~ A fence would have worked here too, but would have taken longer and probably cost a lot more. We love coming up with creative ideas to help our seller clients :-)