Imagine how you are now becoming the envy of so many of your friends. The dream has come true: You are the proud owner of a wonderful waterfront property. And it’s in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Coeur d’Alene is a stunning place, the vision of postcards, Instagram moments and the types of serene visions that people use to meditate. But this isn’t some faraway, imaginary place for you: this is your home. And you are surrounded always with nature’s splendor and the kind of placidity that makes life wonderful.

Of course, you are not the only person who is attracted to this amazing destination. The public at large comes in to enjoy the wonders of Lake Coeur d’Alene. And that means that people are swarming close to your property. This may be less than ideal, but hey, that’s the price of popularity! As you will soon find is the case with your neighbors, this is all part of the deal when living here. And there are a lot of ways to mitigate any incursion onto your privacy. With a few simple protocols, you can protect your peace of mind and your property. Here are a few of them...

Let Nature Take Its Course

As you may have noticed already, this part of Idaho is rich with trees, plants, shrubs and greenery. The rich soils and nurturing weather make growing gardens here relatively easy. So why not use a little clever landscaping to not only beautify your personal space, but also strategically afford you a lot more privacy? Nature’s bounty provides not only for your food and shelter, but also for cover. In the same way a shade tree protects you from the sun, our plant friends can block prying eyes.

Planting rows of bushes along your property line can be an eye-pleasing way to create a natural barrier between your home and the outside world. They can be tall enough to keep folks from peering into windows while also short enough to not obstruct the views you like to enjoy. Flowering varieties like roses add an explosion of color in the warmer months, and thorns can be another disincentive for folks to get too close. Add in a couple of fruit trees and now you’ve got apples and cherries along with your privacy. These are just a few landscaping ideas to use; there are planty – er, plenty more!

Elbow Room

If you are buying a property or building a house on the lakefront here in Coeur d’Alene, one thing you will want to think about is just how close to the shore your structure is. The use of the lake is available for the public, so if your home is right on the water, you will find that these folks might be almost right on top of your home.

The obvious remedy to this situation is to consider a house that has a nice stretch of property between the shoreline and the house. Setting back a few dozen feet can give you all the elbow room you need to give you the property you deserve. Such properties tend to be more expensive, not only because it means there’s extra land to purchase, but also because having a stretch of sandy beach is more desirable. In the end, it’s a matter of personal taste just how much space you need.

Build Privacy

Another great strategy for adding privacy to your Coeur d’Alene lakefront home is to populate your property with some strategic partners. For example, if zoning allows, a simple fence can make all the difference. This tried-and-true border item doesn’t need to diminish the local aesthetic. You can choose tasteful fences that blend in with your environment nicely. But you don’t need to be that stark about it.

Practical items can make another difference. Adding a boathouse near your dock can look classy, be totally useful, and provide a physical barrier to prying eyes. Other such items could be aesthetically pleasing installations like fountains, trellises, gazebos and lawn art. You can beautify and utilize while protecting your privacy, making your project as much as a rewarding creative project as a necessary undertaking. With just a little work, you will keep the “dream” in dream home without worrying about unwanted onlookers.