Forced to choose between good design and home security, most people would choose home security. After all, home invasions tend to put a significant dent into your design and décor. This is a false dichotomy, however; it’s entirely possible to secure your home without making it look like the entrance to a federal penitentiary. You just need to know where to start.

Securing Your Home’s Entry Points without Interfering Design

Home security is, largely, about knowing how a home invader could enter the house and securing those entry points. Here are some thoughts about identifying your home’s easiest entry points, and enforcing them in a way that won’t interfere with your home’s design:

Doors are the most common entry point for burglars, too.

We’ve all seen home invaders on television break in through a second-story window. The fact of the matter is that most home invasions take place through a front door. Securing those entry points like the front door is the first step in securing your home. Deadbolt locks are ideal; and today, you can choose from many different styles and designs that can complement the rest of your home’s look and feel. Installing a deadbolt lock should take about half an hour of your time and between $40 and $100, depending on the style you want.

Don’t forget the windows.

Windows are, of course, the next logical entry point logical entry point. Windows are a little trickier to secure than doors and still keep things aesthetically pleasing. Custom locks are, of course, an option. However, the best thing you can do to secure your windows is make it difficult for a home invader to reach them. If your windows can be accessed from the ground, make sure you trim the bushes and that there’s a clear view of the window from the street. Burglars are much less likely to try to climb through a window if they think a passerby might see them.

Secure the garage, too.

If you have an attached garage, you need to do more than simply close the garage door at night. You can install motion-sensitive lighting that triggers when someone ’s trying to get in. If you’re concerned that this will be an eyesore, look at various design options or consider placing the light inside of a decorative housing (a lantern?). You can add advanced garage door locks, and a deadbolt to the side door, too.

This article was written by Jeremy Kushner, a home security enthusiast who blogs on topics related to crime, security and home improvement. You can find more of his posts at homealarmsystems.com.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.