Improving your home's security may seem like it comes with the price of ruining its appearance; large steel gates and bars around your home along with security cameras in every corner can make a home seem like a prison rather than an actual house. These features may be off-putting and in some cases can even decrease the chances of reselling your home if you were to put it on the market, as new homebuyers want a house that is welcoming and inviting, not foreboding.

To improve your home's security without ruining its appearance, note a few simple tips.

1. Install security screens for doors and windows

Windows are a favorite entry point for thieves and intruders as they're relatively easy to shatter or to jimmy open. Security screens provide a layer of security over the glass of the windows without looking like heavy security bars. These screens are made of thicker metal than standard window screens so they're virtually impossible to cut, and they often lock in the corners so they cannot simply be pried open.

Security screens keep you safe at night but can also allow you to keep your windows open during the day for light and fresh air, without having to worry about someone breaking in while you're actually home.

A security screen door often has a metal bar design in the front that is designed with scrolls or other decorative elements rather than straight bars, so that it looks attractive and not imposing. A security screen door will also have a more heavy-duty lock than standard hook-and-eye locks or small latches you see on screen doors; it may be a deadbolt or even a keyed lock. This too allows you to keep the inside door open during the day while still being securely locked inside.

2. Install remote locks

Remote locks work with a signal that may run over your internet or cell phone lines, and they allow you to lock and unlock your home with an app on your smartphone or tablet. Since the wires are installed in the home's walls, they're invisible and don't detract from its appearance. With remote locks you can open the doors to let your children in after school so they don't need to carry a key with them, or check that your home is locked when you're at the office or on the road.

Learn more about your options by consulting services like Bonds Security Products.