Whether you live in a home with a large backyard or a smaller, cozier one, preserving your privacy is one of the major everyday concerns. You want to be able to enjoy your morning coffee in pajamas away from the curious looks of neighbors or passers-by. Or you might want to simply enjoy a backyard barbecue with your family and feel like it’s a private event. That might be difficult to attain unless you choose some way to screen your property from the glances of anybody outside it.
While you make changes to your backyard to increase your privacy on your property, consider whether you have enough room indoors for the gardening tools and for some of the outdoor furniture as the cold season approaches. Sure, you can use your shed for gardening tools if you have one, but if you don’t, you can turn to self storage to supply that extra space you need. A 5×5 storage unit is perfect just for gardening tools, but if you need to store lawn furniture you might need a larger size – a 10×10 storage unit would probably suffice in this case.
Besides the home itself, the backyard is an important common area where homeowners spend time, whether alone, in each other’s company or while having guests over. Here are some ideas to help you preserve your backyard privacy:
Go for the traditional hedge
One of the most natural ways to separate your backyard space from the rest of the world is by adding hedges. They have been a hallmark of landscape privacy, as they have lined edges of properties for a long time. Depending on your choice of hedge, they can reach various heights. The downside? It might take time and care to help grow it, but the investment will pay off in the end if it’s the look you desire. Even a smaller hedge can be quite effective in providing that much needed privacy you’re looking for. There are also artificial hedge options if you’re looking for a quick solution to create a separation between your property and the rest of the world.
Create a living fence out of tall bushes
If a natural element is what you’re seeking a backyard privacy idea, then tall bushes are the answer. The types of trees you can use will primarily depend on where you live. For instance, if you live in a city such as Portland, OR, a Douglas fir seems a good fit, but if you’re in Los Angeles, palm trees could a great choice. With the assistance of a landscape design professional, you can create the ideal “living” fence to make your backyard space feel private.
Let a vertical garden speak for itself
This is another way to create a living fence, but this time by DYI-ing a vertical garden. Use a wooden or metal frame where you can hang several rows of hanging planters with vegetables, herbs and flowering plants. It’s a win-win for you: You get your own vegetables and herbs while creating a natural screen for your yard. You can relax now while you grill, entertain guests, or simply lounge around your yard away from prying eyes. And did we mention that surrounding yourself with plants is beneficial to your wellbeing?
Give trellis a try
An outdoor structure such as a trellis is a simple and elegant way to block the neighbors’ view of your property. The trellis’ slats can filter the sunlight without blocking the breeze, which is a welcome effect. Additionally, it’s a great support for climbing plants or flowering vines that create interest and a great focal point in your yard. Go for jasmine or clematis – all they need is a pot that allows drainage and regular watering to enliven and beautify your trellis. You can also make a trip to your garden store and get advice on which climbing plants are best suited for your area.
Add a screen of curtains
A simple backyard privacy idea that’s easy on the wallet is simply hanging curtains outdoors. It’s an idea that doesn’t break the bank as you’ll be needing just a few opaque panel curtains and curtain rods. You can hang them on the side of a porch, pergola or a special corner you’re dedicating to relaxing in the outdoors. You’re guaranteed to have on-the-spot privacy for your designated outdoor area. They’re a flexible privacy option as you can open and close them as you wish. Additionally, they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns and are made of materials that are mildew-resistant.
Choose a retractable backyard screen
Buying a retractable backyard screen is a quick way to create some sort of separation between your backyard space and your neighbors’ eyes. Backyard dividers and screens are easy to find at any home improvement store. If you are handy with tools and love a DYI project, you can simply anchor them to wood subfloors or even concrete using special fasteners. You can have a professional come to do the work if DYI is not an option for you.
Use oversized umbrellas
Not everybody can enjoy the luxury of a large yard, which means that cramped outdoor spaces also need their own customized privacy ideas. Create a private outdoors escape by installing an oversized umbrella. It’s a relatively inexpensive privacy solution that takes minimum effort. All you need to do is install it and you have a wonderful shaded area regardless of the season.
Go modern with a corrugated metal fence
You can always go for the classic privacy-providing solution, namely a fence. Corrugated metal fence shields your backyard from prying eyes, all the while giving your property a refreshed look thanks to the modern textured finish that contrasts with the usual palette of gravel, stone or concrete. You can find this type of metal fence at a home improvement store – they’re also very durable, besides offering a great privacy solution for your backyard space.
Install a masonry wall with ornamental ironwork
When going for a masonry wall, perhaps complete with stucco, which stands 5- or 6-feet tall, you can soften how it looks when windows are cut into it. For décor, ironwork is fitted inside the windows – newer products might look more industrial, but if you go to yard sales you can search for antique fencing, and this can add more character to the landscape.
Try the stone wall topped with short fencing look
Speaking of walls, why not make your wall interesting and charming? Start by installing a 2- or 3-feet stone wall, and then mount a lattice of the same height. The latter addition is enough to disrupt sight lines, while the open fencing offers a stylish privacy solution. If you live in an area with lots of loam and difficult drainage, make sure to excavate below the frost line and install piping to drain the water out.
