When the weather’s warm, who doesn’t want to spend as much time as possible outdoors? You can soak up the sun’s rays, work on your tan and enjoy all the health benefits of spending time in nature. However, the last thing you want is to feel like you’re on stage in front of your neighbors while you and your loved ones are enjoying your time together. To help you keep out of sight from prying eyes, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can add privacy to your backyard in style.
How to Add Privacy to Your Backyard
If you live in an area that’s densely populated, you might struggle with the feeling that you’re being watched by the neighbors. This can be enough to stop some people from going out into their yard, but that should never be the case. Read on to find out 10 ways you can add privacy to your backyard. Some are inexpensive and simple, while others are more costly or longer-term approaches.
1. Outdoor Living Room
You can fashion an outdoor living room as elaborate or basic as you prefer or your budget allows. If money doesn’t come into the question, consider getting a screen room or porch enclosure with a retractable roof to get the best of the indoors and outdoors. If you’re on a budget, place your outdoor furniture in your favorite spot and surround it with screens. You can decorate the screens or incorporate plants or just leave them minimal for a clean aesthetic.
2. Giant Planters
For a natural but put-together look, invest in huge planters and fill them with your favorite plants. Strategically arrange them around your best-loved seating spot and enjoy privacy as well as being surrounded by nature. You can opt for decorative flowers or pretty grasses depending on your preference, but this is a fast and affordable way to create a divide between you and your neighbors.
3. Outdoor Curtains
An option many people have been turning to for outdoor privacy in recent times is opaque panel curtains. These are affordable and versatile because you can leave them open when there’s no one around to observe you and close them when you need a little extra privacy. It also creates a VIP-style aesthetic in your backyard and contributes to the burgeoning trend of taking the indoors outside and vice versa. You can get a custom corner unit built to hang the curtains from or simply place them along the sides of a porch or pergola using simple posts and curtain poles.
4. Corrugated Metal
Corrugated metal fences are all the rage at the moment because they add a futuristic vibe and cost less than many other wall structures. What’s more, if you’re someone who enjoys layering textures, colors and materials in your yard, adding sheet metal to stone, concrete, gravel and plants adds a modern and attractive dimension that also keeps prying eyes at bay. Most home improvement vendors sell sheet metal, which is also one of the most long-lasting and durable options.
5. Cascading Walls
If you’re ready for a full-on redesign of your backyard and want to incorporate privacy, consider using cascading landscaping. Not only is this a highly effective way of ensuring you have the privacy you need, but it’s also visually stunning. Start with cascading retaining walls, then plant trees, hedges and shrubbery at varying levels and add special features like hanging baskets, statues, a bird bath and a fountain for an abundant look that doesn’t look crowded or messy.
6. Pergola
If you’re looking to increase privacy without blocking your own view, consider putting up a pergola. Wooden beams and columns partially block you from view so you can create an outdoor living space that’s semiprivate and looks impressive. Add fairy lights, hanging plants and curtains for a fully unique and customizable option. What’s more, pergolas usually have a slatted roof that partially protects you from sunlight and keeps your outdoor space shady and cool.
7. Bamboo Partition
If you love the tropical look, bamboo is a must-have for privacy-seekers. This fast-growing plant grows tall and quickly fills up any space you plant it in. In fact, to prevent this invasive plant from taking over your yard, you’ll need to make sure it’s planted in containers or beds with strong barriers in place. Combine bamboo with colorful fabrics and lush plants for an exotic outdoor design.
8. Focal Point Wall
Instead of simply putting a wall up and signaling explicitly to your neighbors that you’re looking for more privacy, incorporate architectural elements into the design. For example, installing wall planters, a fountain, statues or any other feature to your focal point wall looks more aesthetically pleasing and serves more of a function than simply blocking other people’s view.
9. Living Trellis Wall
Another way to spice up a dividing wall is by using live decorations. If you’re on a budget, all you need to do is surround your outdoor living space with as many trellises as you require. Then add climbers, vines or any fast-growing and invasive plants if you’re in a hurry. If time isn’t a concern, you can take your time and fill your living wall with your favorite blooms to achieve a look you’ll be proud of for years to come.
10. Lattice Fence
A lattice fence is about as affordable as it comes if you’re looking to build a privacy fence, and it offers plenty of opportunities for customization. You can paint it your favorite color or use a wood stain to create your desired effect. There’s also the option of planting climbers or tall vegetation for additional coverage and visual appeal.
Get Help Adding Privacy to Your Backyard
At Prince William Home Improvement, we’re experts in designing landscaping and hardscaping to meet the specific goals of our clients. Call us today at 703-492-1294 to get a quote for your next backyard makeover.
