We need some privacy!

12 years ago

We have just built a new house in a new area, as you can see from the photos the house behind/above us looks straight into our Kitchen/family/dinning and outdoor living space. We feel that we are in a fish bowl now. What should we do? If we plant trees, we need them to be about 16 feet very fast. What would these trees be? Is there any other way we can give ourselves privacy without forgoing style. We have a very blank canvas to work with. We had planned to grow Ficus pumula to cover the retaining wall. We look forward to hearing your suggestions!:-)

Featured Answer

tsudhonimh

12 years ago

Remember: If you can't see their windows, they can't see you. :)

Instant privacy? A narrow awning or pergola OVER your windows will block the view from the other house. Grow a flowering vine on it.

For the patio area, more awnings, shade structures and vines growing on them.

Also plant the trees, but as decorative elements, not privacy makers.

I wouldn't plant Ficus pumila on anything important. Its invasive rootlets will damage the wall. Water trapped behind foliage is also bad for retaining wall.

Add a trellis held a foot or so away from the wall for ventilation and plant a non-aggressive vine on it, or plant a mix of shrubs of various heights and some tall, slender trees to break up the prison compound feel. Use whatever grows down there - I'm in a desert so I have no clue about the species you have available.

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Comments (31)

Ed
12 years ago
Hi ozbern, Congrats on your new home! Did you notice this issue when you were shopping for this house, or did the neighboring house spring up after the purchase? One solution would be to build a super high fence that blocks all their windows. Like an arms race.
nwduck
12 years ago
ozbern, Where are you located? Plantings might be the best solution, but don't want to suggest something that will not do in your locale.
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It's way too cluttered in there. The first thing I would do is get rid of that small 1/2 wall with the 2 seats, I can;t see how it would be useful at all. If there is a counter in front of that wall get rid of that also then at least the space will open up between the kitchen and I guess thats a little eating area in front of the sliding doors I then would rearrange the living room. Right now it looks like you have a couch that is almost acting like a wall between the living room and eating area. That couch is breaking up the flow pattern and also making the place feel cramped. I would move the TV where that wall that separates the kitchen is (The L shaped stagger wall) Move the large couch where the TV is now and the smaller one opposite where it is now. So now when someone walks in they walk into an open area and it has a nice flow to all three areas. Also get rid of that Pallet table, go with something with a glass top, so while it is functional it's not overwhelming like that way too large pallet table
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Unfortunately it is also a requirement in the CCC District plan restricting ones fence height being over 1.8m. There are also stipulations about visibility of no more than 50% through the fencing so most home owners opt for the cheap solid timber fence. It is rather frustrating when we design these beautiful homes and the client has no regard for landscaping and the house is subsequently 'blocked from view.' Perhaps a little more client education would go along way for us to push some great landscaping designs and make more of a house on a section.
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Hello - I am an independent Interior Designer and Colour Consultant based in Cambridge. The issue you are having is something that I come across a lot (unfortunately). You need to add items that will absorb sound - what you have at the moment in this space are all items that are 'hard' and therefore will 'bounce' all sound around the room - which is why it's so noisy. Would love to help you :) www.cambridgecolour.co.nz elizabeth@cambridgecolour.co.nz Elizabeth; 027 275 9779
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Nikki
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi, we are in Auckland, New Zealand, we would be considered coastal, we get good rainfall most of the year, sometimes dry over summer. A mild climate really.
We were the first to build in our block so it was a gamble on what would happen around us, but believe it or not it's considered prime real estate.
I like a contemporary formal look.
Thank you
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I would plant fast growing trees (not sure what grows quickly in New Zealand), something like evergreens. While you are waiting for those to grow, install awnings off your back roof, add a brick patio for the awning. By the way, my sister is in a similar situation. She added tall shrubs (which grow faster than trees) close to her porch, not at the border, and also got used to the "fishbowl" pretty quickly.
hatetoshop
12 years ago
Be careful when planting anything on the retaining wall. The plant you're considering can damage the structure and may cause more headaches down the road. And if you're going to plant trees there, the ivy-like plant isn't necessary.

As for tackling the privacy issue, I like Smileyface's advice -- awnings, umbrellas, gazebos and pergolas.
User
12 years ago
Clumping bamboo, not the type with runners. Australian wattle trees.
User
12 years ago
Bamboo is a great idea, chookchook! It grows really fast and makes a great screen, although it can be invasive.
Sharon Cameron
12 years ago
Clumping Bamboo. It's the non - invasive kind.
User
12 years ago
Clumping bamboo -- I have learned so much on Houzz! :)
Sharon Cameron
12 years ago
@ Smileyface, me too! Always learning something.
User
12 years ago
http://www.bamboogarden.com/Hardy%20clumping.htm
jonomat
12 years ago
I'm unsure if these would work in your area but Leighton greens are extremely fast growing and very dense
However they must be trimmed or they will get out of control!
We planted these about 6 years ago and they are above our two storey and raised house.
PRO
Budget Fence and Patio
12 years ago
There are myriad ways to add privacy by putting in perimeter plantings to building fences, stone walls, or garden structures.Staggered wooden boards stained in soft shades can create a-kind of privacy fence . Small patios or decks are generally easier to screen than a whole yard. By building an enclosure around them, you can re-create the intimate feeling of eating or entertaining indoors, while still enjoying beautiful weather.
Enclosures may take the shape of a pergola covered with climbing vines .So the choice is yours..
houssaon
12 years ago
If you plant closer to your house, the tree doesn't need to be that tall. I like the idea of a pergola.
nwduck
12 years ago
Ozbern: I think I might do one or two triangular shade sails as you like contemporary. You can do these flat or angled, high or lower depending on your needs. The lower part of the retaining wall is rather homely, so I would do plantings that would cover that bit straight away.
Nikki
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks everyone, some really great ideas, we will be planting very soon but wanted to have all the hard landscaping completed before we start. I will look into all the plants suggested to see if they will suit our space, and think we might look into the screens around our deck area.
PRO
Benchmark Services
12 years ago
Parasoleil panels may be the stylish option for you. You could install the panels like a pergola roof projecting toward the house but in the line of site from the buildings above. you would gain a shady spot in the summer also.
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Dytecture
12 years ago
Knapp Interiors · More Info
Nikki
Original Author
12 years ago
Does any one know of any climbers that will not damage the retaining? The reason we thought ficus pumula was that it had been recommended by 2 landscapers. (I wanted ivy and was put off that)
dbh
12 years ago
Carolina Jasmine (or Jessamine) grows really fast and will grow as tall as your support, can withstand salt in a coastal area, and is not destructive. It's also an evergreen (deep green waxy leaves) and has beautiful yellow or sometimes white flowers that have an amazing scent. Also agree with above about the non-invasive bamboo.
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Catherine Belan
12 years ago
Ozbern: we had a similar dilemma, lovely backyard and then they started tearing down bungalows and building four story townhouses all around us. I built a single depth pergola along the back property line, the beauty of this is not only the privacy, but it brings the scale of the yard down to make it feel more intimate when we are outside.

We also added a 10' x 10' (little over three meters) pergola right up against the house where we had a wall of windows. Will try to find that photo too.

We have coral vine now growing in it. Dies in winter, comes back in spring. You can always do more contemporary details if this is too casual.
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Catherine Belan
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Found it! We added a material that allows sun and rain to pass through but reduces ultraviolet rays and heat load on the adjoining room. This pergola has been up for five years, I used oversized timbers and gave it a stain.

We have no coverings on the windows and doors there, but the "roof" of this pergola blocks the view of those in the townhouses who look down from behind our house and still allows us to look out to see our yard.
gail1979
12 years ago
Cypress trees for the long term!
Nikki
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks catieb, I am a very visual person so your pics help, we are now looking into a pergola over our deck.
User
12 years ago
I would get that retaining wall assessed first. See whether you have water runoff from adjoining property, and whether retaining wall needs any repairs. If water is running down, they may have to pay for any repairs. Before you plant .
denisejuddd
12 years ago
Ivy is beautiful but it takes over. If seasonal will do, Boston Ivy is not invasive and is red in the spring and again for summer (but the leaves fall)
Nikki
Original Author
12 years ago
I will look into Boston ivy, not sure what it's called here in New Zealand. The retaining wall is pretty secure (we've had it checked) it was raining very hard just before I took the photos, it's usually dry.
User
12 years ago
Very sensible people.
denisejuddd
12 years ago
The true genus for the ivy I was referring to as "Boston" Parthenocissus tricuspidata
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James Toah
12 days ago
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We need some privacy!

tsudhonimh

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