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Enhance the Privacy of Your Outdoor Retreat... on a Budget
Unwinding in full view of the neighbours is less than appealing, but fixing your outdoor privacy issues can be easy
Joanna Tovia
8 May 2017
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Most of us aspire to a home with an outdoor area that allows us to relax or entertain in peace, no matter how small it is. But when your neighbours can see in – or you fear they can – it’s worth taking measures to improve your privacy. A backyard, deck or courtyard that allows you to truly unwind and be yourself is positively life-enhancing. The good news is that it needn’t cost the earth to make your outdoor area more private, as these solutions reveal.
For the love of lattice
One of the most inexpensive solutions on the market, framed timber lattice, screens out the neighbours without making you feel hemmed in. Pine is the usual timber of choice if you’re purchasing pre-made lattice screens. Paint with a hardy exterior paint to keep them looking good for longer.
Tip: Climbers planted in pots or the earth will soon wind their way in and around lattice screens, taking privacy to the next level.
5 favourite climbers
One of the most inexpensive solutions on the market, framed timber lattice, screens out the neighbours without making you feel hemmed in. Pine is the usual timber of choice if you’re purchasing pre-made lattice screens. Paint with a hardy exterior paint to keep them looking good for longer.
Tip: Climbers planted in pots or the earth will soon wind their way in and around lattice screens, taking privacy to the next level.
5 favourite climbers
Timber on repeat
Vertical timber battens deliver a more sophisticated finish than the more casual lattice, especially if they’re constructed out of hardwood and stained to match your deck. The timber screen in this outdoor kitchen ties in with the rest of the area – on the balustrade …
Vertical timber battens deliver a more sophisticated finish than the more casual lattice, especially if they’re constructed out of hardwood and stained to match your deck. The timber screen in this outdoor kitchen ties in with the rest of the area – on the balustrade …
A little height
Adding height to a wall or fence can be all you need to create a greater sense of seclusion. Pickets made from repurposed timber turn the wall into a feature …
Adding height to a wall or fence can be all you need to create a greater sense of seclusion. Pickets made from repurposed timber turn the wall into a feature …
… and look pretty good from the street too.
All stacked up
This open dining area would not look nearly as polished if the brush dividing fence were in full view. A timber screen behind the barbecue defines the area, and adds privacy in the process.
This open dining area would not look nearly as polished if the brush dividing fence were in full view. A timber screen behind the barbecue defines the area, and adds privacy in the process.
The screen itself is neither difficult nor terribly expensive to construct – treated pine of different lengths have simply been stacked and secured on top of each other – a creative and effective solution.
Tip: Painting any wall or fence in a dark colour helps it disappear into the background – and gives it a contemporary edge.
Tip: Painting any wall or fence in a dark colour helps it disappear into the background – and gives it a contemporary edge.
In praise of espaliering
Building a wall is one way to block out the neighbours, but without a little thought, it can close in an area too much. Softening a blank wall with greenery is often the way to go.
Espaliered plants sit flat against a wall – so don’t encroach on your dining or lounging area – but can add just the greenery and life an outdoor area needs.
Building a wall is one way to block out the neighbours, but without a little thought, it can close in an area too much. Softening a blank wall with greenery is often the way to go.
Espaliered plants sit flat against a wall – so don’t encroach on your dining or lounging area – but can add just the greenery and life an outdoor area needs.
Hemmed in by hedges
Screens of green can create a backyard oasis and hedging can be grown to whatever height you and your neighbours agree on. The downside to hedges is that they need to be trimmed to keep their height in check and to prevent them from becoming scraggly.
10 things to know about garden hedges
Screens of green can create a backyard oasis and hedging can be grown to whatever height you and your neighbours agree on. The downside to hedges is that they need to be trimmed to keep their height in check and to prevent them from becoming scraggly.
10 things to know about garden hedges
All in a line
Trees that you know will grow to a particular height and then stop are lower in maintenance, as long as you’re prepared to be patient while they grow. These conifers (Emerald Green Arborvitae) are fast growing trees (15-23 centimetres per year) and grow to be 3-5 metres high.
Privacy plants for the modern home
Trees that you know will grow to a particular height and then stop are lower in maintenance, as long as you’re prepared to be patient while they grow. These conifers (Emerald Green Arborvitae) are fast growing trees (15-23 centimetres per year) and grow to be 3-5 metres high.
Privacy plants for the modern home
For those wanting a faster-growing alternative, bamboo is worth considering. It grows up to 6 metres high at a rate of 1-1.5 metres per year. Bamboo has earned a bad reputation for its tendency to spread and take over your garden (and your neighbours’), but new ‘clumping’ cultivars such as Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’ do no such thing.
Tip: Before you rush out and buy plants to get your green privacy screen growing, check eBay or Gumtree for bargains – backyard gardeners often sell plants they are pulling out. Bamboo can also be easily grown from cuttings.
Tip: Before you rush out and buy plants to get your green privacy screen growing, check eBay or Gumtree for bargains – backyard gardeners often sell plants they are pulling out. Bamboo can also be easily grown from cuttings.
Masonry magic
Breeze blocks can pretty up a small space and provide privacy without compromising on the sense of openness. And they’re inexpensive to boot.
Breeze blocks can pretty up a small space and provide privacy without compromising on the sense of openness. And they’re inexpensive to boot.
Hole in the wall
Off-the-shelf laser-cut screens have also become quite affordable in line with recent demand. Shop around at hardware stores and online to see if you can find laser-cut panels with a design and size that suits your space. Otherwise, you can have a laser-cut screen custom made, and even design it yourself.
Tell us
How have you made your outdoor area feel more like a retreat? Share your tips in the Comments.
More
Browse more outdoor design ideas
Off-the-shelf laser-cut screens have also become quite affordable in line with recent demand. Shop around at hardware stores and online to see if you can find laser-cut panels with a design and size that suits your space. Otherwise, you can have a laser-cut screen custom made, and even design it yourself.
Tell us
How have you made your outdoor area feel more like a retreat? Share your tips in the Comments.
More
Browse more outdoor design ideas
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