Imagine this: it’s a sunny Saturday afternoon, and you’re all set to relax in your backyard. You’ve got your favorite book, a cool drink, and a comfy lounge chair. Just as you settle in, you hear your neighbor’s kids playing next door, and out of the corner of your eye, you notice your neighbor glancing over the fence. Suddenly, your serene escape feels a lot less private. This is one of the woes if you live in an urban area or even a suburban area; technically, rural homes could deal with this, too.
It’s hard to feel like you’re living in an oasis when you feel like there are wondering eyes on you, right? Seriously, you just can’t help but feel uncomfortable, knowing your every move is visible to the neighbors. This scenario is all too common for most folks who crave a bit of solitude in their outdoor spaces.
So, how much do you resonate with this? Is it a little too relatable? Well, it’s not something you have to deal with. Thankfully, for the most part, there are plenty of fantastic ways to feel like you’re getting your privacy, even right in your house. So, with that said, here’s what you can do!
Plant Some Greenery
It’s really going to help to try to start in an eco-friendlier way, with plants, of course! Besides, this is also one of the most natural and aesthetically pleasing ways to add privacy to your outdoor space. So, just think about it for a moment. Options such as tall plants, shrubs, and trees can act as a living fence, blocking the view from neighboring properties. Bamboo is a popular choice because it grows quickly and creates a dense screen. It takes about a year for it to get super dense, so you’ll need some patience, but technically, you’ll need that for all plants.
Alternatively, consider planting evergreens like cypress or arborvitae for year-round privacy. But what if space is limited or you only have a balcony? Well, in that case, you could look into vertical gardens or climbing plants like ivy or jasmine, which can add a lush, green barrier without taking up too much room.
Install the Privacy
So, where is your outdoor living space? For some homes, it’s going to be on their pergola or gazebo, but having a patio or deck is pretty common, too. So, depending on your outdoor living space is going to depend on your privacy feature. For example, security patio screen enclosures are a thing for homes with decks and patios (which is ideal for creating that seamless indoor/ outdoor feeling. These are great for keeping out bugs and privacy, and yes, you’re getting security too!
If you have a pavilion, pergola, or gazebo, then you can usually install outdoor curtains or a sunshade sail to help with the privacy. Again, it just depends on what and where your outdoor living space is, but this is usually the main go-to for most homeowners since plants take too long to get the job done.
Consider a Fence
While sure, this is considered a more classic solution, you can’t really go wrong with a fence when it comes to privacy issues. Plus, it’s nice having a fence to separate your plot of land from your neighbors. But of course, it’s all going to vary depending on your aesthetic preferences and budget.
But you can usually have options for choosing the materials and the aesthetic. Just make sure you don’t have an HOA, and you don’t have to deal with ordinances, because sometimes neighbors are known for being a nightmare when you install fences.