Backyard Privacy Tips

If you want to create a private patio space away from the prying eyes of neighbors, it’s entirely achievable with a few simple adjustments. With some creative ideas, you can transform your outdoor area into a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and relax.

Follow our tips to create more peace and privacy in your backyard.

You can plant bamboo or other ornamental trees or small shrubs in large glazed pots and place them strategically along the back deck. Sleek square planters are great containers for bamboos, and the clean, geometric design of the Pyramid Planter lends itself to ornamental grasses like switchgrass, Miscanthus, big bluestem, or Ravenna grass.

Planting trees or hedges is probably the most obvious thing to do, and depending on the amount of backyard real estate you have, it may or may not be a viable solution. One of the most popular privacy trees is the Leyland Cypress. The hardy evergreen can grow up to 3 feet per year and reach a whopping 35 to 40 feet in height over its lifespan.

Other fast-growing trees and shrubs we love (and also grow well in a wide swath of growing zones):

• Holly varieties, like the Sky Pencil, American, Oak Leaf, and Nellie Stevens.
• Juniper, like Wichita Blue and Spartan.
• Wax myrtle.
• Canadian hemlock.
• Dawn redwood.
• Other cypress, like Murray and Italian.
• Willow hybrid, which can grow six feet each year.

Each of these hedges and trees can shoot up several feet each year; most are pretty hardy and can even tolerate poor soils. Keep in mind, however, that “fast-growing” means you need to make sure you plant far enough away from your home’s foundation to avoid structural damage from roots. Another consideration is the size. As the Leyland Cypress grows taller, it also spreads out quite a bit in width—from 10 to 15 feet—so make sure you account for the extra space before you plant and allow sufficient spacing between trees.

If you’re living in an apartment or townhome, your “yard” may consist of little more than a balcony or postage-stamp-sized slab of concrete. No worries. If you’re looking for a way to gain a little privacy in your outdoor space, head over to your local home supply store.

Shutters and wooden doors are a great way to add a little quirkiness to your space while creating a solid privacy screen so you can sip a glass of wine on your patio in peace. Take three or four shutters or doors and hinge them together to form a folding screen. If you’d like to move them around from time to time, place them on casters and voila! You have a rolling privacy screen.

Don’t discount the idea of some kind of trellis attached to your deck. There are all kinds of different patterns and materials—from composite wood to wrought iron. Choose a trellis that suits your needs. If you only have a small portion of your condo’s balcony to shield, consider a trellis in a pot. If you have more space that needs privacy, a large custom-made trellis may be the way to go. Since my back deck gets all-day sun, I’d choose a creeping rose to train up the trellis for additional screening and a pop of color.

This last option works well if you have a pergola, an overhang, or a porch. Consider adding privacy curtains or shades to your outdoor space.

These fabric walls will shield you from the sun and provide a luxurious sanctuary. Choose fabric as simple as sailcloth or painter’s canvas drop cloths, or go with outdoor curtain fabric found online or at your local fabric store.