John R. Wood Properties
Barry Dunleavy, John R. Wood PropertiesPhone: (239) 877-6445
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Stylish backyard privacy ideas to try at home

by Barry Dunleavy 01/15/2023

If you're in need of backyard privacy ideas, it's time to think beyond the fence. There are plenty of creative ways to make your backyard more private, from hanging curtains to living walls and everything in between. To help you create privacy in your outdoor space, here are some tips to guide you:

Add greenery to a trellis

One thing to keep in mind is that you don't need a solid surface to create privacy. As long as you provide enough of a barrier for comfort, you can use a wide variety of lattice or openwork surfaces.

Try a trellis with your favorite climbing plants. Some excellent options include honeysuckle, clematis and jasmine. You'll have more privacy, and the sweet scent of flowers as a bonus.

Work with your yard's boundaries

You can enhance the existing boundaries of your yard with the right foliage. Choose the best tree varieties for the amount of sun and type of soil in your backyard. 

Opt for plants that create a light, protective layer along the borders but still allow some sunlight will help the rest of your garden thrive.

Elevate your style

A multi-level backyard is a bold yet functional style choice with plenty of potential for creating privacy. Combine raised beds, tall shrubs and hanging baskets to keep the neighbor's view at the top of your shrubbery and out of your yard. Finish your private retreat with a sunken living room-style sitting area complete with luxurious lounge chairs.

Go modern

Corrugated metal is an innovative fencing option that adds a modern, industrial vibe to any yard. Not only can a metal privacy fence provide protection, it also adds bold texture to common yard palettes of stones, gravel or cement.

Simple to install, corrugated metal fences are a budget-friendly privacy solution and can be customized to your desired height. When combined with a minimalist landscape, this type of fence can enhance your entire yard design.

DIY a free-standing screen

Consider building your own free-standing screen for double duty privacy and flexibility. With a free-standing screen, you can adjust the angle to meet your needs or provide perfect sun protection.

You can craft a privacy screen from a variety of materials including old doors, window frames, palettes and other recycled wood. With a little DIY ingenuity, you can create a custom privacy screen that doubles as a living wall or even a projection surface for an outdoor movie night.

Whether you opt for a simple trellis or an entire outdoor room-style sanctuary, these ideas should help you get started on creating more privacy in your backyard. 

About the Author
Author

Barry Dunleavy

Over 25 Years in the Real Estate Industry. Former Senior Managing Director with responsibility for oversight of real estate businesses in Canada and Latin America including CEO of Canadian-based bank; prior to that Sr. Managing Director Construction Financing to large residential builders throughout the USA. He has a BA and MBA in Finance. Memberships include the Naples Board of Realtors, Graduate Realtors Institute, Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, Florida Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Community activities include New Horizons of Southwest Florida volunteer teaching math and reading to at-risk 3rd to 5th graders while being Chair of their 2016-2018 Golf Event and also involved with the Christian Businessmen's Connection. 2014 Awarded the Distinguished Volunteer for Collier County. He was a former Board of Governors of Hazeltine National Golf Club, host of the upcoming 2016 Ryder Cup Championship.