7 Privacy Ideas to Improve Your Backyard

Time to read 2 min

If you're lucky enough to have it, free space in the backyard can be a great asset to your home. It allows children and pets to play, hosts gatherings of family and friends, and provides a place where one can simply get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.

But privacy in the backyard is also essential. After all, you may not feel comfortable letting your children play outside, for example, if there is not sufficient separation from neighbors. In fact, for a number of reasons, you yourself might start to feel uneasy if you feel a noticeable lack of privacy on your property.

With this in mind, read on for some great backyard privacy landscaping ideas that can improve your home.

1. Living barrier

One of the most exciting ways to add privacy to your yard is to install a living fence, such as a hedge. In addition to providing a barrier between your property and your neighbor's, hedges provide additional greenery, allowing you to effectively surround your property in an aesthetically appealing way.

Of course, hedges also have their drawbacks: they are sometimes expensive to install and it takes some time to form a real "wall" that protects your property.

2. Pergola

A pergola can be a useful way to add privacy to your backyard. A pergola is essentially an outdoor structure that includes a roof and supports, but no walls. It can be a beautiful addition to a backyard and is particularly useful for providing privacy for meals and other similar activities.

The amount of privacy added by a pergola will depend on the specific layout of your patio. In some cases, the pergola will be a useful privacy feature, but will instead serve as a complement to another type of fence.

3. Gazebo

A gazebo can also be a wonderful, private alternative to a pergola. The main difference is that a gazebo tends to have a more enclosed roof, providing better protection from the sun and potentially more privacy. The choice of a pergola or a gazebo will depend in part on the layout and exposure of your land.

4. Hanging curtains

With or without a pergola or gazebo, hanging curtains can be an effective way to add an extra dimension of privacy to your property. If used with a pergola, the curtains can be hung between the support columns, allowing them to be closed for dining or other occasions. This can add a very attractive - and extremely functional - element of privacy to your backyard.

5. Hanging Plants

Hanging plants can also be another attractive way to surround a pergola. In addition to providing greenery, hanging plants can help cool the surrounding air and provide protective shade, helping to enclose a structure. Finally, hanging plants can be very affordable and, if cared for properly, can last a long time.

6. Closing

It's clear that conventional fencing is an effective - and often attractive - way to protect the privacy of a property. It's also one of the most affordable options, and many fence plans allow homeowners to DIY.

There are many ways to install a backyard fence; Read on for some options.

7. Wooden fence

Wooden fences are particularly affordable and can often be installed without professional help. With limited regular maintenance, they can last for decades. Many types of wood can be used, from pressure-treated pine to a variety of durable hardwoods.