Nowadays, with housing tracts being developed that feature large houses on tiny lots, many homeowners feel that they no longer have any privacy in their own backyards. It is also not just about your own lack of privacy but the simple fact that you don’t enjoy seeing your neighbors on a daily basis in their backyard. Chances are good that you are yearning for a little bit of outdoor privacy. You do have options to create your own private backyard where you can relax and not have to worry about nosey neighbors.
Here are 8 Ideas for Creating a Private Backyard:
- Plants for Perimeter Privacy: Mother Nature offers a multitude of plants that are ideal for solutions to create a more private backyard. Property line hedges create a formidable perimeter that provides year-round cover if you opt to plant evergreens. Fast growing shrubs such as Italian cypress or arborvitae can create a columnar look that requires very little care to thrive. You can also opt to plant privet shrubs to create a hedge but the bushes typically require shearing to maintain their overall shape and form. Overall, plants are a thrifty way to gain a fence if you are okay with waiting a year or two for them to grow.
- Layered Natural Fencing: If a single hedge fence is not your ideal choice for obstructing the view between yards then you might want to choose a staggered planting layout. This is extremely successful in large yards. You can start by planting a back row of deciduous trees and then fill in the spaces with evergreens. Deciduous trees that stand around 60 feet tall are a great way to obscure the view from your neighbor’s second story windows. Layered natural fencing is fairly cost efficient but can take years to truly reap the benefits.
- Container Plants: Many people have virtually no yard to plant within so they must turn to pots. Never underestimate the screening power of a large pot of bamboo or a ficus tree. You can conveniently place pots of large shrubs and trees around your deck to obscure your neighbor’s view. Container plants are a great way to gain privacy with only a small investment of money and very little effort. Another key point of counter plants is that they are no permanent. You can move them at any time.
- Privacy Fence: Building fences and walls are tried and true methods of landscaping for privacy. A six-foot solid fence quickly cuts off a neighbor’s view and looks great. Installing lattice along the top will also soften the appearance of the fence. A privacy fence does require a modest investment but it is a great way to gain instant seclusion.
- Stone Wall: A stone wall might be a bit drab and unattractive but if you stick a cute white picket fence on top then the fence takes on an entirely new appearance that is extremely trendy. A stone wall is usually pricey but looks lovely.
- Masonry and Iron: An eye-catching Spanish option is to combine masonry with iron to create a fencing barrier that is also a work of art. If the ironwork is too open for your taste then you can use it as a trellis to support obstructive and attractive vines. Masonry and iron is probably the most expensive fencing method that a homeowner can choose but it is also extremely attractive. This is also one of the many landscaping solutions that can increase your home’s property value.
- Pergola: A small deck or patio can be completely enclosed by building a pergola around its perimeter and then grow a bevy of climbing vines across its surface to create an isolated area that is thriving with vegetation. A pergola does not have to cost an arm and a leg to build.
- Lattice: Lattice is an inexpensive method of creating a barrier between your neighbor’s backyard and yours. You can grow vines on the lattice to create a complete visual obstruction. Lattice is a very inexpensive fencing option.
3 Things to Consider When Designing a More Private Backyard:
- Building codes: When putting in any type of permanent fencing structure it is important to be aware of your community’s building codes, and your neighborhood’s zoning and HOA rules. If you don’t want to deal with these headaches we suggest hiring one of the professionals in your city off of our landscaper list.
- Maintenance: If you decide to go the more natural route know that there will be some grunt work involved and that you must maintain the plants to keep your private backyard looking lovely. If you feel you do not have the time there is no shame in hiring a few professionals in your area to come out once a week to care for your vegetation.
- Animals: If you have dogs there are ways to accommodate them into your landscaping design, but know that many breeds enjoy digging so a concrete or sturdy, well installed fence might be a good idea for you. Also know what natural wildlife is in your area and what plants attract them, we suggest consulting a landscaping pro before choosing what plants you would like to incorporate into your new private backyard.
When landscaping for privacy you can always produce a visual masterpiece that you and your neighbor can both enjoy.