While sunbathing in your backyard or lounging by the pool, the last thing you want is to be completely visible to your neighbors. Backyard privacy is ideal for most homeowners as it can create an enclosed space, which perpetuates the feeling of a safe environment. When determining how you will achieve backyard privacy, consider a few things.
Barrette Outdoor Living says besides having privacy for yourself, building something like a lattice fence can help hide anything that might make your backyard seem messy. This could be trash cans, recycling bins, AC units, or anything else you may have stored underneath your deck. This Old House says there are plenty of ways to create privacy: hedges, stone walls connected to fencing, layered privacy planting, container gardens for privacy on your deck, and more. We’ve selected a variety of designs for you to peruse through and, hopefully, find what will work best for you.
1. Backyard getaway
scaliger/iStock
Have your backyard feel like an escape from outside responsibilities, with fencing borders and a mixture of your favorite plants. The swing seating is a comfortable spot to lounge, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
2. Add more greenery
Kyryl Gorlov/iStock
Add more greenery to your lawn by framing it with hedges. Their simple design won’t attract much attention and will blend with the overall scenery.
3. The original
Nastco/iStock
Take the traditional route and install a white picket fence with hedges boarding alongside it. It’s simple, beautiful, and goes along with most backyard designs.
4. Get creative
scaliger/iStock
As you develop the design for the ultimate backyard privacy, try and add something new and unique. A large pond with large rocks bordering it is a fun way of obstructing an onlooker’s view of your backyard.
5. Add flowers
Lux Blue/iStock
Does your backyard fence have gaps large enough to see through? You have originally built a fence to keep certain critters out — except for ducks — but now you don’t have any privacy. Adding flowers along your fence can add privacy, as well as a beautiful design element.
6. Trees and more trees
Dainis Zvingulis/iStock
Plant a variety of trees of different sizes to create a woodsy look in your backyard. This looks more natural when compared to hedges that are aligned in an orderly fashion.
7. Metal wall
Serjio74/iStock
Building a metal wall with stone pillars will create privacy that feels safe and secure. It completely blocks anyone’s view and is seemingly challenging to climb over.
8. Rustic
Tatiana Stepanishcheva/iStock
When building your own fence, you can choose the overall look and color. A green wood fence gives off a rustic vibe, and the door that is added is great for access in and out of the property.
9. A modern option
U. J. Alexander/iStock
Building privacy for your backyard does not have to diminish your design goals. You can easily create a modern fence to match your home by using certain styles, such as this metal fence.
10. Backyard on a hill
alexnikit1981/iStock
For those who have a backyard on an angle, it may be difficult to have consistent privacy all the way down. But, you can build a staggered fence to accommodate various heights on your property.
11. Privacy with a royal effect
9Air/iStock
Build extravagant privacy like this brick wall fountain. Not only are you out of sight, but you have created the perfect view for yourself.
12. Solid white
ThreeDiCube/iStock
For a minimalistic or contemporary look, a solid white wall will give you the aesthetic you’re going for, as well as the privacy you desire.
13. Green thumb
cmspic/iStock
Put your gardening skills to use and create a border with flowers, vegetables, and fruits. It also helps to add trees for additional cover.
14. Combination of materials
yevtony/iStock
Combine greenery, wood, and metal for the ultimate defense against outsiders. This creates a look unique to your home while also maintaining your privacy. The metal that shoots through the top can also play as a security measure.
15. Add designs
Vladimir Kokorin/iStock
Your metal fence doesn’t have to be bland. Adding a lattice design on top can add additional privacy and complete the desired look of your backyard.
16. Affordability
andreusK/iStock
Need something simple but not boring? Building a standard wooden fence can be more affordable compared to other options, so creating a staggered look can add the slight interest you may be looking for.
17. Enclosed structure
Paradise Restored – Backyard Design Guide/YouTube
Create an enclosed space in your backyard for friends and family to hang out without peering eyes. This can also be a perfect time to add a bar or grill to your backyard.
18. Large wooden hangout
Paradise Restored – Backyard Design Guide/YouTube
Building a structure like this can create privacy for a specific area in your backyard, especially where you tend to hang out the most.
19. Combine fence with nature
Your House Needs This/iStock
If you don’t want your fence to take away from the nature around you, combining wood with greenery is an option to create a Biophilic design.
20. Whimsical design
Your House Needs This/YouTube
Your wooden fence doesn’t just have to be a straight line across your lawn. For a more eclectic design, change the shapes and make them wavy or whatever else you’d like to see.
21. Bamboo
PlantDo Home & Garden/YouTube
Add a feeling of tranquility to your backyard by using bamboo as cover for your daily activities. Housing says bamboo can bring a sense of peace to your home.
22. A clean look
PlantDo Home & Garden/YouTube
For a unified, straight, and green design, boxwood is a plant that can provide it all. It can be made into this streamlined design, but it also comes in other varieties.
23. Make it colorful
Garden Ideas/YouTube
Choose a plant with a bright and fun color to let your personality shine through. This vibrant pink is beautiful to look at and will distract those walking by — preventing them from peering inside.
24. Hang your plants
Garden Ideas/YouTube
Your privacy fence can also be a functional tool for hanging outdoor plants that are sensitive to sunlight.
25. Weeping willow effect
Garden Ideas/YouTube
Create a weeping willow effect by draping vines over your fence for additional coverage while also creating an elegant design.
