Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeBuildHow To Make An Open Patio Private

How To Make An Open Patio Private

How To Get Privacy In An Overlooked Garden

DIY Deck Privacy Screen // Do It Yourself Privacy Wall

When it comes to protecting your garden from prying eyes, you have lots of different options, from pergola ideas and canopies, to strategic planting, natural garden screens and more.;

When choosing the best course of action for your space, the main thing you need to understand and work with is the sight line. By sight line, we mean, what the overlooking person can see be that from a window, their own garden or from a nearby walkway. To understand this better, it’s simple. If you can see them, they can see you.

We spoke with Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express who says, ‘creating privacy outside is great for those who want some space to relax, out of the way of prying eyes. Even one single planter can be surprisingly effective when shielding a garden from the outside world. Go for something that is easy to care for.’

Erect A Living Bamboo Screen For Privacy

But there are other options for furnishing your patio with privacy besides a conventional hedge — consisting of yew bushes or privet shrubs, for example. Another type of “living wall” for privacy;consists of a looser collection of plants that you allow to grow freely–rather than trimming them into a tight “hedge.”;In the slide shown above, the homeowners have chosen bamboo plants to serve this function.


Create An Outdoor Mud Room

Unlike homes in wetter areas of the country, Southern California homes often do not have mud rooms, which means there is little space for coats and shoes.

Of course, there is also little use for coats in places like San Diego County, but inclement weather does happen, and it is always nice to have a place to stash coats and umbrellas when guests come to visit.

If you have hard wood floors or are concerned with chemicals being tracked into your home, you may also be interested in a convenient place for family members or guests to take off their shoes before entering the house.

If you do not have a mud room but do have a covered front porch or covered entry, you can create an outdoor mud room to keep wet coats and muddy shoes out of your house.

An easy way to accomplish this is by placing a bench outside of your front door with coat hooks on the wall and shoe racks underneath the bench.


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Reduce Lawn Space Reduce Workload

Speaking of lawn mowing , this property has a huge lawn. Some people admire a;lush, green lawn, but it comes at a cost–including the maintenance entailed in mowing it. Among its many other virtues, a patio such as this one could save you work. If the space were taken up by additional lawn rather than by the patio, the homeowners would have an even bigger mowing job on their hands.

Hang A Mirror To Double The Visual Size

18 Deck Privacy Ideas for a Perfectly Secluded Outdoor ...

Mirrors can double the feel of space, making it the best addition to any small room, including your small patio. By hanging a mirror to reflect the view of your landscaping, you can add a visual depth to your patio. Additionally, you can go with a painted mirror frame to add a pop of color to your walls. Both tactics will certainly turn your small patio into a more relaxing oasis.

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Install Slatted Wood Screens

Slatted wood screens prevent people from looking in, but you still get to enjoy the sunlight. If you want to be able to grow plants or get some sun, this can be a great way to do so without sacrificing your privacy.


Some wooden screens are adjustable, so youll be able to open and close them as you please. With this kind of screen, you arent limited to always blocking the view or always having people look at you. You can change it up to fit your needs.;

Put The Finishing Touches On Your Patio Masterpiece

The privacy for this pool-and-patio area is furnished partly by a masonry wall. As a finishing touch, a simple mural has been painted on the wall, suggesting cactus plants. If you are not much of an artist, check online for sources for plant stencils.

  • 31 of 49 The ivy on this wall is attractive, but it can also be invasive.Andrea Rugg/Getty Images

    This fence is covered with a plant that–while attractive–also has a negative quality: Namely, it is an invasive plant;in many areas. It is called “English ivy.” Invasive plants can cause you headaches. Do your research before you begin growing plants so that you can make wise decisions.;A better choice here than English ivy may have been the tamer Boston ivy vine.

    Continue to 32 of 49 below.

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    Or Give Your Deck A Single Wall

    With just a few feet separating these two homes, privacy was a necessary consideration for the back deck that serves as both an outdoor dining space and living room. A slatted wall creates total privacy and provides additional lighting thanks to a trio of red gooseneck barn fixtures. Take a tour of this backyard, below.

    Have It Made In The Shade With A Pergola

    How To Build a Stylish Privacy Screen

    If you will be spending a lot of time on the patio during the summertime, it is of critical importance that you furnish yourself with some shade. Erecting a pergola structure;over your patio is one way to accomplish this. Cover the pergola with something so that it can cast shade. Some pergolas have retractable awnings. But nature-lovers sometimes prefer to grow vines up their pergolas and let their foliage supply the roofing that will cast much-needed shade. Wisteria vines are commonly used for this purpose.


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    Surround Your Terrace With Frosted Glass

    Frosted glass creates a modern border around your patio or terrace and will make things feel more private

    Want to block out prying eyes but a fence or wall feels too penned in? Well, try opting for a frosted glass fence instead. They give the illusion of space whilst offering tons of privacy, and add a modern feel to any plot.;

    We love how this city roof-terrace feels like its own little oasis the perfect spot to lie back and enjoy the big blue sky and nearby trees rustling in the breeze, unperturbed by nosy neighbours. Theres also the bonus of being able to add bunting, as seen here, for a touch of character.;

    Or, why not string festoon lights along with the panels, for a chilled-out party vibe? Weve got loads of stunning festoon light ideas to get you inspired. Just add a few potted plants and a comfy outdoor sofa to finish the scene.


    Small Patio Ideas To Create Your Own Private Oasis

    When you live in an apartment, you most likely won’t have a backyard or lots of outdoor space. However, a lot of apartment complexes include a patio on the ground level so you can step outside and enjoy some fresh air. Even if a patio is small, it doesn’t mean it can’t be grand. If you are looking for ways to spruce up your patio and turn it into a luxurious outdoor space, here are some small patio ideas to consider.

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    Get Growing With Grasses

    Create a low-profile moment of intimacy in a larger outdoor area by planting ornamental grasses, as in the space surrounding this cozy fire pit and Adirondack chairs. This little idyll demonstrates that just a bit of gardening can go a long way: because these seats are so close to the ground, cultivating a bit of privacy is as easy as choosing plants that grow waist-high.

    Connecting Your Front Yard To Your Backyard

    5 Ways to Create a Private Patio

    Create more unified entertaining spaces by directly connecting your front yard and backyard.

    You can achieve this by installing an attractive gate that your guests can see through or a garden arch that leads through your side yard to your back yard.


    Add seating or attractive landscaping features along the way, and make sure to use complementary ground covers and fabrics to make the spaces feel like a single, expansive living area.

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    Create An Area Of Seclusion

    Perhaps it is too difficult or unappealing to make the entire yard private. In which case a small secluded space is a much more viable option. Using the methods mentioned above, such as partitions, tall plants, and curtains, you can create a small private getaway to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

    Image via Flickr

    If you are interested in using a fountain for white noise, we carry a variety of outdoor water fountains. Such as the Copper Vines Outdoor Floor Fountain.


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    Use Wine Bottles For A Splash Of Color

    Empty wine and beer bottles can be repurposed in a clever way to create a privacy screen at the end of the porch, like in this example. Its a great way to recycle the material and also to add a splash of color to your porch.;

    You can either look for a mix of different bottle colors, like in this example or try to find all different shades of the same color for a more uniform privacy wall.

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    Backyard Privacy From Overlooking Windows

    If you need backyard privacy from a 2 story house next door or the apartment building behind, installing a shade structure will help block the viewand also provide some summer heat relief.

    Overhead privacy providers can be anything from trees to a gazebo to a sailcloth to a fixed overhead structure like the one above.

    Find some more overhead privacy ideas here:

    Well, thats it for my list of backyard privacy ideas. Hopefully, youve found something that will help give you some privacy from your neighborsso you can wear your pajamas while youre drinking your morning coffee on the deck, too.

    Plant Tall Grasses Or Bamboo

    Outdoor Deck Privacy Screen Ideas (see description)

    Tall grasses or bamboo are an excellent way to create some privacy in the yard, and theyre lovely plants to have on their own. In this example, the tall grasses have been planted in large tin planters so theyre already starting up quite high off the ground.

    The planters can be moved to the right spot to offer a bit of privacy to your patio or yard if you choose to have a get-together.

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    Ideas For Backyard Privacy

    From gazebos and pergolas, to hedges and privacy fences, discover all the ways to create a secluded backyard. You can grow your garden to new heights with planter boxes or retaining walls, or gain some privacy from above by installing a massive patio umbrella. Read on to find even more ways to add privacy to your backyard.

    Enjoy Your Own Private Bubble

    How cool are these garden pods? Not only do they have in-built lights , but they also rotate all the way around. So, you can easily change up your view when you fancy, enjoy optimum sunshine all day long, or shelter from the wind.;

    A private nook for entertaining, reading, or simply snoozing, they make a fabulous addition to a plot. And, although they are certainly high-tech, the timber frame offers a natural vibe. So, theyll blend cohesively with their surroundings.

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    Using A Retractable Screen

    This comes with a lot of flexibility, making it more ideal to use around the balcony. This screen is easy to install and use.

    If you have railings installed on your balcony, it will be easier to use this screen. This retractable screen can also be installed behind the railings depending on how you feel it is best.;

    To use the;screen when the weather is unpleasant or when privacy is needed only requires pulling out and fixing it to its pole. No maintenance is required for having this screen installed on your balcony.

    Install Smaller Lattice Screens For Patios

    13 Tips to Make Your Deck More Private

    If you want to add privacy just to your patio and not your whole yard, consider installing some simple lattice screens for partial shade and privacy. I like the contrasting colors of these three lattice panels, with the frame painted white and the rest in natural wood.

    These screens are hanging from the patio roof but the thin cables holding them up create the illusion of floating screens, which is a simple yet excellent idea.

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    Make A Patio Living Wall

    Do you think a simple lattice screen is boring? So why not build a privacy screen that is also a living wall? Lattice panels are just perfect for it, and this DIY tutorial shows you exactly how to create your very own living wall privacy screen. This is a super cute idea that features plenty of living plants that will not only add extra privacy, but will add some more life to the patio, as well.

    This is a more modern concept that helps you add some extra plant life to the patio without taking up too much space. Make sure all plant fixtures are fastened securely, as this tutorial suggests, to prevent damage to any falling plants.

    Install A Pergola Or Patio Cover

    If you have the room, a pergola or patio cover is an attractive way to create a more private patio without making the space feel smaller. Depending on the design, a pergola also makes a functional frame for outdoor fabricthe shade and cover from neighbors are nice bonus features.

    The pergola I chose for my patio is metal and came with an adjustable shade made of outdoor fabric. The shade and open frame of the pergola give me the cover from both the sun and the view from my neighbors deck that I was looking for while maintaining the open feel of the space.

    If you decide on a more permanent shade structure, such as an attached patio cover or a retractable awning, contact a professional for design guidance and installation.

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    Go Green For City Living

    Urban living often means cramped quarters both indoors and out so make the most of the space you have by thinking vertically. Designer Dan Faires repurposed wood beams from a New York City building that was slated for demolition to create this privacy wall with shelves he filled with potted plants.

    Landscaping Ideas For Creating Privacy In Your Yard

    100 Outdoor seating ideas – Open patio design ideas 2021
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    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

    In rural areas, privacy in your yard is often taken for granted. But residents of more densely populated areas might consider it a hard-to-attain luxury.;Imagine being scrutinized by your neighbors from their windows while you entertain guests in your pool. Or maybe your balcony faces your neighbor’s scrap pilehardly a relaxing sight.;Privacy solutions come in many forms to suit your needs. Follow these suggestions from design experts to gain privacy and block unsightly views.;

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    Create A Bright Flower Hedge

    What more lovely a way could there be to interrupt that sight line than by means of a wildflower hedge? Functional and fabulous, choose tall and bright flowers such as delphiniums, foxgloves and more for a pop of color to last all summer long when you need it most.;

    You could even opt for ornamental grasses or a mix for added interest and levels.

    Create A Charming Rustic Garden Wall

    One clever way to add a privacy wall is to incorporate it into your garden, like this cute weathered white garden screen. Its been created from a few old doors and painted white. A few plant displays have been added around it so its better integrated with the whole yard.

    I also love the small and simple wreath thats been added to the center of the garden wall, to make the whole thing appear more charming.

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    Use Wine Bottles To Build A Privacy Wall

    Just because you are adding a wall for more privacy doesnt mean it has to be boring. Look at these varying colored bottles twinkle in the sunlight.

    This is a more artistic way to efficiently construct a privacy wall that only adds more intrigue into the space. Better yet, you can use your own bottles so start saving them now! Building this maybe cheap but is not easy. You would need to figure out how to drill holes in the glass bottles, and drill a lot of them. So;check out this funky DIY Bottle Wall tutorial;for any help.

    It’s Your Call: Genius Or Cracked

    A Few Ways To Make Your Deck More Private

    Here is an interesting look for a patio. The designer has left a grass strip around each of the pavers. The resulting “crack” sets off the pavers nicely. Here’s the trade-off, though: This patio is hardly low-maintenance. Why give yourself more mowing work than you already have to do? But it’s your call.

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    Apartment Patio Ideas: 25+ Simple Designs On A Budget To Copy

    Living in an apartment can be quite depressing since you have to deal with narrow space all the time. Unlike a real house you may have some limitation to do various kinds of activities inside your apartment. You may need to think several times when you want to give some improvements to your apartment to provide extra space that you can use to do some joyful activities.

    A patio, for instance, is one of the most popular additions which are adored by many homeowners. It can be a very cozy spot that you can use to enjoy the outdoor air while having some tea or a good conversation with some friends.

    Having a patio may sound easy if you have a quite spacious outdoor space but not with a tiny apartment. It requires quite a lot of space when you want to add a patio as an additional space in your apartment to have some relaxing time.

    But, you can actually add a patio to your apartment with some tricks so it can fit the tiny space available. Of course, you have to make the design of your patio as effective as possible by minimizing its dimensions. The pieces of furniture that you want to use also has to be able to fit the space but still provides good comfort for everyone.

    Here, we have picked dozens of inspiring apartment patio ideas that you can use as an ultimate reference to enhance the beauty and comfort of your tiny apartment.


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