Buzz
If you're concerned that your neighbor might be spying on your yard (or home), don't worry! There are many easy ways to block their view, even if they’re looking from a second-floor window. Continue reading for a full list of simple, affordable, and fast privacy solutions to keep your yard and home out of sight from nosy neighbors.
Important Things to Know
- Outdoor curtains and screens are easy to set up and provide excellent year-round protection for your deck or patio from prying eyes.
- Layered plants, large planters, trees, hanging plants, and lattice screens with climbing vines also offer natural ways to shield your yard and patio.
- Wooden or metal fences are straightforward solutions that effectively block your neighbor’s view, while hedge walls can provide solid coverage for your yard.
Steps to Take
Install outdoor curtains.
Outdoor curtains are affordable and simple to install on your patio. Buy a set of outdoor curtains and hang them using an outdoor curtain rod; most outdoor curtains include grommets (small holes for hanging), just like regular indoor curtains. Attach them to the side posts of your deck or patio. Once in place, these curtains will effectively block your neighbor’s view when pulled shut.
- They’re also easy to remove and store when you no longer need them.
Set up outdoor screens on your patio.
Outdoor screens provide full privacy and are easy to move around. Measure your patio to determine how many screens you’ll need. Then, buy outdoor privacy screens—simple cloth or mesh panels mounted on metal frames—requiring no complicated setup! Arrange them around your patio to form a barrier between you and your neighbors.
- Due to their simple design, you can easily move the screens for better coverage or store them when not in use.
Install lattice screens.
Lattice screens offer an attractive and efficient privacy barrier. They’re also budget-friendly! Buy wooden lattice screens and install them like a fence in your yard to block off the area you want to keep private. For added seclusion, plant climbing vines in front of the lattice so they can grow over time.
- Alternatively, you could set up a trellis. They’re smaller than fences but work perfectly for protecting a deck or patio and can also support vines for extra privacy.
- Recommended vines include wisteria, morning glory, honeysuckle, trumpet vines, and ivy.
Set up an overhead shade.
Overhead shades prevent neighbors from peeking down onto your deck. Buy an overhead shade and install it to cover your deck, securing its corners to the side of your house and two posts of the deck. Known as a "sun shade," these large tarps provide overhead coverage, so even neighbors on the second floor can’t see your deck.
- Overhead shades come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Choose one you like and measure your deck to ensure it fits the space.
Create a vertical garden with hanging plants.
Hanging plants offer a subtle way to block views while saving space. On your patio, porch, or covered deck, hang plant baskets at different levels from the ceiling to make a DIY privacy screen. Place the lower baskets at eye level and hang others higher up to fill the gaps. When arranged this way, the hanging baskets cover a larger area and offer more privacy!
- Calculate the number of baskets you need by first measuring the space you want to cover and considering the size of your plants.
- Remember to water the baskets regularly. In the fall, trim the flowers or replace the annual plants with cooler-weather options like chrysanthemums.
Place oversized planters in your yard.
Large planters provide both privacy and visual appeal. If space allows, consider investing in large planters, typically at least 2 feet (0.61 m) wide. Line them up between your house and your neighbor’s yard, and fill them with tall plants or shrubs that thrive in your environment.
- Examples of tall plants suitable for planters include arborvitae, boxwood, hibiscus, yucca, hydrangea, elephant ear, and agave.
- Planters are easy to buy, but you could also make your own planter boxes at home.
- Be sure to trim your plants regularly to prevent them from overhanging onto your neighbor's property, which could cause complaints.
Plant a row of bamboo.
Bamboo grows tall enough to provide a solid privacy barrier. If you prefer bamboo to traditional hedges, plant bamboo in rows around your yard to form a privacy shield. Choose a bamboo species that thrives in your area and set up a bamboo fence, spacing the plants about 3 feet (0.91 m) apart.
- Prune your bamboo regularly to encourage thicker growth, and make sure it gets about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week. Bamboo prefers full sunlight but can grow in various conditions.
Plant trees or clusters of shrubs.
Layered plantings add privacy, texture, and vibrant colors to your landscape. Instead of relying solely on hedges, incorporate a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. Place larger trees in the background and smaller plants in the front, creating a multi-layered, colorful effect. The trees also offer privacy for upper-floor windows and provide shade during sunny days.
- Deciduous trees such as birch, maple, and oak offer excellent shade, while evergreens like pine, fir, and cypress provide year-round coverage.
- Fast-growing shrubs like lilac, dogwood, forsythia, arborvitae, and laurel are great for privacy, while perennials like daylilies, lupines, hydrangeas, allium, coneflowers, and lavender bloom year after year.
Plant hedges around your home for privacy.
Hedges offer a natural, attractive way to enclose your yard or home. Select evergreen shrubs that thrive in your climate and grow them into a hedge, creating a living barrier. Some hedges can even reach heights over 6 feet (1.8 m), blocking the view of your yard and first-floor windows. In addition to providing privacy, they enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property compared to traditional fences or walls.
- Evergreens like hawthorn, laurel, camellia, European beech, and arborvitae are ideal for privacy hedges.
- Regular maintenance is required for hedges—water them consistently and trim back any overgrown branches.
- When planting hedges along a fence, ensure they are spaced properly to prevent damage to the fence over time.
Build a fence around your property for privacy.
Solid board fences are a straightforward solution for privacy. With minimal gaps between the wooden boards, these fences prevent curious neighbors from peeking through, and their height blocks the view from above. Consider installing a 6-foot (1.8 m) wood board fence around your yard for privacy. While professional installation is recommended, you can also build the fence yourself.
- Before building, check local building codes for any restrictions on fence height.
- For added visual appeal, consider a fence with an open lattice or baluster top design.
Install a corrugated metal wall.
Corrugated metal walls are both affordable and visually appealing. They are also effective at reducing wind flow and acting as sound barriers due to their sturdy nature. Much like a wooden fence, be sure to check local building codes to ensure construction is permitted. Afterward, set up a 6-foot (1.8 m) corrugated metal fence to surround your property.
- Note that corrugated metal may rust over time if not properly maintained. To protect it from rust, consider applying a protective zinc primer or painting the metal.
- If you prefer a different material, consider installing a vinyl fence or even a stone base with a fence on top for a more unique look.
