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Ideas to make your garden more private


7 Ways to Make Your Yard More Private

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By Erica Reiling
Updated April 27, 2022

Portra Images/ Getty Images

Portra Images/ Getty Images

Privacy. The most coveted item on all backyard wish lists. Because no matter how fabulous your balcony or how inviting your chimenea, all of the summertime magic comes to a screeching halt when you feel like you’re on display. These 7 yard privacy ideas —stacked from easy to hard — will help you cordon off your space and relax with a little more privacy.

1. Make a Potted Screen

Hannamariah/ Getty images

Difficulty Level: Easy

Who doesn’t love a container garden? Nearly every kind of plant can be grown in a pot and pots aren’t permanent, so this is a great option for renters. Even a forever home can benefit from this design idea: potted plants are a no-brainer for adding greenery to hard surfaces like balconies and patios. For maximum privacy, plant varieties of bamboo, tall grasses, fruit trees, or arborvitae (the most popular evergreen privacy tree out there).

2. Install a Faux Hedge

Andreas von Einsiedel/ Getty Images

Difficulty Level: Easy

No watering, no pruning, and no waiting for the hedge to take form — this is a fantastic option if you don’t mind paying a little more at the outset. Hedge panels are available in multiple sizes and can even be fitted with sound-proofing insulation to double the privacy factor.

3. Grow a Hedge

Andreas von Einsiedel/ Getty images

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Prefer the real deal? Installing a hedge the natural way will take a bit more effort, including picking the right plant (How high will it grow? What kind of light does it need? How often should it be watered and pruned?) and then planting it. Boxwood and privet are the classic choices for hedges, but flowering bushes like rhododendron or laurel can grow 8 feet tall too.

4. Hang Drapes

Morsa Images/ Getty images

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Strategically placed swaths of fabric add privacy and a breezy coastal vibe. This is the most budget friendly option on our list, especially if you already have a patio or arbor. We’ve seen grommeted outdoor curtains for sale, but you can also use drop cloths sprayed with a water-resistant coating.

5. Climb Plants on a Trellis

Mint Images/ Getty Images

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

You’ll need to diligently care for the plants as they grow and creep upward, but you won’t have to wait for the plants to grow to have privacy — because the trellis will do a pretty good job of blocking any view instantly.

6. Grow a Vertical Garden

Yasser Chalid/ Getty Images

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Two birds with one stone — fill your vertical garden with herbs and vegetables to reap the edible benefits all season long. Build your own or buy a few ready-to-go tower planters.

7. Put Up A Pergola

Zhanen Mo / EyeEm/ Getty Images

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Adding a pergola is definitely an investment, but there’s no better way to build an outdoor living room. Finish the look with outdoor curtains and market lights to transform your not-so-secret garden into a private destination for sparkly summer evenings.

How are you planning to personalize your patio this season? 

13 Landscaping Ideas for Creating Privacy in Your Yard

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. Privacy solutions come in many forms to suit your needs. Follow these backyard privacy ideas from design experts to gain privacy and block unsightly views. 

A cozy corner in the country house and in the garden: photos and ideas for hedges, beautiful fences of bushes and trees in the country house

Turning a site into a secret garden, securely hidden from outsiders, is not so difficult. Of course, you can hide behind a high fence, especially since there are many ways to make it interesting and unusual.

But I propose to create a more romantic image of the secret garden, as if descended from the pages of romantic novels or fairy tales. Places, as if frozen in time - and suddenly discovered; carrying a touch of antiquity and traditions - and at the same time promising new discoveries. This image is most consistent with fences made of "wild" raw stone and hedges.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Outside Landscape Group

A country house hedge is a very plastic and multifunctional way to make a garden closed. Thanks to the varying shape and frequency of clipping—and the varied range of hedge plants—a structure can look very different throughout its length. It can be strict or free, linear or curly, its height and degree of transparency can vary.

There are several ways to create a green hedge. They differ from each other not only in appearance and image, but also in the amount of maintenance effort and, of course, in the size of the space required to accommodate them. Choose the one that best suits your abilities, or combine several at once - this will make the image more interesting.

SEE ALSO
6 Fences You Wouldn't Have Thought Installed

Amy Martin Landscape Design

Curtains
feral. The image that many aspire to is “design without design”.

Spreading masses of shrubs were a popular technique among the creators of landscape, "English" parks. They made it possible to mask the boundaries of the site and distract from the size of the garden. This technique was especially actively used in urban gardens, which were very limited in area. This time-tested trick is still useful today.

SEE ALSO
Paradise: The golden rules for planting shrubs in your garden

Princeton Design Collaborative still requires. Although not to the same extent as topiary curly forms. Thickening and rejuvenating pruning will benefit the curtains. It is worth doing it every 2-3 years. Then the shrub will not be exposed from below and will remain dense with a lush, impenetrable crown. In addition, green curtains take up quite a lot of space in width. Therefore, when planting such a hedge, provide space in advance for its growth.

Sheared fence
A sheared fence can use less space for the fence. With the help of a haircut, you will create a solid opaque green wall from the bushes. However, its height and shape may be different.

On the whole, a trimmed hedge looks more austere and whimsical, but it also requires more attention. But, if you take the time and effort, you can create unusual curved or geometric lines and sculptural shapes that will decorate your garden.

Hoi Ning Wong

Idea: Hedges that combine plants with different foliage colors look decorative. They can be alternated, forming stripes, or placed in front of a solid high green fence, a low sheared border with a different leaf color. A high sheared hedge will be an excellent background for standard trees and bushes, as well as for sculpture and all kinds of decor.

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design

Vertical gardening
The currently popular method of decorating hedges with plants provides really wide and varied possibilities for landscaping. You can combine decor with usefulness and plant garden plants and herbs in tiered boxes. Or use mosses, ground cover plants and annuals to create bright and colorful living pictures.

Trellising trees and shrubs
An even narrower hedge is obtained by shaping trees and shrubs on a trellis. This growing method produces the thinnest of hedges. Transparency will depend on the chosen pattern and formation density. In any case, a trellis fence will be more permeable than other forms of fence, especially in winter. Therefore, you can supplement it with a fence, against which its ornamental pattern will look especially advantageous.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)

Creepers on a trellis
But the fastest way to create a hedge is definitely vines. They will not be leaders in protection from prying eyes, so if you have such a fence around the perimeter of the garden, it is also good to complement it with a fence. But a wall of fast-growing vines will perfectly serve as a screen for zoning the site and will not require much hassle. In a couple of years, your garden will be decorated with lush masses of greenery.

SEE ALSO…
Living Screen: Plants That Provide Privacy

Dennis Mayer - Photographer

Mix and match just one type of green hedge In a closed enclosed garden, a combination of strict, well-balanced lines looks good - a sheared hedge or a trellis: they create an image of security and reliability, give the impression of free lush masses of vegetation - they will give the atmosphere a relaxed atmosphere.

Think about the layout
Planning the site is a very important step in creating a romantic indoor garden.
And immediately good news for the owners of small plots! It is easier to create an atmosphere of solitude and contemplation in a small space - it seems to have been invented to embody the image of behind-the-scenes closeness. But in this case, do not try to fit everything here at once. In the garden for a serene rest - not a place for fuss. Therefore, if you have a large family and diverse needs, pay attention to thoughtful zoning.

Andrew Renn

Divide a large garden and a garden with a variety of functional tasks into separate closed zones - then there will be a place for all family members and the opportunity to create corners that are completely different in mood.

Tip: Try to keep as far away from each other or as possible isolate areas that involve activity and noisy activity from places of rest and relaxation. For zoning, use all the features of your site: existing and, in particular, planned buildings, terrain, screens and hedges.

Hoi Ning Wong

Consider the house and buildings when zoning
Sometimes - especially on a small plot - it seems that the house takes up too much space. However, any building on the site is an excellent means of zoning, especially when a clear separation of zones is necessary. Buildings make it possible to isolate functionally unrelated sites by placing them in different parts of the site. Moreover, they provide not only visual separation, but also create a barrier to noise and fuss. So, if you can't make your entire garden the focus of silence, set aside one of the zones for privacy, securely protected by a house or other buildings.

SEE ALSO
Scenic Gorge: Design Solutions for Lot Tightness

Katherine Shenaman Interiors

Use the Garden as a Hiding Place
Old trees (ideally evergreen) with spreading branches and soft, relaxed shade under them will help separate the secluded recreation area from the noisy part of the site. Especially if you complement it with shrubs, which will act as additional visual and acoustic protection.

Divide the plot with screens
If it is not possible to arrange a buffer zone separating a secluded corner, place a cozy relaxation area with your back to the passable and bustling areas of the site and close it with a screen.
Screens are an excellent zoning element that works both in the interior and in the landscape. They do not take up much space and do not look overly heavy, but allow you to visually separate the zones. Garden screens can be both stationary and traditionally mobile. Use hedges, decorative fences and lattices to divide the garden space in the form of small fragments.

The Garden Builders

Troy Rhone Garden Design

Use gates for walkways
If you're designing a small, enclosed area, use the decorative possibilities of walkways, gates, and skylights. Let them immediately set the mood at the entrance to the zone, attract with mystery, invite you to look inside. Decorate the passage with vines - climbing roses, princes and clematis twining the gate look very romantic. Or arrange a passage to a secluded area with a pergola.

SEE ALSO…
Just repeat: How to design a gate with leftover PVC pipes

Create intrigue
Let some accent touch, interesting and intriguing, be seen through the passages or the gate. Whether it will be a brightly flowering flower bed, or a shrub with unusually colored foliage, a sculpture or a fountain - it should create a contrast with the space located outside, should promise a new intriguing image, promise a new relaxing atmosphere.

B. Gordon Builders, Inc.

Sutton Suzuki Architects

Set up some privacy
Cozy backstage spaces will complement the privacy of your garden's secret corner—or replace it if there's still no room for a dedicated, secluded area.

  • Pergola can also act as a sheltered area. Place soft sofas under it - and a relaxing seating area, closed from the fuss and prying eyes, is ready.

SEE ALSO…
This is not a gazebo: A pergola in your garden

Groundswell Design Group Inc.

Alexey Kozyr Architectural Studio

  • Pavilions also traditionally help to create a cozy local recreation area. And if you add vines, plant lush shrubs around and place in the back of the site - the gazebo will become a place of solitude that does not take up too much space. Textiles will also be very useful for giving privacy - both as a decor and addition to the gazebo, and as a replacement for it.
  • A gazebo doesn't have to be traditional - treehouse can be an unusual retreat. Who didn't dream of this as a kid?

SEE ALSO. ..
Garden Corner: Pergola or patio, terrace or armchair?

katie moss landscape design

  • Creeper-covered swing or bench – a gazebo in miniature. Place them as a decoration and a relaxing element in a dedicated, enclosed corner of your garden, or entrust them with the role of a secluded hiding place.

Advice: When placing a pergola, pergola or swing, complement the general closeness with open areas. Let the cozy gazebo overlook the wide plane of the lawn or pond. Such a contrast will create serenity and give rest to the eyes.

Fill your garden with details
Turn your little nook into a garden box, closed from the outside, but full of interesting details and experiences.
Use decorative lighting to create different lighting scenarios and whimsical lighting patterns, such as illuminating shrubs, trees and flower beds. Or decorate them with garlands for a touch of magic.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Place an object for contemplation in the secret garden, be it a sculpture, a fountain, a plant arrangement, or a rock garden. The main thing is that any of them will help you get distracted, switch your thoughts, provide rest for your eyes and create the right mood.

SEE ALSO...
Cherry Blossoms: Hanami, or the Art of Cherry Blossom Viewing

Add nuanced details, little surprises, unexpected objects found in thickets and flower beds. Place fabulous images in the garden that will fill it with a very special atmosphere, so that when you come there, you can immerse yourself in your world, different from the surrounding reality. Therefore, when planning a secret garden, think about what image you want to immerse yourself in. It doesn't have to be the old romantic garden I suggested. You can choose your image of comfort and relaxation - it will be a Japanese garden, a sea coast, or even an indoor monastic garden. And small details and accents will help you recreate it.

SEE ALSO…
Tropical Paradise at your fingertips: Resort on a summer cottage
Visiting a fairy tale: Gardens inspired by literary masterpieces

Burnett "Secret Garden": "Most importantly, she managed to find the Secret Garden, and now she has her own world in which she will do whatever she wants. Even the sun here seemed to shine brighter than outside the fence ... "

Howard Design Studio

COMMENT
Where do you hide from the hustle and bustle of the outside world? Is there a place of privacy in your garden?

33 Small Lot Ideas

Small lots, tiny decks and small patios may seem difficult to design and furnish, but even the tiniest lot can be turned into an elegant outdoor retreat.

Small areas have many advantages, the main one being that they do not require much maintenance.

Whether you're looking to create an impressive balcony garden, cram garden furniture into your patio, or fill an area with greenery, below are plenty of ideas to inspire you. And if you're working on a tight budget, we'll show you how to get what you want without spending a fortune.

  1. Zoning space

This site consists of three parts, each of which has a clear individual purpose. On the upper level, there is a cabin and a patio bathed in the morning sun. The central seating area is designed for communication. Next is the pond. Due to the versatility, the space seems larger.

  1. Adding color

Using bright color on walls and fences helps add depth to a space.

This allows the plants to stand out, creating the illusion of space. Not to mention the positive emotions that a splash of color evokes.

  1. Creating a sense of height with various plants

A smart and simple idea for decorating a small area is to play with height to add a sense of space and depth. Use plant pots of different heights and scales to make the most of the space. This is the perfect solution for small patios and balconies.

  1. Add levels

Add charm to a small garden with levels. It can be a recessed terrace or a raised lawn. Overhangs and steps will help you make better use of the space by adding extra space for plant pots or garden furniture.

  1. Equipping the wall with hanging shelves and a table

Even in a tiny garden, you can enjoy drinks thanks to the compact folding bar counter. Create your own outdoor entertainment space with a clever hanging rail made from wooden pallets and a long chain.

  1. Consider vertical gardening

Use the vertical wall space to place plant containers. This allows even the smallest garden plots to flourish. The simple yet thoughtful addition of horizontal surfaces can transform an unaesthetic barn wall into a decorative hedge.

  1. Add a smart summer kitchen

Don't let a small garden get in the way of your summer kitchen dream. Increase the capacity of your kitchen with narrow tables placed along a wall or fence.

  1. Make a ground cover with different materials

Fill up a small garden space with different areas. A good way is to choose different materials for the floor. Just as indoors different floors signify a change of room, outdoors it can help subconsciously enlarge a space by defining different zones.

  1. Use color and mirrors on the walls to expand the space

In a small garden it is useful to mask the walls as much as possible. Painting exposed walls green helps to harmonize them with the surrounding greenery. Add a decorative garden mirror to enhance the illusion of space.

  1. Get creative with your shelves and hooks

Shelves and hooks aren't just for indoors. Create an extra precious surface for pots and accessories by placing some hanging shelves.

Old scaffolding supported by metal brackets, which you can buy at your local store, is a budget solution. Wall shelves will free up space on the floor from lanterns and plant pots. The support rail can also be an ideal place to install outdoor lighting.

  1. Expand your indoor space

Make your small garden bigger by making it an extension of your indoor space. Combining outdoor and indoor space will make it more valuable, no matter how small it may be.

Decorate your small garden space with furniture and decorative lamps to spend more time in it. Potted plants will add charm. Since garden furniture can be moved from time to time, you get a sense of freedom from a change of scenery.

  1. Squeeze in a small dining table.

Don't let limited space get in the way of your outdoor dining experience. Buy a compact dining table, such as a half-size table. It fits neatly against the wall without intruding into tight spaces.

  1. Use outdoor mats

Create the illusion of space by zoning your garden layout. Lay a decorative outdoor rug to highlight your living and dining area. The flooring will act as a reference point, so you can comfortably arrange furniture around it. Highlighting each area helps create a sense of the functionality of the space.

  1. Paint a partially blank fence

Draw attention with an artfully painted background, creating the illusion of height and space. A simple two-tone fencing can spice up any space. Using a dark color helps make the effect stand out and also complements the green foliage nicely.

  1. Organize extra seating

Buy some large floor cushions in case you have guests over. They are easy to stack on top of each other when not in use, perfect for easy storage. Patterned cushions or bright colors can also help bring personality to the space.

  1. A canopy helps you make the most of your space

Upgrade your shed with a canopy. In winter, the barn can be used to store garden furniture, and in summer it can be converted into a bar for outdoor parties. Great idea!

  1. Take your plants to the next level

Make the most of your small space by arranging items at different levels with vertical shelving. This graceful staircase creates additional space for potted plants and garden accessories. Height allows more efficient use of space.

  1. Make the most of every corner of the yard

If your small garden is a courtyard, consider how you can make the most of every inch of space. Often, a courtyard can appear enclosed due to the looming brick walls surrounding it.

Using corner seats or a high-backed sofa can help hide most of the walls, which in turn will distract and create the illusion of space.

  1. Make a mini greenhouse

Even the smallest outdoor space can include a greenhouse for growing plants. Design this IKEA style tall cabinet - just stand it up and attach it to the wall in a sunny spot.

  1. Hang the plant box under the kitchen window

Use old boards to make a simple plant box that can be placed directly under the kitchen window. This is a great place to grow herbs.

  1. Hang a hammock

The ideal place for outdoor recreation is a hammock. It will instantly turn your garden or patio into a lounge area that will rival any beach bar in Ibiza. Hang it in the shade, perfect for chilling out on a hot day. When the hammock is not in use, both ends can be hung on the same hook so that space can be used.

  1. Make low curbs to sit on

Perhaps you only have enough space for a couple of chairs? What happens when friends come to visit? By adding raised beds surrounded by borders, you will not only make plant care easier, but also create additional seating for guests. For comfort, add pillows that match the color of your plants.

  1. Create a true living wall

Once the domain of design installations and innovative commercial solutions, living or green walls are increasingly making their way into small gardens.

To create these vertical gardens, plants are rooted in a structure attached to a wall.

Various herbaceous perennials, annual herbs, small shrubs and even fruits and vegetables can be used. Try adding scented plants, seasonal flowers, and bulbs.

  1. Paint the walls white

White paint is often used in interiors because of its brightening properties. It can be successfully used in the exterior. With a white painted brick wall and white patio furniture, your small garden will feel like a Mediterranean one.

  1. Place planters and plant pots at different heights

You don't need a lawn to create a lush garden, and you don't need flower beds either. A low-maintenance flooring option, such as gravel, is great for smaller gardens. Add lots of plant pots next to your garden furniture and you have the perfect place to enjoy a summer day.

  1. Vertical gardening

Use climbing nets and trellises to add color and greenery. This is a great solution for small gardens as it lifts flowers and foliage off the ground. A beautiful fence will draw attention away from a tiny area - after all, if you and your guests focus on beautiful roses or hot pink trellis, who will notice the size of the garden?

  1. Decorate your yard with colorful furniture

Even the smallest terrace can be turned into something exceptional. If you have a small area, a landscaped terrace can be a good solution that combines elegance and low maintenance. A simple finish, such as tile or traditional stone, creates a rustic feel, while thoughtful furnishings provide privacy.

Simply add comfortable seating to create the perfect outside room. Here, outdoor furniture paint makes the space special. Please note: Seat colors do not have to match - bright hues like orange and pink go great together.

  1. Pursue beauty and functionality

Make small spaces inviting and provide a modern look with clear landscape lines. Create interesting interconnected areas with a variety of materials such as painted flooring, light-colored patio slabs, and decorative stones or rubble. Then plant plants to bring the landscape to life.

  1. Add decorative elements

Even the smallest spaces can be turned into decorative outdoor space. Lay concrete step slabs and use a narrow rustic table or bench to create a central focal point.

Keep the look chic and unpretentious with shingles, topiaries and flowering plants in orange and yellow. Add elegance with aluminum and stone planters and carefully selected items such as a large lantern and unusual bird sculptures.

  1. Focus on furniture

Place items of interest at the end of the garden and create the illusion that your space is larger than it actually is. Choose white patio furniture and place it at the back of the paved area.

Play with space by strategically planting large shrubs to partially block your view, giving the impression that there is more to see.

Add interest to your garden with climbing plants and evergreen shrubs. This is enlivened by brightly colored favorites such as foxglove and delphinium.

  1. Organize a place for the little ones

Design an ingenious little space that will appeal to both kids and fun lovers. Build a playhouse that fits seamlessly into your garden perimeter.

Complete the camouflage effect with a stonecrop roof to make the house blend in perfectly with its surroundings. Store bright furniture inside so it's easy to take it out for play and put it back in when not in use.

  1. Perfect your look

Create an outdoor living area for the summer months. Even if you have a small area with some natural greenery, you can create the look of a colorful garden with flower pots and planters. Just like indoors, choosing neutral walls and floors can make a small garden look lighter and brighter.

How to make a small area beautiful?

Living green walls are trendy and can be used to hide unsightly borders and add lush foliage even in a garden where space is limited.

A stylish fireplace will become an unusual focal point in the garden and allow you to enjoy summer evenings even longer.

Bright colors will also make a small garden really sing. You can achieve this with brightly colored plants, opt for a set of brightly colored garden furniture, or even paint your fence or barn a hot pink or blue.

How to arrange a small garden?

If you want to change the layout of your small garden, start by exploring the existing space. Look at what plants are already growing and think about where the sun falls.

For example, if you like having a large group at dinner, you probably want to place the dining table where it is sunny. But in the afternoon heat, you will also need shade. Where is the dead space? Or a barn to stay in the shade for half a day?

Think about how much time you are willing to devote to the care of the site? If you're short on time, more intricate landscaping and more hardy plants will require much less attention than complex planting lawn and garden beds.

Paving and gravel yards are still popular and concrete is trending.

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