Smart Garden Privacy Solutions For Overlooked Homes
As we approach the summer season, you may not be looking forward to spending time outdoors because of your neighbours. Your garden should be a fun, safe environment where you can relax, entertain guests or spend quality time with family any time you want, but when you are surrounded by overlooking neighbours, this feels impossible.
Whether you are dealing with nightmare neighbours or simply live in an overlooked terrace avenue, screening your garden is incredibly useful ahead of the summer. With smart garden privacy solutions, you can keep prying eyes out of your space and create the illusion of seclusion.
You deserve to spend time in your garden and be free to enjoy the landscape without interference, and we are going to help. As leading landscape gardeners, Green Acorn Landscape Design has helped many clients achieve their dream outdoor space, no matter the limitations of their location.
In this post, we are sharing some of the best garden privacy solutions to screen overlooking neighbours and create a secluded, safe environment you can enjoy all summer long.
Natural Screening Solutions
Plants, trees, and shrubs can be excellent garden privacy solutions, as they offer both screening from overlooking neighbours while also enhancing your garden design.
Evergreen Shrubs
A common way to use natural screens is through evergreen shrubs and hedges, such as Laurel and Photinia. These can be planted alongside fences and garden walls to provide additional screening and blocking neighbours’ view from between fence panels or over the top of structures.
Evergreen shrubs keep their foliage all year round, which is why they are some of the best garden privacy screening options. They can also help maintain the structure of your garden design throughout the seasons.
Climbing Plants And Trellises
Another great way to enhance privacy over the top of fences or in key areas of the garden, such as seating areas, is with climbing plants. Fit trellis’ or supports to your fences, and train plants such as Clematis, Jasmine, or Ivy to grow up them.
These will begin to produce lush leaves and plant heads that can offer additional screening to your garden, while also being a stunning aesthetic choice.
Climbing plants are ideal to screen neighbours through fencing panels or over the top of pergolas to prevent view into your landscape from high angles. When grown over pergolas, climbing plants are not just excellent garden privacy solutions, but they can also provide shade to seated areas when in full bloom.
Traditional Fencing And Trellis Extensions
The most common form of garden privacy solutions is fences. Most gardens already have fences marking the boundaries between their landscape and their neighbour’s, and they can be improved for additional screening.
Tall Fences And Contemporary Panels
In most areas, fences under 6.5 feet do not require planning permission, so you can increase the height of your fence easily. This can provide enough screening to stop neighbours looking over into your garden or children’s games getting in the way of your relaxation.
Instead of the traditional fence installation, with wooden panels placed vertically into the ground, modern screening designs can provide better privacy. Horizontal placements of fencing, whether wooden or composite, can offer better privacy in the garden as there are no gaps for neighbours to look through.
This is a highly popular method for fencing installation, as it creates a seamless appearance that complements contemporary garden design, and protects you from overlooking neighbours.
Increase Height With Lattice And Trellis
Alternatively, for traditional garden designs, consider installing lattice fixtures or trellis above your fence. As long as the combined height is no more than the permitted development, you do not need planning permission to do this, and can experience greater privacy in the garden.
This can be further enhanced with climbing plants or tall shrubs planted alongside your fence, blocking the gaps between panels and providing noise absorption.
Strategic Garden Design
Additional structures may not be necessary for garden privacy, as the layout of your garden can play a huge role in how accessible you are. Planning the layout of your garden and carefully considering the placement of each piece of furniture, plant, and structure can create a secluded environment that is free from prying eyes.
Garden Zoning
Zoning is not just an effective method for garden design, but it can also support garden privacy solutions. Creating separate zones for each area of the garden, such as a paved patio for outdoor dining, a shaded lawn area for children, and an enclosed garden room for work or relaxation, keeps the garden organised and private.
Ensure that seating areas are placed at the highest points of your fence or shielded by shrubs. You can also work with the structure of your home to create shaded and screened areas, such as placing the dining set behind garages or around the corner to avoid the overlooking neighbours.
Subtle Tiered Layouts
With the use of raised surfaces, like decking and patios, you can screen key areas of the garden. Seating and dining areas can be placed at a height to keep them away from overlooking neighbours and seclude them from other areas of the garden.
These are particularly useful garden privacy solutions for uneven or odd-shaped gardens, as it allow you to work with the natural flow of your outdoor space. Keep raised surfaces safe with fencing, balustrades and panels. With options such as timber, metal and glass, you can create a raised, private area that complements your garden design and home.
Temporary And Flexible Screening
If you have a specific area that requires garden privacy solutions or are hosting an event that your neighbours are not invited to, temporary screening is available. With a range of options, these garden privacy solutions can be customised to your unique garden design.
Outdoor Curtains And Sails
These are easy-to-install fabric options that can be fitted to fences, pergolas or at the entrance of garden rooms for additional privacy. They are lightweight to allow light and air to pass through, but can create an intimate, secluded area for sitting, eating or unwinding.
Garden Screens
Screens can be moved from one zone to another with ease, and there are options for material, size and design to suit all needs. Garden screens can come in a range of colours and patterns, with options such as laser-cut metal, bamboo, and composite, to align with your garden design.
They can be placed around seating areas to screen certain areas and keep your neighbour’s prying eyes away from your event. With strategic placement, screens can also be used to add shade to sunlit areas to make it cool and safe, and free from overlooking neighbours.
Conclusion
Get your garden ready for the summer with these garden privacy solutions and avoid your neighbours interrupting any outdoor events. From temporary curtains to permanent fences and shrubs, you can create a safe, secluded environment for your family to enjoy all summer long.
Don’t let your neighbours spoil your fun, and instead get out there. With these screening solutions, you can relax in peace and feel free to enjoy the outdoors whenever the weather is right.
Contact Us Today
For additional advice regarding garden design and planting, please contact us today.