How to Make Your Backyard More Private

Are you tired of your neighbors having a clear vantage point into your backyard? Do you feel like your family is on full display for everyone to see? There’s something to be said for having some privacy in your backyard. And all it takes is a few simple DIY projects and some careful planning to transform your backyard from a public spectacle into a quiet oasis. Cinder block fencing provides you with extreme durability. After your cinder block fence installation, we can add a stucco or acrylic coat.

Try These 4 Tips for Backyard Privacy

Your backyard should be an extension of your home. Turning it into livable, functional square footage starts with making sure you have a little bit of privacy from the neighbors. Use the tips from the best landscaper in West Chester outlined above to get started!

If your backyard lacks some of the privacy you’re seeking, there’s good news: You can do something about it. Here are several helpful tips that not only make your backyard more private, but also look pretty good.

  • Buy Semi Privacy Fencing 

If your backyard is fairly level with your neighbors’ backyards, one of the easiest solutions is to install privacy fencing. And while you can go the traditional route of installing the basic wood-paneled privacy fencing that you’ll find at your local hardware store, there are better/more attractive solutions that work too.

One option is to buy semi privacy fencing. This fencing often comes in white vinyl (though you can find other colors and materials) and features small gaps between each of the pickets. This allows some light to penetrate without offering clear sightlines for neighbors. This gives it a more aesthetically-pleasing look without losing its functionality. You can usually get semi privacy fencing in eight-foot panels that range from three-feet high to six-feet high.

  • Plant a Living Wall

While you can always throw up some lattice panels or wood pickets to provide privacy on a patio, why not make your privacy-blockers look a bit more natural and attractive? One option is to plant a living wall.

“A living wall is also referred to as a vertical garden or a green wall,” GreenThumb.com explains. “Just as the name suggests, the wall is made up of various types of plants. Living walls have been around since the 1930s…and are gaining popularity in residential settings.”

The great thing about living walls is there’s no wrong way to do one. You can basically make your own rules. You can buy a trellis and plant individual plants on it, or if you’re more patient, you can grow ivy or vines on the trellis. 

Another option is to plant perennials since you’ll likely only be using the space when it’s warm enough for them to bloom.

  • Plant Fast-Growing Trees

If you have a large expanse that needs to be covered – such as a yard that backs up to a main road or a 100-foot stretch of backyard that runs directly alongside your neighbor’s house – you need something that takes up space (but that also looks good and doesn’t violate any code restrictions. The easiest solution is to plant fast-growing privacy trees – of which there are many.

“Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year,” The Tree Doctor explains. “The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.”

The Leyland cypress is a slender evergreen that grows as much as four feet per year, while the silver maple grows two feet per year. The green giant arborvitae, which has a unique pyramid shape, grows up to three feet per year. Make sure you speak to an arborist or tree expert before planting to make sure the tree you want to plan is made to thrive in your zone. 

  • Build a Covered Patio

If you’re trying to block a particular area, such as a patio, one of the easiest options (though not the cheapest) is to cover the patio. This could include employing a company like The Patio Factory patio builders to build a high-quality steel patio that is manufactured to your unique specifications. This obviously doesn’t make the space weatherproof, but it does provide some protection from nosy neighbors.

Design Your Dream Backyard

Your backyard should be an extension of your home. Turning it into livable, functional square footage starts with making sure you have a little bit of privacy from the neighbors. Use the tips outlined above to get started!