45 Creative Ways to Add Backyard Privacy

Looking for a way to bring privacy to your backyard without taxing your budget? Try one of these clever solutions for a more secluded outdoor space.

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By: Lauren Oster, H. Camille Smith, and Mina Hochberg

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Photo By: Mom's Design Build

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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.

See More Photos: 16 Ornamental Grasses You Should Grow

From: Mom's Design Build

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Brown Adirondack Chair

Or, Add Privacy With a Palm

A beautiful accent to any shady outdoor space (direct sun might burn them), potted palms add tropical flair while the sculptural leaves create a lush, living screen for added privacy. But, as tropical natives, these heat-loving plants are prone to damage in areas with harsh winters. Container gardening makes it easier to overwinter them indoors for year after year of frilly fronds.

Learn More: Patio, Perfected: 11 Amazing Amazon Finds for a Shady Outdoor Oasis

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Turquoise Adirondack Chair

Arceo Outdoor Square Pillow

Zanella Stool

Construct a Hanging Screen

Add designer-grade privacy to any over-exposed outdoor area using basic hardware store staples. Our step-by-step instructions, below, will walk you through the build.

Get the How-To: How to Build a Herringbone Privacy Screen

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Clifford Faux Rattan Patio Chair

Red Outdoor Throw Pillow

Or, Hang Outdoor Drapery Panels

Hung on a nearly invisible cable, these floor-to-ceiling panels can move around the room to block out glaring light — or a nosy neighbor — with just a flick of the wrist. Image courtesy of HGTV Magazine; get more screened porch inspo, below.

See More Photos: 40 Screened Porches We Wanna Chill On

From: HGTV Magazine

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Sunday Daybed Swing with Cushion

Yellow Outdoor Solid Cabana Grommet Curtains

Incorporate Vintage Signage

Whether it’s a faux-tique you crafted yourself or the real deal, antique signs are a sure way to add character to your outdoor space while also blocking out a less-than-desirable view or any prying eyes. Check local thrift stores, estate sales and auctions for legitimate trade signs or craft your own with our tips for a similar kitchen sign, below.

Get the How-To: Antiqued Kitchen Sign

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Highland Stripe Outdoor Curtains

Red and Ivory Striped Outdoor Rug

Or, Repurpose Shutters

Diana Wearing of DIY Den & Treasure Showcase created an unabashedly unique installation by zip-tying old shutters to an existing wire fence. The one-of-a-kind structure couldn’t be easier to create — and it can be removed or rearranged at any time.

Freshen Up a Faded Fence

Even if your fence has seen better days, it's still serving the purpose of providing privacy. Freshen it up with a powerwash and our tips, below, to put paint and our free printable template to work to create a graphic outdoor focal point.

Get the How-To + Free Template: Update Your Fence With a Colorful Mural

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Moroccan-Pattern Ceramic Garden Stool

Turquoise Outdoor Throw Pillow

Faux Fur Pillow Cover

Or, Grow a Living One

Truly, is there any prettier sight than a classic white picket fence covered in climbing roses? When selecting varieties, try pretty-in-pink 'Eden' or the stunning, multicolored 'Joseph's Coat'. Learn more about planting for privacy, below.

See More Photos: Plants for Privacy

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.

See More Photos: Small Space Gardening Tips for Apartment Dwellers + Urbanites

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Gold Glass Geometric Terrarium

Or, Go Green in the 'Burbs

Emerald Green Arborvitae, also known as Thuja, is a fast-growing, vigorous conifer that will eventually reach 12' to 15' tall. With typical growth rates of 3' to 5' of new growth per year, Thuja is an excellent choice as a living privacy fence or for mixing in with a structural fence. Learn more about this popular evergreen, below.

Learn More: The Eastern Arborvitae

Grow Columns of Color

Compact climbers, like jasmine and clematis, are great container plants. All they need to thrive is a pot with good drainage, a trellis or post for support and regular watering and feeding. Line several up around a patio or deck for total privacy or just place a single pot where needed.

See More Photos: Colorful Climbers

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Terracotta Planter

Or, Suspend a Greenery Wall

With a neighboring home this close, this deck needed a dose of privacy. Long window box planters, potted with ferns, hung from an overhead pergola, did the trick while adding a lush green backdrop that can easily be swapped out for the seasons. See more of this deck makeover, below.

See More Photos: Sprucing Up an Outdoor Living Space for Spring

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MossWeave Hanging Basket

Chevron Handwoven Rug

Give the Grill a Backdrop

Have an outdoor room at the ready for your next barbecue with the help of a grill screen composed of 4x4 posts and privacy lattice. This structure can certainly support climbing plants, but it also functions admirably as a space divider that simply stands behind the two topiaries pictured here.

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Garden Vinyl Lattice Panel Trellis

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.

See More Photos: Backyard Pictures From HGTV Urban Oasis 2018

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Metal Slat Back Side Chair

Red Barn Wall Lantern

Reimagine a Pair of Windows

Make the most of architectural salvage pieces like these once-unloved windows with a colorful coat of paint, sheer waterproofed fabric in lieu of glass and a sturdy wooden frame. Place containers with climbing plants below those windows, then congratulate yourself on creating a feature wall that just happens to keep your neighbors out of your business.

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Geo (Yellow) Rectangular Pillow

Handwoven Flatweave Pink Outdoor Area Rug

Self Watering Planters

Or, Incorporate Decorative Panels

For privacy with a breeze, consider installing decorative laser-cut panels along just one wall, as the designers at Mom's Design Build have here. Definitely a more high-end approach, this permanent fix not only blocks an unattractive view, it also boosts the charm factor of your home's architecture.

From: Mom's Design Build

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Outdoor Modern Wicker Club Chair

Englewood Stool

Mcilwain Outdoor Area Rug

Ensure It's Made in the Shade

Turn an over-exposed patio or deck into a shady hangout with a billowing shade sail that, bonus, will also add privacy from any neighboring two-story homes or apartments. Our tutorial, below, shows you how to set up the supports sturdily and customize the shade to better fit your outdoor decor.

Get the How-To: Beat the Heat and Add Privacy With an Embellished Shade Sail

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Bunce Nesting Tables

Esrin Outdoor Floral Throw Pillow

Wetherbee Outdoor Square Pillow

Or, Make a Retractable Canopy

Beat the heat and turn a too-sunny (or too-visible) patio, deck or balcony into a shady oasis with this DIY project that uses lightweight PVC pipe and weather-resistant sailcloth. Get the deets (and get crafting), below.

Get the How-To: How to Build a Retractable Canopy

From: Sam Henderson

Upcycle Drop Cloths

Fashion graphic outdoor curtains from humble drop cloths by spray-painting the fabric with a simple, bold pattern, then hanging it from DIY curtain rods — all for less than $20. See the tutorial from Corey Willis of Hey There Home.

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Ikat Outdoor Pillow

Tillia Semi-Porcelain Garden Stool

Or, Repurpose Galvanized Pipe

Hang outdoor draperies the right way with these designer tricks, below, for installing galvanized pipes and fittings as a weather-proof drapery hardware solution that won't sag or deteriorate over time.

Get the How-To: Add Shade + Privacy With Outdoor Drapery Panels

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Natural Water Hyacinth Placemats

Gold Candle Holders

Glass Round Vase

Go Faux

If you fancy the perks of privacy plants without the hassle of maintaining them, line your patio with faux boxwood hedges. Strategically placed creations like these provide privacy in a pinch for anyone who likes green spaces but lacks green thumbs.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Modern 2 Seater in Matte Teal

Tillia Semi-Porcelain Garden Stool

Geometric Outdoor Area Rug

Or, Deploy Fast-Growing Privacy Plants

Greenery is an attractive solution for over-exposed decks and patios, but many varieties take their sweet time to reach for the sky. Design firm Eco Minded Solutions recommends planting fast-growing trees like the Emerald Green Thuja, pictured at far left here: this overachieving arborvitae can grow up to 5 feet per year.

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Cantilever Umbrella

Pineville Stacking Patio Dining Armchair

Add Portable Privacy With PVC

In a single weekend, you can create your backyard’s newest MVP — a freestanding privacy screen composed of PVC tubing and inexpensive bedsheets, that is — with time to spare. Use spray paint and colored or patterned sheets of your choice to complement the rest of your outdoor decor.

Get the How-To: How to Make an Outdoor Privacy Screen From PVC Pipe

From: Sam Henderson

Or, Upcycle Old Shutters Into a Screen

If you’re looking to create a cozily private area in a smaller space, try upcycling just a few shutters into a folding partition. In this case, screwing in simple hinges makes the piece easy to arrange and fold away as needed.

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Spun Metal Standing Planter

Invest in All-in-One Trellis Planters

Mobile (with locking casters), self-watering, all-weather and UV-resistant, these backyard heroes are so futuristically user-friendly they’re almost a little frightening. Thank goodness they’re on our side.

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Calypso Planter with Trellis

Or, Just Plant Along a Deck Rail

Readymade railing planters are a great solution for softening the edges of your deck with a living wall of color. Fill them with an assortment of seasonal blooms, as we have here, or edibles, like herbs, lettuces, tomatoes and berries so a fresh nibble is always within easy reach.

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English Horse Trough Planter

Strategically Position an Outdoor Fireplace

If you're handy with masonry or ready to splash the cash for a pro to tackle this lovely backyard addition, an outdoor fireplace is the perfect anchor for an alfresco living room that you can enjoy year-round.

See More Photos: 35 Before-and-After Backyard Transformations

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Patio Chair with Cushions

Red Outdoor Pillow

Or, Perfectly Place a Water Feature

Consider how craftily this architectural series of waterfalls divides the pool from the gate and walkway in this yard. Why create a bare-bones barrier when you can create privacy and make your outdoor space feel like an art museum’s courtyard? (Smaller, more cost-conscious water features can perform the same function, of course, but this one’s awfully easy on the eyes.)

From: AguaFina Gardens International

Add a Less-Is-More Fence

Interrupt sight lines without enshrouding your space in shadow by creating a minimalistic, midcentury-inspired fence by the pros at MESA Design Group. The distance between each of these stained slats screens the space beyond it and stops short of creating a clunky, fully opaque barrier.

From: MESA Design Group

Or, Play With Breeze Blocks

Draw inspiration from this playful Arizona property and create a geometric, peek-a-boo wall with concrete blocks that have a vintage feel.

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Philips Hue Econic Outdoor Light

Elevate a Veggie Garden

What’s even better than a vertical container garden that provides you with fresh-picked herbs and salad greens all summer long? A vertical container garden that provides you with fresh-picked herbs and salad greens all summer long and just happens to stand right between you and your nosy neighbors.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Combination Outdoor Planter and Privacy Screen

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Wood Raised Garden

Or, Craft a Hanging Plant Wall

Combining wood and mesh rebar to make your own freestanding living wall is a cost-conscious DIY well worth undertaking. Create a versatile vertical display by hanging potted plants using S-hooks, and they’ll provide privacy for your space as they grow. Learn how to make your own, below.

Get the How-To: How to Build an Outdoor Plant and Privacy Wall

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Summey Southwestern Outdoor Area Rug

Striped Linen Pillow

Create a Water Wall

If you can get your hands on tempered glass and are prepared to contribute some serious elbow grease, Marie Blackburn of The Interior Frugalista will walk you through building an atmospheric privacy screen like this one for about $300.

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South Beach Adirondack Chair

KINGSO Fire Pit

Or, Build a Partition With Lattice Panels

When partial privacy is what you need, these airy panels block out an unattractive view while adding a structural element to your landscape. Dust off your power tools and construct your own with our instructions, below.

Get the How-To: How to Build a Privacy Wall With Fence Panels

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Cedar Privacy Screen

Add a Living Wall

Living walls have been gaining in popularity over the past few years and for a good reason: they look fab and do a great job of creating privacy. If you don't have a green thumb, check in with a local nursery or landscaper to do the dirty work for you. Here, Guido Keller of Lotus Gardenscapes installed a custom-made wall planter by Ore to add a vertical garden to this sunny patio.

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Outdoor Pouf

Geometric Outdoor Area Rug

Or, Build Up Bamboo

The landscaping pros at Eco Minded Solutions used bamboo to build a tropical wall of greenery around this party-ready back patio. Like Emerald Green Thuja, bamboo grows high — and it brings exotic charm to any outdoor space. Be sure to look for non-invasive clumping varieties like sympodial or pachymorph bamboo; “running” bamboo is a fast grower, but it’ll take over your yard (and then your neighbors’ properties).

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Adkinson 7 Piece Dining Set

Augment an Existing Fence

Lifestyle blogger Anna Osgoodby brought much-needed (and budget-friendly) privacy to her New York City patio by attaching a mesh windscreen to her chain-link fence with a bit of twine. Could $50 for outdoor space of one’s own be the biggest bargain in the Big Apple?

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Adelia Geometric Orange Rug

Industrial Metal Dining Arm Chair

Dress Up Your Pergola

Take a creative cue from Jenny Johannsen of Anything Pretty, who wove 4’ x 15’ drop cloths through the slats of her already-existing pergola. Double down on the accessorizing by draping string lights to add atmosphere once the sun goes down.

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Canvas Drop Cloth

Panel Over Existing Fence

Erica Lugbill of Lugbill Designs could have paid to have a pro remove and dispose of the unsightly metal fence on her Chicago apartment’s patio. Instead, she used it as the now blissfully invisible support system for a new series of panels created with stained and pressure-treated lumber.

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Anson Outdoor Steel Chairs

Pull Out a Retractable Shade

Nothing says “I appreciate your willingness to water my plants when I go on vacation but enjoy having the option of not sharing every alfresco glass of wine with you” like retractable shades, which are ideal for apartment-dwellers in buildings with closely spaced balconies. They offer privacy when needed, then retract to open up your space when it’s time for a block party. Pick a color that pops, such as this orange shade from Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company.

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Ralls Patio Dining Armchair

Sunbrella Patio Umbrella

Dig Into Pocket Gardens

Real talk: Living walls are both absolutely gorgeous and incredibly difficult to maintain if you’re not a master gardener (or in the position to pay a master gardener to keep your living wall alive). Living walls created by pocket gardens like these, on the other hand, create vibrant, intimate spaces without the sneaking suspicion that your dinner table is surrounded by slow-motion plant death. Get your own start in no-drama vertical gardening here.

From: Jamie Durie

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Hanging Vertical Garden Wall

Lilian Metal Slat Back Stacking Side Chair

Go Industrial With Corrugated Metal

Graphic, textural panels like these pair beautifully with the cheerfully eclectic accessories in this modern yard, and they just so happen to be less expensive than the lumber you’d need to build an entirely wooden fence with the same dimensions.

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Bronte End Table

Outdoor Aluminum Chaise Lounge

Kearney Orange Market Umbrella

Spring for a Pretty Partition

Portable partitions like this wicker offering from Versare are just as easy to plunk into place as they are to remove. They’re the perfect solution for renters in search of a non-permanent privacy fix.

Cut It Out

This ultra-contemporary wall creates privacy for a sloped sitting area and provides showstopping settings for both diminutive container plants and large-scale art like a resin Buddha. The lesson here? Treat outdoor walls like the ones inside your home, and customize (and accessorize) accordingly.

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Franklin Springs Porch Swing

Morrison Patio Chair

Bring a Curtained Canopy Bed Outside

Bearing in mind that most people don’t have a single curtained canopy bed — to say nothing of a spare canopy bed that could be deployed as a ‘90s-music-video-inspired place to take a private outdoor nap — we’d like to draw attention to how incredibly cool it would be to cultivate outdoor privacy in this particular way. Give the idea a chance if you run into a piece like this at a flea market, is what we’re saying.

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Denton Solid Outdoor Grommet Curtains

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