When looking for a new home, outside space is often high on the list of priorities. Nothing’s worse than not being able to get out in nature when the sun’s shining.
It can be all the more devastating when you have an overlooked garden that you don’t use. It might have been half of the reason you bought that house, but you feel as though there are eyes on you every time you step outside. Before you know it, that back door stays shut all year round, and the lawn you paid so much for goes to waste.
It’s a terrible truth, but a reality that many of us face, particularly in built-up areas. Whether your neighbors are nosy or not, the mere fact that they could see everything may be enough to put you off. But, instead of wasting the space, it might be time to get your thinking cap on and consider the ways you can increase privacy.
In truth, this isn’t always easy. But, it’s a step worth taking if it means you and your family can get outside once and for all. And, to help you get started, we’re going to look at a few fantastic options for increasing your feelings of privacy.
Install sturdy barricades
On a communal street, installing sturdy barricades can feel a little like drawing battle lines. As such, many of us make do with revealing iron fences or wooden options littered with holes. After all, you can’t pop out for a chat with the neighbor if you install a sturdy and robust alternative. But, if you find you avoid going outside because of privacy breaches and the need to chat, take action. This is your garden, after all, and it’s essential you feel comfortable using the space. That means setting whichever barriers work best for you.
The most obvious option here would be a high and stable fence which is free of holes. And, companies like Fort Worth could have you covered on that front. Obviously, you don’t want something which blocks the light or becomes an eyesore. But, opting for a fence just that bit too tall for you neighbor to see over could do the trick here.
If a fence doesn’t appeal to you, you can use of hedges instead. In many ways these are a fantastic way to use greenery for privacy. What’s more, hedges appear much less standoffish, so this could be the way to go if you don’t want to offend neighbors. Bear in mind that, as well as settling on this option, you’ll need to decide on a hedge type.
Choose the right plants
Plants are also crucial when it comes to privacy. After all, a bare lawn will always feel more exposed than a garden full of flowers. So, get out those gardening gloves and start planting. Obviously, we’re not talking about planting trees around your garden boundaries. While these would be best at keeping you private, they would also block all your light. Instead, turn to some more subtle options for providing natural screens. Perhaps the main plant that comes to mind here is bamboo. This fast-growing plant is tall, pretty, and (best of all) creates privacy. What’s more, bamboo is a very low-maintenance plant. The only thing to look out for here is that it can spread fast and soon get out of control if the wrong varieties are planted.
There are other fast-growing creeper plants which could serve you just as well. Something like climbing roses can grow to two to four metres tall and will look fantastic on your fence. What’s more, they have a long flowering season, and flower in clusters. The only downside here is that they become sparse in the winter months.
Detect hidden areas
Most yards at least have hidden corners where no one can see what’s going on. And, if this is the case for you, you could always make use of these areas. Why not set up a patio here which ensures you can at least have some private time outside? You could even increase that feeling of being hidden with a lower-level in your garden, or by installing an overhead roof. While this won’t help with the rest of your garden, it will at least give you some respite.
As you can see, there’s no need to suffer on in silence. There are endless numbers of tips and tricks to improving your garden privacy. And, the vast majority of them don’t even need that much garden know-how.
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