Tips To Improve Privacy In Your Garden

Do you stay indoors because your garden feels too exposed? Here are my tips to improve privacy in your garden.

Theres not much worse than settling down for a relaxing afternoon in your own garden and then getting that feeling that you’re being watched. Unless of course you  overhear your neighbours describing the contents of your washing line to everyone in the local shop.  If you feel as though your garden is more like a public open space than a relaxing retreat, you need to read my tips to improve privacy in your garden.

Fences, Walls and Garden Buildings

It’s tempting, isn’t it, to just build a high wall all around your garden making it impossible for anyone to see in. But be careful. Planning regulations often restrict the height of a new fence, wall or outbuilding. So check the rules before spending any money. If you are hiring a garden designer, they should be aware of any restrictions, but it’s always wise to double check.

Remember too that the higher your boundary fence, the more light it will exclude from your garden. You may find yourself with a dark dingy backyard that is wonderfully private but wholly uninviting.

A well placed bench cannot be seen from neighbouring properties

When Your Garden Is Overlooked

More often than not, lack of privacy comes not from passers by at ground level, but from the knowledge that your garden can be seen from neighbouring upstairs windows. You would need to build a very high wall to block that view! However, there are quite a few garden design tips to improve privacy in your property.

Look for a blind spot. There’s usually at least one spot in a garden that is not overlooked. Quite often, that spot is either behind a building or tucked into a corner. Make that the place where you position a nice  secluded seating area. You can design the rest of the garden around that feature by adding paths, lighting and perhaps a pergola.

Awnings, sails and pergolas are all very good at blocking he view from above. They can also provide shelter from chilly winds and drizzling rain. Why not add a cinema screen or an outdoor kitchen to create the ultimate retreat?

Dig Deep To Improve Privacy In Your Garden

Have you ever watched a Western? What did the film makers portray native Americans as doing when they didn’t want to be seen? They crawled on their bellies in order to keep a low profile. I’m not suggesting that you wriggle around your garden like a worm, but keeping low is a good way of feeling less visible. So how about creating a sunken garden?

Sloping Somerset gardens lend themselves beautifully to creating sunken areas. A good landscaper will be able to use the contours of the land to hollow out an area for seating. It needn’t be cavernously deep – when you are sitting down you’re only half your normal height.

Again, pay close attention to planning and building regulations before designing a sunken garden. There are rules to adhere to when making dramatic changes to the levels in a garden. After all, you could easily upset the drainage and/or destabilise neighbouring land.

Roof Gardens And Terraces

Need to improve privacy in your garden? How about moving the outdoor spaces above the sightline of passers by? Roof terraces are amazing places. You get to look around you but you can’t be seen. Do you have an existing flat roof that you could strengthen and convert? Perhaps you could build a verandah with access to the roof. 

Building a roof garden is not quite as simple as putting up a ladder and arranging some chairs. It’s important to check the loading capacity of the roof deck and to protect the waterproofing from mechanical damage. You will also need safety balustrades, sensible access and screening to ensure that you are not intruding on your neighbours’ privacy. It’s definitely worth considering though.

Using Plants To Improve Privacy In Your Garden

Plants have a wonderful way of cocooning a garden and making it feel secluded. Tall grasses, shrubs, trees and climbing plants can create a very attractive (and eco friendly) screen for all, or just part of your garden.

Be imaginative with your planting plan and think how it you need it to make you feel. Do you want the plants to be at head height when you are moving around, or when you are sitting down?

Pleached trees are very effective at raising the fence line and can also help to absorb noise. 

Position any trees or plants carefully. Whilst you want to improve privacy, you probably don’t want to block the light from your own windows. A garden designer will be able to help you to choose plants that will give the aesthetic that you want.

Plants in pots can be used to create screens within a garden. A couple of well placed containers can instantly make your patio feel more private.

These Agapanthus plants create an informal screen around the decking. Ornamental grasses or bamboo would also make great choices for this situation

Need help to get more use out of your garden? Get in touch to discuss a garden design that will work for you and your family.