Sometimes, we all just want to get away from the world, and there’s no better place than in our own backyard. Except, that is when our backyard is like a fishbowl where there’s no privacy and no seclusion. However, there are several solutions. Here’s how a landscaper can make your backyard feel more like a private oasis in Amherst and Hollis, NH.
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1. A Privacy Fence
One of the more straightforward solutions is a privacy fence that encircles your entire outdoor living space. A privacy fence is typically made with wood or vinyl. Nothing beats the unique character of wood (especially when it’s stained instead of painted) although it does require maintenance. Vinyl fences are available with a painted-wood look but virtually no maintenance.
Traditional privacy fences feature upright (vertical) pickets with same-color or slightly contrasting post colors, while more modern fences feature horizontal pickets and more boldly contrasting post colors.
Some privacy fences feature lattice tops which give the fence a lighter and more airy look. If you prefer a privacy fence that’s solid all the way to the top but doesn’t want the plain “wall” look (which can make a small backyard feel a bit boxed in) you could dress it up with built-in planters, climbing vines, or add a layered plant bed in front of the fence.
2. A Privacy Screen
A “lite” version of a privacy fence will make your backyard feel less closed in than a solid privacy fence. Usually made with lattice or with thicker pickets with slight spacing, privacy screens feel more airy - more like a fence than a wall. The view from outside is only partially obstructed, but you can always add plants as a living wall in front of a privacy screen if it turns out you’re not getting quite the privacy you want.
3. A Living Wall
A living wall is a wonderful idea - it’s a softer, more natural way to add privacy to your outdoor living space. However, you do need the time and the patience for plants such as cypress to mature to their full size. Installing a privacy screen behind younger plans is a great temporary solution. Eventually, you’ll be rewarded with a thick, lush wall that can completely block the views while keeping your space as natural as possible.
4. Privacy Curtains
If your outdoor living space features a pergola, adding privacy curtains is a great way to block the view in a very elegant way. The pergola itself (or, a solid-roofed pavilion) offers privacy from above, such as from a nearby home with second-story views of your backyard.
5. A Water Feature
A water feature will contribute to the sense of serenity by masking sounds of traffic. Some water features can even do double duty with creating seasonal privacy. A rain curtain offers light privacy while a water wall (water flowing down over a vertical pane of glass or metal) can provide nearly complete privacy.
6. Trees
Planting trees around your outdoor living space will give you privacy, shade, and a cozy sense of enclosure as the trees mature. When designing the planting theme, your landscape contractor will pay attention to which views you want to preserve and which you want to block using trees, as well as where you want mostly shade or mostly sun.
