Need an outdoor privacy screen? It's not always a simple matter of one-type-suits-all. Palatial mansion or pint-sized plot, every yard has a place needing a privacy screen or backyard retreat, away from your neighbors' sight. Whether it's to gain privacy for the area near your pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, patio, or just a spot for enjoying some solitude, you're going to need to figure out how to create that outdoor privacy screen, barrier, fence, etc. Follow these suggestions for sizing-up and finding the right privacy screen for your outdoor space.
Looking Before Leaping
Obvious ways to create outdoor privacy screens are with walls, fences or hedges. But these structures aren't always necessary or smart solutions. Do you really need a stacked-stone retaining wall for the terrace of your condo? Would an 8-foot-high fortress of clipped boxwood look somewhat odd surrounding a 5-foot diameter spa?
Play it smart and ponder the following considerations before finding a creative solution for making a privacy screen that works well for your particular situation.
Inspiration
Yes, if you open your eyes to your surroundings, inspiration is lurking around every corner. Visit a local botanical garden and take pictures. Cruise your own or other neighborhoods for possibilities. And don't forget to check out this
photo gallery of ideas for outdoor privacy screens, which is frequently updated.
Size & Proportion
Analyze the size of the area to be screened and height of the actual screen. Something big and tall could dwarf an already-small space (remember the diminuitive Stonehenge props in the film Spinal Tap?) Conversely, a 4-foot-high row of floribunda roses won't give you the privacy you might require, especially during off-season when they're reduced to mere canes.Materials should be appropriate for the particular space and surrounding area.
Don’t count on a delicate annual vine covering a chain-link fence to provide the privacy required in a pool or spa area.What's It Gonna Cost?
Cost is a consideration for most of us, which means summoning those creative brain cells to come up with a solution that you like and works within your budget (or lack of).Art for Art's Sake?
Speaking of creativity – sometimes you’ll have to abandon artistic self expression in favor of coming up with something that looks good and works well for you, your neighbors, your homeowners' association, and any passersby. Unless you live in a frat house, a wall of beer cans epoxyed together might be a fun morning-after-the-party project, but probably won't win the approval of your neighbors.Architecture & Design
The style of the privacy screen should coordinate with the architecture of your home. Think about ornamentation, texture, color, design, weight, and again, materials. Examples: Victorian doesn’t work with modern; southwestern and tudor don’t jive, etc. You want the screen to blend in with the rest of the structure and hardscape, not jump out and scream, "Look at me!"Is It Your Level of DIY?
Thing about feasibility: is your skill level a match for the scope of the project? A round cut-out in a concrete wall is an amazing idea, but do you know the exact skills and know-how you’ll need to do the job right?Hiring a Contractor
If you realize your do-it-yourself skills are lacking for this particular project, are you willing to
hire a contractor to carry out your vision? That takes, money, time, disruption and more money. Sometimes the best solution for a project is to keep it simple.
