10 on-trend outdoor privacy screen options

You’ve just accomplished one of your life-long goals – acquiring your own home, complete with the outdoor space that you’ve always dreamt of. However, along with the pleasure of having your own patio, balcony or backyard, is the question of privacy. The last thing you want to do is avoid this part of your new home altogether just because you feel uncomfortable with the idea that your neighbours can see your every move.

Owning a home should come with the luxury of your own private alfresco space where you can entertain and relax beyond the line of sight of your neighbour’s balcony, yard or house. At first, it may seem like a situation that you have no choice but to live with, but there are many ways to solve overlooking issues.

Privacy screens can easily be installed in your space to keep you and your guests away from the prying eyes of passers-by and neighbours. If you want to explore your screening options, here are some living, man-made and repurposed material ideas that work wonders to stylishly preserve the privacy of your outdoor space.

Living screens

1. Creeping vines – Vines that climb along a trellis, fence or balustrade not only serve as an effective partition for areas you want better concealed – it is also a living screen that keeps things a bit cooler in your outdoor area on hot days. Some of the most attractive and best climbers to consider planting include:

• Clematis
• Ivy
• Morning Glory
• Trumpet Vine
• Wisteria

72 Short Street, Birchgrove, NSW

2. Green wall – This green screen works well on small porches and balconies where space and gardening options are limited. Stack a series of potted plants in a wire mesh fence or on a wall mounted pot system to add some greenery, as well as privacy to your space.

While this living privacy screen adds intimacy in your space, it also allows you to use your vertical space to grow herbs and plants that can improve the beauty of your home.

168 Dow Street, Port Melbourne, VIC

3. Pot plants – You can get creative with where you position your plants. Simply grow bamboo plants, shrubs or hedges of your choice in rustic repurposed planters made from everyday items such as plastic tubs, wine barrels, pallet planters or any container to hide your porch from view. Below are some of the best options for pot plant privacy screens:

• Boxwood
• Cacti
• Jasmines

For sale: 1007/9 Power Street, Southbank, VIC

Man-made screens

4. Wattle– A cheap and simple option for adding privacy, wattle screens can be easily made by repurposing twigs, reeds or branches. It adds a cool sculptural and rustic feel to your balcony or patio and can be easily repositioned.

Image: RuntedRun

5. Bamboo – Screens made from bamboo are ideal solutions to create a private space outside your home. They lend a warm organic appeal and are guaranteed to last for years.

There is also a huge selection of bamboo privacy screens that can offer privacy while lending a traditional or even modern appeal to your yard.

Some of your options include:

• Bamboo rod screens
• Custom & mobile screens
• Natureed® screens
• Bamboo screening

Tip: Clumping bamboo plant varieties have a beautiful fast growing evergreen foliage that can be used as a bushy and tall hedge to boost backyard privacy.

For sale: 20 Ridge Street, Tewantin, QLD

6. Lattice & laser cut – These simple and elegant privacy solutions complement minimalist or traditional home designs nicely. You can also hang small planters in the lattice or laser cut sections so your screen can double as a vertical garden as well.

For sale: 3/33 Kate Street, Indooroopilly, NSW

7. Timber slats – For homes with a minimalist or modern design, a slat screen would be a good option. Timber slat privacy screens are simple but render elegance and warmth that can add impact to your home’s landscape design.

For sale: 93 York Street, Prahran, VIC

Kempas screening is a great option made from plantation hardwood timber that can be used as an attractive & highly functional screen to make your patio, balcony or outdoor space more private.

Image: House of Bamboo

Upcycled options

8. Outdoor curtains – Fabric curtains are a ready-made privacy solution that is highly customisable. Add them to a pergola or install curtain rods to enclose your porch whenever needed. You can even repurpose the fabric from your old interior curtains to add beauty to your home while keeping the budget down.

Image: Eac Designs

9. Shutters – On a more creative side, you can use louvre shutters or old shutters to build a privacy screen. Mix and match old shutters that have different dimensions and colours for a practical and arty addition to your backyard. You can also opt for equally-sized shutters, repainted in white for a cleaner more unified look.

For sale: 18 Bangalla Street, Auchenflower, QLD

10. Bottles – You can also repurpose and assemble empty bottles to create a colourful privacy screen. Depending on the look you want to achieve, it’s up to you whether you will use clear empty bottles or tinted ones. Whatever your choice is, you can assemble those bottles to create a privacy screen that can greatly improve the outdoor area of your home.

Image: Who’s Got Thyme

Owning a home should entitle you to certain privileges, comfort and privacy. Whether you want to reclaim your outdoor space away from prying eyes or simply make a certain area of your home more attractive and sheltered, there is bound to be a screening solution that suits your needs and budget.

Is there a privacy screen solution we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more ways to dress up your backyard this summer check out 5 tips to beautify your yard, how to give your garden a blissful resort feel and outdoor kitchen essentials.