1. Ideas & How Tos
  2. Ideas & Inspiration

7 Ideas for Backyard Privacy

From gazebos and pergolas to hedges and privacy fences, discover all the ways to create a secluded backyard. You can grow your garden to new heights with planter boxes or retaining walls, or install a massive patio umbrella. Read on to find even more ways to add privacy to your backyard.

Outdoor seating area covered with a cedar pergola.

1. Gazebos

Gazebo in a backyard with a patio set underneath it.

For nearly complete outdoor privacy, you can't do much better than an enclosed gazebo. Nestled in the landscape and screened to keep out bugs, this structure makes a comfortable and private refuge. They come in various sizes and styles to suit your backyard’s aesthetic.

Try an all-season gazebo for outdoor privacy year round. Completely enclosed, it offers protection from the chilly winter winds.

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2. Pergolas & Arbors

Patio set under a cedar pergola in a backyard

A pergola offers a taste of the great outdoors without a feeling of confinement. Because they are freestanding, they can be easily moved if you decide to change the layout of your backyard. They also provide shelter from the wind and rain.
 
Tip: Cover the structure with vines (or grapevines, if you'd like a tasty treat as well as a sense of seclusion).

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Don't have room for a pergola? Try a vine-covered arbor. When seated on the bench, guests are virtually invisible to anyone behind or to the side of the arbor, but still retain a view of their garden.
 
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3. Build Up Your Garden

Close up of hedge

Hedges

This old standby is a favourite for a reason: it works. A tall hedge provides as much privacy as a stockade fence. It's better looking, more inviting to birds, and looks great in winter. A hedge often reaches higher than a fence for even more screening.
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Stone retaining wall holding flowers, bushes, and other foliage.

Retaining Wall

A retaining wall is a great way to build up your garden. Retaining walls handle two tasks at once: they provide privacy and it gives you lots of  space to grow great vegetables and herbs. You can make it multi-level for some added height.
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Tall black planter holding flowers on patio steps

Planters

Setting up tall planters in a line will act as a wall of privacy. Add some vibrant flowers to the planters for extra colour in your backyard. This way you’ll get your privacy and make your backyard oasis gorgeous.
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4. Privacy Fence

Privacy fences conceal your backyard from neighbours or passerby. It can also act as a windbreaker and will allow for a clear indication of where your property ends and where your neighbour’s starts.
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White privacy fence in backyard.
Black motorized shade attached to a pergola.

5. Outdoor Shades

Outdoor shades, screens, or curtains will give you the right balance of privacy and air circulation. They are available in different styles and colours, which means you can pick ones that blend seamlessly into your outdoor decor.
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6. Patio Umbrellas

Red freestanding patio umbrella over a multi-coloured outdoor couch.

It may seem like a stretch, but a patio umbrella provides plenty of privacy from second-story windows, particularly those of neighbouring houses. Of course, you also gain protection from sun and rain, as well as an attractive addition to your outdoor decor.

You can get a tilted patio umbrella, which is ideal if you want privacy in a particular area of your yard. They are also available freestanding or patio table-compatible.

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7. Lattice

White lattice wall in a backyard patio

A small-grid lattice offers a sense of seclusion, especially when fronted by potted plants and shrubs. These lattice screens act as a makeshift fence to protect from the weather or any nosy neighbours. Plus, there are a variety of patterns of lattice to choose from so you don’t have to stick with the classic crossed lattice pattern.
 
Tip: Add curtains for greater privacy or to block out chilly wind.
 
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