Patio Privacy Solutions

Fences

• When choosing a method to provide your family with a private patio, fence-type enclosures are often the first solution that comes to mind. These time-tested barriers are a simple way to keep others out, and offer a variety of design options. The best choices feature solid or tightly bound structures that don't allow others to view your patio through slats or gaps between pickets or rungs. For example, a solid vinyl fence allows for optimal privacy, while the sparse decorative pieces of a wrought-iron fence leave little to the imagination. Additionally, it's vital to select a fence that reaches a suitable height of at least 5 or 6 feet.

Shrubs and Bushes

• Shrubs and bushes provide a natural-looking way to add privacy to your patio. If you're looking for a way to blend your backyard landscape into your barrier enclosure, plant life can be a more-viable alternative than man-made devices such as fences and screens. When selecting a specific species of plant for your patio, take all environmental factors into consideration, including available sunlight, drainage, other live plants, space and growing zone. You'll also want to consider what height the barrier should be, and choose shrubs that match your overall home decor and design aesthetic. Evergreens are a popular way to keep the neighbors from seeing into your outdoor space that remain vibrant throughout the year. Rose bushes in varying colors can keep eyes out while making a positively pretty statement.

Designer Decor

• Patio privacy screens and barriers don't have to be unattractive or sterile-looking. Add a splash of designer decor to your yard with a fanciful solution to your privacy issues. For example, hang outdoor curtains or sheets of fabric around the patio. Many home improvement and gardening retailers sell outdoor-quality curtains, as well as wooden or metal frames to hang them on.

Privacy Screen

• Sometimes you may not need the barrier that a fence or shrubbery provides. Block parties or neighborhood potlucks necessitate a clear route from home to home that some privacy solutions impede. A removable stand-up screen is a simple way to keep your patio private during some times and open during others. Privacy screens typically consist of an accordion-style metal or wooden frame with multiple panels. The panel coverings may include colorful cloth or canvas. Different styles are available through a variety of home improvement and gardening stores, or websites such as BackyardCity.com or PatioShoppers.com. Or make your own rustic screen by attaching 3 to 4 tall wooden shutters together, and set them around the patio space accordion style, or stretch them out for added privacy. This barrier is an easy, customizable option that you can remove as needed, even on a daily basis.