Clever Ways to Add Privacy to Your Backyard

There are a few things more annoying than having your relaxing moment in your backyard interrupted by noisy neighbours. The tendency of smaller lots and larger houses means the likelihood of having neighbours overlooking your private areas is increasing and entertaining outdoor spaces where people tend to be noisiest are in closer proximity.

But it is not all bad news. Fortunately, there are some handy solutions for blocking sight lines and help minimise noise from loud residents next door so you can restore your backyard joy.

Grow a Natural Barrier

Aside from preventing neighbours from peering, a living screen also adds a lush backdrop to your yard. A popular Australian native plant great for screening is standard Lilly Pilly, as it forms a tidy hedge and grows up to 2m once established. In spring to early summer standard Lilly Pilly plants have fully white or greenish flowers followed by long-lasting red, purple with whitish berries. Standard Lilly Pilly plants prefer good fertile moist soil but can also thrive in drought, full sun or semi shade and will tolerate frosts, sandy soils and coastal conditions.

Upgrade Your Fence

If your low-boundary fence is not providing the privacy you need, consider upgrading it to a higher fence. Just make sure you check with your local council the maximum height of fence allowed. As a rule of thumb, both neighbours should contribute equally to the cost of the new fence. However, if you are the only one who prefers a higher quality fence than standard, then you are the one who will need to pay extra to cover it. Another option here is to add fence topper to your existing fence. Fence toppers are panels that can be selected to match your existing fence, adding height to the boundary without the cost of building a new one.

Install a Privacy Screen

Privacy screens are available in a range of materials and aside from providing privacy, they can also help create zones for different activities. Screens made from modern materials, such as aluminium, or laser-cut steel or plastic are a great addition to contemporary backyards. For a more traditional look, you can choose screens made from timber of lattice, or natural options like brushwood and bark.

You should be able to cut out a lot of the noise from your loud neighbours with any of these options, but if the people next door are particularly annoying, a water feature may help address the problem. Even though a water feature might not block out the noise completely, it will provide you with a way more peaceful sound to concentrate on.