Talk to any estate agent across the UK and they’re likely to tell you gardens are the most sought-after feature of a new home. Even a small garden or balcony space offer residents the opportunity to spend time outdoors in a private area and get closer to nature. These spaces, however, are exposed, meaning that not only must the potential weather be considered but also privacy.

Just as residents think about how rainfall and wind will affect their garden furniture, they should also think about the potential vantage points of neighbours and passersby. Trying to relax or enjoy a meal, for example, can be difficult when strangers are able to investigate your garden.

There are ways to remedy this situation and bring an element of privacy to part of, or your entire, garden and, today, we’re sharing four of the best.

Natural Barriers

Before you begin erecting fences and purchasing covers, it can be worth considering the landscape of your outdoor area. Hedges and trees, for example, can be excellent sources of both shade and privacy, creating a natural barrier for your home.

There are certain considerations involved with such garden designs, such as the upkeep and potential impact they might have on your home. Deciduous trees, for example, will drop their leaves during the autumn and winter, covering ponds and clogging drains, causing issues if not properly maintained.

Outbuildings

One of the most effective ways to bring privacy to a garden space is to construct a garden outbuilding. These spaces, such as log cabins, annexes, and summer houses (even renovated sheds!) offer a sheltered and often bespoke area for residents and guests to dine, socialise, and even stay within.

Another benefit of these flexible spaces is that they can be as open or as closed as homeowners desire, being adaptable to various circumstances, such as a particularly sunny day, and even being constructed to face in certain directions, ensuring that nosy neighbours are never an issue.

Parasols

While only modest in size, a simple parasol can make a significant difference when it comes to privacy. Primarily, they have been used as a source of shade or to shelter groups from rainfall, however, there is an inherent element of privacy to them too.

Modern parasols are also available in large and flexible designs, allowing residents to not only shade themselves from the sun throughout the day but also adjust their angle of privacy depending on their needs.

Screens

For certain gardens, is it a more grounded line of sight that requires managing, which is where screens come into play. Available in a variety of styles, including robust, lightweight, and natural materials like willow, screens can be an elegant and remarkably stylish solution for privacy.

In addition to adding various degrees of cover to a garden, screens and dividers are also lightweight and modular, meaning they can quickly and easily be adapted to a resident’s needs, as well as suit their garden’s aesthetic.

Mark Pereira