8 Ideas for Privacy on Your Patio To Elevate Your Outdoor Space

 

Is it hard to relax on your patio because you can see and hear your neighbors as if they were in the next room? (Of course, they can see and hear you, too.) 

Or do you find yourself just avoiding your outdoor space altogether? 

What if you could enjoy your patio and the peace that privacy affords? 

In this article, the team at Three Rivers Custom Decks shares patio privacy ideas to transform your patio into the sanctuary you’ve always dreamed of.

Table of Contents

• How Can I Make a Patio More Private?
• 8 Creative Ideas for Privacy on a Patio
• How Can I Add Privacy Without a Fence?
• Three Rivers Custom Decks: Creating Custom Outdoor Spaces in Portland for 25+ Years

How Can I Make a Patio More Private?

There are many creative options for bringing a greater sense of intimacy to your outdoor living space. A few popular options include:

• A brick fireplace
• Louvered walls
• A privacy fence
• A pergola
• Outdoor draperies
• Suspended greenery
• A semi-private fence
• Decorative panels

Three Rivers Custom Decks can install any of these options for your patio, customized according to your preferences. Visit our website today to learn about our company and see photos of our previous projects.

 

8 Creative Ideas for Privacy on a Patio

 #1: Brick Fireplace

A brick fireplace offers an inviting retreat for you and your family or a gathering place for guests. This durable and authentic fixture serves as an attractive border marker in an otherwise open space. Because of its height, it also provides a substantial screen between your patio and your neighbor’s, especially if you add tall plants (such as palms) on either side.

There are various colors of brick to choose from, which differ depending on the clay source and the firing temperature. Most brick is reddish brown, but others range from cream-colored to dark brown or even purplish. The key is to choose a brick that blends well with the exterior of your house.

You can also choose how thick you want the brick cladding to be. Whole brick cladding is the most expensive and requires more skill and materials to accomplish. Or you can opt for the cheaper options — half brick cladding or just a thin brick veneer.

#2: Louvered Walls

Louvered walls are made of slatted panels that let light and air in but keep out prying eyes as well as a good amount of dirt, water, and noise. Mechanical louvered walls are like large shutters that can be opened or closed at the angle of your preference.

Though louvered walls can be made of many kinds of materials, steel and aluminum are best for outdoor constructions, since they are weather-resistant and durable. They can be painted or finished to match the aesthetic of your home.

#3: Privacy Fence

If you already have a tall fence that looks faded and old, freshen it up by power washing and painting it a solid color or an eye-catching pattern.

An extra tall, wooden fence with no gaps between the slats is ideal for allowing complete privacy for your patio space, or you could install a shorter fence that shields your seating area. 

Privacy fences can be made of other materials as well — aluminum or vinyl, for example. These are more durable than wood and can last more than 20 years.

Enhance your privacy fence with warmth and style by incorporating latticework, flowerbeds, or benches.

#4: Pergola

Made of wood, vinyl, metal, or fiberglass, a pergola is like a pavilion without a complete roof. Place it anywhere in your yard to create an architectural focal point for your outdoor space. It provides only a little shelter from the sun and rain.

You can add both interest and privacy to your pergola by pairing it with:

• Sun shades
• A privacy screen
• Curtains
• A tinted or frosted glass cover
• Tall hedges that form natural walls
• A lattice wall

These are just a few ways you can render your pergola area more private. For more ideas for patio privacy and to learn how you can bring them to fruition, contact Three Rivers Custom Decks today.

Request a Quote

#5: Outdoor Draperies

These curtains hang from your outdoor structure — pergola, gazebo, patio, or porch — and go all the way to the ground. They screen your outdoor area from neighbors and give it a comfortable, indoor feel. 

Like indoor curtains, outdoor draperies come in many sizes, styles, and colors. These draperies, however, are made to withstand heavy rain, strong sunlight, and wind. You can choose from many types, ranging from sheer to opaque, depending on how much light you want to let through. 

Common drapery materials include canvas, vinyl, and polyester. They hang from a wire or rods and are secured at the bottom so they don’t blow in the wind.

#6: Suspended Greenery

Trees and plants are excellent “props” you can set up to provide your outdoor hangout with privacy, beauty, and natural warmth. 

Besides planting a close row of evergreens, such as arbor vitae or boxwood (which stay green and healthy-looking all year), you could also grow vines on a privacy trellis or fence. Clematis and climbing hydrangeas are especially good for this purpose.

Another option is to place large box planters filled with a tall and thickly growing plant, such as bamboo or ferns. 

Vertical gardens and living walls provide a colorful, organic screen with different degrees of coverage, depending on the particular plants incorporated. A living wall is completely covered in greenery, whereas a vertical garden has plants at regular intervals.

#7: Semi-Private Fence

A semi-private fence has gaps between the fence boards. These boards can be of various dimensions and are staggered horizontally with about an inch of space between them.

This type of fence lends you privacy without making you feel too trapped in your yard. It also allows more sunlight and airflow than a privacy fence and may look more unique and attractive, since there are a variety of ways it can be designed.

#8: Decorative Panels

The functional, but perhaps more unique and aesthetic equivalent of a lattice is a laser-cut panel along one wall of your patio. It allows airflow but provides some privacy too. You may also choose to place this panel in front of any unsightly view you’d rather not see from your yard. 

A charming addition to your patio, a decorative panel may feature any pattern of your choice. Common patterns include leaves, flowers, or mandalas.

How Can I Add Privacy Without a Fence?

You don’t need a fence to make your outdoor space a more private area for you and your family. You can make your border more unique by adding hedges or strategically placed plants. 

You may also want to consider stone-masonry walls with ironwork or fencing on top or incorporated into wall sections.

Three Rivers Custom Decks: Creating Custom Outdoor Spaces in Portland for 25+ Years

There are endless patio privacy screen ideas. 

Whatever you envision for making your patio more private and comfortable, Three Rivers Custom Decks can make it happen. We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces for our clients in Portland and nearby areas.

For over 25 years, we’ve provided the following construction services to our clients:

• Wood and composite decks
• Railings
• Stairs
• Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits
• Overhead structures
• Landscaping and hardscaping

We perform expert craftsmanship using a wide variety of quality materials chosen in accordance with your needs and budget. Our crew leaders will consult you at every stage of the project so you are sure to be satisfied with the finished product. 

Contact Three Rivers Custom Decks today to get started on your outdoor living project!