The Best Ways To Shield Your Garden From Overlooking Neighbours

Effective Techniques for Garden Privacy

Your garden can be a haven for relaxation and entertainment, but it may not feel possible if you are constantly under surveillance from surrounding neighbours.

Feeling as though you are being watched in everything you do can prevent you from wanting to spend time outdoors and mean your garden is a wasted opportunity. Whether you are currently dealing with nosy neighbours or are simply surrounded by neighbour homes, creating a sense of perceived intrusion, you should not be forced to miss out.

There are plenty of ways that you can shield your garden from overlooking neighbours and create a sense of seclusion, so you can enjoy your own private oasis whenever you desire. In this guide, we are going to explore some of the best solutions to generate garden privacy and create a secluded space you will adore.

Natural Privacy Barriers

A striking garden design often includes natural elements that enhance the landscape’s beauty. A well-designed garden flourishes with local ecosystems and includes varied natural components for visual depth and engagement.

Natural elements like plants and flowers not only add aesthetic appeal to the garden but can also be used to create natural privacy barriers for additional security.

The following elements can be used to create natural privacy barriers and shield your garden from overlooking neighbours.

Trees and Shrubs

One of the most visually appealing and natural ways to create a privacy screen is by planting trees and shrubs around your garden boundaries. A variety of tree and shrub species can create an interesting layer of depth in your garden while also providing an effective privacy barrier.

Plant a range of trees and shrubs near your garden’s perimeter, ensuring the tallest species are planted where you need the most privacy as these provide the biggest screen.

For sustained natural screening, choose evergreen species such as conifers, laurels, or privets that can offer year-round coverage with their lush green leaves.

Bamboo

If privacy is needed immediately, such as if you have new neighbours moving in or the surrounding homes are causing issues, then bamboo is an excellent option.

Known for its fast growth and density, bamboo is an ideal solution for a natural screen in your garden that can provide instant screening from overlooking neighbours.

Bamboo can be used to create privacy in specific garden areas, such as the patio or dining area, and its fast growth means you won’t have to delay your plans while it develops. However, you must choose clumping bamboo varieties rather than running types for maximum density and the most privacy.

Hedges

Hedges have been a traditional choice for natural screening for many years and can offer privacy due to their dense green foliage. Since hedges are common in various landscapes, they can easily fit into any garden, providing privacy and an added element of natural beauty.

Plants like boxwood, yew, and holly make excellent hedges due to their density and attractive appearance. These species can be trimmed to your preferred height and shape, making them a perfect natural screen for any garden or landscape.

Structural Solutions

Professional installations also offer a great option for ensuring more privacy in the garden and shielding from prying neighbours. The following solutions are great options for all kinds of landscapes, as they can be easily customised to suit your requirements.

Fencing

A high fence is a simple and effective solution for privacy and protecting your garden from prying neighbours.

You do not require planning permission for fences that are less than 6.5 feet above ground level. This height includes trellises but is still a sufficient height to shield from overlooking neighbours in most locations.

Fences made from wood, vinyl or eco-friendly composite are durable and visually appealing in all kinds of landscapes.

For added style and privacy, trellises can be added to the top of your fence, and plants can be trained to grow through them. This not only looks great but also offers additional screening through the added height.

Pergolas

A pergola can be a stunning and practical addition to your garden, providing a dedicated section for outdoor dining, entertaining, or simply lounging on your outdoor seating.

Although pergolas are often an open structure, you can add panels to one or more sides of it for additional privacy and shielding. As with fencing, you can also train climbing plants like wisteria or grapevines to cover the pergola.

With a combination of panels and climbing plants, you can create a lush, shaded area in the garden that offers privacy from above and around the sides.

Lattice Panels

Lattice panels are versatile and can be used to create shielded partitions in your garden. With their unique design, lattice panels can create a sense of privacy while still allowing light and air to flow freely, so you can continue to enjoy the freshness of the outdoors without feeling completely exposed.

Like fencing or pergolas, you can enhance lattice panels and their protection using climbing plants, flowers or even planting hedges to cover them.

Portable Options

There might be occasions when you need privacy only for a particular event or specific times. In such cases, you don’t need a permanent installation in your garden, but can instead rely on temporary solutions such as:

Outdoor Curtains

Outdoor curtains offer a flexible solution for garden screening. They can be used on-demand to create secluded and protected areas with ease, as you simply need to draw the curtains close to stay out of sight.

Outdoor curtains are perfect for use around pergolas or gazebos to create a private and closed-off space, whether you’re alone or entertaining guests. Various designs are available that are light enough to let the gentle breeze and sunlight filter through while enhancing the appeal of your garden.

Portable Screens

Portable screens are another convenient option for temporary privacy as they are easily movable, allowing you to shield specific areas as and when needed. Portable screens can be used to block certain views or create private seating areas, offering protection from prying eyes whenever you wish.

There are several options for portable garden screens, such as wood, metal, and fabric, to suit all kinds of landscapes.

Decorative Panels

Shielding your garden doesn’t have to be dull – it can be incredibly artistic with the right features. Some garden features and landscaping techniques can enhance the appeal of your garden while ensuring privacy.

Decorative panels are becoming increasingly popular across the nation for landscaping which means they are readily available. As they are so accessible, these panels are one of the easiest ways to shield your garden from overlooking neighbours without compromising on your garden design.

Decorative panels are available in a range of materials, like metal, wood, and vinyl, with different designs and colours so you can find the best fit for your landscape.

Not only do they add colour and interest to the garden, but they can also be a great tool to enhance privacy. When installed along a fence, decorative panels can block the view between panels while also creating an artistic focus in the environment.

Water Features

The screening of your garden is not merely a visual endeavour as sounds can also affect your privacy. Even if you cannot necessarily see your neighbours, you may be able to hear them and vice versa.

This is why water features that incorporate running water, like small waterfalls or fountains, can be very useful and are a great option for shielding your garden from neighbours.

The sound of running water creates a soothing ambience, and the continuous noise helps mask conversations and other sounds both from within your garden and outside. This dual privacy helps to shield your environment by blocking out any sound interruptions.

Conclusion

Sheiding your garden from overlooking neighbours can contribute to the appeal of your garden, inspiring the whole family to spend more time outdoors. Not only can it create a more private and secluded space that you can enjoy at any time, but it can also enhance the design of your landscape with careful consideration.

The best solution for complete privacy outdoors is a combination of screening options. Relying on a variation of natural screens, decorative elements and garden structures can make your garden a more private space while also making it an attractive environment.

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Simon – Berry Hill Mansfield
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From the first meeting with Kevin I knew I was in safe hands. I had previously dealt with other ‘landscape’ companies who only seemed interested in charging above what they should for a poor quality job. Kevin knew what was needed not only to satisfy my needs but more importantly my plot. Plans were drawn up and changed a couple of times, I’m quite hard to please at times. The work started and all the team were amazing, hard working, polite and knew what they were doing, Kevin was always on hand to keep me calm and make sure my OCD (lol) was ok. The garden was handed back on time and on budget and WOW what a transformation. Kevin has been back a couple of times to sort out a couple of snags and nothing is too much trouble. My garden is now an extension of my home and I’m so pleased I was introduced to Knightingale Landscapes and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kevin and his team..

Karen Mitchell – Kirkby in Ashfield
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I have been planning my garden makeover for a couple of years and never thought it would ever look like it does now and that is thanks to Kevin and his great team. From the planning stage through to work commencing on the garden Kevin was so helpful and knowledgeable, giving me advice on materials, and how everything would work together. Our garden is on different levels so we now have steps up to our lawn and patio which look amazing. The work was carried out to the highest standard and each day when they had finished the lads cleaned everything and left things neat and tidy. I cannot thank Kevin and his team enough for giving me a garden to be proud of. My husband and I are never out of it now and know that we will have many happy times spent in our beautiful new outside space. If you want your dream garden contact Kevin and his great team, I am so glad I did.

Jo Salmon – Berry Hill Mansfield
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Kevin created a design to completely transform my garden from a grass bank to a gorgeous, landscaped setting. Kevin and his team are knowledgable, professional and dedicated to working with you to create the design. Nothing is too much trouble and I would have no hesitation in recommending Knightingale Landscapes

Lynn and Martyn – Giltbrook
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Absolute fantastic job done, on rear garden with composite decking and resin yard, then resin on the whole of the front drive. Kevin and his dedicated team have really done us proud, with a truly professional job, and workmanship second to none, they are so friendly and helpful, and cleanliness is excellent. This has transformed our property, I would recommend Knightingale Landscapes to everyone. Thanks again

Mike & Vanda Maciborskyj – Hucknall
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We cannot recommend Knightingale Landscapes enough. From the first contact we had with Kev he was very professional and delivered a great customer service. We were clueless as to what we wanted apart from the fact that our back garden needed to be dog friendly. Kev came back to us with a design that was perfect. We had our back & front garden landscaped along with new fencing. From start to finish Kev and his team worked so hard, kept everything tidy, with regular updates on progress. We requested additional work and nothing was too much trouble. The final result is a beautiful garden that we enjoy so much. A fantastic job completed by reliable, professional people.

Laura and Dave – Kirkby in Ashfield
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Thank you to Kevin and his team for transforming our neglected driveway and front garden into a lovely space with a smart resin bound drive and wooden planter areas. We are really pleased with the work and it was carried out in a very professional manner – punctual, tidy and efficient. Would definitely recommend.

Albert & Judy Catt – Ashbourne
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We have a smallish, awkwardly shaped garden surrounded by walls and fences on a new development. We go away frequently enough to want a low maintenance garden but also need sufficient plant interest to keep enjoyment of our outdoor space not just limited to sitting out with a glass of wine. Kevin surveyed the plot, produced an imaginative design, gave us a quote and offered us a start date. He and his team duly started on the date they said they would. Each day just enough materials for that day’s work were delivered and at the end of each day the site was left clean and tidy. The job took exactly the length of time Kevin said it would and cost exactly what he said it would. We are delighted not only with the result but also with the whole experience. As it happened we were away for the last few days of the project but such was our trust in Kevin and his team that we were happy to leave him to finish the job and make any last minute adjustments to the planting.

Mrs Prickett – Sutton in Ashfield
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I cannot speak highly enough of Kevin and his team, they are professional hard working and just lovely people. My garden went from being a mass of weeds and stinging nettles and generally uncared for (the house was rented before we bought it) to being a lovely space for us to spend time in. The work was carried out during the school half term so they had two 5 year olds asking questions all the time and they were extremely patient with them. So if you are going to have a garden makeover Knightingale Landscapes are the best people for the job.

Mr & Mrs Pilch – Ravenshead
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Kevin and his team have just completed some work for us and we are delighted with the finished product.We found them to be very professional, hard working, nothing too much trouble. Great to find a company who work to such a high standard, would recommend them to anyone. Thanks again Kevin

Mark Herrington – Berry Hill
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I can’t help smiling when looking at my garden, the work that Kevin and his team did was excellent, I have no hesitation in recommending Knightingale Landscapes for your project. All aspects of the service the guys provide is seldom seen nowadays, excellent work guys much appreciated!

Andrea Porter – Forest Town
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You transformed our dream into reality. .you’ve exceeded all our expectations. .can’t thank and praise your expertise, professionalism and friendliness enough. .Thank you we love it !!

Robert and Charlotte – Kirkby in Ashfield
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Many thanks for the work that you did on our garden in Kirkby. The work was conducted in a professional and painstaking manner and the end result was absolutely superb. We are delighted with the way that our garden looks and are anticipating many happy days enjoying its beauty.”

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