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by Vivian Garzon

Neighbours Be Gone: 4 Ways to Boost Yard Privacy

There are many ways to effectively screen yourself from overlooking issues such as these and to improve the privacy of your yard, outdoor area and home.
Neighbours Be Gone: 4 Ways to Boost Yard Privacy

You’ve done it, you’ve finally found your dream home, put in an offer, they’ve accepted and you’re moving in. Congratulations!

It’s only after you’ve settled in when you realise the overlooking issue in your brand-new backyard. The two-storey monster next door looms over your yard with clear visibility into your patio space.

Never fear! There are many ways to effectively screen yourself from overlooking issues such as these and to improve the privacy of your yard, outdoor area and home.

Transform your backyard into your own private retreat with these four effective methods for screening your property from prying eyes.

For sale: 7 The Crescent, Mosman, NSW

1. Bamboo screen

Bamboo is the perfect plant to increase privacy. It’s hardy, fast growing, lean (so it’s good for small block sizes), grows up to 4m in height and thickens up nicely, providing a lush attractive wall of green to outdoor spaces.

For best results plant a clumping bamboo variety in a line along the perimeter of your property where you want to improve privacy. Note: It will generally take one to two years to mature and reach full height.

the-parade

For sale: 41 The Parade, Russell Lea, NSW

2. Fencing extension

For an instant solution to overlooking woes consider increasing the height ormaking over your current fencing. Putting up a timber lattice extension will improve privacy and is a good opportunity to embrace your green thumb. Plant a climber such as wisteria, clematis or star jasmine to beautify your newly extended fence over time.

Before erecting any additional fencing structure always check your local council’s website to see if there are any height restrictions and if you need to apply for a building permit. In Victoria for example a boundary fence above 2m requires abuilding permit.

salisbury-street

For sale:Salisbury Street, Unley, SA

3. Laser cut screens

Purchasing a laser cut screen for your patio, courtyard or backyard is a great way to not only immediately improve privacy but to embrace your artsy side andupgrade the style of your home’s exterior. Think of the screen like a sculptural and architectural extension of your home.

Laser cut screens come in an array of materials, colours and design options. From aluminium, timber, MDF, copper, bronze and steel, there’s sure to be a material to suit your property and taste. If not, you can always get a laser-cut screen custom made and design it yourself to your exacting specifications.

patula-pl

For sale: 5 Patula Place, Menora, WA

4. Privacy hedging

For a longer term but attractive solution consider planting hedging to act as a living fence. Hedges will benefit your property four-fold. They provide a sound barrier, act as a windbreak, their leafy greenery looks fantastic and of course they provide extra privacy.

Boxwood shrubs are a hardy variety for hedging screens and can grow up to 20 feet tall. Other plant types that make for good privacy hedges include oleander, arborvitae and Japanese pittosporum. Just be sure to regularly trim your hedges to keep them neat and their height and width under control.

Thyra-road

For sale: 9 Thyra Road, Palm Beach, NSW

Hopefully one or a combination of these four strategies prove helpful when it comes to boosting the privacy of your yard.

Author bio:
Larissa Gardner is a blogger, social media strategist and marketing coordinator at
arguably Australia’s best looking, banner-ad free real estate website homely.com.au. With a superb devotion to product innovation, user-centred design and innovative marketing platforms for real estate agents, homely.com.auhelps millions of Australians find their next home easier and faster than ever before.