Summer is a beautiful time of year. It is a time for seeing friends and family, and making the most of bright sunny days that stretch out forever. In the summer, our gardens become our new favourite relaxing spaces. Sometimes, though, that relaxation can get a bit difficult. Many gardens are relatively easy to look into from outside, which can create a disquieting sensation when you just want to sunbathe in peace. What are some simple ways to improve the privacy of your garden space?
Fencing off the Boundary
The first, and most immediately obvious, route you can take to improve your garden’s privacy is to address the boundary fencing of your property and fence panels of your property. The law around boundary fencing can sometimes be a bit murky, particularly if you live in a conservation area, there is a covenant on your home or there is confusion over the exact shape of your boundary. Plus, fencing that reaches above two metres in height requires advance planning permission to install.
Still, besides some potential hiccups – which are simple enough to research and clarify – putting up a fence is a remarkably simple undertaking. Since privacy is the name of the game, wire or trellis fences are to be avoided; instead, make sure to choose opaque panels at 5’ or 5’6”. Doing this ensures that your gravel board (the board that supports your panelling from beneath) does not push the total height of your fencing into planning permission territory.
Growing Shrubbery
Fencing might not be the ideal solution for your garden though, particularly if you have a number of flowerbeds that you are remiss to disturb. Rather than disrupting parts of your garden to plant some unwieldy concrete posts, you could instead lean into a natural theme and plant some dense shrubbery.
Hedges and trees can naturally break the line of sight from neighbours’ gardens and roadways. They can also do so without necessitating a planning permission form! The downside is that maintenance can occasionally be difficult.
Partitioning the Garden
Natural privacy barriers don’t need to be relegated to the boundaries of your garden, mind. You could also use the whole of your garden to your benefit, by partitioning it out to create different zones.
An allotment area with high trellises for growing climbing plants and berry bushes is a brilliant way to carve your garden, and to break lines of sight in the process. A big centrepiece tree in the middle of your lawn can perform a similar role, particularly for breaking sight from your neighbours’ upper floors.
Sheltered Spaces
So far, privacy measures have trucked solely in vertical installations. Horizontal partitions can also be created, in the form of sheltered spaces throughout your garden. A pergola is perfect for entertaining guests, but can also shield you and your guests from the sense of being pried upon. Likewise with gazebos, summer houses, and even patios with verandas.
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