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How to make your garden more private

30 January 2017

Timmothy Mitchelle

If you love to spend time in your garden but are fed up of passers-by and neighbours peering into it all of the time, here are some things you can do to make your outdoor space more private.

Invest in a fence

Investing in a new fence for the boundaries of your garden is perhaps one of the best ways to prevent people from being able to see into it. However, it's important to note that both the height and design of the fence will determine how effective it is in providing you with more privacy.

For example, whilst cast iron fences can certainly increase the aesthetic appeal of a property, they're not the ideal choice if privacy is your primary concern, as the large gaps between the bars provide ample viewing room for anyone who happens to be walking past and feels like taking a peek into your garden. Wooden fences with overlapping boards are a far better choice.

Think carefully about the height of your new fence, too; although a taller fence will, of course, be more effective at protecting your privacy, it may also block out the light from your garden. It's important to take this into account, as a reduction in sunlight could not only make the space less enjoyable to spend time in, but could also negatively impact the health of your lawn and the growth of plants and trees.

If the area on which you intend to build the fence is a common boundary (i.e. a section of land that is shared with an adjacent property), you must consult your neighbour before beginning the construction of the fence. If you don't, and your neighbour has an issue with the height, position or design of the structure, you could end up involved in a legal dispute.

Install an awning

If your main source of irritation is neighbours peering into your garden whilst you're trying to enjoy an alfresco meal with your loved ones, it may be sensible to install an awning over your outdoor dining table, rather than fitting a new fence. The former is less expensive than the latter and takes much less time to fit.

In addition to protecting you and your family from prying eyes when you're dining outdoors, an awning will also shield you from the heat of the sun and serve an attractive decorative feature which will enhance the appearance of your garden. Whilst most standard awnings come with a single overhead panel, it possible to purchase ones with side-panels too, which will offer some extra coverage.

If you only dine outdoors occasionally and therefore do not need the awning all of the time, it might be a good idea to opt for a retractable model, which will enable you to control the amount of privacy and shade you have in your garden throughout the year.

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