Backyard Deck Privacy Ideas
Today I’m popping in with a quick post about how we added a privacy screen to our back deck. It was a simple project, but I thought it might come in handy for anyone looking for backyard deck privacy ideas.
Lack of privacy on back deck
We have a narrow deck on the back of our house, it’s almost more like a porch. After moving in, we were so focused on getting the house together that I completely ignored the back.
This is what it looked like.
I had a tiered planter on the end of the deck (which sort of disappears against the white railing), and we threw our old patio chairs up here because we sit out here often. But the view from that side isn’t pretty. We have a neighbor who has an unkept yard, and that’s putting it politely.
Additionally, that neighboring house is on an angle, so all the windows face our yard. Eventually, we will add a fence or trees over there, but in the meantime, I wanted to get a privacy screen for the deck.
Creating a vertical garden
I decided a vertical garden would be a great way to create a privacy wall. Nothing is prettier than a solid wall of lush greenery.
I didn’t want a wooden deck box planter because it would eventually rot. After lots of searching, I found this planter that was the perfect size. It’s narrow but deep.
The outside of the planter is textured and looks like cement or stone, but it’s very lightweight. I can easily move it myself. This planter box also has drainage holes and an insulated interior that protects plants from weather fluctuations.
It was the perfect solution for us. I ordered it in white, but there are other color options.
Our friend, who is a landscaper, suggested I fill about 1/4 of the planter with branches, leaves, and wood chips. I never got the wood chips, but I did enjoy foraging the yard for branches and leaves.
I filled it up more than shown here, just about 1/4 of the way. Then I added a layer of potting soil before I added my shrubs.
We wanted evergreen shrubs that would stay narrow, not get too large, but grow enough to create a wall of greenery.
The shrubs we chose are a narrow Japanese holly, though the leaves look like a boxwood shrub to me. The branches stay upright, and they should grow no higher than 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. These are great low-maintenance plants.
Initially, I purchased 3 of them, because once they grow, they should fill in. After putting three in the planter, it looked too sparse, so I added a fourth. As they grow wider, if it looks too crowded, I can always remove one.
Although we missed the entire gardening season this year due to the move, we are now trying to establish some privacy plants. Not only on the deck but throughout the yard.
I do love how this turned out. The planter box was a perfect solution for our back deck.
Next, we are working on our front landscaping that got torn up with all the construction. We are only buying perennials at this time of the year and hoping to get a foundation established for next year.
Sometimes the simple projects are the best ones!
more backyard deck privacy ideas
There are a number of ways to create outdoor privacy screens. Our house is a raised ranch, so this was the best and easiest option for our back deck.
In our last house, we created a privacy screen along our front porch with lattice and a climbing hydrangea vine. (However, those don’t stay green all year.) This is a good option if you have something to attach it to, like porch posts.
If your outdoor space suffers from a lack of privacy, there are lots of creative ways to fix that. Here are a few other options for backyard deck privacy ideas.
- Outdoor Curtains – You can find a great DIY tutorial here for using curtains on your deck.
- Lattice Panels – You can install these like we did on our porch, shown above. Alternatively, you can also find a freestanding trellis with planter boxes attached, which would make this super easy.
- Tall Trees – We planted emerald green arborvitaes for privacy in our last house and loved them. We didn’t use them this time due to the height of the deck; it would’ve taken too long to get the full coverage.
- Wooden Slats – This article shows how to build a pergola with a wooden slat privacy screen. This option offers the chance to hang a decorative element on it, outdoor decor, or lots of leafy plants. You could create an entire plant wall with this idea.
- Large Umbrella – Depending on the amount of privacy you need, you could use an extra-large patio umbrella that tilts for another easy way to get instant privacy. See an example of the umbrella for privacy here.
bringing backyard deck privacy ideas to life
At the end of the day, creating a little privacy on your deck doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive; it just takes a bit of creativity. Whether you’re adding planters with evergreens like I did, hanging outdoor curtains, or building a simple screen, the goal is to carve out a space that feels comfortable and inviting for you.
I love how my planters instantly made the deck feel cozier and added visual appeal. Plus, they’ll only get better as the trees grow and fill in. It’s such a simple project with a big impact (my favorite kind).
Hopefully, these ideas sparked some inspiration for your own backyard. Even small changes like adding greenery, rearranging furniture, or stringing up lights can make your deck feel more private and enjoyable. After all, your outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home, and a little privacy makes it that much easier to relax and unwind.
