How To Make Your Garden More Private

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Want to make your garden more private, shielded from neighbours and secluded? Our gardens have become more valued and important than ever before and some of us will want to be able to relax, exercise, eat, sunbathe – whatever outdoor activity – in private.

So how can we make our gardens more private and make sure we are not overlooked in time for spring and summer, when we will likely be enjoying our gardens as an extension of our homes?

Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “There are loads of creative ways to conceal your garden from nosey neighbours and passing footfall. We are encouraging people to think about the set up of their garden now, so that they can enjoy it to the fullest as the evenings get brighter.

“There are loads of ways you can make your outdoor space look beautiful and feel private on a budget, from tall plants to small structures. Not only will you be grateful for your newfound garden freedom, but your neighbours might be thankful too.”

Privacy screens are the perfect way to create a concealed area – and they can be a great DIY projects, made to suit the colour, aesthetic and theme of your garden. A screen can be made out of old doors or panels, wooden pallets or upcycled metal. To brighten up a dull garden, give the screen a lick of bright paint.

You can of course buy a garden screen if you prefer. Here's some we like that will create immediate privacy:

Plants are great at shielding a garden from the outside world. Evergreen shrubs are good to achieve a reliable height and plentiful foliage for privacy all year round. For those only looking to gain a little shelter in the summer, opt for something that will grow back every spring.

A great way to use plants to create privacy is to grow a climbing plants up a screen. Here is our round up of the 30 best climbing plants.

This one requires some hard work, but pleaching trains trees to form a narrow screen or hedge. Lime, ash, beech and hornbeam varieties are the easiest to pleach, which can be done by tying and interlacing shoots through branches or along a supporting framework. Read the RHS guide on how to pleach trees.

Arbours are a great way to make outdoor seating areas more sheltered. Some of the solid wood structures can be expensive, so for a cheaper aesthetically pleasing arbour, cover a plastic arch in jasmine, roses or evergreen climbers.

Back in the Edwardian days, they didn’t worry about building up for privacy… they digged down! To get that vintage garden feel, form grass banks with dugout soil. It provides loads of space to plant and grow. However, it might not be the first choice in a modern garden, because well-drained soil with a high-water table is vital to avoid flooding. For those with a suitable spot, the space will trap scents in a lovely bubble.

Privacy isn't just about what you can and can't see but what you can hear, too. A great way to muffle out the sound of the street is to install a water feature. The gentle sound it produces will help to block out bothersome sounds like traffic, next door's pets and people chatting on the pavement. You can also look at outdoor speakers for some cleansing music.

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Perfect for garden and non-garden owners alike, this small feeder can perch up on a window pane, and is ideal for small birds as well as some bigger ones. An easy way to watch the birds, this feeder is an attractive - and rewarding - piece for the home.

This feeder is great for multiple birds at once, and is lightweight enough to be able to hang off of small branches. Its ergonomic design is something the birds would definitely appreciate, with a domed roof providing protection from the elements, and a smaller base for the food to keep it clean.

This oak bird feeder from The Natural Wood Company is a lovely example of both inconspicuous and beautiful. The varnished oak with hanging chain will fit perfectly into both a vibrant and minimalist garden alike.

For a more minimalist garden, try this cast iron wall mounted bird feeder. Its decorative fixing is stylish yet sparing, and will work especially well with a fountain or small pond nearby. The base grants a lot of room for feeding birds, and allows them a bit of time to socialise, too!

Combat minimalism with this brass-like, patterned feeder, granting a sense of luxury to the garden space, whilst still protecting the bird food from unwanted visitors. Its contemporary style will fit well into any modern garden.

This set of bird feeders allows each bird its personal space. Its simple dome and ball shapes suit almost any garden, and works best sheltered under hanging trees.

Want a bird feeder, but tired of the squirrels getting there first? This heavy duty, squirrel proof feeder is a perfect solution, whilst still upholding a sense of style. Its inconspicuous design works well in any garden. You don't have to worry about pesky squirrels anymore with this vendor.

Having a window feeder such as this is great for keeping the birds happy, since it is open and anti-claustrophobic. It is also large enough for multiple birds to dine together, and comes with practical suction pads to easily stick onto windows and smooth surfaces.

This vintage bird feeder is a great housewarming gift. Its deep bowl allows for an array of different snacks and treats for the local birds.

This raindrop feeder is a pretty edition to any outdoor space. Fitted with both suction pads and a hanging string, this feeder is handsome and versatile.

Currently reduced to clear, this feeder from John Lewis is great for an array of positions, and types of food. Hang it on a tree, a balcony or a wall. Attach fruits for the birds with its handy spike.

These feeders at Crocus are designed to fit fat or suet balls - high energy food for little birds. You can arrange multiple feeders in and around the same tree, as shown here, to create a little bird gathering.

You'll have regular customers in no time with this generous one-stop-shop, with the dome-shaped roof of this feeder perfect for protecting the birds, and a large base to fit a good amount of food.

Shaped in the style of a park bench, this piece will truly complement any garden, and increase both your own wellness and the wellbeing of local wildlife.

This tall feeder fits two types of bird feed, to satisfy a variety of different feathered friends. Hang this on a tree in the garden or nearby perch, and you'll have them flocking to you in no time.

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