My dilemma....Creating privacy at the back of this house without breaking the bank.

Question

Really love this house but it's got a serious privacy issue.  It's on a corner lot and the back is  wide open so anyone who drives by on either street can see EVERYTHING.   Trying to figure out how to create an inviting private space on the cheap.   I'm a pretty good DIYer, not afraid to tackle the project on my own. 
Any ideas????

KMS Woodworks · Answer

You could start with a fence....an L shape to block the two main views.  20 feet on a side is not a huge investment and would result in some protection for that patio

Miriam Illions · Answer

Just saw this fence idea. It's creative and low-cost! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/this-is-my-new-fence-188794

Diana N · Answer

If you're willing to wait a year or so, arbor vitae plants grow fast and would give you privacy. One or 2 gallons plants don't cost much, but would do the trick.

Jan M · Answer

I used Golden Bamboo and it made a great privacy fence. It is fast growing but I do suppose it depend on your location too.

Diana N · Answer

Ahhh, you're here in GA. I thought of something else you might consider. If you can put up some sort of posts - maybe even metal (you know the green ones with the little hooks on them for the wire mesh), you could do a woven fence using wisteria vines - dead ones, of course...

Michele M · Answer

If you are in an area that can grow bamboo some types are really aggressive and grow very rapidly and planted close would provide a fence like feel with something sustainable....just a thought.  You could then add a pergola onto the upper area for cheap and have either fabric or plants grow thru it.   You also have some elevation in the yard so depending on where your property line is you could do some cheap dirt build up and then I saw Jamie Durrie use corrugated metal at like 4' on it's side run between wood 2x2 mini posts which were stained....looked really rustic and created privacy for the lower area...:?  Obviously you could go higher but would need more metal...

Kris S · Answer

You could just use fencing at the corner away from the house or a lattice divider piece.  Also they have inexpensive freestanding trellises that you could put one at each side of that farthest corner and plant some vines on them.  That might cost $20-$50 depending on the trellises.  Or group together trellises and windchimes to create a corner piece there.  If you do the two trellises, you could put a tiki torch at the corner point to anchor them.  Then you have a double duty - the tiki torch, when lit, could keep mosquitoes away as well.  Tiki torches run from $3 for traditional bamboo types to $8 for wrought iron ones (here at Lowe's).  Grouping several different things together can create a sort of fence, relatively inexpensively.  Good luck!

Ilene D · Answer

A neighbor of mine stacked large rocks as an outside boarder about 3' and filled it with dirt.  Next they placed some arborvite plants.  Perhaps use this along with the recommendation of bamboo.  Bamboo grows rampant and may start growing in your neighbors property.

Kandee S · Answer

Mandy, I think using some 2x2s and latice to make fencing panels would look great. You can attach planters to them so you could start growing vines like grapes. Do you get much wind out there could use material panels strung on wire.

Therese C · Answer

I have to agree with the bamboo ideas..If it were me, and it's not so this is just a suggestion, I would plant the bamboo in long wooden planter style boxes about 12-14' deep with double folded newspapers in the bottoms. This will allow the bamboo to grow well and not take over your entire yard. Many breeds of bamboo will take over an entire yard and start on the neighbors if not controlled, but it is well worth the care it needs. It creates a natural fence that is absolutely beautiful and grows to approx. 12 feet. For budget friendly grab some old pallets (many places will give them to you free), carefully disassemble them and use the wood to build the bamboo boxes. I'm not sure about in Georgia, but here in Iowa we have a store that sell bamboo starts for 75 cents to $1.25 each. Depending on how long of boxes you need, you could keep your cost down to less than $200 for the entire project...good luck!

Kandee S · Answer

if you use bambo don't plant it in ground the roots will take over ground and push up concrete plus you then can never get rid of it.

Melissa D · Answer

Althea or 'Rose of Sharon' shrubs do well and they will reseed themselves so you can keep planting in a row like a fence :o)

Melissa D · Answer

also the Althea grows pretty fast, we have it in the back of our yard as a living fence along with other shrubs

Kandee S · Answer

I live downstairs from my kids and we bought some big planting pots of different colors every other one has a vine growing with rot iron trellis', they make a great screen so we have privacy. Also I saw where someone used old doors and hooked them together for a screen area.

Kandee S · Answer

Oh just thought of this have you thought of the Hay Bales stacked and then plant your garden in them.
Double duty the area.

Jane P · Answer

I have the exact same situation with my house.  Previous owners built a small deck with a railing that is about 4.5 feet high.  I just set out big pots and grow a ton of morning glories over the summer, so at least I can sit outside and not be seen.  I think your best bets are plants.

Sherry L · Answer

Caroline or Confederate jasmine would fill in a simple and inexpensive fence quickly.  It is thick and pretty and the Confederate smells wonderful.

Nancy T · Answer

this is almost identical to mine when I moved in---we did a deep flower garden around the patio--with a path going out to the lawn on each side and a few trellises with clementis, honeysuckle and sweet peas on each one and a few shrubs around the outside--we made a 'secret Patio'....we use it all the time, and even though we can hear others, we are not clearly visible.

Peggy M · Answer

Leland Cypress trees. Grow up to 60ft. Would make a nice natural fence.

Kernisha D · Answer

maybe some colorful fabric or a large piece of art, doesn't have to be expensive. it can be homemade. i saw someone make a fabric fece on a home decorating show a lng timeago and thought it looked great. ji just cant remember the show

Jeanette S · Answer

It would not cost much to sink 4x4 posts in concrete, brace them good and then use lattice work as a screen.  one on each side located a few feet away from the patio would give you room for a manageable flower garden.  A nice bush planted at the edge of the bracing would keep people from stumbling over it.

Pam R · Answer

I like ornamental grasses and Nandina.  Nandina makes a great hedge and doesn't lose it's leaves.  Also ornamental grass doesn't have to be cut back but can be in the spring and grows back fast.  You could also add some panel sections around the area you want the most privacy

Therese C · Answer

Here is an idea I cam  up with..I draw much better with my hand than the 'paint' tool...lol

Pettigrew S · Answer

I like the idea of  several lattice panels on which you can grow some confederate jasmine. During the summer while waiting for the jasmine to cover the trellis, use a summer vine like morning glory or other annual vine. I think you would regret planting bamboo because it is hard to control and get rid of. It will grow from the yard under your house (yes, even in the dark crawl space.) A fast growing evergreen shrub for border plants around your yard or grouped in clusters of 5 is ligustrum.

Betty M · Answer

Try this, if you can open it. lol  I drew what I think would be helpful.
Good Luck. :)

Amanda H · Answer

Some of my friends are using sheer white curtain panels to 'enclose' their decks to create more privacy, and then they tie them back when they want more openess

Karen R · Answer

I live in Aurora, IL and have a similar situation with needing a fence but cannot afford it.  I have a single home that's backyard is backing up to townhomes that are two story.  I feel that I am on stage everyday!!  I wish I could do the fence drawers ideas, but I still feel it's probably too expensive. Any ideas for me?

Betty H · Answer

I agree with Sherry L, we have Carolina Jasmin on our arbor, it stays green year round, the aroma of the flowers is heaven.  The Bumble Bees like it also, but they haven't bothered us, they seem non aggressive.

Linda W · Answer

put a hedge upor privacy fence..

Mandy M · Answer

Oh my gosh!  More wonderful responses than I ever imagined.  Great ideas, even drawings!    You all are AWESOME!  Thank you.

My dilemma....Creating privacy at the back of this house without breaking the bank.

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My dilemma....Creating privacy at the back of this house without breaking the bank.

This is my new fence

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