12 Proven Ways to Add Privacy to a Deck

Privacy is the one thing that makes every outdoor deck truly enjoyable. Without it, the whole deck vibes can be ruined. Whether you have close neighbors, a noisy street, or an unattractive view, these deck privacy ideas are easy ways to make your outdoor space more private. With these easy projects and ideas, you can turn your deck or patio into a quiet place to relax and unwind.

1. Add a Privacy Screen

Fabric walls are unusual, but they look good in an outdoor space. If you want one, you can easily purchase them at your local garden center. You can put them up when you want privacy and take them down when you don't. And if you want a permanent way to keep your raised deck private, you can install a privacy screen on the deck floor or attach it to the deck railing. 

Most premade screens make it possible so you can angle them in different ways to meet your privacy needs. You could also make your privacy screen by covering a wood frame with canvas or another durable outdoor fabric of your choice. You could also put a lattice panel on the railing of your deck and use colored bottles, glass tiles, or vines to make a living screen.

2. Construct a Trellis

Build a trellis on top of the deck railing to break up the line of sight. A patterned wood trellis won't give you complete privacy, but it will make your backyard look nice and make you feel more at home.

3. Use Pergolas

You can change a pergola in many ways to add more privacy. These structures that look like gazebos can create a small haven if you put them in a hidden part of your yard and cover them with plants. They can also be the focus of your space. 

It depends on how big your yard is and what you want. If you train a vine to grow around your pergola, you'll get a lot of privacy and a fair amount of shade during the day. The only problem is that they can be expensive.

4. Build a Canopy

A traditional awning shields you from both the hot summer sun and the neighbors' second-story windows. Awnings come in many different shapes and sizes. Some can be rolled up and put away when not in use. Choose a fabric that goes with your house and landscaping for a stylish way to add privacy to your deck.

5. Mix Steel and Plants

Most garden centers and home improvement stores sell ready-made gazebos with iron frames that you can put on top of your raised deck floor. 

These can have a decorative ironwork top or a fabric panel that keeps the sun and rain off the space. Put potted vines and hanging baskets around a gazebo to make an interesting contrast between the metal and the natural textures. This gives you and your guests something to look at and adds texture. It also hides your deck space.

6. Grow Trees

A few small trees around the edge of your deck make a soft, leafy curtain without taking up too much space in your yard. Choose different kinds of trees to add color and variety to your yard. Small maples, like the Amur maple, have bright colors in the fall, and crabapples bloom in the spring.

7. Fill Up The Area

Use a pergola and a trellis together to divide up your deck. Even though this trellis doesn't completely block the view beyond, it does offer the privacy you need. Plant vines along the edge of the deck and watch them grow up the trellis as the seasons change.

8. Add a Fountain

Privacy is not just about what you see but what you hear too. The background noise from a busy street can be just as annoying as seeing your neighbor's weedy backyard. Add a fountain or other water feature to your deck to solve this problem. Even a small trickle of water can change a lot about how much you enjoy being outside.

9. Add a Wall

One of the most common ways to block a view is with a fence. Here, a simple fence finishes off a backyard retreat, making it a great, private place to hang out. 

Put some small flowers in pots around your fence, and your deck will feel more welcoming. Moreso, fences are a great choice for people who don't have many choices because they still give a lot of options. Choose the level of coverage, materials, and color scheme to provide seclusion to your yard. If you want, you can plant some trees in your garden to help make your yard more private.

10. Partially Block Your Deck

If you can't block the view of your whole deck, work on just a part of it. Here, a vegetable garden and grasses make a beautiful focal point that draws your attention away from the more obvious deck areas behind it. Having the garden so close to the stairs also makes the deck feel smaller and more private.

11. Use Hedges to Add Height

If you can't build a fence, you can make your deck private with a border of tall hedges. Not only will they block your view, but they will also help slow down strong winds and drown out the noise.

12. Use Evergreens

Dense evergreen trees are great for making a private space. They make it impossible to see anything, help block out noise, and make a lush, green background. There's an evergreen for almost every garden. They come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes, including columnar types that don't get wider than 2 feet.

Final Words

Most of these ideas are things you can do on your own. If you don't already have a deck, then you can hire a deck builder in Orange County to build one for you. Oh, one last thing. Some of these ideas are relatively expensive, so consider your budget. Regardless, we are confident that you won't regret choosing these options.