4 Landscape Design Ideas for Increasing Your Privacy Outdoors in Lisle, IL
While most of us like our neighbors, there are times when quiet and privacy are exactly what we crave when we go outside to relax. Smaller lot sizes often mean living close to other people, which sometimes translates into seeing your neighbors’ trashcan or overhearing their conversations, among other things. If it’s time to increase your privacy in your Lisle, IL, yard, consider the following landscape design ideas.
Plant a Living Screen
A living screen can accomplish providing more privacy to your front or back yard, and it can muffle many of the sounds from the road and neighbors. A primary consideration is the size of a plant when it matures—you don’t want to use a Leyland Cypress tree right next to your deck because it will grow to such a large, overwhelming size. Think about layering plants—choose tall shrubs that will be closest to your yard boundary or deck, and then add another layer in front that will grow to half the size of those shrubs. In this way, you create a pretty, natural screen of plants that adds beauty and privacy to your yard.
A row of large planters filled with small trees or tall leafy shrubs can also section off a part of the landscape in the front or back yard to provide a spot to sit outside on a nice evening. A landscape professional can help you pick the right plants for screening your unique space.
Build a Two-Sided Fence
Sometimes a fence can make your yard feel too enclosed, particularly if it is not large to begin with. A two-sided fence can solve the privacy problem without feeling claustrophobic. This way you still catch the breeze and fresh air, but that corner can become your little oasis. Illuminate some nearby trees with twinkle lights, and nestle some outdoor chairs and pillows in the space to create a quiet spot to read or enjoy a favorite drink.
Use Lattice for a Wall
Lattice can be used in many ways to create privacy, whether for a deck, porch, or other type of hardscape feature. Lattice has the advantage of allowing the air to circulate freely, while screening portions of the yard. It is the perfect vehicle for climbing roses or flowering vines to bring color and life to the scene. There are many shrub and climbing rose varieties that thrive in your climate, and a landscape specialist can recommend the variations that will work best for your landscape.
Construct a Low Retaining Wall
A low retaining wall adds a sense of privacy without total enclosure. One could be added around a patio or on a side of the yard to heighten the sense of seclusion. For homes that have larger front yards than back, a low retaining wall accompanied by lattice or thin horizontal slats above the wall can be a patio relaxation spot for the front of the house. You can still greet neighbors as they take an evening walk if you choose, but without feeling like you are sitting out in the open.
As you research options for privacy in your landscape, you’ll notice that no one solution fits for every scenario. An expert landscape specialist can address your exact needs, depending on how close you are to your neighbors and the layout of your yard.
