Top Tips To Make Overlooked Gardens More Private
Many homeowners deal with the issue of overlooked gardens. Whether it is from neighbours or passersby, overlooked gardens can make it difficult to spend time outside. You may have spent a lot of time and money designing the perfect outdoor space, but do not feel comfortable using it because you feel as though you are being watched.
Privacy is not a luxury, but a right and you deserve to have a secluded landscape that you feel is truly yours. The freedom to go outside whenever you desire and spend time with friends, family or alone can be yours even if you have an overlooked garden.
At Heath Landscapes & Garden Design, we are passionate about creating beautiful outdoor spaces. We have worked with gardens of all sizes and shapes, so understand how difficult it can be to manage an overlooked landscape. In this post, we are sharing our best tips for overlooked gardens and how you can make these spaces more private.
Privacy Made Easy: 5 Stylish Solutions for Overlooked Gardens
To fully appreciate your outdoor space, it needs to be comfortable and secluded. When you spend time in your garden, you don’t want to be distracted by your surroundings and worry whether the neighbours are listening in – you want to be present.
Even the most overlooked gardens can become private havens with the right design and installation. Here are some of the most stylish, yet practical and effective, solutions to make overlooked gardens private:
1) Install Tall Fencing
Fencing is perhaps the most obvious and practical solution for overlooked gardens. All gardens should be surrounded by fencing, as this defines the boundaries of your property and prevents trespassers. Fences are an essential safety tool for your landscape, and they can also be a great way to offer privacy to overlooked gardens by increasing their height.
In the UK, fences under 6 feet tall can be installed without planning permission, but if you require more you can speak to your local authorities. In most cases, 6 feet is the ideal height for fences and privacy can be enhanced with hedges or climbing plants.
Not only will this make the fence more private, by blocking the view from in between the panels, but it will also ensure this is a stunning focal point in the garden. Privacy does not have to come at the price of style, even with overlooked gardens, and fencing is here to combine all your requirements.
With a range of fencing available, you can ensure your new installation perfectly complements your home, garden design, and surrounding landscape. From traditional timber panels to sustainable composite and robust metallic structures, there is something for everyone when working with a leading fencing installer.
2) Use Green Sheilds With Shrubs And Trees
As we have mentioned, shrubs and hedges can be a great way to enhance the privacy of your fence. They can also be used independently to create a secluded space, even in the most overlooked gardens.
Hedges and shrubs are a common way to create private front gardens, but they can be used in any overlooked landscape you’re dealing with. If you do want to use natural elements as a screen, make sure you choose evergreen shrubs such as laurel or privet hedges, as these will provide year-round privacy.
Those who want to make their boundaries more private, such as closing the space between fence panels or creating more of a secluded environment, could consider fast-growing trees. Options such as bamboo or leylandii can be a great addition to the garden. Not only do these look beautiful and offer more natural interest to the space, but they can also create an effective shield which can be used for specific areas or the entire overlooked garden.
3) Build A Garden Structure
A great way to deal with overlooked gardens is to create a specific area for privacy. Despite your best efforts, your landscape may still suffer from being overlooked, which is why having a dedicated space for entertaining, dining or relaxing that is completely secluded can be so beneficial.
Garden rooms are incredibly popular and can transform your outdoor living experience. Garden rooms can be adorned however you see fit, whether you’re looking for a secluded home office, garden bar, or playroom for the kids. Gone are the days of the traditional garden shed, as garden rooms are luxurious and fitted with all the latest mod cons to align with your needs.
These enclosed structures can offer the peace and privacy you have been desiring and are ideal for overlooked gardens. If your neighbours won’t take the hint or you just want to increase your living space, a garden room will become an asset to your social life. From here, you can appreciate the beauty of your landscape while also enjoying privacy.
4) Smart Lighting For Evening Privacy
Garden lighting allows you to take advantage of your landscape in the evening, but it does not mean you have to be exposed. Installing lighting in overlooked gardens may seem counterproductive when you want to create a secluded area that cannot be seen by prying eyes. However, there are some clever ways you can ensure your garden is accessible to you, without remaining overlooked.
Low-level garden lighting is a great solution for overlooked gardens and can be installed across the landscape. These lights are particularly useful for outdoor seating areas or along pathways, as they make them accessible without drawing too much attention. Lighting can also be used to create an inviting, cosy ambience that you can enjoy well into the small hours.
Consider warm-toned solar lights, lanterns and even candles to create an intimate setting that is private and beautiful.
5) Noise Control
Finally, an overlooked garden does not just mean that you are concerned about prying eyes as your surroundings can interfere with other senses too. Noise from your neighbours, street or surrounding areas can interrupt your time spent outdoors.
If your garden feels noisy or you are concerned about being overheard by the neighbours, installing running water features is a great solution. Not only does this add a touch of elegance to your garden design, but it also helps overlooked gardens by providing constant ambient noise. This ambient noise will help to drown out the sounds from your surroundings, while also making your conversations more private as they cannot be overheard.
Shrubs and hedges can also be a great tool for noise control, as they can muffle sounds from your neighbours. This can be a two-fold solution for overlooked gardens, like water features, as it drowns out the sounds coming from inside and outside the garden. With dense shrubs around your overlooked gardens, you can muffle the conversations you are having while also reducing the sounds coming from your surroundings.
A combination of both can create a true sense of seclusion, making you feel like you are the only people out in nature at any given time.
Conclusion
Overlooked gardens can be tricky to design as privacy feels like a luxury. However, by incorporating some of these stylish solutions, it is possible to create a secluded haven that you can enjoy in peace. From tall fencing to dense shrubs and even outdoor structures, it is possible to make even the most overlooked gardens more private.
Don’t let your surroundings ruin the experience of being outdoors and create the landscape you have always dreamed of. Design your garden so it can provide a welcome relief from the rest of the world by using these overlooked garden tips.
Contact Us Today
If you are looking to design your dream garden or require more landscaping support, Heath Landscapes & Garden Design is here to help. Reach out to the team today to learn more or to request a quote.
