Summer is coming up fast, and that means that anyone with a garden will be trying to spend more time in it, soaking up the good weather. But with that additional time in the garden comes the need for privacy. Whether or not you get along with your neighbours, sometimes you just want some peace for yourself and your family.

Plus, if you’ve got the option to work from home on a more permanent basis, the temptation to work outside while the sun is out might mean you want a little more privacy during the core hours of your day.

While it’s impossible to get full privacy in your back garden if you’re connected or overlooked by bordering properties (especially when you live in a mid-terrace house) and any public footpaths, there are some options to limit the view into your space. 

Here are three ideas for protecting your privacy in the garden:

1. Pergolas

Grey Proteus meta; pergola with fixed-louvre side wall, next to hedge.
The fixed-louvre side wall option on our Proteus Slate Grey and Pebble Grey pergolas gives you increased weather-protection and privacy. Or choose adjustable side blinds instead.

We’ve touched on the fantastic benefits of pergolas in previous pieces, but when it comes to creating a slice of personal paradise with a little more privacy, they’re certainly ideal. Whether you choose adjustable side blinds or fixed-louvre side walls, our Nova pergolas help block out views into your garden from overhead. Or choose the luxury of our Deluxe pergolas and relax in peace in your outdoor space.

2. Screens

Fence of open slatted Dark Ash composite battens behind planted border in front of front door of single storey building.
Lynn Cordall chose Dark Ash composite battens to create this boundary fence, open slatted for an airy feel. Built by Mustard Seed Gardens.

Screening for privacy has been popular throughout the ages, so there’s no reason you can’t implement a screen within your garden to give you the same level of privacy. Add a screen to one side of a patio to deter onlookers, or use one to strategically shield part of the garden from the windows at the back of the house to make a secret hide-away.

We have composite battens in a range of colours. Make screens of any size - battens can be sawn like wood - and situate anywhere in your garden to increase privacy.

Alternatively, create your own bespoke fencing with our composite battens for your garden's boundaries. This allows you to create the gap of your choice between battens, allowing air and light to filter through, or butting battens against each other to create a solid barrier.

Find more ideas in Composite Battens for Fencing, Screening and Cladding Designs.

3. Living walls and tall planters

Corten steel tall square planter and trough planter stand next to each other on gravel. Both planted.
With tall planters topping off at 800mm, they give plenty of scope for tall, airy planting to increase privacy.

Living walls are a third option and there are a number of different systems available. However, an alternative that is likely to be easier to manage is to create your own with climbing plants on lattice fence panels or installing rows of planters. Deep troughs allow for tall planting, maintaining a natural ambiance, while providing a useful screen, especially if you have a paved area you want to section off.

Plus, when you take this approach, you’re not necessarily saying to your neighbours that you don’t want to be friendly, it simply looks like you’re cultivating a green and colourful garden while getting the much-needed privacy as a result!

So there you have it - three effective ideas to give yourself privacy in your garden. Browse our garden screening options or take a look at our pergolas and planters. At London Stone, we have a range of products available right now to help you increase privacy outdoors.

Post updated: June 2025