Visual Screening

Over the years, we have found ourselves needing screening around our yard either giving us some privacy or to hide some unsightly areas of our neighbor's yards. As you will see, either using simple materials found at your local home improvement center or using trees and shrubs, you too can create the privacy and visual appeal you desire.

This screen was made using simple lattice pieces that we spray painted a color that would blend in with our foliage. We needed this screen in this spot to hide the side of our neighbor's house where they did not attend to rocks and weeds. I'm sure it is an "out-of sight, out-of-mind" situation, but as it is along the path to our backyard, we wanted to give it more visual appeal, so set up the screen and planted in front of it.

This particular screen was made out of lattice, 2 x 4's and trim pieces to give some much needed privacy to our deck. We spend a good deal of time on our deck eating, talking, reading, working, surfing, etc. and having our neighbor's driveway right along the side like it is, we just needed to construct a privacy screen for times when either we or they just didn't want to be bothered. I'm sure they appreciate it too for times when they arrive home and just don't feel like being exuberantly greeted by the Franz family when they've had a tiring, hot day at work.

This picture shows the use of a tree as screening. We like to sit on our front porch with a book, the paper, etc. and often times, are in our jammies while doing so. By planting this fast growing Cleveland Pear in this location, along with plantings in our window boxes, we have created a natural screen from cars and passersby without totally being blocked from our surroundings. We also have strategically planted a beautiful yellow maple tree in our parkway (that the village planted and split the cost of the tree with us) to block the view straight from our front picture window into the neighbor across the street's picture window. From the spring to fall, both we and they get complete privacy from the other being able to see into their home at night because of the placement of this beautiful, showy tree.

And, lastly, this screen was built to block unused items that our backyard neighbor would store behind their shed - an old basketball net/backboard, unused garden materials, etc. - again, a case of "out of sight, out of mind" I'm sure. Because this trellis was behind their shed and to the right of the bushes that line the back of their yard, it wasn't rude on our part that we were trying to block our view of their yard. It was just a really subtle, attractive way of hiding their unsightlies while giving us a lovely background for this particular part of our gardens. We have also hung lighting and bird houses/feeders from the trellis, so it has become a lovely addition to our gardens.

So if you like to create a visibly enjoyable experience in all areas of your yard along with enjoying your privacy, I hope you have gleened some ideas for how to accomplish just that for your home and yard.