Improve Outdoor Privacy With Fencing

Your outdoor space should be a place where you can kick back and escape from everyday life. While it’s important to customize your yard (or patio, etc.) in a way that speaks to you, it all won’t mean much unless you have the privacy you want. This can be challenging in today’s housing developer trends calling for squeezing homes onto small lots with little yard space. That said, putting up the right fencing can help transform whatever space you do have into your own private oasis!

Here’s how you can choose the right fencing and get the outdoor privacy you deserve:

Determine Where the Distractions Are Coming From

Do you live on a busy street or near a commercial property? Is your neighbor’s home taller than your own with windows that can see down onto your property? Before you select any fencing, it’s important to take into account the areas that you may want to hide from view with fencing. While fencing won’t be able to block out noise, it can help mitigate it and make outside distractions feel less invasive. You may also want to consider adding in privacy screening to an existing fence or incorporating it into a new design. Try laying out your planned fencing with cords or rope to get an idea of where you would like to put it.

Keep in mind that you may also want to use fencing to divide up your outdoor space into zones (with easy access gates. Many people with pets or children opt for this in order to designate areas for play and spots for peace and quiet. It is also a good idea to separate pools and outdoor spas with fencing for both safety and privacy purposes.

Go for Height

Some people shy away from tall fencing because they fear it will make a small yard or patio space feel even smaller. But this is a misconception. The right tall fencing draws the eye upward and can actually make your outdoor space feel instantly bigger. To figure out exactly how high you would like your fencing to be, try holding up cardboard in different spots to get a feel for the height.

To help make your tall fencing feel even less imposing, you may also want to opt for a fencing design that has open spaces along the top or in other strategic places. Adding plants along your fencing will also help with establishing a peaceful atmosphere.

Choose the Style Carefully

Today’s fencing goes way beyond traditional chain link or picket styles (though of course these classic styles still work wonder for many people). Take into account the style of your home and what kind of fencing may complement it. You may also want to consider a more artisanal design for tall fencing to help it add more to the setting and serenity of your outdoor space rather than simply act as a barrier. If you are dividing your outdoor space into different zones, you may want to select a combination of styles.

Now, it’s important to note that you will have to check with local municipality restrictions first before you select any kind of fencing. If you live in a housing development with a community association or HOA, you may have additional regulations you need to follow. An experienced fencing contractor can help you navigate this area.