Right now our backyard feels like it is all one thing. We want to add a private space for ourselves that feels quiet and calming, a special place that will insulate us from distraction and activity elsewhere in the yard.
What you are experiencing is a common backyard privacy issue. Your desire for a “serene space” and a feeling of seclusion can be explored thoroughly with a landscape architect. They can help you to rethink and reorganize your backyard environment, divide it into separate but related areas, and assign each a specific functional purpose. For example, there may be a secluded area with seating for quiet time (this is the part you are missing right now), a flat lawn area for play, and a patio lounge for socializing.
These areas are called “use zones” and are a hallmark of the modern approach to landscape design which organizes the landscape into an array of related areas that each serve a distinct purpose.
Design Principles for Defining Your Backyard Privacy Space
The first step in creating a quiet zone in your backyard privacy project is to decide where it fits into the whole fabric of your backyard landscape. That means exploring opportunities to define individual areas and establish how your different outdoor spaces relate to each other.
1 Defining Space and Creating Enclosure
- structures such as a seating wall or low hedge can define a perimeter
- a tall hedge may serve as a living wall that contributes visual privacy and a sense of enclosure
- pathways bordered by plantings or trees create the feeling of corridors guiding you to a destination
- an arbor or pergola -or even overhanging branches- can provide partial shade and frame a piece of sky as your “ceiling”
2 Transitions and Connections
- pathways or transition areas link separate spaces while marking passage from one to the other
- terracing or stepping create changes in elevation that indicate arrival in a new space
- changes in color, texture or type of materials underfoot signal passage from one distinct place into another
3 Focal Points and Destinations
- positioning a fountain, arbor or plant grouping leads the eye toward a destination and invites you to enter the landscape
- framing views encourages intuitive flow from one place to another in the garden
So, once you’ve mapped out the entire backyard, it would become clear what your options are for carving out that special “away” space. Among the several use areas in your yard you might have a playing field where the kids are kicking a soccer ball into a goal, a swimming pool, or grill patio — you would try to locate your privacy retreat in a separate area with a separate path that leads to it.
Establishing Your Serene Space
Creating a backyard privacy retreat is sometimes easier to accomplish with a mature landscape than with a brand new one because some degree of privacy from neighboring properties is necessary to start. But it can be done. By defining a small area in your backyard that centers around some kind of feature: a little pond, a small bubbler fountain, statuary/artwork, or a fire pit—you can build your serene space around that central feature.
It’s important to talk with your landscape architect about the sort of feeling you are going for and then select the features that can be employed to support that feeling. Some sort of water feature is always a wonderful help in creating atmosphere. Some combination of built structures (fencing, trellis) and tall plant material (evergreen shrubs, hedging) will contribute the necessary privacy screen and a sense of enclosure. From there you can keep it very, very simple. You’ll want a place to sit. An object to contemplate.
When choosing elements to include in your backyard private space consider all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste. The choice of plant varieties, built structures, the section of your yard you’ve designated for your space–all can offer a variety of sensory experiences.
And remember, you are putting these different elements together to create ambience–which perhaps awakens a magical sixth sense, like the feeling you get from visiting a familiar place that evokes memories and emotional connections.
Begin your project with a dream and a plan!
You are at the threshold of an exciting journey. This eBook will provide sound guidance as you take your first steps.
Privacy From the Neighbors
Screening and a sense of enclosure is imperative for experiencing a feeling of privacy in your backyard sanctuary. If you see your neighbors, your neighbors can see you–and some yards may have as many as five neighbors overlooking them. Before you can create that special private retreat in your backyard, you need to deal with the broader privacy issue along your property boundaries. An evergreen fence (hedge of arborvitae) is one of the most attractive (and fast) ways to screen you from outside view and fill your field of vision with green.
Depending on your situation, however, screening the entire perimeter of your yard may not be absolutely necessary. You could limit that investment by only surrounding the space you are trying to create. And that can be done simply and relatively inexpensively with plants of varying height and texture.
The important thing to keep in mind is that you don’t need a lot of space to create your backyard privacy retreat. You just need to select the right place in your yard. After all, simplicity and a respite from all the busy-ness is what you are seeking.