Block It Like It’s Hot: Smart Ways to Make Your Deck More Private
Wish your backyard deck didn’t feel like a stage for the whole neighborhood? Tired of waving at your neighbors every time you sip your morning coffee outside?
This post will break down a wide range of deck privacy ideas—from fences and trellises to plants and curtains.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to craft your deck project, so it’s a cozy, private getaway that feels all your own.
Quick Look at the Best Deck Privacy Ideas:
- Install a privacy fence
- Add a privacy screen
- Hang outdoor curtains
- Use a trellis with climbing plants
- Build a pergola
- Surround the deck with trees or hedges
- Use tall planters for privacy
- Build a cladding wall
- Add a gate
- Install decorative privacy panels
- Create a living wall
- Add a vertical garden
- Install a canopy or awning
- Install a shade sail
- Add a gazebo
- Incorporate a water feature
- Use fire pits and lighting for cozy privacy
- Use outdoor furniture and rugs to define zones
Contact us today about your deck project.
Install a Privacy Fence
A privacy fence is one of the most reliable ways to block unwanted views and create a secluded backyard retreat.
Whether your deck backs up to a neighbor’s yard or a busy street, fencing gives you control over your surroundings. Choose from wood, composite, or vinyl, depending on your maintenance preferences and style.
Go for a wooden fence for a natural, rustic look, or opt for composite for a low-maintenance alternative.
Solid board-on-board fencing or shadowbox panels offer complete privacy.
Partial fencing sections can be used alongside landscaping for a softer approach. This kind of barrier is especially effective for raised decks that are more exposed.
Add a Privacy Screen
A privacy screen is a fast, flexible way to create separation in your outdoor space without committing to a full fence.
Screens come in various materials like wood, metal, and composite. They can be attached to your existing deck or used as freestanding panels.
They’re perfect for small decks where you want to block off a seating or grilling area without losing openness across the rest of the deck space. Plus, decorative options with cutouts or patterns can double as art.
Privacy screens are one of the most popular deck privacy ideas because they work with so many layouts.
Hang Outdoor Curtains
Outdoor curtains bring a breezy, relaxed vibe to your deck while blocking wind, sunlight, and curious glances.
They’re ideal for covered decks, pergolas, or frames added to an existing deck. Use them around a lounge or dining area to turn it into a secluded retreat.
You can easily slide or tie them back when not in use, making them one of the more flexible privacy ideas. Whether you call them outdoor drapery or outdoor curtains, they’re an easy way to add privacy with softness and color.
Use a Trellis with Climbing Plants
A charming trellis offers just enough coverage to block out prying eyes while still letting in the sun and breeze.
If you grow climbing vines like clematis, jasmine, or even grapevines, you’ll add greenery, movement, and a touch of a private garden feel. This solution gives you the perfect balance of privacy and beauty, especially when you don’t want a full wooden wall.
Build a Pergola
A pergola defines your outdoor living space while also giving you built-in options for deck privacy.
Add outdoor curtains, slats, or climbing vines to the sides for better coverage, or layer with a large umbrella to protect from above.
Adding pergolas to your design makes your deck feel more structured and purposeful. You can even attach them to your existing wall or house exterior to save space and build upward instead of outward.
Want some deck cover ideas, too?
Surround the Deck with Trees or Hedges
Nature makes an excellent screen.
Tall hedges, shrubs, and tall trees can provide dense coverage that also filters noise from nearby roads. Evergreens and fast-growing species offer benefits in just a few seasons.
This approach creates a backyard oasis that feels serene and totally separated from neighbors. It works great alongside a half wall, privacy screen, or existing fence for layered protection.
Use Tall Planters for Privacy
Tall planters with grasses, shrubs, or bamboo give you flexible, movable privacy.
You can place them anywhere around your deck to create a barrier for entertaining space or reading nooks.
It’s also a budget-friendly approach that brings a tropical touch and doesn’t require construction. For small decks, they’re a practical alternative to permanent structures that still help add privacy to your space.
Build a Cladding Wall
A deck wall made of composite or wood cladding can block wind and neighbors while adding a polished backdrop for your deck space.
Choose horizontal or vertical patterns to match your home’s exterior or make a bold contrast.
Cladding can even be used on just one side of the deck—like next to a high-traffic area—to shield specific angles. It offers more structure than a privacy screen and can be built into your existing wall setup for a custom feel.
Add a Gate
A gate provides a finishing touch for a raised deck or one with stair access.
It helps create privacy by limiting foot traffic and enclosing the space.
Match it to your privacy fence or deck wall for a cohesive look. While it doesn’t block upper views, it’s great for controlling access to your own backyard or outdoor space.
Install Decorative Privacy Panels
Decorative panels are both practical and stylish, especially when you want to turn a plain deck into something more eye-catching.
Whether laser-cut metal, wood lattice, or patterned resin, they’re perfect for zoning off sections of a backyard while letting light and air pass through.
You can mount them to railings, fences, or a half wall to give your deck a unique upgrade. It’s one of the more artistic deck privacy ideas that blends form and function.
Create a Living Wall
A living wall is an eye-catching way to add greenery and privacy at the same time.
It’s essentially a vertical garden that acts like a leafy curtain, making it ideal for urban homes or decks with minimal space.
If you want a private garden without sacrificing room, this is a smart way to create a natural shield. Use drip irrigation or modular planters to keep it low-effort and low maintenance.
Add a Vertical Garden
Like a living wall, a vertical garden gives you privacy through smart planting.
This option is often smaller and more modular—perfect for a small deck or balcony.
Use herbs, flowering plants, or vines to bring scent, color, and softness to your deck while building a more secluded atmosphere.
Install a Canopy or Awning
A canopy or retractable awning offers both shade and more privacy overhead.
It helps protect your outdoor living space from the sun and can shield you from second-story windows next door.
For a raised deck, it can be a game changer, especially if you’re also adding outdoor curtains or side panels for full coverage.
Install a Shade Sail
A shade sail is a stretched piece of fabric that gives partial cover from the sun and high angles. It can be angled strategically to help with views from above.
They’re great for modern homes, patios, or decks with limited structure. Bonus: they add an architectural vibe without taking up floor space.
Add a Gazebo
A gazebo creates a true outdoor oasis with full or partial enclosure.
With a roof and optional walls, it provides serious privacy and all-weather coverage.
If you’re designing a large deck with zones, a gazebo gives you the ability to section off a calming retreat from the rest of the yard.
Incorporate a Water Feature
Not only do water features look great, but they help create a secluded retreat by masking noise from neighbors or streets.
The sound of running water adds a peaceful, layered vibe to your backyard.
They pair beautifully with lush plants, stone walls, or brick walls, helping your deck feel like a private resort.
Use Fire Pits and Lighting for Cozy Privacy
Strategic deck lighting can help you define intimate zones and highlight where you want to focus—and where you don’t.
Pair this with a central fire pit to draw guests inward and away from the edges of the deck.
It’s not about full coverage but about creating a mood with a secluded atmosphere when the sun goes down.
Use Outdoor Furniture and Rugs to Define Zones
Sometimes, all you need to create privacy is a smart deck layout.
Sectional sofas, high-back chairs, and outdoor rugs can create the feeling of walls without actually building any.
This approach works best for small decks where every inch of space matters. It helps your deck feel intentional and comfortable without a single hammer swing.
More deck design ideas and tips you can use.
Keep It on the Down-Low with Hard Decks of Illinois
Whether you’re dreaming of a secluded backyard retreat or just want a little more comfort on your deck, Hard Decks brings privacy-forward designs to life across Illinois. From privacy fences and pergolas to deck walls and outdoor curtains, we know how to build a deck that feels like it’s all yours.
Ready to reclaim your outdoor space from the outside world? Fill out our contact form today, or give us a call.