To achieve the garden of our dreams, many of us will need to invest in a fair bit of landscaping behind the scenes — particularly if we want to create a space that feels relaxing and secluded.
But revamping our garden to create some privacy can present some challenges, particularly when installing new garden features.
“The biggest trap is assuming privacy is a purely private matter,” Laura Conduit, Partner at law firm Farrer & Co, explains to Country Living. “If a structure is too high, too visible or in a sensitive setting, such as a conservation area, planning rules can bite very quickly.”
It's important to be mindful of the rules, but there are still plenty of options that are much softer additions to a garden than installing a four-metre fence, which often blocks out the light, as well as wandering eyes.
“If planning permission isn't a route you want to go down, several alternatives can deliver excellent results," Peter Mortin, garden expert at Crane Garden Buildings, explains.
“Privacy is key to helping us fully enjoy our gardens, and it can be achieved more easily than you might think. By combining planting with carefully placed structures, homeowners can create a garden that feels both private and inviting, with dedicated spaces to relax while remaining connected to the outdoors.”
Before we get into the garden features that instantly create privacy without planning permission, we asked the property team at Farrer & Co for a rundown of restrictions.
What restrictions might homeowners face?
Height is one of the key constraints when installing new garden features. “As a broad rule in England, a fence, wall or gate can usually be up to two metres high without planning permission, but only one metre if it is next to a highway used by vehicles,” Laura explains.
“Front boundaries, roadside positions, conservation areas, listed buildings and properties with historic planning conditions can all make matters more complicated.”
Many homeowners think of adding a trellis or screen to an existing fence as a workaround, but Laura points out that this can lead to problems.
“There are no real loopholes,” she explains. “Adding trellis or screening to an existing fence still counts towards total height, and councils will look at the overall effect rather than the individual components.”
If you're unsure, check your local council's Planning Portal. Or, opt for one of our easy-to-install garden features, no planning permission required
Layer up plants for a botanical screen
One of the most effective and low-maintenance ways to create some privacy in a garden is through layered planting. “Combining evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses and small trees creates a soft, natural screen while also providing a more attractive outlook than neighbouring properties,” Peter explains.
“Plants such as photinia, laurel and multi-stem birch are particularly effective, offering year-round structure and privacy.”
Ashleigh Bradshaw, a lawn and garden expert at Hayter, agrees, explaining: “Layer planting is both aesthetically appealing and an incredibly private way of obscuring your garden.”
Ashleigh has devised a guide to layer planting, telling us: “If you follow this structure, you can create a diverse garden which, as far as your neighbours are concerned, you can literally get lost in.”
A quick guide to layering plants
Top tier: Plant tall, evergreen trees, hedges or bamboo. Great examples of these include Leyland cypress, rowan trees, hawthorn trees and Fargesia murilae bamboo.
Middle tier: Plant middling shrubs, ornamental grasses and climbing plants that fill in the blank space in the middle of your garden. For inspiration, have a look at hydrangeas, viburnum tinus (perfect for winter blooming), ivy or clematis.
Bottom tier: Plant perennials, a range of your favourite flowers, and make good use of arranged potted plants. For perennial options, consider lavender, hostas and sedum.
Install a water feature
While we may consider wandering eyes when it comes to privacy, being aware of being overheard in your garden can also create a more tense environment.
William Langston at Natures Aquascapes explains: “I've recently had more customers who expressed an interest in not only bringing the beautiful sound of running water to their garden, but also masking the noise of their neighbours and their own conversations.
“The best option for this is a pondless waterfall — they're very low maintenance, look and sound natural, and (unlike an ecosystem pond) can be turned off at night or whenever you don't want it running, so you can save energy and also silence the noise if you want to.
“If you're on a budget or would like to build something yourself, a simple drilled rock fountain would also work well. However, not quite to the same extent as it would need to be in very close proximity to you, whereas a pondless waterfall drowns out the noise for your entire garden!”
Be strategic with garden furniture
Garden furniture is a striking addition to our garden, but it can also be used to section out the garden. “Structures such as pergolas or tall furniture can also offer privacy,” Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, explains.
“Options could include parasols, awnings, tall benches, or freestanding privacy screens. These can be positioned to block lines of sight and create more secluded areas for you and your family to enjoy.”
Think about tree placement
Trees are another way to create secluded areas in your garden – and some careful placement can ensure they don't block out the light, for you or your neighbours.
Place trees, potted trees or shrubs further into the garden near the area you want to keep private, adding in accessories such as a table and chairs and a parasol to create a secluded (and inviting!) zone.
This intercepts the line of sight while also keeping the garden's structure loose and relaxed — a line of trees right up against a fence can mean a shady garden and feel more severe.
Consider a garden room or summerhouse
“For a more immediate impact, structures such as trellises, pergolas and garden buildings can help create secluded areas within the garden," Peter explains.
“If you follow the relevant rules around height and proximity to boundaries, these structures can often be installed without the need for planning permission. A thoughtfully positioned summerhouse or garden room can act as a visual screen while also providing a comfortable space from which to enjoy the garden.”
Garden rooms are generally considered outbuildings in the UK and don't require planning permission if they fall under Permitted Development Rights (Class E). However, it's advisable to seek expert advice before going ahead with a new garden project of this scale.
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