The IKEA Find That Adds Privacy And Style To Any Outdoor Space

Achieving privacy outside can feel like an impossible feat at times. While some homeowners are lucky to have a well-established line of privacy trees or a tall and architecturally attractive fence, others lack any semblance of visual reprieve from peering eyes and are constantly in someone's visual line. And even if you do have privacy from your next-door neighbors, how are you supposed to create a retreat in your own backyard or on your balcony from one section to the other? The good news is that your solution may be closer than you think, and it's affordable, too.

IKEA's NÄMMARÖ ($95) privacy screen is a visually pleasing choice for anyone who wants to elevate their outdoor style and privacy. It's crafted from acacia wood, one of the best woods for outdoor patio use, and is designed to be durable in the face of the elements. Its sturdy and flat feet also mean that you can position it on any flat surface. The screen measures 55 ⅛ by 31 ½ inches, covering a generous area of space, whether you choose to use it on your patio, to lend some extra privacy to your backyard jacuzzi, or as a makeshift stand-in for a fence.

Owners of the NÄMMARÖ seem to have a high opinion of it, with the vast majority of reviews being four and five stars. Individuals appreciate the quality and appearance of the screens, as well as how easy they are to construct. One customer wrote, "The quality of this item is above what I expected. The wood is nice and smooth and the assembled panel is really sturdy/stable." One criticism left by several individuals is that the screen is strong enough to withstand strong winds, but one customer was able to create a workaround to this issue by using pavers to weigh down the feet.

Another potentially undesirable design feature of the NÄMMARÖ is the spacing of the slats, which are wide enough apart to let natural light stream in, but this also inhibits the privacy screen from fully obscuring what's on the other side. This may preclude you from using it as a bathing screen if you have an outdoor shower, or if you are eyeing it to be a completely private barrier from your neighbor. One option, if you're hoping to make the NÄMMARÖ a little more efficient in its visual blocking, is to use it as a canvas to grow plants that are perfect for a trellis; this will help fill in the gaps between the slats and add some natural beauty to your space in the same breath.