The Design Feature That Adds Privacy But Can Actually Heat Up Your Yard

As the weather warms up, you might be eyeing your backyard and wishing you had more privacy from your neighbors. Adding hardscaping in your yard, like stone walls, might sound like a great option at first — they're weather-resistant, easy to maintain, and have a timeless aesthetic to enhance your yard. But while stone walls are sure to keep prying eyes out of your garden, they have a hidden disadvantage of potentially heating up the yard.

Stone walls can retain heat and block airflow, which helps protect your yard from wind. However, that heat and lack of airflow can also create a stuffy environment that makes it unpleasant to relax on your patio with a cold drink at the end of a long day. A lack of airflow can also affect the health of your plants and increase the chances of mold, bacteria, and fungus growth.

However, if you have your heart set on a stone wall in your yard, there are ways to work one in without impeding airflow. Consider building a shorter stone fence and adding bushes or shrubbery behind or on top. The plants will give the wall a rustic look while allowing air to flow through and keeping your yard private.

There are several different landscaping ideas that will create privacy in your backyard. Fast-growing hedges, like boxwood, holly, privet, and laurel, can create a natural privacy barrier between you and your neighbors. Choose a variety that suits your climate and research how to care for it to ensure it grows tall.

If you don't like traditional wooden privacy fences, consider installing a horizontal privacy fence instead. These fences have a more unique, modern vibe than horizontal privacy fences and can help a small yard look wider. You can stick to wood or choose a longer-lasting material like vinyl or aluminum.

A pergola can add privacy to your backyard without installing a fence or planting hedges. Pergolas are often open-sided, but you can make them more private by installing sunshades, curtains, screens, or plants. Bonus: You also get an area where you can get out of the sun and relax on a warm summer day.