Need Privacy but Save the View
Michelle NJ
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (25)
yumelizabeth
3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
Can you save my view?
Comments (11)LOL on the plastic playhouse. I was thinking I could get a few more and build a whole village to block the new construction! Actually, we have plans dreams for a quarter circle-shaped patio where the playhouse is. You can't see from the picture, but there is an L shaped addition onto the house that runs straight out on the left side of the picture, so we'd like to put a patio that fills in that section of yard defined by the L of the house walls. I'd love to ring the backside of that patio with a sitting wall, and was thinking that if we planted behind the wall with some fairly tall shrubs, we'd create sort of a little private enclave on the patio and succeed in blocking the entire house from our breakfast room windows (the shot of the plastic playhouse). Still doesn't solve the problem of the 2nd floor or privacy for the rest of the yard though. And yes, I know I should be grateful - at least it's only one house (and quite a nice one at that) instead of a row of townhomes or something (a cement plant, yikes!). But we had friends who also made an offer on the property - they offered more money and an agreement not to build for 2 years, and when they did build, they were going to use her sister as an architect - she specializes in "green" houses and had planned to nestle a small one-story susanka-type home farther down into the hillside. I suspect the sellers picked this offer over theirs for two reasons - 1) obviously the guy is loaded and may have offered cash or been in a better financing position than my young-couple friends, and 2) this guy did not have his own buyer's realtor, meaning the selling realtor got the entire commission. If I had to guess, I'm betting the realtor steered the seller hard toward this offer for that reason alone. OK, enough of my bitterness and on with the useful suggestions. What do you all think of Norway spruce? We had a line of them screening our last house's yard from the road and they were beautiful. Of course, our last house was in a valley in a flood zone and had the best soil ever. Up here it's pretty clay-ey and the exposure is rough. We have a line of white pines and some kind of spruce or fir (even the tree guys aren't sure, but I don't think they're norways) that the previous owners planted. They're dying off one by one - the spruce/fir especially are looking bad - some kind of mite maybe was the last guy's guess. I obviously don't want to sink big bucks into planting a ton of trees just to see them croak....See MorePrivacy for open view fence & block wall
Comments (13)Nice diagram, thanks for including it! If it was mine, I'd use my go-to plant for privacy, hopseed, or "hopseed bush" or "hop bush" (Dodonaea viscosa). It tolerates any light except black shade and is non-toxic which is nice (I'm an oleander fan but it is toxic). I would probably plant it the whole length of the fence to create unity, but if you just wanted to use it for the privacy part, and then maybe repeat it a couple of times along the rest of the fence, and then fill in in-between with other fun plants, that would be nice too. I would also make absolutely sure to keep the back side/neighbor side trimmed too so that it doesn't poke through the openings onto their side. I know it seems odd to trim their side, but if you plant it a bit away from the wall/fence you'll be able to keep the back side trimmed so it doesn't reach out into the neighbor's garden. Just seems like a good neighborly practice to me, and one that I do as well. I'm sure you'll get lots of other great suggestions too. Let us know what you select and how it works out! Take care, Grant Here is a link that might be useful: Hopseed bush on Desert Tropicals website (growing plants in Phoenix)...See MoreWould you sacrifice your privacy for a million dollar view?
Comments (36)You know, in general, people still respect your privacy when you live in an exposed home. We've never had people leave the sidewalk and peek in the windows or anything of that sort. We did get lots of people coming up on the porch to the doors before we took the sign down (it was a B&B) but now that's rare as well. I guess you find your own privacy whereever you live :) For me, the views posted here would be my escape. Believe it or not you do look past the heads and into the sunset! The only area I was having trouble with privacy in was the yard because it's so exposed. People stand in front of it to take pics of the house so while pausing they'll often chat. We don't mind, but the dumb dog goes bonkers and DS is too friendly (offers tours of his room LOL) so we put in a fence that suits the house but sort of blocks the tourists heads from our relaxation area (we're outside a lot). It's heaven and we still see the view because the yard is on a slope. To me, looking up at a farm or out at land is actually not relaxing. I love the water and can mentally escape the world while enjoying a view of it from lake, stream or ocean. I've lived in remote areas, and I'd never trade them for this location. Besides that...our walls are a foot thick LOL So if I want to ignore the world, it's not hard to do so. Ohhh and Lynn, I have SO MUCH difficulty with that door problem. I have 9 outside enterances....that's probably 7 too many LOL. I get Fedex out of one, UPS out of the other, the post office likes another, and the tourists another. Only one of which is the actual front door LOL...See MoreNeed an idea for a privacy tree
Comments (9)Kelvin, I would plant some plumerias. They would do fine in your climate, I'm pretty sure. Look up online plumeria, and see what they look like, you can even do a raised planter for each one. They also grow fast, and are evergreen, so something to think about. Since your space is so limited, have you considered an evergreen vine? You could train it to grow wherever you want it to, and also still have room for additional raised beds if you want. Or mabey both? Plumerias do very well in pots, as long as the soil is well draining. And vines, well, just visit any local nursery for a suggestion, they can help you out, and they usually grow pretty fast also. Nice space, you can make it look tropical if you want....See Morehoussaon
3 years agoIrene Morresey
3 years agoeverdebz
3 years agoSue 430
3 years agoteamaltese
3 years agofelizlady
3 years agoMichelle NJ
3 years agorachann61
3 years agoRedRyder
3 years agohermothersdaughter
3 years agoJuice Jucinator
3 years agoeverdebz
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoeverdebz
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoeverdebz
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoMark Brunner
3 years agoceilsan32
3 years agoCheryl Smith
3 years agoacm
3 years agoMarigold
3 years agoeverdebz
3 years agoAltair
3 years agoceilsan32
3 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: New England Add-On Provides Privacy, Views
A Massachusetts couple gets increased lounge space, improved views of the backyard and much-needed privacy with a home addition
Full StoryHOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: A Home in a New Subdivision Courts Privacy and Views
The design of this New Zealand house takes future neighbors into account
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN4 Yards Gain Pretty Views With Creative Privacy Screens
See backyards and side yards that avoid unattractive views with effective fences, walls and plantings
Full StoryVACATION HOMESHouzz Tour: 3 Small Buildings Maximize Nature Views
This Washington artist's island trio treads lightly on the land, opens up to water and forest vistas, and offers privacy
Full StoryEXTERIORSWindow Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
Do you want more privacy without losing your view or feeling boxed in? Take a look at these creative building solutions
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNThese Ideas for Outdoor Screens Prove Privacy Can Be Beautiful
Translucent panels, slatted wood, laser-cut metal and plantings offer just the right mix of seclusion and views
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGUpgrade Your Outdoor Privacy With Lattice
Keep prying eyes in their place while letting the light peek through when you add lattice fencing to your yard or patio
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNPrivate Access: 12 Bathroom Windows That Reveal Only the Views
Be hidden but not hemmed-in with a strategically placed bathroom window that brings an outdoor view but not prying eyes
Full StoryBEFORE AND AFTERSA Seattle Family Bathroom Gains Privacy and Polish
Too much togetherness, along with a major leak, leads to a full gut renovation of a 1908 bath
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESRegional Modern: San Francisco Opens to the View
In a city often defined by its history, San Francisco architects create modern designs that blend in while they stand out
Full Story
Joseph Corlett, LLC