If you live in a crowded city, you’ll know the struggles of co-existing close to so many other people. But when it comes to your home and your small outdoor space, balcony privacy is an important aspect that is essential for improving enjoyment.
You don’t want to be outside relaxing with a drink, a good book, or some friends and have the feeling of constantly being watched by neighbors or passers-by. This is why it’s a good idea to research your options and invest in some decorations and materials to ensure that you won’t be seen and you can enjoy your outdoor space as much as you want.
In this article we will explore the best balcony privacy ideas so that you can make the most of your outdoor space no matter how crowded your building or neighborhood is.
Balcony privacy ideas
What tools and decorations you will use for ensuring privacy depends on various things:
- think about the size and orientation of your balcony
- whether you have other balconies next to yours
- whether you see the balconies and apartments in the building across the street
- Is your balcony close to street level or higher up?
Let’s dive into the different options you have at your disposal.
Balcony screen
You can use a balcony privacy screen in many ways and there are many options to choose from. The main functionality of a screen is to cover your balcony railings and provide privacy as well as cover from the elements.
Screens are available in various sizes and can be made from a wide variety of materials, so you will surely find the one that matches best for your balcony. You can use screens to cover the front railing, as well as the sides, and you can choose taller screens to cover a bigger surface.
Screens to choose from:
- Bamboo
- Fabric or mesh
- Synthetic
- Artificial leaves
- Wood
Wooden frame or trellis
A decorative wooden frame is a really nice touch if your balcony is roomy enough to accommodate it. You can either choose just one frame to shield a particular area or create a corner with frames for even more privacy.
The good thing with wooden frames is that they can be used as trellises for climbing plants or vines. You can even hang pots on them and create a vertical garden, which is a great idea if you use your balcony as a garden. Make sure to pick durable frames since wood is a material that needs care against the elements.
Plants and vines
Speaking of balcony gardens, what better idea than to use plants and greenery to enhance your balcony privacy? You can use vines or climbing plants to create natural shade and screening from the outside world and you will feel like you are in a peaceful natural environment despite the city buzzing a few meters away from you.
Plants you can use for balcony privacy:
- Shrubs in pots
- Climbing plants or vines
- Tall plants with a lot of foliage
Drapes
Finally, you can use drapes for a breezy relaxing look on your balcony that can also act as a privacy screen. You can hang drapes from the front or the sides of the balcony, and there are many options to choose from regarding fabrics, colors and designs.
The best option would be a durable fabric that’s waterproof and UV resistant, that will also offer you protection from the sun and the rain. Don’t forget to gather the drape when you’re not using it, so that you can clean and store it until you need it again.
A crowded neighborhood or apartment building or a small outdoor space shouldn’t deter you from enjoying your balcony, no matter how small it is. We hope that we’ve given you some inspiration with our balcony privacy ideas and you can create a welcoming space to enjoy the outdoors.
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