![\"CarsonArthur_Calgary1\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CarsonArthur_Calgary1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: MicroPro Sienna<\/a>,\u00a0design by Carson Arthur<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n With rising real estate prices across the country, many homeowners are opting to create private oases in their own backyards instead of purchasing a second home, cottage or chalet. Have you ever stepped out onto your patio or apartment balcony and felt like you were living in a fishbowl? As neighborhoods get denser and lot sizes get smaller, privacy is becoming more of a premium. And it\u2019s not just prying eyes that you have to worry about. Noise pollution from nearby highways, screaming children and loud neighbors can ruin an otherwise perfect staycation. So how do we take back our privacy and make the most of our urban backyards and condo balconies? We turned to HGTV\u2019s home and garden expert Carson Arthur<\/a> for seven of his top tips.<\/p>\n Photo: MicroPro Sienna<\/a>,\u00a0design by Carson Arthur<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n When considering backyard privacy, most homeowners think of installing a fence and planting some trees along their property line. Unfortunately, this won\u2019t help much if your neighbors live in two-story abodes and you spend most of your time on the deck that\u2019s attached to your house.<\/p>\n \u201cThe further away your privacy device is from you, the less privacy you\u2019re actually going to get,\u201d says Arthur. \u201cI always tell people to sit on their deck, balcony or patio and see who\u2019s looking at you. These are the areas and line-of-sights that you want to distract from.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: MicroPro Sienna<\/a>,\u00a0design by Carson Arthur<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Building a pergola around your patio, outdoor kitchen or deck is a great way to add privacy where you need it most. Enclosures can include wooden trellises and pergolas that can be accessorized with shade cloths and climbing vines to further increase privacy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen building a pergola, arbor or trellis, I recommend using a pre-treated wood like MicroPro Sienna lumber which lasts longer and weathers very well,\u201d suggests Arthur. \u201cWith an overhead structure like that, you don\u2019t want to have to climb on a ladder every spring to re-treat and re-stain the wood.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales, design by Lisa Canning<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Adding decorative elements like privacy screens, arbors and lattice panels to your backyard not only enhances its appeal, but adds visual cues and focal points that the eye will gravitate towards.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens is you can still see your neighbors, but your eyes are visually distracted by these structures, and they give them something to focus on before you look through and see what\u2019s behind them,\u201d says Arthur. \u201cThey may not provide complete privacy but they give a feeling of enclosure without actually physically enclosing the space.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: MicroPro Sienna<\/a>,\u00a0design by Carson Arthur<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhether you want to add shade to your yard or create a barrier from the neighbors looking into your space from above, fabric panels and curtains are an easy way to get instant privacy without worrying about planting trees and growing shrubs,\u201d says Arthur. \u201cWeaving curtains through pergolas or installing fabric shade sails add coziness and privacy to hot tubs, outdoor spas and even swimming pools.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n Planting trees, hedges and shrubs is a classic way to add privacy and landscaping to your backyard. But instead of planting them at the other end of your yard close to your neighbor, consider mixing them in with the landscaping around your patio or deck to create a living fence.<\/p>\n \u201cSmall trees like serviceberries or redbuds look great and add color to your landscaping,\u201d says Arthur. \u201cYou can plant them closer to where you actually need it to really take advantage of all the privacy, but they\u2019re also small enough so that they don\u2019t dominate your space.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales, design by Jackie Morra<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n When it comes to noise pollution, the same rule of thumb applies: Putting an element between you and what you\u2019re trying to distract from is going to allow your senses to focus on that element as opposed to what\u2019s behind it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe soft sounds of water trickling or chimes blowing in the wind is enough for your ears to focus on and drown out the sound of neighbors or traffic,\u201d explains Arthur. \u201cAnd it doesn’t have to be a big pond. Something as simple as a hanging wall fountain or a self-contained unit would work well for a small patio or balcony.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n1. Add privacy closer to your home<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n2. Use man-made structures to provide instant privacy<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n3. Create interesting visual cues and focal points to distract the eye<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n4. Use fabric panels and curtains to soften your outdoor space while adding shade and privacy<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n5. Design your landscaping around your deck or patio<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n6. Include elements of sound to reduce noise from neighbors and traffic<\/h2>\n