We all live our lives day to day thinking that nothing bad will happen. We never think that we will be the ones dealing with the cleanup of a house fire. Unfortunately, there are many, many families that suffer the impact of house fires each year. Last year, a close friend of mine was a victim of a house fire and since then, my life has been different. I have spent many hours researching fire prevention, causes, and teaching children about fire prevention and what to do in the case of a fire. It is my hope that my research can help those of you concerned about house fires make the necessary changes in your home and teach your kids what they need to know about fire.
Really enjoying your backyard while living among neighbors can be easier said than done. If you have to deal with noise, pets and neighbors who can see your every move, that yard might not be the haven you'd like it to be.
How can you create some privacy in your outdoor life? And can you do so without adding a boring 6-foot fence?
Greenery
Adding green to your outdoor space not only hides it from view but also makes it more of a cocoon for you. For example, add garden containers to the railings of a deck and fill them with thick, lush plants and flowers. Or add a few layers of greenery to the edge of your yard. By layering, you create a beautiful interior view while adding a privacy barrier. Start your layering with tall shade trees at the farthest point to provide height and block views from second-story windows, then add mid-sized shrubs in front of them. Cap things off with a final row of beautiful annual and perennial plants, mixing things up to provide color all year long.
Vertical Garden
If you need to add height to your privacy shield, a fun way to do so is to create a vertical garden. You can create a vertical garden by starting with a PVC frame covered by a plastic sheeting. On top of the sheeting, cover it with a layer of water-absorbent foam (such as carpet padding). Cut horizontal holes in the foam and insert the root ball of your desired plants, stapling them to the plastic backing to keep them in place. Finally, run an irrigation pipe drip system over the top of the foam to keep it moist. A vertical or wall garden can be as adventurous as you like and provides a beautiful view for you and your family.
Stone/Fence Combination
Rather than installing a large fence that ruins your own view, try a combination pack instead. To do this, build an attractive natural stone wall about 3 feet high. Then top it with a short decorative fencing of wood lattice, iron work or even vine-covered chainlink. Placing a fence on top of the stone helps provide a measure of protection from prying eyes while keeping the barrier from becoming too overpowering or claustrophobic. Plus it adds a nice conversation piece to your outdoor landscaping. Contact a local outlet, such as Old World Stone, for further assistance.
Gazebo
If you have an outdoor room or lounging area, you might find that using it is more enjoyable if you feel a sense of privacy about it. For an inexpensive and easy privacy barrier, look for a simple iron and canvas gazebo you can set right over your outdoor room. These gazebos often come with curtains that can be raised or lowered and have the added bonus of protecting from the sun and rain. Complement your outdoor room with container and pot gardening to make it more inviting and mask unwanted views as well.
Creating your own oasis within your backyard may not be as complicated or expensive as you think. With some creativity, you can add simple touches to your existing yard that will bring privacy, beauty and functionality to your living space.
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