The Best Outdoor Privacy Screen Ideas for Every Space

Good fences make good neighbors. But when that’s not enough, a new privacy screen may do the trick. An outdoor privacy screen or partition is a freestanding or integrated fixture that serves to shield your patio, porch or balcony from the view of neighbors and passersby. Whether you’re enjoying skyline views from your apartment balcony or soaking up the sun on your deck in the 'burbs, we’ve found a privacy screen tailor-made to fit your needs. Best part? Our privacy screen picks are equal parts fashionable and functional so you can keep prying eyes away from your outdoor space without sacrificing style.

Ready to invest in a screen for your home but unsure what kind of privacy screen will best serve your outdoor space? That’s where we come in. Below, we’re breaking down five types of failproof outdoor privacy fixtures and sharing where to shop our favorites for each category. First, here are some considerations to keep in mind before shopping.

Types of Privacy Screens

Are you investing in a long-term privacy fixture for your outdoor space? Or, are you in the market for a quick-and-easy seasonal fix that you can install and remove with minimal effort? There’s no wrong answer, but the best type and materials chosen vary based on how long you plan to use your screen. Metal, wood or planter-style privacy screens are ideal for long-term use, while roller shades or balcony screens are well-suited for short-term use.

Determine the Location for Your Privacy Screen

Will your outdoor privacy screen be hard at work on a city balcony or a sprawling suburban patio? Different locales call for unique solutions, so keep that in mind while sifting through our selections below. Based on your location, consider the level of privacy needed (or desired) for that specific space. If you're searching for a privacy screen that eliminates Nosy Nora's view of your backyard, you'll need to invest in an opaque privacy screen.

Creating a Cohesive Outdoor Space

Creating a cohesive, designer-inspired outdoor space requires attention to detail. Consider your home’s architectural style and exterior finishes while shopping for your outdoor privacy screen. Choose a privacy fixture with a complimentary silhouette and color story of your home to achieve a seamless, effortless result.

Best Metal Outdoor Privacy Screens

Privacy screens that double as outdoor art? Yes, please. Durable outdoor metal privacy screens bring form and function to your patio design. Typically, these outdoor metal screens are crafted from laser-cut galvanized steel and finished with a scratch-, frost- and crack-resistant powder-coating infused with UV inhibitors to reduce fading over time.

There are freestanding and integrated metal screens that suit outdoor spaces big and small. Select a motif and finish that suits your existing outdoor furnishings or exterior architecture for a seamless result.

Best Wooden Privacy Screens

Shield your porch, deck or patio in style with a wood-crafted privacy screen or partition. Wood privacy fixtures offer a sense of permanence and security in your outdoor space unmatched by fabric shades or screens. Better still, staining a wood privacy screen or partition to match your existing wood deck creates instant cohesion for a custom, luxurious result that looks more expensive than it is.

Best Balcony Privacy Screens

Escape the hustle and enjoy some much-needed privacy on your city balcony with this weather-resistant screen. These budget-friendly balcony screens are high-density polyethylene-crafted and allow the breeze to pass through to maintain comfort during the summer months. Best part? These screens block your precocious pup from spying on and reporting back (read: incessantly barking about) the dogs strolling the sidewalk below.

Best Outdoor Privacy Planters + Greenery Panels

Shroud your back deck or patio in privacy by way of lush greenery and blooms. Strategically place trellis planter boxes around the parameter of your outdoor space and allow climbing plants to do their thing. Our go-to climbing container beauties include climbing hydrangea, clematis, wisteria, honeysuckle and fragrant star jasmine.

You don’t need a green thumb to create a gorgeous wall of climbing vines; you need this faux hedge privacy screen. Outfit your deck railing with hedge panels or ivy draping to enjoy privacy sans pruning.

Best Outdoor Roller Shades

Swap a freestanding privacy screen for this sophisticated alternative. The outdoor roll-up shades are a must-have for anyone hoping to create intimacy and extra shade on their covered porch, patio or pergola.

Outdoor roll-up shades come in various materials, including light-filtering and UV-blocking fabric, natural bamboo and all-weather PVC that promises to reduce heat while in use. Each option offers a valuable reprieve from the sun, but PVC and natural bamboo are traditionally more durable against the elements than fabric options.