14 Natural Garden Screening Ideas

Using natural garden screening is an excellent way to create sections and divide your outdoor space for more privacy. This is ideal for folks who would like to allocate a dining area out in their garden for special occasions, away from the noise and commotion of their neighbourhood.

This will give you the perfect space to rejuvenate and recharge after a long day. And let’s be honest, we could all use a lovely retreat to withdraw from our busy lifestyles.

There are a variety of materials that you can incorporate for garden screens. And you might also be able to pull off something on a limited budget. Aside from using screens to create a more secluded environment, it also helps add more character to your garden, making it rather visually interesting.

Now, you’re probably wondering why you should go the natural route for this project. Opting for industrial material such as PVC and concrete may not go with your outdoor setting, plus, it is not a very environmentally-friendly option. A natural garden screen will add serenity to your space, allowing you to create a more scenic garden. Furthermore, there are a number of guidelines that you might have to follow if you set up a solid boundary. Keeping all these factors in mind, setting up a natural screen might be the best option.

Here are a few simple natural garden screening ideas that you might like:

1. Upcycle Old Furniture

While this post includes a selection of natural ideas, we consider upcycling and recycling old goods is nothing short of ‘going green’.

Plus, it’s the year of DIY and people are loving it. Consider upcycling old furniture that can be repurposed for your garden project. This could include anything from old shelves, shutters, room dividers or even an old door. Adding a little bit of colour and texture should definitely do the trick. We recommend you play around with paints that match your garden’s colour scheme.

And if your furniture is old and rusty, use a couple of plants to cover it up. Using climbing plants is a good idea though, you’re free to use your favourite kind. Remember, upcycling is primarily all about using your creative instincts and thinking outside the box. So, don’t be afraid to try out different ideas and experiment.

Depending on your personal preference, you can make the garden screen as ‘natural’ as you want. Better yet, get the kids involved. We have also added a couple of ideas on this list that your little ones will love.

2. Use Old Twigs

The best part about this project is that you can be as imaginative as you want. Consider adding twigs, pebbles, and bricks to the mix and get your kids involved in the project as well. In fact, you can start a little search in your garden for trinkets that can be added to the screen. Use a wooden frame and then fill it up with whatever you can.

Make sure the contraption is sturdy enough to hold these trinkets. This activity will certainly be great fun for your entire family.

3. Bamboo Garden Screen

Do you love the beach? Well, you can enjoy a tropical environment in your very own home. Consider setting up bamboo screens. Aside from it being the perfect way to create a secluded space, the bamboo will add a touch of serenity in your garden. This will add a relaxing vibe that might help you unwind.

Best of all, bamboos are fast-growing plants which makes it an ideal material for garden screening. However, keep in mind that bamboo roots can tend to be invasive hence consider planting it in containers. Take measures to ensure the plant does not end up growing like wild-fire around your garden. If done right, this exotic plant will quickly become the envy of your neighbours.

While bamboo plants may not do an excellent job in withstanding force and heavy winds, it adds a wonderful touch of serenity. Plus, the background is likely to go well with the rest of your garden furniture (if you have any). All in all, it adds an interesting and relaxing vibe that many of us would want for our gardens.

4. Plant a Fruit Tree

This doesn’t have to be a full-blown DIY project if you don’t want it to be. Consider planting a fruit tree for a garden screen. This will help divide your garden in the most natural way possible. We recommend planting apple trees but you’re welcome to opt for any other kind that you’d like.

Go with the vibes of your garden. If your space has a more Mediterranean feel to it, consider growing something exotic such as lemons or oranges.

The size of the tree here will largely depend on how big your space is. And if you don’t want to set up a fruit tree, you can set up green climbers if you want. The trick is to utilize your space in the most natural way possible. Using large plants is also a good option if you’d like to create an airy feel to the place.

5. Big Planters

You’ve probably seen these in the movies, but there’s no rule that says you can’t use them for your own back garden. You can get old-fashioned brown planters or something more aesthetic and well-suited according to your outdoor décor. These can be used for separating or diving your garden into different portions.

Aside from using planters as garden screens, it can be also used as decoration. If you have old planters that have worn out, consider painting it or embellishing the pots.

6. Hedge Walls

We’re optimistic that you’re going to love this one! Hedge walls can successfully add grandeur to your outdoor area, creating a natural appearance. This is a good choice for folks who would like to add greener elements to their garden. Plus, it’s much more efficient than placing a wooden fence that might look too boring.

You can choose from a variety of options but beware that these walls may require some maintenance. So, only get them if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.

7. Create a Living Wall

If you’re not thrilled about just using one kind of plant, consider creating a living wall using different plants and leaves. This will add a truly refreshing look whilst making your garden more interesting. However, since you are dealing with living plants, make sure you read up on each species.

You can also utilize separate planters for each type or even use it for your patio.

8.  Grasses

Nobody says that you have to go the extra mile. Use grasses as a low-maintenance garden screen. We love the added texture that it’ll bring to your outdoor space, plus, you can choose from a large variety of options. Some of our favourites include “Overdam” and “Karl Foerster”. If you have a smaller garden, opt for smaller grasses. You will most certainly benefit from tall grasses if you’re working with a bigger space and are in need of more privacy.

9. Trellis

Decorating your garden becomes much easier when you have the right framework to start off with. Garden screening is a breeze with trellises. You can use these to add plants and other fixtures to gain more privacy. Additionally, if you already have fences, you may attach a trellis to increase its height and save money on a taller one. For low maintenance, you can invest in fuss-free fast growing plants such as ivy.

Using plain trellis is a wonderful option for your garden screen as it creates a lovely open look. Since it will allow light to pass through, it will create a magical ambiance with an airy feel to it. We also love incredibly versatile a trellis is. You can dress it up with vines, fruit trees or creeping plants of your choice.

10. Vine Screens

Add a mystical look to your garden with gorgeous vine screen. These prove to be an excellent low-budget choice. Vines are fast growing plants that do not require a lot of maintenance and are easy to take care of. They also tend to be a good option if you’d like a taller barrier but cannot opt for a fence.

All in all, vine screens contribute to a better ambiance and look great if you’re trying to create a homey setting.

11. Attract Local Wildlife

Get your kids excited about biodiversity by creating a garden screen to attract local wildlife. You can do this by adding twigs, insect hotels and bird boxes to your trellis. Decorating the screen should not be a problem if you’re able to get the little ones involved. Give them the opportunity to let their creative side shine through.

If you are planning on adding a whole bunch of stuff, ensure the foundation or basic frame is sturdy enough to last. This important as the screen will have to be strong enough to carry the weight of creepy crawlies, plus you will also have to take account for the wind.

It might give you the creeps in the beginning but it is worth it if you want your kids to learn about different creatures. Allow them to create a little bird hotel and explore the wonderful world around them. You will be pleased with how this little project will bring your entire family together.

12. Reed Screening

Another relatively fuss-free alternative is to opt for reed screening. This can conveniently be fastened onto your fence or any other framework. You can drive the stakes into the ground and use it as posts to hold the screen too.

While there are plenty of natural screening options available, we believe this is well-suited for folks who cannot bother much with maintenance. Further on the positives, you can choose from a wide selection to suit your gardening needs. However, it might not be a good choice for you if you don’t want the space to look too confined. Installing these screens is typically better for large spaces as your garden may start to appear much smaller otherwise.

13. Shrubs and Flowers

Use the opportunity to add more colour and vibrancy to your garden with shrubs and flowers. We consider this a brilliant alternative to using synthetic products that might ruin the ambiance of your outdoor space.

Get creative with shrubs and potted flower plants. This is an excellent option for folks who don’t want to opt for an intrusive boundary. Adding a couple of beautiful flowers will create a beautiful landscape whilst giving your family the privacy they need.

Utilize your favourite flowers but also remember to read up on each kind. Keep in mind that maintaining shrubs might take some effort if you don’t want your garden to look shabby.

14. Vertical Garden Screen

Now, we’re a huge fan of the vertical garden. We believe that this is an excellent option to work with if you’re designing a small garden. It will also give you the opportunity to experiment and add more green elements to your space. You may choose to work with a wooden frame or invest in a trellis which can be decorated with all kinds of flowers and plants.

One major advantage of a vertical garden screen is that it will allow light to pass through, giving off an airy feel. This will prevent your outdoor space from feeling a little too confined, which can become a problem when setting up boundaries.

Regardless of what kind of privacy structure you decide to set up, we urge you to read up on the rules and regulations.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our list of natural garden screening ideas. If you would rather have an expert take care of the hassle, reach out to us at Claire Davies Interiors and we will help transform your garden. Check out our previous work for more information and inspiration.

Is there something you would like to add? Tell us about your favourite garden screen idea and how you have maintained privacy in your outdoor space. We are excited to hear from you!