Patio Privacy - How to Make Your Patio Private for Renters - 8 Outdoor Privacy Ideas

If you rent, then you don't want to do any permanent DIY, you have to get creative on the patio, porch, deck or balcony.

But there are ways to create the ideal living space outdoors yet in privacy.  Below are some patio privacy ideas that will create the outdoor private room you are looking for.  Some are more of an investment that others, but keep in mind you can take them with you when you move!

1.  Vertical Gardens - Portable - My Favorite Idea!!

You can create an instant fence or barrier between you and the neighbors by breaking up the space with beautiful flowers and maybe even grow a few of your own veggies.

Invest in a few to create a living fence that you can place side by side and fill with fast growing annuals to not only add some private space but to add color too!  They can come with you when you move.


2. Outdoor Curtain Rod Free Standing Frame

This is perfect to create your own space on one side of the patio.  This is a stand alone frame, doesn't require any drilling or staking.  Simply stand it up and add some outdoor curtains. Outdoor curtains should be made out of waterproof or water resistant fabrics so they can simply be left outside. This type of curtain dries very quickly, but can give you that privacy you need from neighbors. Once again you can simply take the portable curtain rod frame apart and take it with you along with the curtain panel. No damage done to the rental patio space.

3.  Gazebo

This is a bit more of an investment but can be erected on a patio, most come complete with curtain sides to create that privacy you want as well as protect from sunlight, create shade and allow for more time outdoors with protection from mosquitoes.

My tenant had one of these and put it right up close to the patio doors so she could leave them open and then screened sides on the gazebo stopped bugs coming into the house.  She created a private dining area out in the gazebo for the warm weather months.

It gave the illusion of more space.  In Ontario we spend a lot of time indoors with the cold winters, so it is nice when we can migrate outside.

Use the Gazebo Weights for Patio or Driveway Use

These weights will hold the 4 corners down so no worries about wind taking off with your gazebo

4.  Balcony Privacy Screen

If you have a fenced patio or you rent an apartment with a balcony, it can be nice to create separation without losing out on the warm breezes.

These screens simply fit on the fence or railing and will create that private room.

5. Garden Screen Trellis 

This can be anything from your own DIY trellis to fancy wrought iron ones.  If your patio is on flat ground surrounded by yard, you could simply tap this into the ground at the edge of the patio and then place planters in front of it and plat with fast growing flowers or vines.

When you leave you can take it with you.  This way you don't actually plant anything in the ground, just in the pots in front of it.

Outdoor Privacy Ideas - Don't have to be Expensive

Creating any kind of break in the space such as you would get with living fences, such as large potted plants, especially tall leafy ones will give you the sense of your own space.

You can invest in items such as the above examples and totally change the look of your space without hurting one hair of your landlords property.  It can create an awesome space while you are living there and then when you move it can all come with you.

6.  Thrift Store Finds

Pots for plants can get expensive, so check the thrift stores and garage sales for large pots you can fill with gorgeous annual plants.  Annuals grow the fastest and will give you that private area you want.

Fill the base of larger pots with stones or gravel then the top 3rd soil so as not to spend too much on potting soil.

Arrange many different pots along one side of the patio or deck to create a living wall and keep you out of direct view when sitting and enjoying time outdoors.  There is a time and place for neighbor interaction, but sometimes you just want to enjoy the outdoors without interacting with anyone!

Find some old Window Shutters and hinge them together to create a privacy screen.. 

7.  Modular Planter Systems

I came across this cool set of planters that click together and can stack.  This would be a great way to break up that open space and if you plant the right flowers you could totally create a nice looking green living wall instead of an ugly fence.

There are many products online that would work well depending on your patio space and budget.  I love to find deals, but also looking online can give you lots of cool ideas.

You might as well enjoy the flowers while creating your private space!


8.  Planter Trellis

This planter box on wheels, also has a trellis that can work as a temporary fence while plants are growing.  Choose fast growing annuals or vines, to quickly fill the trellis space with flowers and greenery.

No matter the size of your patio, you could even just create privacy in one corner if you can't afford to close in the entire patio or deck.  Even just a corner that is just for you will work well by using elevated planters or a planter box trellis on wheels such as this one.

You can then move it around to all parts of the patio if you wish and it can roll right into a moving truck when you leave.