Property Line Landscaping: Ideas For Adding Privacy To Your Yard

When planning your yard’s landscape design, it’s important to consider all areas of your space. Don’t overlook the edges of your plot – property line landscaping can be a great way to add privacy, especially if you have close neighbors.

Deciding How To Landscape Your Property Line For Privacy

There are several ways you can landscape your property lines to give you more privacy. The most popular options are putting up fences or adding plants and shrubbery as a border.

Plants Vs. Fences

Both plants and fences have their pros and cons when it comes to creating privacy. Fencing provides instant privacy and can sometimes boost property value. However, fencing is often expensive to install, especially on large lots.

Plants, on the other hand, are usually less expensive to incorporate and can provide a natural fencing option. However, they take a while to grow in fully, which might make them less ideal in the short term.

Does A Privacy Fence Impact Home Value?

There’s no steadfast rule about privacy fences or shrubbery adding to home value. However, some house hunters may consider a completely exposed yard a deal-breaker. Adding a privacy fence could make your backyard more appealing to buyers, especially those with pets and small kids.

While there’s no guarantee it will increase your home’s value, fencing might make your property more marketable. This could lead to a quicker offer that might even be closer to your asking price.

7 Property Line Ideas For Landscaping

There are several ways to landscape along the property lines in your front yard or backyard that can help you establish privacy.

Fencing

Building a fence along the property line helps protect a homeowner’s privacy and creates a clearly defined boundary that improves security and contains pets and people. Fences can also help with noise reduction.

If you live in an HOA neighborhood, there are most likely restrictions on the types of fencing you’re allowed to put up, if any. Common materials include wood, metal or vinyl. Though fences can be fairly expensive to install, they provide instant and potentially complete privacy.

Hedges

A hedge is a boundary formed by planting shrubs or trees close together to create a wall. They can also block the sight lines to neighbor’s homes and even muffle noise.

It’s very important to maintain your hedges because they can look scruffy quickly. You should also ensure that your hedges won’t grow over your property line and into your neighbor’s yard.

Shrubbery

If you don’t want a full hedge wall, you can plant flowering shrubs or evergreen shrubs along your property line. Spaced-out shrubs won’t offer the same level of privacy as a wall of hedges, but they can still help define the boundary and block some sight lines. Make sure to maintain your shrubbery to avoid encroaching on your neighbor's property.

Ornamental Grass

Depending on the species, ornamental grass can be a low-maintenance way to create a natural-looking property line and add some privacy. Grasses are usually more low-lying than shrubs, but some fast-growing ornamental grasses can grow up to 15 feet.

Consult with a local gardening center to determine which grasses will meet your needs and thrive in your climate and yard conditions.

Windbreaks

Windbreaks involve planting rows of trees or shrubs to help protect against wind and serve as another natural boundary between neighboring yards. Arborvitaes are one of the most popular trees for windbreaks due to their versatility and the year-round privacy they provide.

A well-designed windbreak should have up to four rows of trees, hedges or shrubs. Each row consists of a specific tree or shrub type, and the rows are staggered to help block the wind. The rows should be spaced 10 feet apart, and within each row, the plants should be spaced 8 feet apart. Because of this design, windbreaks are best for large, expansive yards.

Flower Or Vegetable Garden

If you love growing veggies or flowers and want to support your local ecosystem with eco-friendly landscaping, a garden could be a great option for you.

However, keep in mind that gardens will likely die back in the winter, so your boundary won’t extend much privacy for much of the year.

Stone Wall

Stone walls can be designed to lie low for marking a boundary, or they can be made taller for privacy. Stone, while unique and beautiful, can be very expensive. This option is ideal for those with a higher budget who want the specific look and feel of a stone garden wall.

The Bottom Line: For Some Homeowners, Privacy Is Priceless

Once you know exactly where the property line lies, you can create a private oasis in your yard and potentially increase your home’s value and marketability.

Ready to start working on your next landscaping project? Learn how to fix common landscaping problems and start preparing your yard.