14 Cheap Ways To Block A Neighbor's View

Nothing is more uncomfortable than knowing that your neighbors can watch your every move. Unfortunately, privacy is a luxury now that it costs thousands of dollars to install a fence with professional help. So, what are the best cheap ways to block a neighbor’s view?

Plant a row of trees or shrubs to block your neighbor’s view and make your yard more lively. Faux shrubs made of plastic can also block your neighbor’s view and they require no maintenance at all. Tall grass, hanging plants, ivy, vines, and hedges can all block your neighbor’s view but require regular watering and trimming.

Options like tall grass, such as zebra grass, are effective but can be difficult to maintain because they grow over 5 feet tall. You can even build a DIY stone wall in your landscaping so your neighbors can’t see into your yard. Follow along as we explore the most interesting and cheap ways to block your neighbor’s view.

You can stop an overlooking neighbor with everything from fake shrubs to a trellis. It all depends on your budget aesthetic, and how much space you need to cover. For example, you may only need to cover a small space to block your neighbor’s view.

In that case, you could block your neighbor’s view with something as small as a single outdoor screen. Homeowners with a large backyard need to focus on an option that can wrap around the entire yard. Options like trees, bushes, and tall grass are the best way to block your neighbor’s view in that case.

Temporary options like screens are perfect if you simply don’t want to invest in a fence or a row of bushes. The possibilities are endless and ultimately come down to what kind of character you want to add to your yard. Let’s take a look at the best cheap ways to block a neighbor’s view without spending a fortune.

Plant trees to make your yard more likely and block your neighbor’s view. You can plant trees without professional help for $30 per tree or less depending on the variety. Trees can block your neighbor’s view, improve your privacy, and add character to your byard.

Choose trees that will grow quickly to block your neighbor’s view as quickly as possible. River birches, weeping willows, dawn redwoods, and hybrid poplars grow quickly. The hybrid polar tree is the best option because they grow quickly in several climates and they look great.

Bushes are a great alternative to trees to block your neighbor’s view. However, you can use bushes and trees in conjunction for the best effects possible. Staggering trees and bushes will improve your privacy and make your backyard feel like a lush oasis full of greenery.

American holly bushes are a safe choice because they are easy to grow and maintain. They also carry a classic look that is instantly recognizable. American holly bushes grow strong during the summer and fall offering you privacy throughout the majority of the year.

Build or install a trellis so that your neighbors can’t see into your yard. You can use a trellis to fill in the gaps in your yard. Alternatively, you can build a massive trellis or install several small trellises to cover the most ground.

You can also use your trellis to grow tomatoes and vines to make your trellis stand out. Kill two birds with one stone by improving your privacy and growing some trailing ivy and tomatoes. This will give you a vibrant view while your neighbor has nothing to look at.

Screens are a cheap and temporary way to block your neighbor’s view. You can easily move a screen out to another area as needed so you don’t have to fully commit to them. Decorative screens come in countless varities, designs, and colors.

Outdoor screens cost between $80 and $240 or more for an elaborate screen. Screens are a great way to gain privacy under your deck, on your porch, or around the swimming pool. Metal screens with laser-cut designs are popular, affordable, and visually appealing.

Stone landscaping is the most dynamic way to block your neighbor’s view. Layered stoned that ascend on a slope are beautiful to look at. Luckily, your neighbor will struggle to see over the stones as they cascade upwards.

You can create a makeshift retaining wall out of stones in your landscaping. Exercise caution and stagger the stones evenly so that they don’t fall downhill during heavy rain. You can complete this project for $20 per square foot on average if you stick to natural stones.

Hanging plants can preserve your privacy without making your backyard feel isolated. Your backyard won’t be closed off if you hang plants, but you’ll still block your neighbor’s view. Hanging plants such as golden pothos, arrowheads, spider plants, and English ivy are perfect for privacy.

They can all handle the full sun well and require little maintenance. Even still, you will need to regularly water your hanging plants and treat them for pests as needed. You can buy enough hanging plants to block your neighbor’s view for under $120 in many cases.

Artificial shrubs are among the cheapest and lowest maintenance ways to block your neighbor’s view. You won’t have to water them, prune them, or keep pests away from your artificial shrubs. Small artificial shrubs go for as little as $15, but you’ll need to spend $30 per faux shrub for one that is larger.

They are generally made of durable plastic and you won’t have to worry about them suffering elemental damage. Low-quality artificial shrubs can sometimes suffer rain damage, but they are cheap to replace.

Hedges offer privacy, style, and lush, green life like no other alternative. The classic image of a hedge row evokes a comfortable and vibrant aesthetic. Luckily, they can also block your neighbor’s view quickly and effectively.

Thuja hedges are particularly effective because of how quickly they grow. The only downside to hedges is that they require frequent maintenance so that they can retain their lush appearance. Otherwise, they will become overgrown and unattractive after only 2-3 weeks without a trim.

DIY-oriented homeowners can improve their privacy with an improvised fence made of boards. The possibilities are endless with a DIY fence, and you can make it look however you want. You will need to research to see whether or not you need to obtain a permit in your municipality.

This can save you the trouble of fines and penalties when you build your fence. Your DIY fence will block your neighbor’s view and will also spruce up your yard. Paint the board or leave them unpainted if you prefer a rustic aesthetic.

Vines are a great way to block your neighbor’s view and they are aesthetically pleasing. Pair vines with your DIY fence to cover the space between slats so that your neighbors cannot see you in your yard. This is a great way to create a lively oasis in your yard where you won’t feel any prying eyes.

Not all vines are suitable for privacy and you need to get a variety that grows quickly. Wisteria, ivy, jasmine, and morning glory all grow quickly and are great for privacy. Consider a variety like climbing roses if you want to add a vibrant flare to your yard.

Outdoor curtains have become increasingly popular over the last several years. This trend is understandable because outdoor curtains are just as visually appealing as they are great for your privacy. Curtains work to block your neighbor’s view in small spots as well as throughout the yard.

Fill in gaps where you intend to spend the most time outside. For example, many homeowners tent off an area under a desk, around lawn chairs, or inside of a gazebo with outdoor curtains. This cheap method costs between $10 and $30 per curtain, and there is no limit when it comes to style and color.

Tallgrass, such as zebra grass, can obstruct your neighbor’s view and give you some peace of mind. Ravenna grass is another great option if you want to block your neighbor’s view from the ground up. Running bamboo is the tallest grass for privacy and it can grow in the majority of climate zones.

The only downside of ornamental tall grasses is that they can get out of control. Many types of long grass can exceed 5 feet tall which can be high maintenance. However, they look great and provide excellent privacy if you trim and take care of your long grass.

Outdoor sculptures and yard decorations can block your neighbor’s view and give you something nice to look at. Position the decorations in such a way that the appealing side faces you and keeps eyes out of your yard. You can use bushes, faux shrubs, and potted plants between sculptures and decorations for a more dynamic look.

Everything from flamingo statues to avant-garde metallic flower sculptures will look great in your yard. You can find gorgeous yard sculptures for as little as $25 but high-end pieces can exceed $300.

Trees and bushes are the cheapest ways to block your neighbor’s view. Faux shrubs are among the cheapest ways to stop your neighbor from looking into your yard. Install a trellis and plant tomatoes or trailing vines on it to block your neighbor’s view.

Hedges are another great option, but they require lots of maintenance and you need to trim them regularly. Hang plants to create a colorful and vibrant barrier between you and your neighbor to block their view. Outdoor curtains are another great way to improve your privacy and make your backyard feel like an oasis.

You can find affordable sculptures and decorative pieces for between $25 and $300. Outdoor screens can improve your privacy and come in a wide variety of designs. Otherwise, you can build a DIY fence out of weathered wood and plant tall grass to cover the space between the slats to block your neighbor’s view.