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Privacy Solutions for Close Neighbors

How to Create a More Private Backyard Without Making It Feel Closed In

As neighborhoods grow and homes are built closer together, backyard privacy can become harder to find.

You may love your neighbors—but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to see them every time you sit on your deck, grill dinner, use the hot tub, or relax in your backyard.

Fortunately, creating privacy doesn’t have to mean building a fortress around your property.

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, we help homeowners throughout Sioux Falls and the surrounding area create outdoor spaces that feel comfortable, private, and intentional. From full privacy fencing to strategically placed screens and pergolas, there are several ways to create separation while still maintaining an attractive and inviting backyard.

Here are some of the best options to consider.

1. A Full Privacy Fence

The most obvious solution is also one of the most effective.

A properly designed privacy fence creates separation between neighboring properties while also providing additional benefits such as security and pet containment.

Western Red Cedar Privacy Fencing

Western Red Cedar is one of our favorite choices because it combines privacy with natural beauty.

Cedar can also be customized with different designs, including:

Benefits

✔ Excellent privacy

✔ Natural appearance

✔ Highly customizable

✔ Helps contain children and pets

✔ Defines property boundaries

Things to Consider

Wood requires maintenance if you want to preserve its original appearance. Cedar can be stained or allowed to naturally weather over time.

2. Vinyl Privacy Fencing

For homeowners who want maximum privacy with minimal maintenance, vinyl is another excellent option.

Vinyl provides a solid visual barrier and doesn’t require staining or painting.

Benefits

✔ Excellent privacy

✔ Very low maintenance

✔ Clean, consistent appearance

✔ Resistant to rot and insects

Things to Consider

Vinyl typically has a higher upfront cost than some wood options and doesn’t offer quite the same customization as cedar.

3. Composite Privacy Fencing

Composite fencing offers another premium privacy solution.

It combines a modern appearance with excellent durability and extremely low maintenance.

Composite can be particularly attractive around newer homes where homeowners want clean lines and contemporary design.

Benefits

✔ Excellent privacy

✔ Very low maintenance

✔ Modern appearance

✔ Resistant to rot, insects, and many of the issues associated with natural wood

✔ Excellent long-term aesthetics

Things to Consider

Composite is generally one of the higher-priced fencing options initially.

However, when comparing materials, it’s important to consider lifetime cost, not simply installation cost.

You May Not Need an Entire Privacy Fence

This is where outdoor living design gets interesting.

Sometimes the problem isn’t that your entire backyard lacks privacy.

Maybe it’s just one specific area.

For example:

In those situations, building hundreds of feet of privacy fence may be unnecessary.

A targeted privacy solution may actually work better.

4. Privacy Screens

Privacy screens are one of the most versatile ways to solve specific sightline problems.

Instead of enclosing an entire yard, screens can be strategically positioned exactly where privacy is needed.

They work particularly well around:

Modern privacy screens are also available in a variety of materials and designs, allowing them to become an architectural feature rather than simply a barrier.

Benefits

✔ Targeted privacy

✔ Modern appearance

✔ Can be incorporated into an existing deck

✔ Doesn’t completely enclose the backyard

✔ Can add visual interest

5. Pergolas with Privacy Walls

A pergola can do much more than provide shade.

By incorporating privacy walls or screens into one or more sides, a pergola can create an outdoor room that feels protected without completely closing you off from the backyard.

This works especially well over:

You gain architectural interest, some shade, and privacy all within the same structure.

6. Horizontal Privacy Features

Horizontal designs have become increasingly popular, particularly around modern homes.

Horizontal cedar boards, composite panels, or decorative screens can provide privacy while creating a completely different aesthetic than traditional vertical fencing.

The result can feel less like a traditional fence and more like part of the home’s outdoor architecture.

7. Combine Fencing with Landscaping

Sometimes the best privacy solution isn’t one product.

It’s a combination.

A fence can establish the primary boundary while landscaping softens the appearance.

Consider incorporating:

The combination can create layers of privacy while keeping the backyard warm and inviting.

Just remember that landscaping takes time to mature, while a fence or privacy screen provides immediate privacy.

Think About Sightlines, Not Just Property Lines

This is one of the most important considerations when designing backyard privacy.

Privacy isn’t always about what’s happening at ground level.

Imagine sitting on your deck while your neighbor’s second-story window looks directly into your seating area.

A six-foot fence along the property line may do very little to solve that problem.

Instead, a strategically placed privacy screen near the deck may block the sightline much more effectively.

That’s why we encourage homeowners to ask:

“Where do I actually need privacy?”

Instead of simply:

“Where should I put a fence?”

Those are two very different questions.

Don’t Forget About Wind and Sun

A privacy feature can sometimes accomplish multiple goals.

Strategically positioned fencing or privacy screens may also help:

Good outdoor design solves more than one problem whenever possible.

What About the Neighbors?

Some homeowners worry that installing a privacy fence will send the wrong message.

It doesn’t have to.

Wanting privacy doesn’t mean you don’t like your neighbors.

It simply means you want to comfortably enjoy your own property.

A friendly conversation before construction can go a long way. Let your neighbor know what you’re planning and why.

In many cases, they’ll appreciate the added privacy just as much as you do.

After all:

Good fences can make good neighbors.

Check Local Fence Requirements

Before installing a fence or privacy structure, it’s important to understand local requirements.

Depending on your location, rules may address:

Requirements can differ between Sioux Falls, Brandon, Harrisburg, and surrounding communities and townships.

A quality local contractor can help you navigate those considerations before construction begins.

Privacy Doesn’t Have to Mean Feeling Trapped

One common concern homeowners have is that adding privacy will make a small backyard feel even smaller.

That’s where thoughtful design matters.

Instead of automatically enclosing everything with a solid fence, consider combining:

Privacy where you need it + openness where you don’t.

For example, you might use:

The result can provide excellent privacy without making the entire backyard feel enclosed.

What’s the Best Privacy Solution?

There isn’t one answer for every property.

If you need complete backyard privacy, a Western Red Cedar, vinyl, or composite privacy fence may make the most sense.

If you only need to block one specific sightline, a privacy screen may be more effective.

If you’re creating an outdoor living room, a pergola with integrated privacy walls could provide privacy, shade, and architectural character at the same time.

And sometimes the best solution is a combination of several options.

Our Approach at Babb Custom Deck & Fence

We believe privacy should be designed around how you actually use your property.

Before recommending a solution, we consider:

The goal isn’t simply to build the tallest barrier possible.

It’s to create an outdoor space where you feel comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Living close to your neighbors doesn’t mean giving up your privacy.

The right combination of fencing, privacy screens, pergolas, and landscaping can dramatically change how your backyard looks and feels.

And sometimes a relatively small, strategically placed feature can solve a privacy problem better than fencing the entire property.

Your backyard should be a place where you can relax, entertain, and spend time with family without feeling like you’re constantly on display.

That’s ultimately what good privacy design provides:

A space that feels like your own.

Protecting Your Pools, Pets, and Privacy

If you’re looking for more privacy around your home in Sioux Falls or the surrounding area, Babb Custom Deck & Fence can help evaluate your property and explore solutions that fit your needs.

From Western Red Cedar and composite privacy fences to custom screens, pergolas, and complete outdoor living spaces, we’ll help you find a solution that’s attractive, functional, and built for South Dakota.

Contact Babb Custom Deck & Fence today to schedule a consultation and start creating a backyard that feels more like your own.