12 best garden, outdoor and balcony privacy screens to buy in UK 2023
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SPENDING time in the garden in summer is one of the high points of the season and by investing in one of the best privacy screens on the market, you can ensure you do so in peace, away from prying eyes.
Of course summer in the UK is not always the balmy affair we would like it to be, so some outdoor privacy screens also offer protection from the elements, acting as a wind break and creating an oasis of calm where you can relax without being buffeted by the breeze.
If your patio or balcony looks on to a less-than-attractive view, or there are parts of your garden you’d rather not see, then screens also serve to hide these away, while ‘green screens’ – hedges or those with plants growing on them – enhance the beauty of your outdoor space as well as providing privacy.
Popular looks include natural wooden fencing, bamboo strips, trellis designs, and for more contemporary homes, full minimalist screens in metal and canvas. Let your artistic streak run wild with a decoupage style, or transport yourself to another continent with privacy screen patterns evoking images of other cultures.
Whether you’re all about eating al fresco, sharing wine and good company with friends on the terrace, or hitting your hot tub, our collection of the best garden and balcony privacy screens around will help your summer go swimmingly.
Real Bamboo Slat Screening Roll
- Bamboo privacy screening, £19.99 from Amazon –
Bamboo is naturally robust, waterproof and decorative, making it an ideal material for garden screening, whether you need protection from the wind, the sun or just prying eyes.
This high-quality bamboo screening is easily attached to existing fences or walls with galvanised wire, cable ties or screws/nails.
It’s quick and easy to install and will add a cool tropical vibe to your patio space – just add sunshine and cocktails and you’ll be transported to a beach in Hawaii.
Size: 1.2m H x 4m W, material: bamboo colour: natural
TecTake Garden Side Awning Sunshade
- TecTake Garden side awning, £96.99 from Amazon –
If you’re unable to use your patio space because of a prevailing wind, a retractable shade might be all you need to sort out the problem.
This well-reviewed model from TecTake attaches to a nearby wall and can be pulled out whenever you need it to protect your seating area from the wind and sun.
The screen is easy to install and is available in beige, black and grey to suit your outdoor space.
Size: 160cm H x 300cm W, material: coated aluminium housing, polyester awning colour: grey, beige, black
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Plastic Expanding Trellis
Plastic Expanding Trellis, £94.99 from Wayfair –
Cover up crumbling walls and fences or screen off less attractive parts of your outdoor space with this expanding artificial leaf trellis from Wayfair.
It can also be used to add a touch of cheery greenery to a courtyard space if you don’t have a lawn, or to spots where the sun doesn’t reach and it’s difficult to grow plants.
Size: 1o0cm H x 200cm W, material: plastic colour: green
YTTERSKÄR Privacy Screen
- YTTERSKÄR Privacy Screen, £40 from Ikea –
If you have a balcony or other high-level outdoor space that you’re not using because it’s battered by the winds or overlooked by neighbours, this cheap but effective screening could be a simple solution.
It’s made from polyester material and simply stands thanks to its steel structure.
Size: 150cm H x 185cm W, material: steel frame, polyester cover colour: grey
Thompson & Morgan
- Green beech hedging, from £9.99 per plant at Thompson & Morgan –
A more natural alternative to privacy screening is to plant a wall of dense hedging plants, such as Green Beech (Fagus sylvatica).
Green beech forms a good thick hedge and can be grown to almost any height – all you need to do to keep it looking fresh and dense is to give it a trim a couple of times a year.
If you don’t want to wait that long, Thompson & Morgan offers one-metre trough potted plants from £130.99 to help you create a near-instant hedge that will only get better over time.
Size: various, material: beech colour: green
Vosgeparan Wood Lattice Panel Trellis
- Vosgeparan Wood Lattice Panel Trellis, from £237.99, at Wayfair –
This uber-chic wooden trellis is a smart solution to privacy in your garden.
The two-piece trellis is easily put together and looks great with wooden planters. There's also a four-piece version so you can add a personal touch and create a unique look in your garden.
Size: 180cm H x 90cm W, material: wood colour: natural
Screen With Envy
- Moucharabiya large garden screen, from £100 at Screen With Envy –
The design of these decorative outdoor screening panels was inspired by the intricate window designs seen in Arabic architecture.
Made from weatherproof wood composite, they offer an attractive and long-lasting way to add privacy and screen off unattractive views around your garden and patio.
Available in a selection of colours and sizes, you're sure to find something to suit your garden or balcony.
Size: 180cm H x 90cm W, material: weatherproof composite colour: black, corten (brown orange steel), cream, dove grey
Bamboo Slat Natural Fencing Screening
- Bamboo Slat Natural Fencing Screening, £34.99 from Primrose –
This bamboo fencing is eco-friendly, adds a natural vibe and can be used to increase the height of the fence in your garden.
It's great for ensuring privacy, but it also looks pretty and is perfect for covering up less attractive areas of your garden you may not want to draw attention to.
Supplied in a three-metre role and also available in other heights.
Size: 3m x 1.8m, material: bamboo colour: natural
Forest Garden Venice Planter
- Forest Garden Venice Planter Natural, £300 from Wickes –
Creating privacy in your garden doesn't just have to be practical, it can be beautiful too.
This design is part planter, part trellis, with a pretty criss-cross pattern.
The trough provides lots of space for herbs, flowers or vegetables, making for a dazzling display.
All timber used has also been treated to protect it against rot and fungal decay for 15 years.
Size: 1.5m X 1.8m, material: soft wood, colour: natural
Dakota Fields
- Dakota Fields Gamsaragan Retractable Side Awning, £224.99 from Wayfair –
Love a modern garden aesthetic? The Dakota Fields Gamsaragan Retractable Slide Awning is one for our swanky privacy seekers out there.
This UV-proof, tear-resistant and water-resistant screen has an automatic roll-back function and you can adjust the width to up to 1000cm.
We don't know about you but this makes us want to invest in a sleek sun lounger and sunbathe commando. No one will ever know.
Size: 1.2m H X 10m W, material: steel frame, polyester cover colour: blue, red, cream, brown
NC Balcony Privacy Screen
- NC Balcony Privacy Screen Fence Cover, £22.99 from Amazon –
This mesh screen is ideal for balconies and is such a steal for less than £23.
Simply attach it with the cable ties and rope provided to immediately enhance your outdoor space and create a neutral backdrop for your furniture.
Great for protection from the wind and for creating a private sunbathing and relaxation zone.
Size: 90cm H X 500cm W, material: mesh colour: grey
Aztec Zintec Outdoor Wall Panel
- Aztec Zintec Outdoor Wall Panel, £119.99 from Primrose –
You don't have to opt for an average-looking screen, so why not go for something more artistic that adds a different kind of beauty to your garden? This metal screen adds an industrial texture to the natural surroundings, but it still looks perfectly at home in the space.
It makes a great decoration for a fence or wall, in addition to being a stunning privacy screen.
Metal makes for a sturdy, weather-resistant choice too.
Size: 120cm H x 60cm W, material: Zintec (steel coated with zinc) colour: grey
How much do outdoor privacy screens cost?
Privacy screens for both gardens and balconies are available at a wide range of price points to suit all budgets.
How much you pay will depend on the type of screen you buy – for example, is it freestanding or does it attach to an existing fence – what it’s made from and the size of the screen.
Expect to pay more for cut-out design metal screens than you would for say, bamboo, or for those that are fixed by individual posts, rather than by attaching with rope to an existing structure.
That said, price varies across the board so it’s always worth shopping around for the best deal.
What is a garden privacy screen?
A garden privacy screen pretty much does what it says in the name, allowing you to corner off your garden to create a more intimate space.
If you have shorter fences than you'd like separating you from your neighbours, installing a screen can give you some freedom to relax alone, in peace.
After all, who can be bothered with small talk when you're trying to sunbathe?
How to put up garden screening?
The process of putting up your garden screening truly depends on the design that you have bought.
Usually, there are instructions included which often involve installing posts into the ground at an equal width apart and then attaching the screen to the posts.
How to screen my garden from neighbours?
You don't have to put up screening all around your garden to have some privacy from your neighbours – some people like to just have some privacy around the patio or in small sections.
However, if you're wanting to screen your entire garden then you're going to have to measure the width and length of your garden before purchasing how much screening you need.
What is the best garden screening?
In our opinion, the best garden or balcony privacy screening truly depends on the style of your garden, or the size of your balcony.
If you're into contemporary, grey and black furniture then you might like to opt for metal or polyester fabric with sleek PU coating, whereas wooden screens will complement a country home or a balcony with traditional wooden furniture.
For gardens, you should also consider whereabouts you're going to instal your privacy screen, to ensure it covers off as much space as you want and isn't overlooked from above.
What to look for in a privacy screen
Not only do you want to make sure that your screen actually gives you some privacy, but you'll also want to make sure that it's not an eye sore for your garden or balcony.
If you're into gardening then you might enjoy having a privacy screen with planters or ivy – you can even grow plants up the wooden styles for a beautiful effect.
Our top tips are to look for something durable, attractive and of course, private enough for your needs.
Where to buy privacy screens in the UK?
Privacy screens are available from a wide range of retailers, both online and on the high street. We found screens at:
Other retailers selling privacy screens include: