Creating privacy in your outdoor space doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. With the right fence design and thoughtful landscaping, you can transform your garden or front yard into a peaceful retreat that feels both secure and beautiful. One of the most effective and timeless solutions we’ve found is close board fence panels which can then be paired with your own planting choices.

Why Privacy Matters in Your Outdoor Space

Whether you’re relaxing with family, growing vegetable gardens, or entertaining friends, privacy helps you truly enjoy your outdoor space.

Tall fences and natural barriers can reduce noise, block unwanted views, and create a sense of enclosure that makes even smaller gardens feel more intimate.

If you don’t have this it can feel like you can’t step out into your garden whenever you wish. This is where simple yet effective privacy fence ideas come into play. Having lived in a London Victorian terrace I know how important this is!

Why Close Board Fence Panels Are a Good Choice

Close board fence panels are one of the most popular wooden fences for privacy and for good reason.

They provide a complete coverage as the overlapping boards create a solid barrier with no gaps. They work well in a range of soil types, including our heavy clay soil. Design wise they are very versatile. I think they suit modern and traditional gardens. Widely available as well and in many heights even if you need taller fences, you can find these without overwhelming your space.

From a homeowner’s perspective, close board panels are an excellent choice because they provide instant privacy while acting as a strong backdrop for planting. We’ve chosen these in our garden and wouldn’t use anything else.

Softening Fences with Plants

While fences provide structure, plants bring the garden to life. So don’t think you’ll have a barren wall of fencing, you can paint the fence and combine it with greenery for a softer, more natural look.

Best Plants for planting alongside a fence

Choosing the right plant obviously depends on your local climate, maintenance requirements, and how fast you want coverage.

However, all the Cherry laurel or English laurel varieties grow very fast and provide instant greenery. Fatsia bought cheaply even in UK supermarkets can also be planted outdoors and grow into tall jungle-like trees in a couple of years. They are also evergreen.

Holly bushes are another lovely way to break up a wall of fencing. If you buy more than one make sure at least one has berries. This means you have a male and a female plant and in future years they will pollenate so you continue to have berries in winter.

Blending Function with Beauty

Close board fences also create the perfect backdrop for focal points such as small trees, edible plants and gorgeous bulbs for added colour. In a front garden, pairing a solid fence with a picket fence section or a privacy hedge can balance openness with seclusion.

If you’re looking for simple fence ideas that truly create privacy, close board fence panels are hard to beat. Combined with thoughtful planting whether that’s a living fence, evergreen shrubs, or creative ideas like vertical gardens you can achieve a beautiful landscape that feels private year-round.