How Our Favorite HGTV Stars Add Privacy To A Home Or Garden

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Sure, HGTV stars spend a lot of time tearing down walls and barriers during their redesigns. But every now and then, they surprise us by putting a few up, too. Whether it's a slatted screen to make a loft feel more like a room of its own or a wall of shrubs that adds a little outdoor coziness, these design pros know that privacy isn't about hiding. It's about enjoying your space in total comfort and with just the right level of seclusion. 

And these stars are sneakily good at it, all while still keeping things stylish. Whether you're looking to add privacy to your backyard without losing the open feel or really just want to create more designated spaces in your house, here's how your favorite home reno celebs keep things a little more tucked away.

Having access to private outdoor space can make or break how much you enjoy your home. On "Fixer to Fabulous" Season 2, Episode 6, the clients didn't have any outdoor space available to them, just an old concrete slab in full view of all the neighbors. As a remedy, the Marrses created a brand new patio area for them. "Alright, so for this little patio, we're going to create a private little oasis back here," Jenny said. "We're going to put a new concrete pad down, and then we'll also give you some sort of privacy with a fence."

To create a similar oasis in your own home, avoid a mistake many make when installing a fence, and first check with your homeowners association about any relevant regulations. Knowing if there are restrictions about the paint colors you can use or the height or materials for your fencing can save you a lot of grief, as you can often be fined if you don't follow them. Next, obtain a survey if your project nears your property line to prevent encroachment on the easement. Once you've covered these bases, hire someone to build a fence or get panels from the lumberyard for DIY installation. You can also try a temporary option like the FOREVER BAMBOO Privacy Screen if you don't want something too permanent.

You may already have a fence, but feel like your yard needs a more natural touch to make things feel more private. On an episode of "Brother vs. Brother," Jonathan Scott suggested a creative solution for this added layer. "I'll continue the modern theme with a black cedar fence, lush hedging to add privacy, and low-maintenance artificial turf and stone pavers," he said of the landscape design, per YouTube. "This backyard will be a true retreat and have buyers dreaming of the life they could have here."

The reason this solution works so well is that fences are typically only allowed to be so high in residential areas. However, there usually aren't any restrictions on how high your plants can grow, as long as they aren't encroaching on your neighbor's property. Plus, some fence designs can be somewhat see-through. Planting a hedge along the inside of the fence adds an extra layer of peace and privacy. As far as the best plant choices go, the top picks depend on things like knowing which USDA growing zone you are in, plus personal preference. That said, both boxwood and privet hedges are popular picks, while camellias tend to still grow well if your backyard is shady. If you need privacy ASAP, consider purchasing an artificial option, like the ODQPIS Boxwood Hedge Wall.

Alison Victoria of "Windy City Rehab" has a unique take on interior window treatments: She doesn't always use them! When showing off her own Las Vegas home in Season 4, Episode 4, she was quick to point out the concept. "The entire perimeter of this backyard, there are going to be huge evergreens that require me to have zero window treatments," she said. "And when you get into the kitchen, it's just all, like, a sea of green." Instead of curtains or blinds, she relies on the dense green foliage to provide her with privacy inside her home.

If you like this idea, or simply want to pair more trees with your existing window treatments, there are a few great trees to plant for privacy, especially if you have a smaller backyard. It's also important to select ones that won't damage your foundation or other parts of your home's structure. Consider the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), or even the Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia). These trees tend to have gorgeous, colorful blooms that make for a nice view. For these to work best, you'll need to plant them fairly close to the windows. A prime planting spot is in the side yard, where you can create a barrier from next-door neighbors. However, Victoria chose to plant the trees along the entire perimeter of her yard for views from all windows.

Front yards don't typically offer too much privacy, but Jasmine Roth offered a unique solution to this issue during Season 1, Episode 10 of "Hidden Potential." She created a custom-built wooden fence with two large sections on hinges that swing in and out, depending on how much coverage the homeowners want at any given time. "The cool thing about this fence is that when you're ready to have some privacy, it closes right up," she said, per YouTube.

Roth emphasizes more than once that this fence is completely custom and she's never built anything like it before. However, those wanting the same privacy could very well recreate it in their own front yard. The wall is only one line. It doesn't enclose the entire yard and is essentially acting like a screen. After clearing such a structure with your HOA, it's time to build. The fence appears to be made of four wooden panels. Two are stationary and fastened firmly into the ground, while the other two (in the middle) swing out on hinges when they are not locked together. You could build the panels out of lumber boards to the height of your choosing, then use TamBee Heavy Duty Gate Hinges to secure the moving panels. For a no-construction option, something like the MUPATER No Dig Wooden Privacy Screen can provide similar results at a smaller scale.

Using landscaping can be a great way to create pockets of privacy within your yard. Perhaps you already have a fence, but have a raised deck that you want protected or a hot tub you don't want exposed. In these cases, plants are a great option. "Design Star" contestant and host of "DanMade," Dan Faires, often uses this trick. "Creating privacy outdoors doesn't mean you need to build walls between you and your neighbors. You can achieve the same feeling using greenery," he shared on YouTube.

Instead of permanent plantings that aren't always feasible near patios, Fairies recommends using planters either on their own or in conjunction with existing privacy fencing. For example, the Worth Garden Stackable Vertical Planters can easily be hung on a wall, balcony, or railing to add both color and coziness to an outdoor area. The ShopLaLa Wall Planter comes in a set of two and includes the wooden paneling if you don't have anything to hang them on already. Plants that will work in a vertical garden include options like bird's nest fern and climbing rose, which are lush and flowing. Fairies also paired greenery with outdoor curtains, like the H.VERSAILTEX Linen Sheer Curtains, to complete the look and help offer a touch more shade in the space. 

Having a loft for an office or family room can be great, but the open-air nature of the space can feel too open for some. As a fix, Joanna Gaines installed wooden panels across the opening to subtly close things off in "Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse". "I love these screens, how simple they are. But, detailed, very detailed," she said on Instagram, showing off her updates to the loft. "I love this little landing, I think it turned out so good." Even though there isn't a proper door, the panels turn what was once just a transitional space into something that feels more complete without the need for a full renovation.

If you want to recreate this look in your own home, there are a few ways to go about it. If you're handy with tools, you can build your own wood slat panels using basic lumber and a simple frame. For a more polished finish, consider hiring a local carpenter who can custom-fit the panels to your space. Not into building? You can also shop pre-made wooden room dividers or screen panels online, many of which are easy to install and come in different colors to match your style. For example, the CrativaArt Lattice Slatted Partition Wall looks similar to the options Gaines' design team custom-built and comes in seven different shades. The Cocosica Extra Wide Privacy Screen is another option if you prefer something freestanding.

Glass front doors can be a nice design touch aesthetically. As they are transparent, they can also let in plenty of light, but along with this light can come a real lack of privacy. Hilary Farr is all too aware of this conundrum. "I knew I wanted a front door that would be an unexpected design with the traditional brick exterior of the house. It must not be too modern. It must look beautiful from the inside and the exterior," she wrote on Instagram, listing off her requirements for her project. "It must let in maximum natural light but give privacy. It must be sturdy." To achieve all of this, she used a textured, frosted glass.

Frosted glass reduces the transparency of a glass door or window. Similarly to how it looks when it's fogged up, the panes become a little blurry, while still letting in plenty of light. If you already have a door with clear glass and don't want to buy an entirely new one, frosting the one you already have is a simple DIY project. After removing the door from its hinges, use an aerosol like the Krylon Glass Frosting Spray Paint to add a semi-transparent layer. You can also use sheets instead, like the Lovepea Frosted Glass Window Privacy Film. These supplies can also be used on any windows around solid front doors for an extra touch of privacy.

Balancing the need for an airy, light-filled room with the desire for privacy can be a constant battle. So, when choosing the best window treatments for your privacy needs, look for the best of both worlds. In Season 3, Episode 6 of "No Demo Reno," Jenn Todryk suggests a great solution when she hangs sheer curtains in her client's home. "I love that this is thin and it lets light in," she said about the material she used. Sheer curtains are a great way to soften a room while still letting in plenty of natural light. They allow you to enjoy the view outside without feeling completely exposed, offering just enough privacy for comfort.

If you'd like a similar look with a bit more flexibility, try layering two panels of sheer curtains in the center with an opaque panel on either side of them. This setup lets you enjoy soft, filtered sunlight during the day while still maintaining your view. Then, in the evening, you can simply draw the heavier panels closed for full privacy and light control. Remember, sheer doesn't have to mean plain white, either. The LAMIT Semi Sheer Linen Curtains come in many different colors, so you can pick the option that best suits your space. Pair them with the LAMIT Privacy Linen Curtains in the color of your choice for a total blackout when desired.

Balancing natural light and privacy is a common design challenge, especially in urban homes or neighborhoods where houses sit close together. On "Good Bones" Season 5, Episode 13, Mina Starsiak Hawk offered a clever solution by placing windows higher than the normal sightline. "We wanted to add these, so you get some more light from the North and South, but you still have some privacy," Starsiak Hawk told her clients. Installing clerestory or transom-style windows (those narrow panes placed high on the wall) is a smart move during a major home renovation, especially if your home faces a busy street or neighbors are close by. You should keep your eyes out for them in new builds as well, or when buying a home.

If construction isn't in the cards, however, you can still borrow this idea in creative, lower-effort ways. Privacy film applied to the lower portions of existing windows can mimic this effect by blocking sightlines while allowing light to pass through the upper areas. You can also hang window treatments, like the Lino Rosa Half Curtains, that cover only the bottom part of your windows. If you want more flexibility, adjustable options like Arlo Blinds' Top-Down, Bottom-Up Cellular Shades allow you to choose what portion of the window you can see through. These small changes help preserve light and privacy with no demo required!