Your high-end landscape in Denver should be a quiet, relaxing retreat — a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors in comfort. But sometimes, intense sunlight and a lack of privacy can get in the way of making your outdoor space truly enjoyable.
The good news? With a few thoughtful additions like pergolas, trees, and screens, you can create a backyard that’s both shady and secluded. In the following blog, we’ll get into how you can transform your outdoor space into the ideal relaxation spot.
The Benefits of Shade and Privacy in Your Backyard
Shade keeps your backyard cool on hot days and protects you from harmful UV rays, which are stronger in Denver due to the higher altitude. Summer activities like grilling, swimming, or tossing a football around are a lot more enjoyable when the sun isn’t bearing down on you.
Privacy is the other benefit of having shade in your backyard. Whether you have neighbors immediately next door or a bit further away from your property, having some cover can give you a sense of privacy and help you relax as you spend time with family and friends.
Planting Trees for Natural Shade and Privacy
You can’t go wrong with a classic. Nothing beats the beauty and practicality of trees in the backyard; they provide a ton of shade, cool the area, attract birds, and make a soothing sound when the wind rustles the leaves. These living barriers will obscure your outdoor space easily, though growing a tree large enough to enhance the privacy of your backyard is easier said than done.
If you move into a home that lacks canopy coverage or if the trees in your backyard are too short, you’ll want to plant fast-growing trees like evergreens, maples, or cottonwoods. Evergreens — e.g., pine, juniper, and spruce — are great for year-round privacy since they don’t shed all their leaves in the fall or winter. Deciduous trees, meaning trees that lose their leaves in the fall or winter, are preferred for shade since they tend to cover a wider area. However, they’re not very helpful during the cold months. Regardless of which trees are growing in your backyard, it’s important to water and prune trees regularly to ensure they’re healthy and ready to offer shade and privacy when needed.
Using Pergolas for Shade and Privacy
Pergolas are a stylish and creative way to add shade to your outdoor space. These hardscaping structures, which are often made from wood or metal, are versatile in both look and functionality. Pergolas have slats on top that allow for partial sunlight, offering a good balance of shade and sunlight — more expensive pergolas have adjustable slats called louvers for controlling the amount of sunlight that passes through. Or, you could encourage the growth of climbing plants like wisteria or grapevines to cover the gaps in between slats for more shade.
While pergolas keep out sunlight from above, they’re still exposed on all four sides to sunlight and prying eyes. You have options, though. Pergolas can be enhanced with curtains or even a built-in screen to add an extra layer of privacy.
Installing Privacy Screens and Fencing
When privacy is more of a concern than shade, go with privacy screens. These outdoor screens come in a variety of materials and designs, improving the aesthetics of your landscape in addition to enhanced privacy.
Consider options such as metal screens for a modern touch, or go with a wooden slat privacy screen for a natural look. A wooden lattice privacy screen is also a good idea if you want it to double as a trellis for climbing plants. On that note, living walls and vertical planters are other ways to enhance the natural beauty of your landscape while making it more private. In addition to offering privacy, privacy walls can also provide a bit of shade if positioned strategically.
Incorporating Gazebos for Versatility
Gazebos are freestanding structures for dining, relaxing, or hosting gatherings. With a solid roof, gazebos do a great job of keeping the sun out — and, during those april showers, the rain as well. They’re ideal for creating a cool retreat during the hottest parts of the day.
While they offer plenty of shade, gazebos aren’t known for their privacy. These structures are exposed on all sides, so if privacy is a concern, consider enhancing the gazebo with curtains, blinds, or privacy screens.
From rustic wooden designs to sleek metal frames, gazebos come in a variety of styles and materials that allow you to customize them to fit the overall aesthetic of your landscape. Whether you place the gazebo in the center of your landscape or tuck it in a quiet corner away from the main house, a gazebo is a functional and stylish addition to any backyard.
Combining Elements for Maximum Effect
Each element mentioned above brings something different to the table. Combining them can increase the effectiveness of each, resulting in a landscape that offers the right amount of shade and privacy. For instance, you can pair a pergola with a privacy screen on the side facing the nearest neighbor. Adding trees and shrubs throughout your backyard will enhance hardscaping elements like pergolas and gazebos.
Don’t forget to include complementary features like outdoor furniture, string lights, or stone pathways to complete the look. By combining shade and privacy features, you can design a backyard that’s tailored to your lifestyle and perfectly suited to your needs.
Create Your Backyard Retreat
With a little planning and the right elements, you can turn your backyard into a shady and private oasis. Pergolas, trees, and privacy screens not only add comfort and functionality but also elevate the overall look and feel of your outdoor space.
Ready to start your backyard makeover? Reach out to a professional landscaping company like C&H Landscaping to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re looking for shade, privacy, or both, our team can help you design a landscape you’ll love spending time in. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
