DIY Outdoor Privacy Screen

by Thrifty and Chic

$100

1 Day

Easy

Our neighborhood is situated on a hill, so we get the pleasantness of having a huge house peering into our backyard. Even if a fence were up, the house is high enough that our neighbors would see right into our backyard. So, after years off feeling a lack of privacy when hanging out on our porch, I finally came up with an idea! A cute little privacy screen that resembles the look of a pergola.

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I didn't want to make this permanent since we'll hopefully be building a pergola in the next year or two. So, for now, I just dug a hole by my patio about 13" deep (calling the gas/power company to make sure there were no lines) and placed the 4x4 in it. I used a level to make sure it was straight. Adding rocks/shims to get it level.

For the curtain rod, I found that using a rod that secured directly into the wood was the best option for high wind situations.

For the curtains themselves, I used drop clothes.

When the curtains are closed, and it's windy, I needed a way for them to stay put. So, I placed grommets on the corners and secured them to the ground with a little "U" pin.

I wish I had done this years ago! The look is perfect for the space, and the privacy is just wonderful.

This is was it looks like closed. I'll probably add some cute pattern to it eventually, but for now it does the job! Another plus? I now have something to hang lights from! To see the full tutorial, visit my blog! http://www.thriftyandchic.com/2015/08/diy-privacy-screen-for-100.html

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3 of 29 questions

Janice on Jan 12, 2019

I love the idea--but won't the pipe rust onto the curtains! Maybe spray paint the pipes? I have a similar situation and this might just work for me, too! Thank you!!

5
Candida on Aug 07, 2019

How was the flooring of this project done... what was used and was it expensive

1
Jennifer Cross McElfresh on Oct 13, 2019

what size are those wood posts? do you put those in first? Then add the pvc pipes for the curtains?

1

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3 of 264 comments

Sandra Jane Evans on Jun 26, 2021

use pvc pipes so easy to work with

2 Reply
CHARLENE on May 22, 2022

Well I wish I found this before I ordered things. However my boyfriend says we have free floating but looks like pergola, but we can never enjoy backyard too much sun. Unfortunately he refused to help so I have literally been doing it all myself. The whole thing needs to be rip out done right so I tried anyway. I wanted to make so kind of pulley system to take down in high wind or bad anything.we are a one story with 2 storey all around. I ordered waterproof covers but this was a start wish I could of finished I need 3 more curtains. The other side had to take down due to 22mh winds but close to this and way more lights. He says im not allowed one not connected to house, not loud color, privacy and so much cooler when all up. Middle needs to be up but get idea right. Here's other side they only had mesh cover over I hated it im outdoor girl. Last summer he decided to paint them and took all boards off to paint never finished. I didn't think they were built right to start. Unfortunately im just gonna have to give up I've already hurt my back more then already was. I do believe it could of been a great deal easier if I had used that wire all around. We are house poor so didn't have alot of $ to put into and 100 degrees that was enough for me. Thank you love yours. Sorry about mess had to spray yard.

1 Reply
- Daf6434169 on Jul 03, 2023
  
  We used outdoor curtains as a windscreen for our covered patio. Got Sunbrella curtains on sale at Macy's with Velcro tabbed tops and hung them on a long (don't have to worry about rust that way and they're easy to remove for washing) expandable curtain rod from Lowe's. Used sticky tape Velcro to join the sections when we want them closed. To solve the problem of blowing curtains we run a chain through the hem and attach to a heavy duty cup hook we screwed at the bottom of the patio posts. When we aren't using the curtain closed we remove the chain and tie the curtains back. So far, so good.
  
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