By Dave and Mary

A Privacy Porch Offers Relaxation

A privacy porch is ideal for relaxing in comfort or for hiding unpleasant features from view. Porches are also great for entertaining, but what if you want a little time to yourself?

A privacy porch can do just that - give you a relaxing nook to spend some quiet time.

In this day and age, hustle and bustle have become our middle name leaving very little time for pure relaxation.

Or perhaps you need to hide your neighbors old car or unkempt lawn from your view. Our front porch ideas will give you plenty of options.


Privacy porch with lattice, climbing vines, and tree
Climbing foliage on lattice panel and landscaping provide lots of privacy
A privacy porch can be just a little area of your porch that is hidden from view - when you can enjoy a good book or sit with your sweetie. It doesn't even have to be on the ground level.


Privacy porch using lattice and landscaping
A combination of lattice and foliage create privacy on this porch
To create a sense of privacy, Janisse uses lattice panels on her front porch. She plants mandevilla vines to wrap around the lattice in the summer, which she says, creates a colorful touch of red on her porch. We like Janisse's idea for creating a cozy hideaway on her front porch.


Privacy porch with lattice on side of porch


Create a privacy porch, or a sense of privacy, with vinyl lattice.

Leave as is or cover with vines for additional seclusion. You could easily cover your privacy screens with vines to add both color and more privacy.


very lovely lattice privacy screen on end of front porch
Curb appealing lattice panel offers lots of privacy



Porch with privacy panel
Simple privacy made possible with a framed lattice panel
The panel fills the space between the balustrade and porch columns. Since the homes are rather close in this neighborhood, this privacy panel makes this porch that much more inviting yet still allows for filtered light.

Did you notice the blue porch ceiling in the porch above? There are reasons homeowners like blue porch ceilings.


porch with privacy panel
How the attractive privacy panel looks from the other side of the porch



we will especially enjoy our privacy panels when dining on our back porch
See how we created these privacy panels to create our own privacy porch


Make It Your Private Space

Privacy porch using hanging lattice panel in simple checked design
We love the simple latticework hanging from one end to create a feeling of privacy



How Do You Use Your Porch or Patio Area?

Give it some thought.
  • Is it reading good books or writing a best selling novel? Then a comfortable chair is ideal. And how about a small table to hold your glass of iced tea and snack?
  • Is it surfing the net? Then a comfortable chair is again ideal and maybe a small table for your laptop.
  • Is it to spend time with your sweetie? Then you don't need much but a porch swing or a couple rockers. A little relaxing mood music is great. How about lighting a few candles?
  • Is it a place to take a good nap? Well, a lounging chair or porch swing is what you'll want. Maybe a few soft pillows and a CD playing relaxation music. If it's chilly, a small lightweight blanket comes in handy.
  • Is it viewing wildlife or working on a favorite hobby? Have some binoculars handy and your favorite bird book or tree identification book.



How to Create a Privacy Porch

Privacy porch using a framed lattice panel
Hanging decorative lattice panel at one end creates privacy
  • If your porch is large enough, create a nook for yourself at one end.
  • One of the easiest ways to create a privacy porch is by using shades or blinds. Exterior porch blinds can not only protect your privacy while allowing you to see through them, they also block wind, rain, and the sun (solar shades).
  • You can use furniture settings to define the space for a private porch.
  • Or use partitions or custom lattice panels (we like the one below) or screen panels work great for that.

    Acurio Privacy Panel Example
    Privacy panel by Acurio Latticeworks
    • Make your own lattice privacy panels. It's an easy DIY project!

  • Or go to your local salvage yard and find two or three old screen doors. You can repair and paint as necessary, hinge them together, and voila! - you have a neat porch divider that probably fits your decor really well.


Why Vinyl Lattice Panels Are
Great for Privacy

back porch with vinyl lattice panels for privacy


We've rounded up some tremendous advantages of using vinyl lattice panels to create welcome privacy on your porch, home and beyond.
  • Aesthetics: Looking for a touch of charm and elegance in your outdoor setting? Vinyl lattice comes in many tasteful designs and styles to complement your home and landscaping. In fact, some manufacturers let you custom design your own decorative patterns so you can infuse your personality and interest.
  • Partial Privacy Plus Airflow: In contrast to solid privacy fences, with lattice panels you get (what we call) "gentle" privacy that includes refreshing airflow and much-needed ventilation. You still have a partial view and can feel the fresh breezes flowing through the holes of the lattice.
  • Sunlight Filtration: Lattice panels cast beautiful patterns of light and shadow, creating a dappled effect when the sun shines through. No need to feel closed off or too dark on your porch, rather you can enjoy the soft qualities these panels bring to your porch.
  • Budget Friendly: Vinyl lattice panels are often more cost effective than solid privacy fences which is just another reason to consider them for your privacy needs.
  • Versatility: Lattice panels are quite versatile and can be used in countless applications. For example, beyond using them as stand-alone privacy screens, you can attach them to existing fences or pergolas.
  • Easy to Install and Replace: Installing vinyl lattice panels is often an easy DIY project and if you decide to change the design or need to replace a damaged panel, it's doable.
  • Plant Support: Lattice panels are naturally adaptable for climbing plants, like ivy, clematis or roses. Now you've not only heightened the beauty of your outdoor space but also added a natural barrier.
  • Lightweight: Because vinyl lattice panels are relatively lightweight compared to solid privacy fences, they are easy to handle during installation and maintenance.
We have vinyl lattice panels on our own porch and the simple privacy they create makes for a great place to enjoy good times on our back porch.


A Privacy Porch Idea from The Porch Company

The Porch Company designs and builds custom porches and offers ways to create privacy on a porch. Below, this custom designed porch uses aethetically pleasing shutters to not only add privacy but also lots of appeal.

shutters on custom built porch
Porch Privacy Shutters by The Porch Company
To minimize the sun for one of their customers, The Porch Company used shutters on tracks that can then be easily moved along the side of the porch to reduce the light. You could use the same idea for privacy as well. See how they did it.


solar shades 2
Sliding Porch Privacy Shutters by The Porch Company



Use Plants to Create Privacy

Create Vertical Separation with Climbing Plants

Create a vertical separation using climbing plants on a trellis to make a privacy porch. Here's how do it:
    create privacy with this planter
  • Determine the amount of space you have available for a privacy porch area and select a trellis planter like the one shown here (complements of Plow And Hearth Remember to allow for maneuverability around your planter while still maintaining the privacy you'd like.
  • Determine whether you want this to be permanent (perennial) or seasonal (annuals). Consider how long it takes to grow the plants and if you want privacy during the winter months as well.
  • An advantage with annuals is that colors are more bright and prominent than with many perennials. Also, your colors will be different every year. Use annual vines along with perennials to get started.


Annual Vine Suggestions

  • Some varieties of squash and cucumbers will climb up a trellis (if you coax them a little). English ivy is another easy one to get going.
  • Black-eyed Susan has white, yellow or orange flowers. It liked light shade and moist soil. Grows to about 7 feet tall.
  • Sweet peas can grow from 2 to 7 feet in sunny locations. We had a sweet pea plant for quite a few years. You can save the large seeds from season to season and plant the next year. The flowers come in many colors - pink, lavender, purple. They like good rich soil.
  • Morning glories are some of my favorite! They have wonderful blue flowers. You can also get varieties with pink or magenta flowers. Like their name, they are open in the morning and close by evening. They like full sun and do well in poor soil. They can grow up to 15 feet tall.
  • Cardinal Climber is a beautiful annual vine that hummingbirds love. They have red trumpet-shaped flowers.


Perennial Vine Suggestions

  • Campsis has orange red trumpet-shaped flowers. Like the Cardinal Climber, they attract hummingbirds.
  • Clematis comes in many varieties. We love these, too. They are large-flowering vines with very showy flowers in white, blue, purple. Some will bloom much of the summer and others bloom for just a week or two. Ask when you purchase them.

    We once had a clematis that had a bazillion small white flowers but only bloomed for a couple weeks in August. As lovely as it was, we sure wished it would have bloomed longer.
  • Moon flowers are fragrant and flowering. They are nocturnal - their large flowers open at night and close during the day.
  • Virginia creeper is a perennial vine that has dark green leaves. It is grown for its beautiful foliage that turns beautiful shades of crimson and orange in the fall.


Use vines to create your very own privacy area or to conceal otherwise offensive line-of-sight objects.

See our Porch Landscaping Directory for more great ideas using plants and landscaping for your porch.

Create Privacy with Natural Landscaping

Front porch that is private with colorful trees
The right landscaping can magically seclude your porch from the everyday world
Depending on your yard, the following landscaping ideas to create your privacy porch with a natural barrier ...
  • Thuja Green Giant (great for colder climates) or Emerald green thuja evergreen(really fast growing)
  • American holly or Nelly Stevens holy and Wichita Blue Juniper are all great hedges for privacy.
  • For small areas or for a more formal look use sapphire cyprus, eucalyptus tree, or skyrocket juniper
  • Grow vines like wisteria over lattice panels. Use treated wood. Take care with vines on your home as clinging vines can actually cause damage to brick and other materials.
  • Other vine options are: Virginia Creeper, Trumpet Vine, Bittersweet, Climbing Snapdragon, Morning Glory, and Clematis.
  • If you have a knee wall use shutters or blinds to cordon off your private space!


The best thing about a privacy porch or private porch area is that you can outfit it just the way you want. Not only consider comfort but pamper yourself as well.

One More Thing for You

We Have Porch Trellis Ideas for You

trellis planter for privacy on front porch

If you want privacy on your porch, get inspiration from these porch trellis pictures. And we have more ideas below to explore. We appreciate you visiting us here.




Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.

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Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.
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At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
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All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.

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