As a landscape designer based in Rotorua, I’ve seen firsthand how much value people place on creating private, personal outdoor spaces. Whether it’s to block out neighbouring windows, muffle the sound of nearby traffic, or simply carve out a quiet spot for morning coffee, designing for privacy is about far more than just building a barrier; it’s about shaping how your outdoor area feels, functions, and flows.
Why Privacy Design Is So Important
Privacy allows you to truly relax in your outdoor space. It can transform an exposed backyard into a peaceful retreat, a visible patio into a sheltered entertaining area, or a bare lawn into a series of hidden garden rooms.
But here’s the thing: privacy doesn’t have to come at the expense of beauty. In fact, when done well, it becomes one of the most attractive features of your landscaping. It helps define purpose-built areas, frames your favourite views, and can even increase your property’s value by creating functional zones people are naturally drawn to.
How We Design Privacy at My Landscapes
At My Landscapes, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. When designing for privacy, we always start with a site visit to understand how your space interacts with your surroundings. Where are the main sightlines? What’s visible from the neighbour’s balcony or the street out front? Where does the sun hit at different times of day?
We consider your lifestyle, too. Are you an entertainer who needs privacy around a deck or patio? Or do you want to shield your spa or outdoor bath for year-round use? Maybe you’re looking for a hidden veggie patch or yoga nook. Once we know how you live in your garden, we can craft bespoke solutions that balance beauty with functionality.
The Role of Plants in Natural Screening
We’re big fans of living screens. Rotorua’s rich volcanic soil and temperate climate support a vast range of screening plants that are as lush as they are practical. Fast-growing natives like Griselinia and Korokia are ideal for creating dense hedges, while bamboo adds a more architectural flair.
But privacy planting is more than choosing the right species, it’s about placement, layering, and long-term planning. We might create a tiered effect with tall hedges at the rear, mid-sized shrubs in front, and soft grasses or flowering perennials near the pathway. This not only blocks views but also adds movement, texture, and seasonal interest.
Structural Screening: When to Build It In
Sometimes, planting alone isn’t enough, especially if you need instant privacy or want a design feature that doubles as a windbreak or backdrop. That’s where structural elements come in. Think custom timber screens, decorative fencing, pergolas, or even louvred panels.
As trusted fence builders in Rotorua, we know how to blend form and function. Rather than installing a standard boundary fence, we design fences and screens to complement your architecture, echo your deck design, or work as a stand-alone statement piece. Horizontal timber slats are perfect for modern homes, while stained vertical boards can soften a rustic garden aesthetic.
What If You Want Privacy Without Losing the View?
This is a common dilemma, especially for homeowners in Rotorua who are lucky enough to back onto native bush or have views of the lake or geothermal landscapes.
In these cases, we might design partial screening. A low fence with climbing plants can block sightlines at eye level while preserving your outlook. We may use open trellises that add definition without closing the space in, or position sculptural planting to interrupt views from certain angles without creating a solid wall.
We also look at where you actually spend time in the garden. For example, if your deck is your main living area, we’ll focus screening efforts there while keeping other areas more open to enhance airflow and natural light.
Combining Hard and Soft Landscaping for Seamless Privacy
Some of the best results come from blending fencing with foliage. For instance, we might install a slatted timber screen and plant climbing jasmine or star clematis to soften the lines. A raised planter box along a fence can also help break up a tall boundary while providing lush greenery at eye level.
These hybrid solutions work especially well in narrow spaces or along shared driveways where privacy is needed but space is limited.
Long-Term Thinking: Privacy That Evolves Over Time
At My Landscapes, we always design with the future in mind. Our approach ensures that your privacy will be maintained as your garden matures, offering you peace of mind and a long-term return on your investment.
Final Thoughts
Designing for privacy is about more than creating separation, it’s about designing spaces you want to spend time in. Whether it’s through layered planting, custom-built fences, or clever positioning of structures, there are countless creative ways to make your outdoor area feel like a true sanctuary.
If you’re looking for fence builders in Rotorua who understand both the practical and aesthetic side of landscape design, you’ve come to the right place. At My Landscapes, we specialise in creating outdoor spaces that not only look stunning but also feel peaceful and fit the way you live.