20 Outdoor Patio Privacy Screen Ideas & DIY Tutorials

DIY Outdoor Privacy Screen Ideas

Do you wish to add privacy to your outdoor patio or porch? Then consider these privacy screen ideas that also add some intrigue and decorative flair. Or maybe you’re just looking to upgrade your patio? Adding a stylish privacy screen into the mix could be an easy DIY project!

There are many design options available. So we’ve gathered these 20 cool & inexpensive DIY ideas to help you choose. Some of them are very easy to do. Some have tutorials, and some are just meant for inspiration. And some of them can even be done with materials you may already have laying in your backyard.

Check them out before you start any renovations to your patio or back porch area. One or two of these easy-to-do tutorials found below may just call out to you.

Here are the screen ideas and tutorials.

1. Build Your Own Modern Wood Privacy Screens

Back Porch DIY Wood Privacy Screens

Want a nice, modern looking privacy screen while still being on a budget? Then this great DIY tutorial it just for you! It offers step by step instructions on how to build your very own back porch wood screens. These easy to construct hanging screens were built from scratch, by hand, using wooden planks, to create a lattice effect. They look great, don’t they?

And for an extra layer of privacy, there are curtains. In the case you want to host a private patio party or just relax in a quiet, you can achieve even more privacy. This is one of our favorite ideas.

2. Hang Lattice Panels

Use lattice panels to make an easy patio privacy screen

If building a screen from scratch sounds like too much work, then using commercially available lattice panels could be a better idea for you. This step-by-step tutorial features some really great hanging lattice privacy screens. You can hang them on one or both sides of your patio or porch. For a small patio, such as one shown above, three screens is enough, but a larger patio may require 4 or 5. The panels look super stylish and will make any outdoor area more discreet, but also more fashionable with this interesting design.

This tutorial tells you about all of the parts that you’d need to collect before executing this great design idea. It’s a relatively simple DIY project that almost anyone could efficiently do.

3. Plant Vines to Climb the Lattice Work

Front porch privacy screen

Look at this beautiful privacy screen shown above. It’s a perfect fit for a brick clad home. It even has a planter box below where you can plant vines to climb the lattice work, to create even more privacy. The detailed DIY tutorial is easy to follow for impressive results. This is a perfect idea for anyone who has a townhouse that is closer to other houses in the neighborhood wanting a little more privacy.

The design uses a standard lattice panel and some additional wood planks that frame it inside the brick columns. It’s easy on the eyes. And the best part is that you can paint the lattice in this privacy screen to match either the brick or the front door.

4. Create Outdoor Privacy with Curtains

Privacy curtains create a patio screen

This DIY tutorial features outdoor curtains that act as privacy screens. This is a pretty cheap design concept that will set you back only about $100 to execute correctly. Of course, you may be able to find cheaper curtains where you live.

This is a really elegant idea that the owners came up with to gain privacy from the house that sits high above. The curtains also add an interesting decor facet to the patio.

5. Use Old Shutters for a Privacy Screen

Old shutters combined into a Privacy Screen

What a great idea – turn your old shutters into a patio privacy screen. This is a great way to get total privacy and being able to refurbish or recycle some old wood items, too. As you can see on the image above, you can paint the shutters to create a truly adorable outdoor patio area.

Don’t have any old shutters laying around in your backyard? No worries. You could probably purchase inexpensive raw wood shutters from an antique store or even a neighbor to execute this design.

6. Use Bifold Door as a Privacy Screen

Bifold door room divider makes a perfect privacy screen

Similarly to the previous shutters idea, you can use a bifold door room divider to make your privacy screen. And this DIY tutorial shows you exactly how a three-panel bifold room divider was turned into a privacy screen. To make it last longer in the outdoors, you could use a metal bifold door with anti-rust finish.

This is a great design idea because it’s a super simple purchase that will really add privacy and some decor element to your patio. It’s also a lot easier on the eyes than just a patio wall since the slats add extra light into the patio.

7. Build a Tin Accent Wall as Privacy Fence

Tin Accent Wall as Privacy Fence

Using a tin accent wall as a privacy fence is a great idea for that backyard that has an industrial-chic flair to it. Dress up your backyard space with an added tin square and interesting accents to add a whole new patio sitting area, on top of adding a layer of privacy.

This is a great idea for homes that don’t have a lot of backyard space, but just enough to create some conversation or sitting areas. Check out the tutorial.

8. Re-purpose Old Louvered Doors into Garden Screen

Old Louvered Doors made into garden screen

Repurpose Old Louvered Doors into garden screen

In this unique DIY tutorial, you will learn how to turn old louvered doors into a repurposed garden screen. This is a great idea for anyone who tries to recycle or refurbish old furnishings when you can.

In this concept, you are adding that essential level of privacy and a whole new design scheme into the outdoor area. This is sure to turn some heads, as the concept is completely modern and chic.

9. Make a Patio Living Wall

Living wall with lattice screens

Do you think a simple lattice screen is boring? So why not build a privacy screen that is also a living wall? Lattice panels are just perfect for it, and this DIY tutorial shows you exactly how to create your very own living wall privacy screen. This is a super cute idea that features plenty of living plants that will not only add extra privacy, but will add some more life to the patio, as well.

This is a more modern concept that helps you add some extra plant life to the patio without taking up too much space. Make sure all plant fixtures are fastened securely, as this tutorial suggests, to prevent damage to any falling plants.

10. Create a DIY Privacy Pergola

Temporary privacy pergola Bali inspired

Build a temporary pergola to create privacy

This adorable little party tent is a pergola, and it’s here to help add some temporary privacy into a patio setting. This DIY tutorial shows you exactly how to execute this adorable tent, which would add an extra chic to that next backyard party you could be planning.

This is a Bali inspired decoration that is easy to do and even more easy to take down. Although this is not a permanent fix to your outdoor area privacy, this would be the perfect setup for last minute event.

11. Use Dollar Store Beach Mats as Privacy Shades

Budget friendly idea - hang beach mats for privacy

This very inexpensive DIY idea features Dollar Store beach mats that add extra privacy and shade to your outdoor area.

The best thing here is that these beach mats won’t cost you more than a dollar, so even if they get damaged by rain or wind, you can always go out and purchase some more.

12. Use Wine Bottles to Build a Privacy Wall

Build a privacy wall with recycled wine bottles

Just because you are adding a wall for more privacy doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Look at these varying colored bottles twinkle in the sunlight.

This is a more artistic way to efficiently construct a privacy wall that only adds more intrigue into the space. Better yet, you can use your own bottles – so start saving them now! Building this maybe cheap but is not easy. You would need to figure out how to drill holes in the glass bottles, and drill a lot of them. So check out this funky DIY Bottle Wall tutorial for any help.

13. Add Stenciled Wood Planks

Lattice Art Privacy Wall

What an awesome idea to spice up your basic lattice privacy fence. Apply stenciled designs to wood boards and then attach boards to the fence.

The creator of this cool and original idea decided to cross the design over two boards, to unify the boards. The result is an artsy privacy wall. See how she did it here.

14. Add a Solid Screen Garden Sign

Create a solid screen with an a garden sign

This is a pretty simple DIY project for a solid screen garden sign that doubles as the perfect privacy wall. Better yet, this will help keep out unwanted pests into the garden such as dogs that can dig up vegetables or rabbits who will gobble everything up.

This is also a more artsy concept since you can add some interesting decor along the fence. Get really crafty and add some chalkboard paint for a little fun. See the tutorial.

15. Use Pallets to Create a Privacy Living Wall

Pallet Privacy Wall

Much like the trellis, this smaller pallet living wall idea features plenty of floral plants to help add some flair into the mix. This would be the ideal setup for an especially small backyard sitting area that needs a little extra privacy.

Better yet, this project can easily be scaled up or down in order to accommodate a larger or smaller backyard space that needs a privacy wall. The flowers are a super cute added touch.

16. Add Flower Pots to a Lattice Privacy Wall

Make a pretty lattice privacy wall with flower pots

This adorable DIY tutorial shows you all the steps in creating your very own privacy wall with flower pots. The latticed wall will give you an extra layer of security, while the potted plants will add some charm into the backyard area.

This would be an especially cute idea for a patio area that is furnished with some outdoor furniture and barbecue pit.

17. Use Old Screen Doors to Create an Outdoor Art Privacy Wall

Build a Secret Outdoor Tea Room with Art Privacy Wall

This super adorable DIY tutorial shows you how to create your very own secrete outdoor tea room. The privacy wall within this idea is full of art, which is charming to look at and even better at protecting your privacy during this tea party.

This is a great idea to try with kids who will be inviting their friends over for parties and sleepovers. This is also a great idea to try with a book club, if you have the space, or even just a cute sitting area.

18. Use Stained Glass to Create a Beautiful Privacy Panel

Stained Glass Privacy Panel for Porch

This stained glass panel is a truly beautiful idea for some extra privacy on a porch setting. The stained glass adds plenty of intrigue and decor into the space without taking too much away from the setup.

This is an interesting way to spruce up the plain backyard sitting area.

19. Use Bamboo Shades to Add Privacy

Bamboo screen creates shade and privacy

Bamboo shades have been around for a really long time because they add some interesting decor and they provide great privacy. In this DIY tutorial, you can learn how to create your very own bamboo shade that will act as a perfect privacy screen.

Bamboo shade panels are also great at reducing noise.

20. Use Interior Room Divider for Outdoors

How to re-use an Interior Room Divider as an Outdoor Privacy Screen

This interior room divider acts as a pretty great outdoor privacy screen. This DIY tutorial gives you all the details on how to create it.

This would be a good concept to try under a covered patio area since most interior room dividers can wither from the elements outside.

About Joe Hats 177 Articles
Joe Hats is the founder of FreshPatio.com. Joe has been remodeling homes since 1997 when he bought his first fixer-upper. He has built many pieces of indoor and outdoor furniture with his own hands and has every DIY woodworking tool in his possession. Coming from an engineering background, he has designed and built many patio fixture plans. Following his wife's lead, he is also very passionate about home decor and together they keep track of the latest trends. When he is not remodeling or trying a new woodworking tool, he is busy gardening or designing a new outdoor plan.