14 Garden Screening Ideas: Add Privacy, Style and Function!

Got your eye on some garden screens? Looking for some outdoor inspiration? Jack’s got your back once again with some great garden screening ideas, plus everything else you need to know about these fantastic products.

Garden screens are super practical and versatile. Decorative screens can also be used as art or to add a designer edge. So what are you waiting for? Dig in and get your screen on—the possibilities are blooming endless!

Let’s start with materials. What are your options?

The most popular types of garden screens you can buy are plastic, wood and metal. Which you pick depends on the look you’re going for. Also, think about practical pros and cons, like how much love they’ll need and how long they’ll last.

Here’s a quick run-down for you garden screen greenies:

Whether they’re made from PVC or other materials, plastic is fantastic when it comes to screens because it’s budget-friendly, weatherproof and lightweight. It’s even more fantastic when it’s eco-friendly recycled plastic, like our Jack Matrix charcoal screen range!

Our Matrix screens also come in a fab range of moulded décor designs from tropical to modern abstract, perfect for enhancing your garden theme and adding some style and flair.

Some might say plastic isn’t classy, but with the right product (Jack products, of course!), it can actually look super stylish.

Wood screens, like our classic Screen-Up range, are an awesome choice if you want a warm, natural and neutral appearance.

Merbau, Cedar or Blackbutt are all great options. Just pick the look you love–or go for the one that’s easiest to get hold of and kindest to your wallet! You can also stain or paint wood screens for protection or a pop of colour.

One downside is they do need looking after, but if you love DIY projects, you’ll be all over it. Any excuse to escape outside, right?

If you’re after a more modern or industrial look, metal screens are probably the pick of the bunch.

Metal screens are usually made from steel, aluminium, or iron, and because of this, they can be a bit pricier. However, the upside is that they stand strong against the elements and are pretty maintenance-light.

Check out our Oxy-Shield range, which has a natural earthy patina that only gets better over time! It even comes in a whole range of designs that can pack an architectural punch in any outdoor space.

Standard garden screen sizes range from around 1.2 metres to 2.4 metres in height and 900mm to 1.2 metres in width.

Now you know what types of garden screening you can get, let’s take a look at why they’re so great as a product. Installing garden screens allows you to:

• Block prying eyes – One of the most popular reasons to use garden screens is for privacy. You might not want to be saying hi to Dave and Susan or be goggled at by passersby when you’re enjoying a coffee in your pjs!
• Add some shade – When positioned in the right spot, a garden screen or two can also shield you or your plants from the sun. Add them to your seating or entertaining areas, or so they cast a shadow over shade-loving plants.
• Hide the ugly – Not only can screens stop people looking at you, but they can also shield your eyes from smelly, unsightly bins underneath your house or that less-than-stylish extension the neighbours put in last year.
• Stop the wind – If you live by the coast or in an area that gets a lot of wind, sticking up a garden screen can act as a windbreak, providing you and your plants and vegies with the perfect, easy-to-install protection.
• Be a designer – Garden screens come in lots of different materials, styles and designs, allowing you to add visual interest, texture and architectural allure to any outdoor space. Explore our garden and privacy screen range for inspo!

Versatile, practical and pretty, garden screens really are an outdoor project Swiss army knife.

If you’re keen to install a privacy screen (bye-bye outside world!), make sure you read up on any local council rules and regulations. You don’t want to have to take down screens you’ve already installed. The rules vary between states, but the following are pretty standard:

• Privacy screens can only be 2.5m in height from ground level
• They must be set to a minimum of 900mm from your boundary fence
• If you’re attaching them to a balcony, deck, patio terrace or verandah, they must be a maximum of 5 metres wide and between 1.7m and 2.2m high

Other rules include:

• The cone of vision must not go over 45 degrees. In other words, your privacy screen shouldn’t let people see beyond a 45-degree angle from the screen
• Maximum visual permeability should be no more than 20 per cent
• The screen should not form part of a retaining wall

You might be wondering whether you should install your screens yourself or bring in a screen expert to do it for you. Well, if you’re here because you know Jack, chances are you’ll be keen to give garden screen installation a go yourself!

Even if you’re a newbie to tools and garden projects, our Jack garden and privacy screens—including Matrix, Screen-up, and Oxy-Shield are super easy to install, either freestanding or wall-mounted.

Not only will installing your own garden screens give you that smile-inducing sense of accomplishment, but it will also save you money compared to bringing a specialist in and get you outside enjoying nature and the fresh air!

You might also like: How to build a super easy privacy screen.

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for. Some fabulous and easy-to-DIY garden screening ideas to get your outdoor designer juices flowing!

Add some greenery to garden screens, and voila, you’ve created your very own living wall. Privacy plus gorgeous plants and flowers—perfect! Add some Garden Up planters to our Screen Up screens, or let climbers grow through Matrix lattice!

Because they’re not attached to a wall, freestanding screens are super versatile and easy to lift and shift when you want to mix things up. All of our Jack screens come with freestanding options. A single decorative screen makes a great art piece!

Garden screens aren’t just great out the back. They can also give your home’s façade some instant kerb appeal. Install some designer Matrix or Oxy-Shield décor screens in your front yard. Or use Screen Up panels to hide the bins.

Fence screens are perfect if you’re keen to hide an ugly existing fence. Maybe it’s a drab colour, or the design is too dated, and you want something modern. Whatever the reason, there are some great options to pick from.

Switching out or covering your existing garden gate with a screen is a great way to add privacy and style to your entryway. Choose a decorative product to create a real ‘welcome to my home’ wow factor.

We love a panel screen! In fact, all of our Jack screen ranges are panel by design. Because they’re modular, they’re light, easy to install and the perfect DIY-friendly option. Check out how some of our customers have used them.

Garden sheds aren’t always the most beautiful thing in your backyard. So why not be the sharpest tool in the box and install some visually attractive garden screens alongside it? Screens can also help protect your shed from the elements.

Need some extra-tall garden screening to block nosey neighbours? Pop some Matrix fence extensions on top of your existing boundary fences. They come in a heap of nature-inspired and classic designs, including Rainforest, Sahara, Lattice and more!

As we’ve already mentioned, garden screens don’t have to be put to practical use. They can simply be used as unique outdoor art pieces. Mount a trio of patterned screens alongside your pool, or place one freestanding as a centrepiece.

Some that look awesome include Oxy Shield Rainforest, Galaxy, Leaf and Spiral!

Everyone loves a Japanese garden, so why not give your outdoor spaces some Zen with some décor byōbu-style screens? Use them to create visual barriers, divide spaces, frame views or control light. Opt for natural motifs like flowers and birds.

Natural bamboo stalks are an obvious option and ideal for an organic look. But if you fancy something a bit different, check out the bamboo design screens in our Oxy and Matrix ranges. They’re great for creating a modern tropical or Zen feel.

When it comes to natural garden screens, wood wins! Warm and timeless, it looks fab in any outdoor space. Our Screen-Up range makes natural garden screens easy. Choose treated pine for a lighter look, or spice things up with red/brown Merbau.

Do you dig the modern look? If so, up the ante with some modern garden screens. All of our screen ranges are contemporary, but the abstract designs in our Matrix screen and Oxy-Shield screen range will turn your outdoor spaces into an art gallery.

Do you have a shady spot where plants go to die? This area could be the perfect place to install a screen and add some artificial greenery! Some good options for the base would be Screen Up or our Matrix Lattice.

Now you know everything you need to know about garden screens and have plenty of garden screening ideas to get started; it’s time to install! Simply head to your nearest local supplier to pick up your Jack garden and privacy screen products.

Are your garden screen installations ‘leafing’ your friends and family green with envy? Why not share them on socials and tag @meetdiyjack? Your impressive screen handy work might even end up on our site or in our posts!