23 Simple DIY Patio Privacy Screens Using Cedar Boards

I noticed last summer that my patio stayed unused most evenings because the open sides made it feel like we were on display to the houses behind us.

Building a few simple screens changed that quickly since they created a boundary without making the area feel boxed in.

Cedar holds up well outside.

The grain and natural tone blend with most backyard setups and the wood ages to a softer shade without much effort.

I would start with a basic frame and vertical boards to check the scale against my seating area before adding more sections around the edges.

Horizontal Cedar Boards For Patio Privacy

Outdoor wooden dining table with woven chairs on patio overlooking ocean at sunset.

Many patios sit right next to a neighbor or open view, so adding a simple screen helps the space feel more private without turning it into a box. Horizontal cedar boards work well because they let in some air and light while still blocking the main sight lines.

This setup suits decks and patios that already have a pergola or overhead structure. You can build the screen to match the height of nearby planters or seating, then place a few large pots in front to soften the edge.

Cedar Slat Screens For Patio Privacy

A patio with a wicker sofa and round table beside a tall wooden slat privacy screen with hanging plants.

Vertical cedar boards spaced evenly on a frame make a simple privacy screen that still lets in light and air. Many people choose this style because it feels lighter than a solid wall while blocking the view from nearby buildings or neighbors.

You can attach the screen to existing posts or build a freestanding version to fit your space. It works best on patios or balconies where you want separation without losing the open feel of the outdoors.

Cedar Lattice Screens For Side Privacy

Rustic wooden patio table with flowers, string lights, and pink cushions at dusk

Cedar lattice panels work well when you want to block a side view without making the patio feel closed in. They let some light and air through while giving the space a clear boundary, which helps on patios that sit right next to a neighboring yard or a busy path.

Place the screens where the seating area needs the most cover, such as along the outer edge or beside a dining table. They suit homes with simple wood siding and work best when kept to one or two sections so the rest of the patio still feels open.

Cedar Board Privacy Screens

An outdoor patio with built-in seating, a fire pit, and a tall wooden privacy screen made of staggered cedar boards on the right side.

One simple way to add privacy to a patio is to put up a cedar board screen right behind the seating area. The wood creates a solid barrier that blocks views from outside while still letting the space feel open and connected to the yard.

You can make a version like this by attaching cedar boards in a staggered pattern to a basic frame. It works especially well on patios that sit close to neighboring homes or fences. Use outdoor-rated cedar and seal it well so the screen lasts through the seasons.

Cedar Boards Create Simple Privacy Screens

Outdoor patio with a wooden daybed against a tall vertical cedar board wall, potted plants, and a large patterned rug on the deck.

Vertical cedar boards give a patio a solid backdrop that blocks the view from outside without feeling closed in. The natural wood tones blend with most outdoor furniture and hold up well in changing weather.

This approach works best along the back edge of a seating area on a deck or patio. Attach the boards to a simple frame or existing posts, space them evenly, and leave the wood unfinished or add a clear sealer for longer life.

Cedar Boards Make Simple Patio Privacy Screens

An outdoor patio with a horizontal cedar board privacy wall, outdoor shower, built-in bench, and stone pavers.

Cedar boards laid flat in horizontal rows create a solid privacy screen that still feels light. The wood holds up well outside and takes on a soft gray tone over time, so it blends with most patio setups without extra staining.

This style works best along the edge of a small yard or next to a seating area where you need to block a neighbor’s view. You can add a bench or planter at the base to make the screen feel more finished and useful.

Horizontal Cedar Screens For Pool Privacy

An outdoor pool area with two striped lounge chairs on a stone patio, enclosed by horizontal cedar wood fencing and potted plants.

Many homeowners turn to horizontal cedar boards when they need privacy around a pool or patio without making the space feel closed in. The boards let air and light through while still blocking the view from outside, and the wood ages to a soft gray that fits right in with outdoor surroundings.

This setup works well on smaller lots or corner properties where you want to keep the area usable but out of sight. Keep the spacing even and stop the screen a foot or two below the top of nearby trees so it blends instead of standing out.

Cedar Boards for Simple Patio Privacy

An outdoor patio enclosed by tall vertical cedar board fences, with a stainless steel outdoor kitchen along one wall and a round table with chairs on a pebble section.

Cedar boards work well when you want to close off a patio without making it feel boxed in. The vertical layout lets air move through while blocking the direct view from nearby buildings and windows. Many people like how the wood ages to a soft gray that blends with the surroundings over time.

This approach fits narrow side yards or small city patios where you need screening on one or two sides only. Set posts first, then attach the boards with small gaps if you want a lighter look or butt them tight for full privacy. Just make sure the boards are rated for outdoor use so they hold up without much upkeep.

Cedar Boards for Patio Privacy

An outdoor patio enclosed by tall vertical cedar wood boards, featuring a round concrete fire pit table with white modern chairs on a paved surface.

Vertical cedar boards give a patio a clean enclosed feel without making the space feel closed in. The even spacing lets air move through while blocking views from the sides, which works especially well when you want a quiet spot to sit outside.

This approach suits small backyards or side patios where you need quick privacy without a heavy structure. Attach the boards to a basic frame and keep the height just above eye level so the screen feels solid but still open at the top.

Herringbone Cedar Privacy Screens

A backyard patio features a wooden bench with cushions, a round table, a stone pathway, and a tall cedar wall with a chevron pattern next to an open wooden gate.

A herringbone pattern made from cedar boards gives a patio wall real presence without looking heavy. The angled layout catches light nicely and turns a simple screen into something that feels more finished than a flat fence.

This approach works well along the back or side of a seating area where you want privacy from neighbors. It suits smaller yards especially, since the pattern adds interest while the wood itself stays warm and natural looking.

Cedar Lattice Trellis for Quick Patio Privacy

A wooden lattice trellis covered in green vines stands beside a balcony seating area with green cushions, a small table, and string lights.

A cedar lattice trellis gives you privacy without making the space feel closed in. The open pattern lets air move through and plants can climb it over time, so the screen softens on its own. It works especially well on balconies or side patios where a solid wall would feel too heavy.

You can build one with basic boards and attach it to an existing rail or post. Keep the spacing wide enough for vines to fill in, and place it where you need the most cover from neighbors. It suits small outdoor spots that still want some openness.

Hang a Woven Screen for Simple Privacy

A patio dining table with bench seating sits in front of a large woven reed privacy screen mounted on a white stucco wall next to a wooden door.

A woven reed or bamboo panel can give a patio quick privacy while still letting in some light and air. It works well when you want to block a view from a neighboring yard or create a bit of separation without building a full wall. The natural texture blends in with wood and stone, so it feels like part of the space instead of an add-on.

Mount the screen inside a simple wood frame and hang it from the house wall or a sturdy post. This approach suits homes with patios that sit right against the exterior. Just make sure the frame is solid enough to handle wind and that the screen is secured at the bottom so it does not flap around.

Cedar Boards For Patio Privacy

Outdoor patio kitchen with wooden privacy fencing, bar counter, grill, bar stools, and overhead structure with string lights.

Cedar boards work well for blocking views without making the space feel boxed in. The wood adds a warm tone that fits with most patio setups and holds up to weather better than many other options.

Place the screens along the edges where neighbors can see in, like behind a seating area or next to an outdoor kitchen. Keep the boards spaced a bit apart so air still moves through and the look stays light rather than heavy.

Cedar Fences With Layered Plantings

A narrow outdoor space shows a tall horizontal cedar fence beside a house, with gravel, gray pavers, rounded shrubs, and a large black pot holding an evergreen tree.

A cedar board fence makes a strong privacy screen because the wood feels natural and holds up well outdoors. Horizontal boards give it a clean look that does not overwhelm the space around it.

Set the fence along the property line and add shrubs in front to soften the base. This works best in narrow side yards or back corners where you need a solid barrier but still want the garden to feel open.

Horizontal Cedar Slats For Patio Privacy

Backyard patio with L-shaped built-in wooden bench seating against a horizontal cedar board fence, string lights overhead, and a pallet coffee table on a rug.

Horizontal cedar boards make a simple and sturdy privacy screen that still feels open. They block the view from outside while letting some air and light through, which keeps the patio from feeling closed in. Many people like this look because the wood ages nicely and pairs with most outdoor furniture.

Build the screen along the back or side of your seating area so the boards line up with the height you need. It works well in smaller yards or on patios that sit close to neighboring houses. Just make sure the posts are set solid so the whole thing stays steady over time.

Cedar Slat Screens For Patio Privacy

Modern patio with pool, wooden pergola, gray lounge chairs, and concrete planters with shrubs

Vertical cedar boards set side by side give a simple way to add privacy along one edge of a patio. The narrow gaps keep the screen from feeling heavy while still cutting off the view from the side.

This approach works best on decks or pool areas that sit close to neighboring yards. Build the panels to match the height you need and set them where the seating gets the most exposure.

Cedar Board Privacy Screens For The Patio

A small backyard patio with a round wooden table and two metal chairs sits on pavers beside concrete steps, enclosed by a tall vertical cedar board fence with lattice panels on top and potted plants along the edges.

A fence built from vertical cedar boards gives the patio a solid sense of privacy without closing the space in too much. The boards run straight up and stop at a lattice top that still lets in some light and air.

This setup works best along the back or side of a small yard where you want to screen off the seating area from neighbors. You can build it in sections, set the posts in the ground, and keep the height around six feet so it feels enclosed but not like a wall.

Cedar Boards Create Simple Patio Privacy

Rooftop patio with gray sectional sofa, wooden table, striped rug, and city skyline

Cedar boards work well for patio privacy because they stand up to weather and give a clean, natural look without a lot of fuss. Horizontal placement keeps the screen feeling solid while still letting a bit of air move through, and the lattice along the top adds height without blocking too much light.

This approach fits rooftops, decks, or side yards where you need quick coverage from nearby buildings. Build the frame first, then attach the boards and lattice in sections so you can adjust the height or add more panels later if needed.

Cedar Boards With Lattice Tops For Privacy

Wooden patio with lattice-top cedar privacy screens, wicker seating, and potted plants on a deck.

Cedar boards work well for patio privacy screens because the lower solid section blocks the view while the lattice top lets in light and air. This mix keeps the space from feeling closed in and helps the wood blend with surrounding trees and fences. Many people like the natural look as the cedar weathers over time.

You can build these screens in sections and place them where you need the most cover, such as along one side of a deck or behind seating. They suit smaller yards or corner patios where a full fence would feel too heavy. Check that the posts are set deep enough to handle wind.

Cedar Boards As Patio Privacy Screens

An outdoor patio with a pool features a large wooden privacy screen with a geometric cutout pattern on the right side of a covered bar area.

A cedar privacy screen with a cutout pattern gives you separation without closing off the space completely. The wood ages well outside, and the open design lets light and air move through while still blocking the view from the side.

This works best along the edge of a patio or deck where you want a bit of enclosure but not a full wall. Keep the pattern simple so it stays easy to cut and build yourself, and place it where evening lights can shine through from behind.

Horizontal Cedar Screens For Patio Privacy

Outdoor patio with dining table and chairs under a wooden pergola, enclosed by horizontal cedar board privacy screens and potted plants.

Many people turn to cedar boards set horizontally when they want privacy screens that still feel open. The boards create a solid barrier without blocking all the light or air, and the natural wood tone blends in with most backyard settings.

This style works best along the sides of a patio or around a dining area where you need to cut off views from the street or neighbors. You can build the screens in separate panels so they are easier to install or move later if your layout changes.

Cedar Boards for Easy Patio Privacy

Modern backyard patio with wooden house, circular fountain, stone path and plants at dusk.

Cedar boards make a solid choice when you want to screen off a patio without building a full fence. They give a clean vertical look that feels natural and blends with most outdoor spaces. Many people like them because they age to a soft gray and need little upkeep once installed.

Set the boards upright on posts to block sight lines from nearby homes or streets. This approach suits small yards or corner patios where you still want some open feel above the screen. Keep the height around six feet so the space stays private but not boxed in.

Cedar Boards For Patio Privacy Screens

A patio seating area with a horizontal cedar board wall behind a wicker sectional sofa, string lights, and wall-mounted planters.

A row of horizontal cedar boards makes a clean and effective privacy screen for a patio. It blocks the view from outside without feeling heavy or closed in, and the natural wood color blends well with most outdoor spaces.

This setup works best along the back or side of a seating area where you need a bit of separation from neighbors or the street. You can add hooks or brackets later for lights and planters if you want, but the boards themselves do most of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep the boards straight when I start screwing them into the frame? A: Clamp a level across the top edge first so you have a guide. Work from one end and check the alignment every few boards.

Q: What if the cedar starts to warp after a couple of months outside? A: Add an extra cross brace in the middle of the panel. This holds the boards flat without much extra work.

Q: Do I need to seal the cut ends of every board? A: Brush sealer on the fresh cuts right after you saw them. It stops moisture from soaking in and splitting the wood later.

Q: How high should the screen sit above the patio floor? A: Leave a small gap at the bottom so water drains and air flows underneath.

Leave a Comment