Having a balcony on your condo residence is a great place to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with a good book or handheld electronic device. Unfortunately, condos in general can sometimes leave much to be desired when it comes to privacy.

If you’re trying to enjoy your balcony and mingle with your family, but notice your neighbors keep watching you and making you uncomfortable, you don’t have to stop enjoying your balcony.

Instead, there are a variety of ways you can help limit the view of your neighbors and provide you and your family with more privacy while you continue to enjoy your outdoor spaces throughout the year.

Curtains and Screens

Having a way to block the neighbor’s line of sight onto your patio can instantly provide you with a greater amount of privacy, shade, and a windbreak as well.

Luckily, there is no shortage of options you can consider that will not only provide the privacy you want, but that will fit into the aesthetics of the area and not look out of place. Here are just a few of the options we love.

  • Outdoor Curtains. These can be hung from the top of your balcony support frame and not only provide instant privacy, but can also help block the sunlight throughout the day.
  • Ivy Screens. These can work as either faux ivy, or you can plant ivy or vining plants that will quickly cover the screen naturally. They provide privacy while also offering shade.
  • Railing Screens. Similar to ivy screens, though these connect to your railing and provide a small amount of privacy on the bottom half of your balcony.
  • Bamboo Walls. Highly decorative and available in all sizes, bamboo walls are great for blocking off parts of the balcony or the entire thing for supreme levels of privacy.

Decorative Options

If you don’t want to block the sunshine and breeze that reaches your balcony, but still want to limit what the neighbors can see, there are a variety of decorative options that you can consider.

While deciding on the perfect decorative option to provide the right amount of privacy might take some trial and error on your part, here are just a few potential options you can consider for your own balcony. These are our favorite options:

  • Potted Plants. Tall potted plants can be an excellent way to block the view of the neighbors. Look for leafy and bushy plants such as palms and shrubs.
  • Adjustable Umbrellas. Either manual or electronic, adjustable umbrellas are a great way to limit the view the neighbors have while also protecting you from UV rays.
  • Hanging Chairs. While not suitable for every balcony, a hanging chair can be a great way to hide your activities on the balcony while also providing a great seating option.
  • Storage Benches. Found in a variety of sizes, high-back storage benches can provide seating, storage, and privacy from nosy neighbors.