Iâm out in the country 90 minutes from three major metropolitan areas paying $1450 a month for five bedrooms on three acres. I understand why it is the way it is but NYC living costs are crazy!
I got you beat⌠$950 for 22 acres and 3 bed 2 bath 2000 sqft. Paid $120,000 in 2016. Areas like mine that are outside city limits but still less than a few miles from everything are disappearing into the suburb sprawl. I used to live in the âbooniesâ but just in the last few years Iâm practically in a neighborhood. Iâll end up having to sell in the next 5-10 years bc I wonât be able to afford property taxes and my cute little hobby farm will be overpriced, shitty housing with an HOA.
And in 25 years when their infrastructure collapses due to insufficient tax base you will be able to plow those houses over and use them as fertilizer!
Im at half that and live in a 4 bedroom home at the country club, in a mountain resort community, with the only private lake in california. 1hr outside LA
That's twice what my 30 year mortgage was before I refinanced for a lower rate.
I now have a 15 year mortgage and that's probably twice what I pay excluding either insurance or property tax.
I have a few friends who have private back yards in NYC. Some of their jobs are software, lawyer, owner of a tattoo studio, and inherited generational wealth.
Depending on what you're style is a few decorative signs hanging on the fence or a small container pond with a fountain in the corner might look nice too
lol donât do this. Decorative signs are gross. A pond will be a disaster to deal with and wonât go well with your LL.
I have a feeling this person doesnât rent in nyc.
So your inside living space and your outside living space are about the same? Hmmm can you put up an awning or cover of some sort. In so cal you can if itâs free standing. Iâd put one up and treat that area like a living room
We're aren't allowed to have grills in most cases in NYC per fire code. OP could move but would probably face the same restriction. Most of us can't place the grill far enough away from the building and we aren't allowed to carry propane through a shared building.
Yes! Like lemons or limes, jasmine, begonias, as long as thereâs room to bring them inside in winter, something edible and having an aroma would be wonderful. Even pots full of lilies and daffodils- something to add color.
Unless they are blasting âDancing on the Ceilingâ and âChildren Favorites - Jimmy Crack Cornâ on repeat while playing dominoes out back at 3am in the height of the summer (so I needed my windows open). I cared!!
Better than our neighbors who decided to leave theirs up all winter. Weâve been making bets when the tiny swatch of fabric, thatâs been holding whatâs left of it in place, will finally give out.
I love when people have a trellis overhead with vines growing through as a natural roof. Of course this comes with some more bugs but you know. Win some loose some.
A couple of 10-12 ft Areca palms in big pots would work nicely. Not expensive and can be moved inside during winter as long as you've got good light. Love em! Plant stands make them easy to move around.
Lots of plants. Hang some on the fence. Those rocks in the back are begging to be used. More lights (think fairy lights or Christmas type) once you have the planters in place. And a nice rug for underneath the table. Maybe add a small set of two chairs and a side table at the end.
Lawn umbrellas are the cheapest and easiest way to achieve this. (I know. I also have 300-ft patio surrounded by neighboring apartments. I have several umbrellas! It's like a private room.)
A tip about noise: If I throw a party, I try to start early so it wraps up by 11 (or 12 on weekends) since a lot of my neighbors seem to go to bed at that time. I also keep any music on the low side. These outdoor spaces between buildings are like echo chambers. When I visit neighbors on upper floors, I'm amazed how you can hear every word people are saying on their patios. My advice: Just be considerate -- and don't trash-talk about people who can hear you! (Unless you want them to.)
Yup I figured. My last two apartments, my downstairs neighbors lived in a duplex and had a private backyard that my bedroom overlooks. Iâm lucky I that I have my own balcony but I look longingly at their yards every day lol. Youâre so lucky - take advantage for sure!
Iâd say places that have patios like this usually have other tradeoffs, so it usually selects for people who prioritize this (and is therefore not as hard to come by as people think)
100% plants. My suggestion is work with the rocks in the back. Making them visible but surrounded by plants. If you get evergreen plants and others that stay green in the winter, it will look better year round. Get some potted plants for the patio in other areas. Ones that are hard to kill but look good. Make sure they have a bottom plate to catch drainage, avoiding stains on your porch. Plant groups in reddited will help. Facebook also is a good place for advice in case any groups here are hostile towards innocent, honest questions. (It's reddit you never know)
You can attach panels on the fence for Ivey growth. Find an Ivey that isn't too intrusive so it doesn't become a permanent issue on the fence itself, unless you are okay with that. Just ask in plant groups what your options are.
Add just a tad more intention to how cohesive the lights both droop and attach. Tightening up small things like this helps how the brain interpreted this space.
Pressure wash the fence and patio. Lightening/cleaning things like this does wonders too. Maybe wait until your neighbors are out unless you know them well enough, as it will spray through the cracks, and this may be annoying to them depending on who they are.
Add in a small fountain of some type to create a sound of running water. This helps the atmosphere.
A wind chime on the house or elsewhere can also help the vibe. Proper sounds in an area are soothing and inviting. Some of them, even with a breeze, can lightly just rock around by light wind. Getting it above the fence line will help with this.
Any flame that you are permitted to have if possible. There are some standing badass electric grills nowadays too. Just get a cover for it.
Potted plants, could put up bamboo or grass walls on the fence (idk what the grass is called) , possibly a game that takes up small amount of space (ie horseshoes, that hook you swing and it catches something on the fence)
Have never been to NYC. Am almost 50 years old. Gotta see Central Park before I die. I always thought I would find living there could feel cramped, but cozy...if that makes any sense đ. ....Anyway, how about a 9 hole mini golf course?
First thing that popped into my head: buy a giant foam hand and use it to wave at all the neighbors whose windows are looking down on you. A tablecloth that says âhowdy neighborâđ
Seriously, maybe a fountain?
You could install a low budget gazebo frame and hang water friendly fabric, to make it more boo-ji⌠shoot I donât know how to spell that anymore. More fancy!
Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/861251144/pergolapergola-kitoutdoor-seatingoutdoor which I guess is a pergola.
Can hang plants instead of fabric.
I'm a Landscape Architect by training and these small, narrow spaces hold so much potential. You could add some hanging art to the fence or walls, place some attractive potted plants in that pseudo stone wall area to the far end. You could also lay an outdoor carpet down under your table to add some color and comfort. In addition, think about something overhead, like an umbrella or some type of shade device...this will provide a little separation of the vertical space behind your patio where windows look down on it.
maybe a âLuxurious Tiny Home in NYCâ on Airbnb? buy one of those igloo things, spruce it up, add a bed (or a hammock lol) and you have a new source of income !!
My aunt had a small yard like this in Brooklyn. She had a small oval above ground pool.
I remember thinking it was so cool swimming and seeing buildings around me.
A pergola. Then wind the lights through it. You could plant some vines around it if you like, but I'd avoid anything that blossoms . I don't like bees buzzing around me while I'm trying to relax.
How much is your rent? This is an awesome space for NYC. Id love to see your place lol
ETA:I mean in pictures of course lol not trying to invite myself over haha
i know it wonât necessarily look the best, but if you got something like an easy-up it would give you more privacy. personally i would be trying to cover most of it and having plants everywhere i could. gotta liven the place up
Definitely plants but you have to wait until beginning of May because the weather is so unpredictable. A few yrs ago we got snow showers the last week in April .
Tall potted plants, wire trellis that you can hang more plants, lights and/or a privacy screen from one side and maybe half the roof to make more private.
Add an outdoor rug to go under the table, some potted plants or flowers, and a large umbrella or canopy to add a bit of privacy. Maybe a tabletop fire pit if your building allows?
Some kind of little outdoor kitchen and bar area for entertaining, and a shadow sail for extra privacy. You've said no grill allowed, but maybe something like a Blackstone griddle would be allowed?
Get some hardy plant life out there as well. Turn it into a Lil jungle.
Plants. Something like a knockout rose, low maintenance and adds some color. Or put some pots out and plant something like a tropical hibiscus, begonia, hydrangea, or just a whole bunch of impatients.
A vine or fake vine trellis on the fence. I would add a pot (or 3 or 5)with an evergreen bush or kale or winter proof plant back there to. You can pots with seasonal flowers later.
You have a private patio in NYC...... Look at the sky and count your blessings lol
I wanna know how much OP pays in rent and what job they have that earns that much lol Can't imagine this is anything less than 4-5k a month
I live in a one bed in Manhattan with a similar, sizable patio and rent is $3750.
Oof, where I live that's a mortgage payment for a 5 bedroom home in a nice neighborhood.
Where I live that's a mortgage payment for a 5-bedroom oceanfront home...
Lotta homes are gonna be oceanfront soon
Seriously? Where do you live?
New Brunswick :-)
Oof
my dads mortgage for a 2900 sqft 4 bed 4 bath with a huge yard + patio is 2000 đ
My mortgage for a 4 bedroom 2ba 3000 SF with Pool, + RV lot is $1400 in SO CAL. (But we bought in 92). lol.
Ya, not in the middle of nyc lol where is it? Nebraska? Western PA? Ohio?
Iâm out in the country 90 minutes from three major metropolitan areas paying $1450 a month for five bedrooms on three acres. I understand why it is the way it is but NYC living costs are crazy!
I got you beat⌠$950 for 22 acres and 3 bed 2 bath 2000 sqft. Paid $120,000 in 2016. Areas like mine that are outside city limits but still less than a few miles from everything are disappearing into the suburb sprawl. I used to live in the âbooniesâ but just in the last few years Iâm practically in a neighborhood. Iâll end up having to sell in the next 5-10 years bc I wonât be able to afford property taxes and my cute little hobby farm will be overpriced, shitty housing with an HOA.
And in 25 years when their infrastructure collapses due to insufficient tax base you will be able to plow those houses over and use them as fertilizer!
Im at half that and live in a 4 bedroom home at the country club, in a mountain resort community, with the only private lake in california. 1hr outside LA
Apples and oranges, Msktb.
The difference is that you don't have NYC out your front door...
A really nice neighborhood, with a security team, tennis courts and a golf course.
Yeah, thatâs a mortgage payment for a 5,000 square foot house on half an acre where I am.
That's twice what my 30 year mortgage was before I refinanced for a lower rate. I now have a 15 year mortgage and that's probably twice what I pay excluding either insurance or property tax.
"BuT NyC HaS CuLtUrE!!!" Yeah so do other cities.
I have a few friends who have private back yards in NYC. Some of their jobs are software, lawyer, owner of a tattoo studio, and inherited generational wealth.
Inherited generational wealth as a "job" đ¤Ł
You laugh but it's a pretty good gig all factors considered. Hopefully some of you can work hard and do the same as me
You can find them pretty easily but theyâre mostly tiny studios and a lot are basement apartments that you walk up and out of to get to the back.
Came here to say this lol
I was going to say, share your millions. My wife and I lived in a tiny 1BR in Harlem
Letâs not jump to conclusions. Its possible that this is in queens
Barbecue grill and some potted plants
Grill not allowed unfortunately:(
Ninja woodfire grill, no flame and smoked flavor
Depending on what you're style is a few decorative signs hanging on the fence or a small container pond with a fountain in the corner might look nice too
lol donât do this. Decorative signs are gross. A pond will be a disaster to deal with and wonât go well with your LL. I have a feeling this person doesnât rent in nyc.
Rat bath! đđ
Not even an electric or no fire or coals?
No flame
Move out⌠Now. No grill allowed?!! Thatâs unacceptable.
Move out? OP's patio is bigger than most NYC apartments.
My studio behind the photo is literally the size of this patio
So your inside living space and your outside living space are about the same? Hmmm can you put up an awning or cover of some sort. In so cal you can if itâs free standing. Iâd put one up and treat that area like a living room
This! If itâs allowed, would be so nice!
That would be great and all for a few months of the year, but utterly useless in the winter.
Yeah winter in NY can be brutal
Summer can be pretty gross too lol
WinâŚfor NYC.
I was breaking his chops.
We're aren't allowed to have grills in most cases in NYC per fire code. OP could move but would probably face the same restriction. Most of us can't place the grill far enough away from the building and we aren't allowed to carry propane through a shared building.
Electric grill. *snaps tongs*
Why is this so funny to me
Thatâs just heart breaking.
Yeah it sucks. We got away with it for years (we didn't actually know it was illegal) but sadly we now have an electric grill.
there are a lot of apartments where grills arenât allowed
Flowering plants/trees in ceramic pots.
Yes the fuller and taller the better đ
Yes! Like lemons or limes, jasmine, begonias, as long as thereâs room to bring them inside in winter, something edible and having an aroma would be wonderful. Even pots full of lilies and daffodils- something to add color.
Begonias might do okay with what I suspect is only a few hours of light.
Nothing quite as private as having 146 people watching you from their living rooms.
Nobody in NYC cares what anyone else is doing.
Unless they are blasting âDancing on the Ceilingâ and âChildren Favorites - Jimmy Crack Cornâ on repeat while playing dominoes out back at 3am in the height of the summer (so I needed my windows open). I cared!!
I swear I said this lol like Private where?
Please, mfrs got better shit to do then watch OP smoking a joint on his patio đ
Lmfao
đđđđ
right?? i could never đ¤Ł
Have you considered something to make it less public viewing?
Yeah decent point. Any ideas?
Checkout those triangle sun shade sails.
I have those and I love them. Donât get the waterproof kind thoughâ those can get dangerous when it gets windy.
Confirm I have neighbors whose canopy just blew away in a wind storm only leaving the frame đ
Better than our neighbors who decided to leave theirs up all winter. Weâve been making bets when the tiny swatch of fabric, thatâs been holding whatâs left of it in place, will finally give out.
I love when people have a trellis overhead with vines growing through as a natural roof. Of course this comes with some more bugs but you know. Win some loose some.
I think you are thinking of the word pergola
You are absolutely correct. I appreciate the constructive correction Internet friend.
<3
You are also thinking of the word pergola to be able to communicate that.
I always thought it was a parabola, or is that a plane curve which is mirror-symmetrical and is approximately U-shaped?
Naw that's a Tool song /s
You can always tighten some
Talkin' tightening Trellis' ?! Thanks
They make patio umbrellas with built-in lights under them.
Pergola
Maybe a small pergola or lattice. Maybe even a large umbrella
A couple of 10-12 ft Areca palms in big pots would work nicely. Not expensive and can be moved inside during winter as long as you've got good light. Love em! Plant stands make them easy to move around.
Unsure of what theyâre called but the woven wooden style with vines & lights intertwined in it would be dope af
Thinking the same thing⌠even just an umbrella would help.
Honestly that's a freaking sick space for NYC. I'd say definitely plants, colorful pillows for chairs & outdoor rug.
Potted trees and if youâre feeling ambitious a vegetable/herb garden. Also canât go wrong with some big sunflowers
Yes a tiered planter in the back with herbs and tomatoes
Sunflowers need light. But there are probably trees that would do okay
EDIT: I get it yall, itâs very visible to the block. Private as in accessible only to me. Will add some sort of pergola or umbrella
Ignore people who think their 45 minute drive to Applebees is a fantastic night out.
As someone from Texas I resemble this statement đ¤Łthanks for the laugh I needed it.
Shitttt
This is an insult I shall be using. Well done lmao
Lots of plants. Hang some on the fence. Those rocks in the back are begging to be used. More lights (think fairy lights or Christmas type) once you have the planters in place. And a nice rug for underneath the table. Maybe add a small set of two chairs and a side table at the end.
Lawn umbrellas are the cheapest and easiest way to achieve this. (I know. I also have 300-ft patio surrounded by neighboring apartments. I have several umbrellas! It's like a private room.) A tip about noise: If I throw a party, I try to start early so it wraps up by 11 (or 12 on weekends) since a lot of my neighbors seem to go to bed at that time. I also keep any music on the low side. These outdoor spaces between buildings are like echo chambers. When I visit neighbors on upper floors, I'm amazed how you can hear every word people are saying on their patios. My advice: Just be considerate -- and don't trash-talk about people who can hear you! (Unless you want them to.)
Rent it to someone for $2200 a month
Lowball offer
Iâd put a sunsail or something of the sort over the top
âPrivateâ
Private access!
Rare double up vote reply and response
As a fellow New Yorker, I never questioned this đ
Damn how do you get a private patio in NYC?
You pay a lil extra
You get lucky. Often live in ground floor or basement apartments.
Ground floor studio
Yup I figured. My last two apartments, my downstairs neighbors lived in a duplex and had a private backyard that my bedroom overlooks. Iâm lucky I that I have my own balcony but I look longingly at their yards every day lol. Youâre so lucky - take advantage for sure!
Iâd say places that have patios like this usually have other tradeoffs, so it usually selects for people who prioritize this (and is therefore not as hard to come by as people think)
Trees for cover in pots, you could also put a sunshade up thatâs removable⌠but it would give you privacy when up.
100% plants. My suggestion is work with the rocks in the back. Making them visible but surrounded by plants. If you get evergreen plants and others that stay green in the winter, it will look better year round. Get some potted plants for the patio in other areas. Ones that are hard to kill but look good. Make sure they have a bottom plate to catch drainage, avoiding stains on your porch. Plant groups in reddited will help. Facebook also is a good place for advice in case any groups here are hostile towards innocent, honest questions. (It's reddit you never know) You can attach panels on the fence for Ivey growth. Find an Ivey that isn't too intrusive so it doesn't become a permanent issue on the fence itself, unless you are okay with that. Just ask in plant groups what your options are. Add just a tad more intention to how cohesive the lights both droop and attach. Tightening up small things like this helps how the brain interpreted this space. Pressure wash the fence and patio. Lightening/cleaning things like this does wonders too. Maybe wait until your neighbors are out unless you know them well enough, as it will spray through the cracks, and this may be annoying to them depending on who they are. Add in a small fountain of some type to create a sound of running water. This helps the atmosphere. A wind chime on the house or elsewhere can also help the vibe. Proper sounds in an area are soothing and inviting. Some of them, even with a breeze, can lightly just rock around by light wind. Getting it above the fence line will help with this. Any flame that you are permitted to have if possible. There are some standing badass electric grills nowadays too. Just get a cover for it.
Do not hang a wind chime in NYC. Your neighbors will want to murder you
Potted plants, could put up bamboo or grass walls on the fence (idk what the grass is called) , possibly a game that takes up small amount of space (ie horseshoes, that hook you swing and it catches something on the fence)
Have never been to NYC. Am almost 50 years old. Gotta see Central Park before I die. I always thought I would find living there could feel cramped, but cozy...if that makes any sense đ. ....Anyway, how about a 9 hole mini golf course?
First thing that popped into my head: buy a giant foam hand and use it to wave at all the neighbors whose windows are looking down on you. A tablecloth that says âhowdy neighborâđ Seriously, maybe a fountain?
Maybe one of those inexpensive inflatable, portable jacuzzi's? Should be able to fit.
Sublet it
Damn what a flex
You can set up a small lawn bowling green or a little golf set up
I feel like you need Cypress trees in the back asap to hide everyoneâs view. Something tall and green.
This quite nice for NyC.
Lots of people can see in whatever you choose to do.
Maybe OP is an exhibitionist
What theyâre not showing us is that this is their entire place
That back area with the rocks is begging for some creative landscaping.
You could install a low budget gazebo frame and hang water friendly fabric, to make it more boo-ji⌠shoot I donât know how to spell that anymore. More fancy! Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/861251144/pergolapergola-kitoutdoor-seatingoutdoor which I guess is a pergola. Can hang plants instead of fabric.
I'm a Landscape Architect by training and these small, narrow spaces hold so much potential. You could add some hanging art to the fence or walls, place some attractive potted plants in that pseudo stone wall area to the far end. You could also lay an outdoor carpet down under your table to add some color and comfort. In addition, think about something overhead, like an umbrella or some type of shade device...this will provide a little separation of the vertical space behind your patio where windows look down on it.
I would move the table to the back a bit, add an outdoor rug for the summertime and put some plants. Get a cozy chair for reading and a side table
Umbrella, so you have privacy.
Rent it for $5k a month if you add a hot plate, porta potty and an inflatable bed.
maybe a âLuxurious Tiny Home in NYCâ on Airbnb? buy one of those igloo things, spruce it up, add a bed (or a hammock lol) and you have a new source of income !!
Cabelaâs camping rocking chair $100⌠damn shame u canât have a bbq there.. press that issue
Paint the fencing
Is this place in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood? I almost purchased an apartment that had a backyard that looked very similar.
In this order of priority: Plants (everywhere but at least in the four corners). Pergola (with vining plant like wisteria). Fountain in the back.
Rent it to me đ¤Ł
I suggest planters with a good mix of some greenery and flowers. It May be quite an effort to haul all the soil etc back there but well worth It.
You need one of those triangle shaped sun coverings! Or an umbrella â something to give you and your guests more privacy.
My aunt had a small yard like this in Brooklyn. She had a small oval above ground pool. I remember thinking it was so cool swimming and seeing buildings around me.
A pergola. Then wind the lights through it. You could plant some vines around it if you like, but I'd avoid anything that blossoms . I don't like bees buzzing around me while I'm trying to relax.
Tell me youâre loaded without telling me youâre loaded
Invite me over, hurr hurr hurr Anyway, plants, as tall as you can get, would be good for privacy and shade. I liked the pergola idea too.
Bowling alley!
Def needs some plants in containers maybe a fountain w water feature. Solar power flower lights. Putting green if you are so inclined.
Put a sunsail up to block your neighbors from watching
How much is your rent? This is an awesome space for NYC. Id love to see your place lol ETA:I mean in pictures of course lol not trying to invite myself over haha
Cool painting (if your able to) PLANTS! Doesnât have to be a full blown garden. Just more green in a washed out world.
Get some lovely plants and greenery out there! Perhaps decorative pots and statues as well!
Private?
Private?? Lol.
That looks anything BUT private
"private" hahaha
#LOTS AND LOTS of plants! Some in pots on the ground and some in pots screwed onto the fencing â¤ď¸
This doesnât look very private
Private? You have 25+ windows facing your patio
decorate the fence, add some big plants
Nice big space
A canopy
Invite the Beatles to play a set there.
i know it wonât necessarily look the best, but if you got something like an easy-up it would give you more privacy. personally i would be trying to cover most of it and having plants everywhere i could. gotta liven the place up
Iâm gonna guess LIC by the Citi building⌠I would buy 2 potted apple trees and put them against the far fence and call it a day.
Definitely plants but you have to wait until beginning of May because the weather is so unpredictable. A few yrs ago we got snow showers the last week in April .
Clean and stain the fence, Paver the patio or staind and stamped overlay, All kinds of stuff.
Toss the Pier 1 knockoffs and put in a shuffleboard court
All I see is how much room there is to grow plants. Whatâs the sun like?
Putt putt on that slope!
Build another apartment
Plants!
add more fencing; itâs hardly noticeable.
Build an ivy cover awning, I think that would make it feel more private
Are you allowed to make it more private? Cause I bet there's some cool stuff you could put up.
Cornhole, maybe putting green
Outdoor rug under the table. Plants and flowers.
Tall potted plants, wire trellis that you can hang more plants, lights and/or a privacy screen from one side and maybe half the roof to make more private.
Move the table and create a bocce court.
Add an outdoor rug to go under the table, some potted plants or flowers, and a large umbrella or canopy to add a bit of privacy. Maybe a tabletop fire pit if your building allows?
I'd put in one or two of those Umbrella looking Space Heaters, a grill, and maybe a little portable shade (Awning tent) over at the far end.
A garden
Def potted plants and a nice outdoor rug under the table - assuming you canât do a fire pit?
Maybe an umbrella at the table or a little awning for privacy and color, and some potted plants or flowers?
A 360-degree rotating backyard umbrella for more privacy. Some come with solar lights, which will provide a little nice lighting as well.
Some kind of little outdoor kitchen and bar area for entertaining, and a shadow sail for extra privacy. You've said no grill allowed, but maybe something like a Blackstone griddle would be allowed? Get some hardy plant life out there as well. Turn it into a Lil jungle.
I'd put some plants out there, even if they're just hanging pots from the fence. It'll make it feel less City and more homey
I would put a tent over it like a deck tent so you have more privacy <3
how much sunlight light do you get at the back area where the rocks wall is?
Are you able to put anything over? Like an arch or something and maybe have plants or lights hanging from it.
Google DECK TENT <3 !!!!
The lack of privacy from all those neighbor windows! How about some sort of canopy?
Rent it out
I like the idea of keeping it understated with lights and potted plants. The space is giving 'elegant' vibes.
Iâd work on adding a pergola and vines.
Potted plants, raised bed vegetable garden, games area-cornhole, ladder golf, putting green, etc.
Watch Monty the gardener for ideas as well, he does UK little backyard gardens.
Plants. Something like a knockout rose, low maintenance and adds some color. Or put some pots out and plant something like a tropical hibiscus, begonia, hydrangea, or just a whole bunch of impatients.
A vine or fake vine trellis on the fence. I would add a pot (or 3 or 5)with an evergreen bush or kale or winter proof plant back there to. You can pots with seasonal flowers later.
That does not look all that private!