Having a backyard can improve your quality of life. It is a space for you and your family to talk, eat, and play under the sun. It is where you can grow a garden filled with fresh produce or flowers. Moreover, it is a place to call your own.
However, it is impossible to feel that your backyard is an oasis when you can hear all the noise from the road nearby or your neighbor’s house. A quiet corner outdoors in an urban area can be elusive, but you can create one right in your own backyard.
Here are some landscaping tips to block noise and help you create an outdoor space where you can find solitude:
Build a Solid Border
A fence is necessary to create a private space. It sets a boundary that tells you and your neighbors where their property ends and yours begins. It prevents them from accidentally walking into your backyard while you sunbathe or meditate.
Moreover, it can block noise if you are using the right materials. A solid fence made of pre-cast concrete will serve as a sound barrier around your backyard. It will not completely block out noise. You cannot really soundproof a space that is wide open. But, a fence can absorb or reflect sound. The thicker the material of the fence, the better it will be in blocking noise.
With the right material, you can reduce the sound reaching your backyard by up to 50 percent.
Create a Wall of Vegetation
A dense wall of vegetation can mimic the appearance and the solitude of being in the middle of a forest. Plants can filter noise. While a solitary tree will not do much, a cluster of trees can create a barrier that will block out sound.
Plant trees closer to each other. That way, they will grow upright instead of branching out to compete for sunlight. It will create a living wall that protects your backyard from noise.
For better soundproofing, plant vegetation in layers. Below the trees, there should be shrubs and then shorter plantings below. It will work by sealing off any space where noise can get through.
A living wall or a hanging garden can serve the same purpose. It will create a green, attractive, and effective buffer between your backyard and the noisy world beyond.
Drown Out the Noise with Relaxing Sounds
You cannot completely soundproof a garden, but you can replace the noise you hear from outside your fence with something that is a little more pleasant. Hang wind chimes on your porch so that, every time you are outside, you can focus on the soft tinkling rather than the zoom of passing cars.
Better yet, add a water feature to your garden. The sound of flowing water can drown out unwanted noise. It will make your backyard look and feel like a true oasis in your neighborhood. You can buy a pre-made water fountain or build one on your own. They are fairly easy and cheap to create. There are also plenty of do-it-yourself guides online.
In addition, the trees and shrubs you have planted create pleasant and relaxing sounds whenever the wind blows. They also provide shelter for birds and insects, all of which create pleasant nature sounds. But, if you want more, tall grasses generate that rustling sound that adds a relaxing ambiance.
Build an Inner Sanctuary
If you need a space in your backyard that needs to be completely quiet for your meditation or an afternoon nap, you need to build an enclosed corner where noise is not allowed.
A pergola or gazebo covered with vines can create a peaceful spot for you to do whatever you want uninterrupted. Make sure to place it in an area farthest away from sources of noise.
If you do not have ample space for a pergola or a gazebo, you can still create a quiet corner in your backyard with a green screen. Using vine-producing plants and a lattice panel, you can build a small structure that creates another barrier between you and noise. Choose perennial vines such as Dutchman’s pipe, clematis, honeysuckle, Boston ivy, or wisteria to protect the sanctuary from the noise all year round.
It is not impossible to have a peaceful backyard in the middle of an urban setting. You need to make an effort to create a quiet space but it can be done using a lot of plants and common garden features. You can minimize noise while you relax in your backyard.
