Low wall adds privacy to terrace — can double as seating

No matter what type of home you own or rent, chances are you readily respond when Mother Nature beckons.

The yearning for green spaces may be felt most acutely by those living in highly urbanized areas. In fact, lots of city-dwellers secretly -- or openly -- envy friends whose homes permit outdoor as well as indoor living.

If you're among the fortunate with access to a patio, garden or balcony, let me recommend one of the many how-to books on designing an outdoor area. In "Outdoor Spaces: Good Ideas" (published by Collins Design, an imprint of Harper Collins), author Ana Cañizares discusses a variety of beautiful settings. The photos and text may appeal as much to studio apartment dwellers as to those with ample outdoor spaces attached to their homes.

In some parts of the country, it may be late in the season to undertake a new design or a makeover of an outdoor space. But the present is always a good time to start planning such a project.

Q: I much enjoy my covered terrace, but I'd use it more often if it weren't visible from my neighbor's yard. Can you suggest how I might achieve at least partial privacy without impinging on the view or the sense of openness that the terrace provides?

A: I'm not sure what exactly you mean by "partial privacy." But perhaps the arrangement shown in the accompanying photo approximates what you'd like to achieve.

This particular indoor/outdoor covered area is located in Tarragona, Spain, and is featured in Cañizares' book. With a few stylistic adjustments -- eliminating some of the rustic finishes, for example -- the design could be applied almost anywhere.

Please note how form has been made to complement function here.

The low wall built by the home's owners partly shields the space while at the same time allowing for introduction of low banquette-style seating. Extension of the banquette and cushions to an adjoining wall affords further seating and lounging opportunities.

Such a semienclosure would make your own space feel more private, even though it won't totally discourage snoopy neighbors. Additional shielding from wandering eyes can be had, however, by placing bushy potted plants on the low wall.

I find this practical solution particularly attractive because it makes use of fabrics, cushions and accessories in sync with the inherently informal ambience of an outdoor space.

And, by the way, if you haven't already installed electrical outlets on your terrace, the construction work will give you an opportunity to equip the space for nighttime as well as daytime use.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.