Brilliant IKEA idea: Quickly shield your balcony or small garden from view.

A narrow balcony, a tiny city garden - and the constant feeling of being watched next door.

With one simple trick, an IKEA piece of furniture can suddenly bring some peace and quiet.

Many people know the scenario: you step outside with a coffee or an after-work beer and, almost instantly, the neighbour is leaning on the railing, asking a question or openly looking over. Instead of switching off, you feel like you’re on display. For exactly this kind of problem, there’s a practical solution that works without a drill, without permissions and without major alterations - while also adding storage and a place to sit.

Why privacy on balconies and terraces has become such a big issue

In densely built-up cities, buildings keep edging closer together. Windows face each other, balconies stack up like shelves. Even so, people don’t want to use their outdoor space only for drying laundry; they want it to function as real living space - for reading, eating, sunbathing or working.

"People use their outdoor area far more often as soon as they feel unobserved there."

Market research into the international privacy-screen market makes one thing clear: fencing, screening panels and partitions now represent a global volume of well over €10 billion. Demand for sheltered privacy is rising almost in step with property prices. And especially where space is tight, every square metre counts - heavy walls or fixed timber partitions simply aren’t an option for many.

The basic idea behind IKEA’s NÄMMARÖ 3-in-1 privacy screen

This is exactly where a specific model from IKEA’s NÄMMARÖ range comes in. The furniture retailer brings three functions together in one single unit:

• a privacy screen to block direct views from neighbours
  
• a comfortable seating option in the form of a bench
  
• storage via an integrated chest compartment
  

At the centre is a freestanding screen made from solid acacia wood. Its vertical slats help stop prying eyes while still letting air and daylight through. In other words: you’re not boxed into a dark timber corner - you’re still sitting in the light, just with fewer onlookers.

The basic version of the screen stands at around 140 centimetres high and 80 centimetres wide, with a base roughly 50 centimetres deep. That makes it suitable even for typical city balconies, which are often scarcely wider than a dining table. If you want more functionality, there’s the extended version: here, the screen is paired with a bench and storage underneath, measuring roughly 80 × 68 × 140 centimetres.

Materials, care and cost: what balcony owners can realistically expect

The acacia wood used is considered sturdy and weather-resistant for outdoor use. It’s commonly chosen for garden furniture or decking because it’s comparatively hard and copes well with moisture. It isn’t completely maintenance-free, but the upkeep is manageable.

"For care, water with a little soap plus a wood oil or a stain once or twice a year is usually enough."

Dust, pollen or bird droppings can be removed with a soft sponge and lukewarm water. If you’d like to keep the original colour for as long as possible, refresh the protective finish in spring and, if needed, again in late summer. That helps the material stay attractive and structurally sound for longer.

On price, the screen on its own sits at around €75. For the combination of screen, bench and integrated storage, buyers should expect roughly €170 to €220 - depending on whichever discounts or family offers are currently running.

How the privacy screen changes day-to-day life in a small outdoor space

One major advantage is that the privacy screen stands on its own and doesn’t need to be screwed into a wall or the floor. That keeps it mobile and adaptable. If your balcony gets sun on one side in the morning and the other side in the evening, you can simply shift the unit.

Typical real-world uses that are especially common in city flats include:

• Breakfast corner: the screen blocks the direct line of sight from the neighbouring building’s window, so you can eat in peace.
  
• Reading nook: the bench, seat cushions and a throw can be stowed away in the storage box at night, keeping the balcony clear during the day.
  
• Children’s play zone: toys go back into the chest after playtime - fewer trip hazards and less visible clutter from outside.
  
• Outdoor home office: laptop on your lap, privacy screening behind you, and fewer distractions from neighbours.
  

"The smaller the balcony, the more a clever privacy screen matters - it turns a ‘dumping space’ into somewhere you actually spend time."

Vertical greenery: turning the screen into a mini garden

It gets particularly interesting when you use the privacy screen as a base for planting. The timber slats are well suited to light hooks, simple trellises or slim hanging pots. Little by little, you can build a vertical garden that takes up minimal floor space.

Suitable plants for vertical use

If you want a green screen that stays easy to look after, these options work especially well:

• Climbing plants: clematis, climbing hydrangea or trailing nasturtium for those who love flowers
  
• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano or mint in small hanging planters
  
• Grasses: low-growing ornamental grasses in narrow containers for a light, modern look
  
• Trailing plants: pothos, trailing petunias or bacopa for fast summer coverage
  

If you’d like screening higher up, you can place tall planters behind the bench as well - for instance with bamboo or grasses. That effectively extends the privacy line beyond 140 centimetres without it counting (in many cases) as a fixed wall. In rented homes, that can be a decisive advantage.

Practical examples: using the furniture in different situations

Situation	Idea using NÄMMARÖ
Long, narrow balcony	Position the unit parallel to the railing, turn the bench towards the wall, and add hanging herb planters above.
Tiny back-courtyard garden	Use the bench chest as a room divider between dining table and lounging area, hiding bins or air-conditioning units behind it.
Ground-floor terrace with a view into the stairwell	Set up two modules in an L-shape to create a sheltered lounge corner.
Rented balcony with strict building rules	Choose the freestanding privacy screen because nothing needs drilling or permanent fixing.

What to consider before buying

Despite the benefits, it’s worth checking a few potential drawbacks. Acacia wood has a fair bit of weight - great for stability, less convenient for carrying to upper floors. If you live alone, it may be sensible to plan for help during transport or assembly.

Another point: a freestanding unit can become a sail in strong winds. On very exposed roof terraces, it’s wise to add extra stability - for example, heavy planters at the base or anti-slip pads underneath.

"Before setting up the privacy screen, it’s worth checking the building rules and, if necessary, having a quick chat with the property management."

More extensive constructions, such as full timber walls attached to balcony railings, are prohibited in some developments. A mobile furniture piece that can be moved at any time is usually treated as standard terrace or balcony furniture - although the limits can vary depending on the landlord or the residents’ association.

Why a 3-in-1 piece of furniture makes the difference

When you only have a few square metres, every function counts twice. A separate bench, an extra storage chest and an additional privacy panel can quickly swallow the entire area. Combining everything into a single unit is appealing because it saves space and looks visually calmer.

There’s also a psychological benefit: if cushions, throws and toys can disappear inside in seconds, the outdoor area stays tidier by default. And when you open the balcony door and don’t immediately see mess, you’re more likely to step out spontaneously - even if it’s just for a ten-minute breather.

For many tenants and flat owners, the idea tackles several issues at once: no one has to disturb neighbours with drilling, no one has to live with permanent holes in the render, and the sense of closeness next door fades into the background. That’s how a small patch of outdoors becomes a semi-hidden retreat - more like your own little garden and less like a shop window.