Living in New York means dealing with close quarters and nosy neighbors. Our balconies often feel like fishbowls, with nearby buildings giving strangers a front-row seat to our outdoor spaces.
Finding affordable privacy solutions becomes essential when you’re trying to create a personal sanctuary without breaking the bank. Many New Yorkers are working with tight budgets and even tighter spaces.
I’ve tested countless methods on my own small Manhattan balcony over the years. These budget-friendly options have helped me transform my exposed perch into a secluded retreat where I can finally enjoy my morning coffee without an audience.
1. Bamboo Screens
Bamboo rolls up easily for storage during winter months. These natural screens create instant privacy while allowing breezes to filter through.
You’ll find affordable options at home improvement stores throughout the city. The best part? Installation requires just a few zip ties or hooks—perfect for renters who can’t make permanent changes.
My neighbor found hers on sale for just $15 at a closeout store in Queens. They’ve lasted three seasons despite the harsh New York weather patterns.
2. Fabric Shower Curtains
Waterproof and designed for outdoor use, shower curtains make surprisingly effective privacy screens. Hang them using a tension rod or wire between your balcony rails.
During sales, you can snag plain designs for under $10 at discount stores across the boroughs. The fabric moves gently in the breeze while blocking prying eyes from neighboring buildings.
For added style, try sewing two complementary patterns together for a custom look that matches your outdoor décor.
3. Climbing Plants On Twine
String up some twine in a grid pattern against your railing. Plant fast-growing climbers like morning glories or sweet peas in containers below.
Seeds cost just a few dollars at any garden center in the city. Within weeks, the vines create a living wall that provides natural privacy while adding greenery to concrete surroundings.
Last summer, my morning glory screen on my East Village balcony grew so thick that neighbors couldn’t tell if I was even home!
4. Repurposed Wooden Pallets
Free pallets can often be found behind stores or listed on NYC Craigslist. Stand them upright, secure them to your railing, and you’ve got an instant wooden privacy screen.
Sand rough edges and apply a coat of weather-resistant paint for a finished look. The gaps between slats allow air circulation while still blocking direct views.
My Brooklyn friend painted her pallet screen teal, adding personality to her otherwise drab building exterior without spending more than $5 on paint.
5. Dollar Store Reed Fencing
Reed fencing rolls offer natural-looking coverage at bargain prices. Check dollar stores in Queens and Brooklyn, where these often sell for much less than at big box retailers.
Simply attach the fencing to your railing with zip ties or garden wire. The thin reeds create a rustic barrier that filters light beautifully during sunset hours.
My Astoria apartment faces another building just 20 feet away, but the reed screen makes it feel like I’m in a private garden instead.
6. Hanging Laundry Screens
Retractable clotheslines strung across your balcony can double as privacy screens when draped with fabric. Thrift stores across the Bronx and Manhattan offer bedsheets for as little as $3 each.
Clip them up when you want privacy, then easily remove them when you prefer the view. The beauty lies in their flexibility – adjust coverage based on where neighbors might be looking.
During summer heat waves, I use light-colored sheets that reflect sunlight while keeping my outdoor yoga sessions private.
7. Potted Grass Barriers
Tall ornamental grasses create swaying, natural privacy without the commitment of permanent structures. Varieties like fountain grass grow quickly in containers placed along balcony edges.
Seeds or small starter plants from Chinatown markets cost just a few dollars. The dense, tall stalks form an effective screen by mid-summer, perfect for those humid New York months when you’re using your balcony most.
Unlike some privacy options, these grasses survive winter if properly mulched, saving you from annual replacement costs.
8. Milk Crate Planters
Stack plastic milk crates vertically along your railing, securing with zip ties. Line with landscape fabric, fill with soil, and plant cascading flowers or herbs.
Many bodegas throughout the five boroughs will give away crates for free if you ask nicely. The resulting green wall creates both privacy and a micro-garden in one budget-friendly solution.
My Upper West Side neighbor grows strawberries and trailing nasturtiums in her crate wall, providing both privacy and fresh snacks throughout summer.
9. Tension Rod Curtains
Simple tension rods fitted between balcony walls or posts make perfect curtain hangers. Look for clearance fabric at Garment District shops where you can find outdoor-suitable material for as little as $2/yard.
The curtains can be pulled closed when privacy is needed or opened to enjoy the city views. For windy days, add small weights to the bottom hem to prevent billowing.
During my years in a Hell’s Kitchen walk-up, my $12 curtain solution saved me from constantly locking eyes with the office workers in the building across the street.
10. Recycled Window Shutters
Scour NYC’s abundant sidewalk trash piles or Building Materials Reuse Center for discarded wooden shutters. Stand them upright against railings or hang them from overhead supports using strong wire.
A light sanding and coat of outdoor paint transforms these freebies into stylish privacy screens. The adjustable slats let you control exactly how much visibility and airflow you want.
My friend’s Williamsburg balcony features three mismatched shutters painted identical green, creating a cohesive look that cost less than $10 in supplies.
11. String Light Curtains
Dense curtains of string lights create both privacy and ambiance after sunset. Dollar stores throughout the Bronx and Queens often sell short strands for just $1 each.
Connect multiple strands and hang them vertically from a wire stretched across your balcony. During daylight, they’re hardly noticeable, but at night, they transform into a twinkling wall between you and neighboring buildings.
The warm glow creates enough visual distraction that passersby focus on the lights rather than what’s behind them.
12. Canvas Drop Cloths
Painter’s drop cloths from hardware stores make surprisingly durable outdoor screens. A 5×8 foot cloth costs around $10 in most Manhattan hardware stores – far cheaper than specialty outdoor fabrics.
Grommets can be added using an inexpensive kit, allowing easy hanging with carabiners or hooks. The neutral canvas creates a clean backdrop that works with any décor style.
During three years in my Sunnyside apartment, my drop cloth screens weathered everything from snowstorms to summer downpours without showing wear.
13. Lattice Panels With Artificial Vines
Plastic lattice panels from discount home improvement stores provide immediate structure. Weave dollar store artificial vines through the openings for instant greenery without maintenance.
The entire setup can cost under $20 yet creates the illusion of an established garden screen. Unlike real plants, these require no watering or sunlight considerations – perfect for north-facing New York balconies.
During winter months when real plants struggle, these faux greens maintain privacy while adding a touch of color to gray city views.