@kitasei2 thanks it’s a 1940’s cape cod home . The shrubs are an option I’m just concerned it would cut off the space the children could run around the home .

Thickets may be impenetrable space consumers but many shrubs and trees offer different kinds of spaces to explore: trees to climb and swing from, hollow shrubs like yews to hide inside, tall grasses to run through. Don’t think of plants as taking up space as much as adding to it.

I would install a wooden privacy screen.

@Rachel Lee where would you put the privacy fence ? For example would you place it to the left of the picture side of the home and then what about the other side ? I share a drive way with the neighbor.

Sucha lovely house and setting! I would use the picket fence to define the space in the way that makes the most sense and then add plantings for privacy -

(in other words, I would’t use the fence for privacy - a tall privacy fence is not charming enough for your home I don’t think)

IMO privacy is more in your head than in reality but I do understand the fence to keep the kids in the yard and not on the road but you have a large space to fence maybe just fence the back yard and work on some nice landscaping for the front yard.Then adding maybe a nice hedge across the front . It seems the kids have lots of space at the back and it is nice to have an area where the house looks nice from the road without kids stuff all over.

Lovely house and setting. Have you just moved in?

How old are the kids?

Do you want a safety fence to keep the kids out of the street or just a privacy fence or hedge?

Do you park in the garage?

The left side seems close to the neighbor. What are the setbacks for structures? And what are the rules regarding fences, and fence heights? Is that the neighbor's house, or is there a fence obscured there by shrubbery? Is the neighbor's fence in good shape? What height is it? Would you want to fence between you and the neighbor, as well as the front? Some municipalities do not allow privacy fencing except for "behind" the house, attaching at the rear. Some do not allow fencing over 48", etc. First, find out the municipality rules for options. Then find out your growing zone, and what kinds of conditions shrubs and trees need to endure. Your local Agricultural Extension Service likely has a list of plants that are recommended for your area. Start there with that for additional research options.

You could add a shrub or two in the front yard. Or even a clump of grass. You've got a shrub there, now. Is it going to grow any bigger? If you have the right-sized shrub in the right place, it will block most of the view from the road, without blocking your access on the left of your house.

Instead of looking for privacy, look for things that are distracting. If people are driving by, they certainly aren't staring into your yard since they need to watch the road.

I would do a sweet picket fence in the front with a pretty arbor and beautiful flowers; maybe add a couple of tall plants. That would grab someone's eye when driving by and they won't notice anything else.

Good luck!

An example of a island garden in the front yard. It's tropical, but the idea is there.

Install some type of privacy fence but at this height it should not extend beyond the front of the home

Here's a visual of a white picket fence so you can see what you think. This shows a somewhat emphasized gate (taller posts, curved top), but you could add an arbor for more emphasis, or choose a straight gate for less (or even no gate at all if you don't use the front walkway). Maybe run the fence along the house side of the driveway, then turn it to meet the right front corner of the porch or house to enclose the front yard? (Can't see enough to see how to enclose the back.)

I planted landscape roses in front of the fence (optional). An old-fashioned lilac at the left front corner of the house could screen the view to the back yard. (Picket fences, roses, and lilacs are all in keeping with the simple New England character of the house.)

I never cut and paste comments and I am happy to say I do not live in the US but what that has to do with anything I have no idea. I raised 3 children on an acreage right on the highway we did not fence our space becuase I did not want the look. The kids played happily no one died and I have no idea about distracting drivers. I think if the OP is concerend then a nice fence aroud a big area in the back is a good plan.I did however not think the drivers going by at 60 MPH were the least bit interested in what we were doing in our yard.

The " distracting drivers" post was mine. No one is going to put a huge privacy fence in their front yard on that house - it would look horrible. The OP stated that her kids are in the front yard playing sometimes. Right now there is nothing that draws the eye if someone were driving by. I can speak from experience on this - my neighbor added a fence around their house and did some great landscaping ( tall and short plants ) . When I drive by ( community speed limit is 20mph ) I admire their plants and decoration and don't notice if they are sitting on the front porch or not as I go by.

The OP mentioned a picket fence in the front but didn't think it would be enough. We are simply adding to her original thoughts.

And yes - in many areas of the US these days, you must be concerned about safety - it is not the way it used to be.

Just my 2 cents

@simplynatural I love this ! Thank you

@simplynatural may I send you a photo of the backyard so you can help me figure out if I should put a fence in the rear ?

Sometimes adding a slightly enclosed carport,strategically …will allow you to extend a solid fence across the back..of the carport…and along the property line to the back….that offers a little more privacy in the back yard..while relieving you of the need to keep the backyard more”tidy” for the neighbor,as well..letting the kids have a carefree space while they are little…when they are old enough…they can be given little chores in keeping the yard tidy…a privacy screen on the street side of the porch,may also make that space more comfortable for outdoor living

Freddy, I think you might need more on- site help , or possibly an online designer , than just crowd- sourcing , but mainly I think you do need a drawing, with measurements, house outlines, property lines & setbacks, streets .

With the drawing you could start with the “ bubble diagram “ approach to roughly outline areas you’d like to keep open/ curb appeal, area most suitable for children’s play, thoughts about privacy fencing vs child- barrier fencing or both, any areas you might keep for outdoor patio living or something, & walk around property also, imagining how structures & boundaries look. By noodling & doodling these ideas might take more shape even if get professional help with it.

You're welcome to post additional pictures here, Freddy, for thoughts on enclosing the back yard. I have turned off private messaging (I think!) because I have limited time to invest in Houzz, but I will see additional comments posted here.