IKEA NÄMMARÖ: The 3-in-1 Privacy Screen for Small Outdoor Spaces

Many people furnish their terrace with attractive plants and comfortable chairs, only to realise later that they do not actually feel private there. A modular privacy screen with added functions can solve this problem in one go and make even the smallest outdoor areas far more useful.

Why garden privacy screens are often overlooked

When people think about improving a garden, they usually consider new pots, lounge furniture or attractive paving first. The question of who can see where tends to arise surprisingly late. Yet it is the privacy screen that determines whether you can relax outdoors or constantly feel as though you are on display.

“A well-planned privacy screen changes more than the view; it transforms how the entire space is used – from the first coffee to the last evening drink.”

A well-designed divider does far more than block prying eyes. It separates an outdoor area into zones, adds order to compact spaces and can make even a narrow balcony feel like a room of its own. This is exactly where IKEA’s NÄMMARÖ module comes in: it combines a privacy screen, storage and seating in one item.

The 3-in-1 concept: privacy screen, bench and storage

The principle is straightforward: rather than placing three separate pieces of furniture – a storage bench, a screen and a garden bench – one unit performs every role. That saves space, money and, above all, the effort of arranging a small outdoor area.

• Privacy screen: Shields the area from neighbours and passers-by.
• Seating: Works as a bench for coffee, sundowners or a reading corner.
• Storage: Conceals cushions, throws and smaller garden items inside.

Every square metre matters on city balconies and tiny terraces. Instead of adding a separate box for cushions, everything can be stored directly beneath the seat. Architects and small-space specialists have recommended multifunctional furniture indoors for years – and the same approach works at least as well outside.

Warm rather than sterile: why wood works so well outdoors

The modular unit is made from acacia wood. This material is widely used outdoors because it is durable and, with suitable care, can last for many years. Its surface has already been treated to reduce the effects of rain and sunshine.

The slatted construction is intentional: it blocks views without completely sealing off the area. Air and light can still pass through, so the seating area does not feel like a dark enclosure.

“In the smallest spaces, wood provides what bare concrete or glass can rarely achieve: warmth, structure and a homely feel.”

In everyday use, the furniture can be moved around easily: one day it may sit behind the dining set, and the next it can separate a sun lounger from a corner filled with pots and herbs. This quickly creates the impression of several outdoor “rooms”, even where the actual footprint is very small.

Hidden storage: the underrated game changer

Anyone who spends the summer outdoors knows the issue: cushions, throws, watering cans, candles and small tools all end up somewhere. Without a designated place, an outdoor area can soon look cluttered. The integrated storage chest accommodates precisely these items without taking up further floor space.

Customer reports particularly praise the amount of seat cushions that can fit inside. This avoids the familiar situation of cushions being scattered around the living room overnight because there is nowhere dry to keep them outside.

There is another benefit: with fewer individual pieces of furniture standing around, the space is easier to clean and can be rearranged quickly when needed, such as when visitors arrive unexpectedly.

Flexible rather than fixed: a privacy screen that moves with you

Unlike a wall or a permanently screwed-in fence, this privacy screen remains mobile. That may sound unremarkable, but it has a significant impact on how the space can be used.

In spring, the unit can frame a compact lounge area at the side. At the height of summer, it can be positioned in front of the table to create a little privacy while working on a laptop. Those who use plenty of container plants can employ the wooden module as a backdrop and climbing support for trailing plants. This creates the visual effect of a green wall without using any extra floor space.

“Vertical greenery – plants growing upwards rather than outwards – is considered a key technique for mini gardens and balconies.”

It can also discreetly hide unattractive areas: wheelie bins, pipework and weathered walls can all disappear behind the wood, no longer disrupting the overall look.

Alternative privacy screen solutions compared

The IKEA option is not the only possibility. Depending on style, exposure to wind and budget, other systems may be a better fit. Here is a brief overview:

Type	Material	Strengths	Typical use
Mobile wooden privacy screen	Acacia or similar woods	Warm, flexible, homely	Balconies, terraces, small gardens
Decorative metal screen	Galvanised, powder-coated steel	Durable, wind-stable, striking appearance	Windy roof terraces, modern gardens
Folding wooden screen	Wooden slats	Quick to reposition, compact to store	Temporary screening, rented homes
Patterned metal panel	Metal with decorative motifs	Eye-catching, combines privacy with decoration	Design-led urban gardens
Bench with back-panel module	Wood with shelving areas	Seating, storage and plant display in one	Narrow terraces, courtyards

Those living in a windy location often choose metal versions with a substantial base. These screens not only reduce overlooking but also cut down on draughts. In more sheltered courtyards, a lighter wooden screen is often enough; it looks softer and can be moved more easily.

How to use the 3-in-1 IKEA NÄMMARÖ privacy screen intelligently every day

The modular privacy screen shows its full potential when it forms part of a clear plan. Useful approaches include:

• Zoning: Position the bench with its backrest as a boundary between the dining area and lounging zone.
• Green backdrop: Train climbers such as clematis or climbing roses up the slats.
• Tidiness: Set fixed rules: cushions, throws and fairy lights should always go back into the chest in the evening.
• Indoor use: In lofts or studio flats, the unit can even act as a room divider with storage.

The important thing is to view the furniture not merely as a privacy screen, but as a permanent everyday “station”: this is where you sit, where outdoor accessories are kept and where the cosiest corner of the home takes shape – simply outside.

Care, risks and sensible additions

Outdoor wood needs attention. Anyone wanting their acacia furniture to last should clean the material regularly and refresh it with a suitable oil or wood stain according to the weather conditions. If the module remains in the rain permanently, placing it slightly off the ground is worthwhile so that water can drain beneath the storage chest.

One potential risk with integrated storage chests is mould or musty cushions if moisture cannot dry out properly. Breathable cushion covers and brief airing periods with the chest left open can help. In very exposed locations, waterproof cushion bags stored inside the box are also a sensible option.

It becomes particularly interesting when the 3-in-1 privacy screen is combined with other ideas: LED fairy lights on the back panel, hooks for garden tools or small wall shelves for herb pots. In this way, a simple ready-made product becomes an individual, almost bespoke solution – and even the smallest balcony can suddenly feel a little more like a private rooftop lounge.