Another option is to mount a shorter, 3- or 4-foot lattice or picket fence on top of a 2- or 3-foot stone wall. The wall, from a distance, is high enough to disrupt sight lines, while the openwork fence screens without feeling claustrophobic.

A good wall begins with a stable base. In locations with lots of loam and poor drainage, you might have to excavate down 4-feet-deep, below the frost line, and install piping to drain water out of the footing.