23 fence ideas – beautiful and affordable designs for your yard

String lights never go out of style, and a fence is a great place to hang them. These vintage Edison bulbs add a whimsical touch to the outdoor garden. And at night their glow reflects off the white fence. Lighting on fencing can be helpful for you to see out to the perimeter of your yard. And it adds nice ambiance unlike a harsh flood light. Fence With Lights from Jaana Turunen

33 Garden Fence Ideas for Simple to Sophisticated Tastes

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia’s Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column.

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

A fence can delineate outdoor space, provide privacy and security, and add some design flair. And there are many yard and garden fence ideas to choose from. They range in height, materials, structure, and more. Some fences can be DIY projects while others require a higher skill level to put together. If you’re considering installing a fence, here are some yard and garden fence ideas to help inspire you.

Wood and Wire Elegance

Wood and chicken wire are simple materials. But this fence shows how they can be combined to create a fence that is both functional and elegant. The fencing helps to protect the raised garden beds from critters. And it provides a support structure on which plants can climb. Wood and Wire Elegance from Velvet and Linen

Farmhouse Garden Picket Fence

This vinyl fence from blogger Liz Marie Blog is an affordable modern take on the age old nostalgia of a white picket fence that works perfectly with the farmhouse style of the backyard garden.

DIY Iron Fence

This easy-to-install iron fence can be put in place in one afternoon. It’s as sturdy as a chain-link fence, but its design and black finish make it much more elegant. Plus, its streamlined simplicity will allow it to fit anywhere on your property. You can use it to protect garden beds, set off an outdoor dining or seating space, and more. DIY Iron Fence from IronCraft Fences

Geometric Wood Fence

Think outside the box with wood fence ideas by doing something a little more exciting than simple vertical or horizontal slats. This geometric wood fence both delineates property and adds plenty of design flair. It also doesn’t impede the view beyond the fence. Yet the wire between the wood pieces still works to keep rabbits and other garden pests out. Geometric Wood Fence from Tara Dillard

Cottage Garden Fence

This rustic English cottage garden fence from Lobster and Swan has a weathered, natural feel that looks like it’s been there forever.

Stepped Wood Fence

A stepped fence is an ideal solution if you’re building on a hill. It’s visually appealing, working with the geography of the land. And it offers privacy no matter where you’re standing on the hill. The horizontal slats on this wood fence act to smoothly draw your eyes across the fencing, so the step effect doesn’t look too choppy. Stepped Wood Fence from Bower Power

DIY Rustic Fence

This simple wood-and-wire fence that surrounds a garden is stained with a DIY solution. It’s made by soaking steel wool in vinegar and then using the slurry to add color to the wood. The stain color can react differently on various woods and tends to deepen with age. The end result is a unique and rustic DIY fence that you can make with just a few basic and inexpensive materials. DIY Rustic Fence from Merry Pad

Black Wood Fence

When considering wood fence ideas, black probably isn’t a color that immediately comes to mind. However, a black fence can be a stylish addition to an outdoor space, especially for contemporary homes. It can create a cozy and private area, depending on the fence style. And the black color will make any surrounding greenery pop. Black Wood Fence from One Kings Lane

Pallet Fence

The wood pallet is one of the best repurposed materials from which to build a DIY garden fence. Pallets can be found inexpensively or even for free. They give off a rustic vibe and offer many design options in how you put them together to construct fence panels. You can even paint them a color that coordinates with your home and garden space. Pallet Fence from Backyard Boss

Traditional Picket Fence

What is more classic than a white picket fence? Not only does it add curb appeal to a home, but it also allows flowers and other plants to pop. Plus, picket fences can be beautiful additions to most styles of homes—from colonials to capes to farmhouses. They also come in many materials, including wood and vinyl. Traditional Picket Fence from HomeBunch

Arbor Garden Structure

An arbor is a vertical garden structure that you can walk under, and it can be incorporated into a fence. It can provide curb appeal, as well as an inviting focal point for your home. It also can offer support for plants growing vertically. Arbors can look especially beautiful with colorful flowering vines twining around them. Arbor Garden Structure from Designs Northwest Architects

Rose Climber Fence

Strategically plan your landscaping and your fencing at the same time with a simple fence that can accommodate climbing rose bushes. You’ll need a sturdy fence that can support the weight of the plants. Wire or lattice are good materials, as they will allow you to easily tie the vines to the fencing to train them to grow on the fence. Make sure to space plants far enough apart, based on their mature size. They will fill in on your fence soon enough. Rose Climber Fence from Ggardenman

Metal Mesh Garden Fence

Metal mesh panels between the painted posts of this raised bed garden from Finding Lovely help keeps critters at bay and practically disappear to create an open and airy feel.

Painted Artwork Fence

Why settle for a plain fence when you can give it some artistic flair? Cover your fence in artwork, either by painting something freehand or using stencils. Your art doesn’t have to be perfect, as it will eventually become weathered as it’s exposed to the elements anyway. Be sure to use a paint that’s formulated for outdoor use, as well as for your fencing material. Painted Artwork Fence from The Garden Glove

Bamboo Retaining Wall

Bamboo is a popular material for outdoor landscaping, as it automatically provides a natural look that fits right in with greenery. Create a short bamboo retaining wall to delineate a garden bed by cutting bamboo stalks down to a uniform size. Then, arrange them side by side, and bind them together with rope. This is a great option for a curved garden bed, as it’s easier to curve the line of bamboo than it is when using materials like bricks or stones. Bamboo Retaining Wall from Garden Lovers Club

Rustic Split Rail Fence

This rustic split rail fence looks like it’s always been there. That’s because the fence is made from old distressed wood, rather than brand new materials. This is an excellent option if you have a mature garden and older home that would look odd with a brand new fence. Look for weathered barn wood or even reclaimed old fence wood to create this scene in your yard. Rustic Split Rail Fence from thecountrylane

Fence With Lights

String lights never go out of style, and a fence is a great place to hang them. These vintage Edison bulbs add a whimsical touch to the outdoor garden. And at night their glow reflects off the white fence. Lighting on fencing can be helpful for you to see out to the perimeter of your yard. And it adds nice ambiance unlike a harsh flood light. Fence With Lights from Jaana Turunen

Brick Mixed Media Fence

Fencing doesn’t always come in just one material, as this brick-and-metal fence proves. Building your fence posts out of brick or stone allows you to match materials on your home. And using metal or wood for the fence panels ensures that you have some sightline through the fence. Plus, by choosing a mixed media fence, you might be able to use an expensive material that you love and offset the cost by mixing it with a less expensive option.

Brick Wall

If you’re looking for privacy, durability, and beauty, consider creating a brick wall fence. Bricks come in many shades and can be painted, so you’ll most likely be able to match them to your home. Plus, they can provide a sturdy support structure for climbing vines and other plants.

Horizontal Privacy Fence

Horizontal fencing has somewhat of a modern or midcentury modern vibe, thanks to its clean lines. But it’s flexible enough to fit in with most home styles. And it can make an excellent privacy fence. Simply keep the slats fairly close together, and build them as tall as you desire.

Iron Fence With Decorative Finials

Iron fences range from fairly simple designs to having very ornate and intricate details. If your home has detailed architecture, mirror that in your iron fence with some decorative finials. You can even go with a different color finial to make the detail pop like these gold points. They’ll go far in creating luxurious curb appeal for your home.

Iron Fence With Gate

If you have an iron fence wrapping around your front yard, consider adding a driveway gate as well. This provides extra security for your home while still maintaining its curb appeal. Plus, iron gates are commonly paired with mechanisms that allow you to automatically open them from your car.

Pointed Wood Fence

To add some notable design flair to your wood fence without bringing in any extra materials, simply cut the tops of the slats into points. This does call for a little extra labor than simply leaving the wood squared off at the top. But it can do wonders to turn a boring fence into a feature. Plus, if you have multiple peaks to your roof, the points will mirror that nicely.

Long Rail Fence

If you have a lot of land to fence off, consider a rail fence with long slats. Not only will this minimize the amount of materials you’ll need, but it also will keep your sightline as clear as possible. Plus, the simple, uniform look isn’t distracting to the eye at all, allowing you to focus on your beautiful landscape instead.

Short Picket Fence With Gate

If you’re looking for a fence to delineate your front yard and add a little curb appeal, consider a short picket fence with a gate. The fence will keep people (and potentially some animals) from wandering onto your lawn and possibly damaging plants or grass. But it still will maintain a welcoming and friendly vibe for your house.

Matching Stone

If you have a stone house facade, consider finding a match to that stone to create a short fence or garden retaining wall. Having that continuity in style can enrich the overall look of your home. And it prevents any clashes that could happen if you were to use a different type of stone or other material.

Short Stone Wall

Stone is generally more expensive than wood when it comes to fencing, both for materials and labor. However, if you want that rich look of stone without breaking the bank, consider using it for a short wall. This would look especially good in the front yard to add curb appeal, as you’re probably not looking for a full privacy fence there.

Wood Fence Post Caps

To take a basic wood fence up a notch, check out your options for fence post caps. There are many designs to choose from, so you’re bound to find a cap that fits with the style of your home. Post caps are an added cost when installing a fence. But compared to other options, such as intricate cuts or placement of the wood slats, they’re relatively cheap yet still effective to add personality.

Lattice

A lattice fence is both stylish and functional. It allows some visibility through it but still does provide privacy depending on how tight the lattice is. Plus, you can grow plants on it that will give you further privacy. Lattice also will work to keep larger critters out of your yard.

Vertical Garden

Make your fence come alive with a vertical garden. One way to do this is to simply add hooks to your fence, from which you can hang pots. Just make sure the fencing material is sturdy enough for the weight of the pots. (Plastic pots are ideal, as they are generally lightweight.) What’s great about a vertical garden like this is it will hide any blemishes on your fence and instead draw attention to the beauty of the plants.

Surfboard Fence

There are many offbeat fence ideas to consider, including making fences from atypical materials like surfboards. While this does offer some privacy and property delineation, it’s mostly to add aesthetic appeal to your yard. You can use the surfboards to make a focal point fence panel, and then construct the rest of the fence out of a more traditional and practical material.

Layered Fencing

There are some cases where you might want more than one fence. In this case, the tall privacy fence fades into the background behind the planters. And the rich wood fence is what pops. This is a great option if you don’t want to break the bank on a large privacy fence. Use more expensive materials for a small fence in front of the privacy fence, and allow it to steal the show.

Woven Fence

Be one with nature by crafting a woven fence out of pliable branches. This is a great option for garden beds to protect them against some critters and keep the soil contained. You’re essentially weaving a basket for your plants. This look is easily customizable for wherever you want to build the fence; just cut branches to the sizes you need.

The best type of garden fencing depends on your taste, budget, and whether your fence is purely decorative or designed to provide privacy or to keep animals and kids from getting in and/or out. In terms of materials, a garden fence made from PVC or vinyl is an affordable, low maintenance, weather-resistant option. Aluminum and steel garden fences are suited to more decorative designs and are often powder-coated for protection, but are more prone to rust. Wood fences are classic and nostalgic, but vulnerable to rot, mold, and termites.

Wood fences need the most maintenance and require staining and sealing every two to three years to help keep them protected.

If it is in good shape, provides curb appeal, privacy for a pool or backyard, or offers safety for pets and children, a fence can add value to the home.

23 fence ideas – beautiful and affordable designs for your yard

Border your front or back yard with stylish fence ideas that enhance privacy without compromising on great design.

Great fence ideas can do so much for your outdoor space – enhancing privacy, creating different areas for socializing in, and even helping you grow climbing plants in your front or backyard. There are fence ideas for privacy and those that are specifically for making vegetable gardens look good. Whichever you choose, they can add a ton of interest to spaces big and small. Plus, they needn’t be expensive to install, or too elaborate to DIY.

Whether you want a traditional rustic look, a more subtle, natural design, or a modern metal finish for a flash of contemporary cool, there are a vast choice of fence styles and materials out there. Just decide which best suits your needs, taste and budget. Then, all you need to do is install the very best garden furniture in your outdoor space, and you’re good to go for summer.

Fence ideas for flair and function

A key feature of landscaping a yard, a fence will go a long way in keeping your outdoor space private, stylish and protected from (most) wildlife intruders.

1. Juxtapose a neutral fence with a flash of color

If you choose only the brightest plants and outdoor furniture for that matter, let your fence take a back seat with a natural, solid wood finish that will help all your bright decor do the talking. Your fence should blend in and disappear into your garden ideas and planting, not conflict with them.

2. A slatted wooden fence for modern patios

Slatted designs still increase privacy and make great patio ideas for more contemporary yard spaces. Accessorize and increase privacy further with tall, colorful planting around your fence to create a cool and very liveable section of your outdoor space.

3. Fence off your outdoor dining space with tall panels

If your yard is all about outdoor living then creating convivial zones that feel really relaxed and secluded is the right way to go. The dark vertical panels fence off this dining area perfectly and, the dark stain creates a gorgeous atmospheric backdrop beyond those tall trees, helping it all blend into the landscape.

4. Garden fence ideas for boundaries

To mark rear garden boundaries, solid timber fencing, such as closeboard or lap panel, is best. Closeboard, also known as feather edge, is composed of vertical feather-edged boards fitted to a sturdy frame of posts and horizontal rails, while lap fencing, also known as waney or overlap fencing, is made from waney-edge boards that are partially overlapped and fitted horizontally onto a timber frame.

Each has its own benefits: closeboard garden fencing is stronger and more weather-resistant, making it better suited to exposed sites. It can be bought as individual panels, or featherboards can be purchased separately and fitted to a frame, allowing for an uninterrupted stretch of fence. Meanwhile, lap fencing generally only comes in panel form and offers a more affordable option.

Understanding different types of fencing is important to the overall success of your garden design – make sure the fencing type you’ve chosen works for your backyard style.

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5. Go with a garden trellis for zoning

If you want to screen off different areas within your yard, then strength and privacy won’t be as paramount, and you can afford to use a fence design that is less solid and more pretty. Traditional square or lattice trellis ideas are good choices for zoning, particularly for sectioning off a separate sanctuary area without blocking out sunlight. What’s more, it’s great for growing climbing plants against to create a living wall. Alternatively, slatted screening can be used as a garden fence for a more contemporary backdrop.

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6. Make your garden fencing a design feature

Treat your garden fence as you would a feature wall in the home to add interest to vertical space. This could mean painting a section of it in a bold color, or using a patterned panel to create a focal point, as above. Explore garden screening ideas that really emphasize beautiful patterns and good materials for maximum effect.

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7. Pick a pretty picket

Picket-style garden fencing provides a barrier, without cutting off your plot from the outside world – the low height invites interaction, while the gaps between pales give a glimpse of the garden beyond. This type of fencing design is great for sectioning off a vegetable patch for protection from pets and children. For increased privacy, grow a hedge behind the garden fence or allow climbers to tangle between the rails.

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8. Paint a picket fence for rustic color

Match the picket fence to the gate and even a suburban terraced property can look like a rustic haven. Stick to a pale shade and match your planting to the color of the paintwork for a really light touch. Painted fences contrast nicely with natural garden path ideas.

9. Fence off a vegetable patch with a woven number

If you’ve got a thriving kitchen garden going, then add a little structure around it for better wind and even pest protection. Choose a fence material that is in keeping with nature, like woven hurdle fencing that is usually made from willow or hazel to give a beautiful rustic look to a yard. It’s also cheap and super practical too, as in situ it can be shaped to fit curved boundaries, and its open structure makes it wind-resistant.

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10. Uniform woven fence designs

If you are looking for full-height garden fence ideas, woven panels can provide strength and will protect plants from harsh winds, while letting sunlight through. Note that they are very appealing to climbing plants that may use the weave to anchor their tendrils. This fence design can be used to create a lovely living wall, but take care that the panels do not get damaged over time.

11. Take out the gate opening for fluidity

Instead of fencing your entire space and adding a garden gate, keep the space open to increase ease of movement around your backyard. Also, don’t shy away from modern-looking slatted screen fencing designs. Inject a little boho glam into your traditional yard by slinging garden lights from them (the slats are perfect for hooking things on to) to create a twilight entertaining zone. They are also fab in the day as they create shade while allowing some light to stream through.

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12. Consider metal fencing panels

The industrial look of this fence design works really well for period properties. Add an edge to a garden of pretty meadow flowers with a hardwearing metal fence. There are plenty to choose from, but we like cut-out designs that won’t look too heavy in a traditional scheme.

13. DIY a colored fence for an affordable upgrade

Let your front garden fence bring color to your outdoor space in all seasons with a splash of brightly colored paint. You can buy panels that are pre-treated in colored stains, but otherwise, take advantage of the large range of the best exterior wood paints on the market and save cash with this easy DIY.

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14. Build a boundary with climbing plants

Barely-there wire trellis can be used in vertical gardening to support a number of climbers including favorites like roses and clematis. While you may not want to use this fencing design for the external boundaries of your garden, it can help break your garden up into different areas and maximize the planting potential of your plot.

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15. Choose iron railings for a classic front yard fence

Wrought iron railings are another garden fence idea that is frequently used as part of front yard landscaping ideas, to create a boundary that looks imposing from a security point of view, without blocking the view of the home. They are strong, can be painted in any color, are sure to keep the dog and kids secure, and finally, they require little maintenance.

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16. Build a living wall

While not strictly speaking a fence, you can create a beautiful natural boundary with a retaining wall made from vertical oak sleepers. This fencing design will form a raised bed of sorts that can be planted with tall grasses for height, or low herbs and shrubs.

You can also build a very easy living wall with privet or box hedge, as in this exquisite example by J Montgomery Designs.

17. Create a dramatic backdrop for planting

Looking for garden fence ideas that really show off your planting? One way to create this is to paint or spray your garden fence a dark color, such as deep blue or black. Then position light-leafed plants in front of it for a dramatic contrast.

18. Mix slatted and solid fencing

If you have a small patio that faces a busy street or driveway, you can make it more private by surrounding it with tall fencing, one of the most private fence ideas. The trick is not to go for solid fencing on all sides, to prevent an overly severe or boxed-in look. Instead, use a combination of slatted fencing that lets the light through, along with a panel of solid fencing where you need the most privacy.

19. Give your fence the feature wall treatment

Three gorgeous colors make this small fence pop. Perfect to frame a cozy reading spot – and imagine how great this would look on a grander scale too, if you have the space.

20. Be coherent with your color scheme

If you have a lot of light tones or another dominating hue on your patio area, stick to it with your fence ideas for added uniformity. What’s more, it will enhance the space you have, making it feel lighter.

21. Create a private corner nook with your fencing

One of the most versatile fence ideas for privacy, a corner seating area can be styled in many different ways. From painted designs fences to attractive natural wood designs like this one by The London Gardener, a corner fence is your opportunity to create a private outdoor living space that’s exactly to your taste.

22. Grow flowering shrubs through your fence

To achieve a soft and organic look, always combine hard fencing with green fencing. Climbing plants like jasmine and clematis are obvious candidates for growing up a fence, but we also really like the white hydrangea peeking through a lattice fence in this romantic design by Ronni Hock Garden and Landscape.

23. Install a low garden fence to mark out your vegetable garden

Fence ideas for gardens don’t need to be tall. If you want your vegetable garden to look neat and defined, a low, slightly rustic fence is all you really need. A garden fence like this one, designed by Rock Spring Design, will look really good in a larger backyard with a separate area for gardening.

Which wood is best for garden fencing panels?

Cedar is the ideal choice of timber for most fence ideas, but as pressure-treated pine is more affordable, it might be preferred and can be just as effective if well cared for. When you choose timber, remember to check how it has been treated. Fencing is commonly either dip-treated (where the wood is immersed in preservative), or pressure-treated where it is also treated with preservative but dried first. This is longer lasting but comes with a higher price tag. Dip-treated fences need periodic re-treating, so it might be worth investing in a paint sprayer for regular reapplications of a fence stain.

Fencing can be bought in two ways: you can either have a bespoke design built to specific dimensions, or purchase ready-made panels in standard sizes. Whichever option you choose, we have plenty of garden fence ideas on offer. However, which is best for you should be determined by the purpose and your property type.

How to install your garden fence

Erecting fencing is within the grasp of competent DIYers, but if doing it yourself, it’s best to ask someone else to help.

Fences, walls and gates do not require building regulations approval, but it is important that they are structurally sound. New fencing will not usually require planning permission either; however, if you live in a listed property, or in the curtilage of one, then you will need to seek listed building consent.

Our top garden fencing tips:

1. Decide whether you want to set your posts in concrete or use post supports. Metal post supports are quicker and easier to install but can be weaker.
2. Install your fencing by putting up the posts and panels alternately as you go down the line. Doing it this way should result in the correct spacing.
3. When installing posts in the ground, ensure that at least a quarter of the total height of the post, ideally 60cm, is below ground level for stability.
4. Use a spirit level as you go to check that your panels are level
5. Prolong the life of your fence panels by using pressure-treated gravel boards below the panels.
6. Fences on a slope need to step up or down the slope.
7. Leave hedgehog holes under solid fences so these creatures can move from garden to garden.
8. Use post caps to protect the timber from rain and create a more attractive finish.
9. Use thicker, 100mm posts for heavy panels for additional strength.

What is the cheapest fence option?

Penny Swift, author of more than 40 books about construction and home improvements, singles out chain-link or wire mesh as ‘undoubtedly the cheapest fence option. It’s also reasonably easy to install, though it must be pulled taut and secure at the base so that pets and/or wildlife can’t dig their way in or out.’

‘Depending on the look you want and your budget, you can use wooden pools or metal posts to secure the chain link. You can also opt for vinyl-coated chain link, which looks more attractive, typically lasts longer, but will cost a little more.’

How can you make a garden fence look nicer?

The best solution is also the easiest, according to Swift. She says, ‘You can improve the appearance of ordinary chain-link fences by growing climbers and creepers over the fence. It takes a while, but will eventually form a much more solid, attractive screen.’

Another option if you have a limited budget is to ‘insert narrow strips of wood through the links to make the fence more solid and less visually open. If your fence is made of wood make sure to maintain it otherwise it will deteriorate and start to look shabby.’

What can I put up instead of a fence?

‘Walls are the obvious option to fences, but they do cost more’, says Swift. ‘The other traditional option is to plant a hedge, but that will take years to establish. Shade netting is another option. This relies on sturdy posts or poles to keep the netting in place. It can work visually but isn’t a good option for safety or security.’

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Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She has a passion for contemporary home decor and gardening. She covers a range of topics, from practical advice to interior and garden design.

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