10 Fence Ideas to Add Privacy and Style to Your Yard

Written By: Decks Team

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A well-designed fence offers not only privacy and security but also an opportunity to explore a wide range of aesthetic possibilities for your outdoor space. By making the right fencing choices and incorporating great fencing ideas, you can discover new ways to enhance the exterior of your home. 

Whether it's wood, metal, or composite fencing, each material offers unique solutions for safety, defining spaces, and reducing noise while complementing your property's architectural features. Fence ideas expand beyond the traditional, spanning classic to contemporary and everything in between, presenting a world of design opportunities to explore.

1. Choose a Traditional Vertical Slat Fence

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Traditional doesn’t have to mean boring. Many property owners opt for the traditional vertical slat fence, a solid choice when you need privacy and security. With a selection of different design options available, traditional fence ideas aren’t limited to just a single fence design. They offer a versatile fencing solution with options such as fence height, construction material, construction method, and slat positioning, allowing you to mix things up to suit your style and vision. 

2. Safety First with a Pool Fence

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A backyard pool is a must when it comes to soaking in the glorious summer sun. To keep things safe, some states have stringent laws about pool fencing design specifications. These specifications include factors such as fencing height, railing positioning, and picket spacing, along with the inclusion of outward-opening, self-closing, and self-latching gates.

However, these laws still give you plenty of options for pool fence ideas, including your choice of design, material, and color. By crafting a pool fence with care and consideration, you can enhance both the look of your pool and pool deck area and its safety, giving you peace of mind.

3. Choose Composite Fencing for a Low-Maintenance Option

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Nothing spoils a spectacular view like a rotting, faded fence. And that’s what you have to look forward to with natural materials such as wood that are susceptible to decay and weather-protecting stain deterioration. This usually means ongoing annual maintenance, costing you time and money.

Alternatively, some low-maintenance fence ideas and options, such as a composite fence constructed with a product like Trex Composite Fence material, simply need to be cleaned. Choosing this material gives you a substantial range of composite fencing ideas from traditional slat designs to horizontal options. It also looks great alongside other materials, such as aluminum and steel.

When you’re checking out reviews for composite fence ideas, you'll discover they offer enhanced durability, need minimal maintenance, and have an extended lifespan over competing materials. Composite is made of a combination of reclaimed sawdust and plastic, which helps to prevent issues like rot, splintering, and splitting, making composite fencing a trouble-free solution.

Listen to what one happy DIY-er has to say about the benefits of composite fencing here.

4. Add Contrast with Dark or Black Fencing

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When someone mentions fencing, you typically think of white pickets or a natural wood finish. Dark or black fence ideas are probably not what comes to mind. However, a dark or black fence can provide a striking contrast and visual curiosity.

Incorporating dark fencing into older properties can give them a modern update without the expense of major home renovations. Similarly, using black fencing on modern buildings avoids the risk of traditional fencing looking out of place.

Also, a surprising quality of black fencing is its ability to blend into its surroundings and become significantly less noticeable than a bright white fence. In some instances, placing specific greenery in front of dark fencing makes the fence fade into the background, allowing the focus to remain on the vibrant landscape.

5. Add a Modern Touch with Horizontal Fencing

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Horizontal fencing flips the script on traditional vertical layouts by orienting slats horizontally, bringing a contemporary touch to your space. This twist on traditional fencing opens a world of possibilities for horizontal privacy fence ideas, including varying material dimensions, spacing, and even color and finish.

Slats can be placed tightly together for added privacy, spaced apart for increased airflow, or used in a variety of material widths for a unique design. Whether you're seeking modern front yard fence ideas or back garden fencing solutions, horizontal fencing proves to be a versatile choice for avant-garde design.

6. Go Classic with a Picket Fence

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Sometimes, sticking with the tried-and-true options is the way to go, like opting for classic picket fencing. While pickets may not offer the best privacy, they do provide good separation and complement a home nicely. White picket fences draped with plants and flowers are fixtures in traditional suburban homes and country cottages. However, picket fence ideas are not limited to just the traditional design. Varying picket lengths, materials, finishes, and top-cut details can all differ, allowing for flair within your design. So your choice of picket fencing can maintain a timeless appeal or embrace a fresh, innovative twist.

7. Mix Up Your Fencing with Mixed Materials

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Not only are you introducing a distinctive look to your outdoor space but mixing different materials also allows you to leverage the unique strengths of various products, such as Trex Horizon Fencing, which is a combination of metal and composite.

Using a combination of materials, such as wood, concrete, rock, metal, and even glass, can result in a one-of-a-kind and impressive mixed-material fencing solution. This approach not only ensures the privacy and security you’re after but also offers opportunities to enhance your landscape aesthetic and structural design.

8. Add a Decorative Element to Your Fence with Patterns

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Let those creative juices flow by exploring the versatility of fencing materials that can enhance the visual appeal of your design. Fun decorative fencing ideas could involve arranging materials at various angles to form patterns such as squares, triangles, and diamonds. The scope of integrating geometric designs into your fencing is limitless. Beyond using straight lines, you can venture into incorporating curves and circles into your design. With the help of skilled craftspeople, you can bring virtually any design to life.

9. Use Trellis or Lattice Fencing for an Open, yet Private Backyard

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Trellis and lattice fencing strike a balance between security and openness by offering a partially obscured view while still allowing wind, light, and ambient noise to pass through. These types of open-structure fences alleviate the enclosed feeling that solid fences can create, which works wonderfully in small spaces.

A popular use of lattice or trellis fencing is to place it on top of a solid fence. This application allows for the security and privacy of a solid fence while taking advantage of the open structure of a lattice or trellis. Not only is this a great way to build a privacy screen, but this lattice fence idea creates an ideal framework for climbing and trailing plants.

10. Make a Statement with a Metal Fence

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Turn heads by putting up metal fencing that adds visual appeal and architectural charm. The sheer nature of metal evokes a sense of strength and durability, which is perfect for creating a balance of security and appearance. Whether you opt for tall, imposing barriers or low-level decorative accents, metal fence ideas can be striking additions to any property.

Get More Inspiration for Adding Curb Appeal to Your Home

If you’re looking for more inspiring ways to increase your property's curb appeal, follow the links below. Here, we explore privacy fence ideas, DIY composite fencing, and review deck railing ideas and designs.

• Composite Fencing: Reviews & DIY Installation Overview
• Building a Deck Privacy Screen, Wall or Fence 
• Top 18 Deck Railing Ideas & Designs