Better Homes And Gardens Fence Ideas

Great garden fence ideas are a must to not only create a sturdy barrier at the front or back of your house for privacy and safety but, to also add more personality and style to your outdoor space. You don't need to spend a fortune either as there are plenty of cheap ways to fence off your yard space, without compromising on that pop of color or cool design either.

Whether you want to fence off your vegetable garden, an entire decked area or just your front yard to keep the dog in (or the kids) we've rounded up the best looking and most functional fencing ideas to inspire this addition to your garden landscaping design.

1. Choose a neutral fence for a color pop

Pink flower bed ideas complement color scheme

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 within the fenced area do the talking.

See all our garden wall ideas for more inspiration.

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.

Find more garden ideas in our ultimate gallery.

4. Garden fence ideas for boundaries

Wickes-Featheredge-Fence-Panel — *Made from dip-treated softwood in* *Wickes' feather-edge fencing* *costs £129 for a pack of three H93cm x W183cm panels*

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.

We can help with garden design too.

5. Go with a garden trellis for zoning

Garden Trellis Co DSC_2625 — *This square-lattice painted trellising was custom-made by The Garden Trellis Co. Bespoke projects are priced on application, and* *off-the-peg options* *cost from £20 for a H30cm x W180cm panel*

If you want to screen off different areas within your garden, then strength and privacy won't be as paramount, and you can afford to use a fence design that is less robust. Traditional square or lattice trellising is a good choice 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.

See all our trellis ideas in our edit.

6. Make your garden fencing a design feature

B&Q modular Neva fencing with patterned panels — *B&Q's modular* *Neva fencing includes laser-cut aluminium panels* *that can be positioned vertically or horizontally, shown here as patterned gates and* *wooden planks* *, which slot into steel fence posts. From £90 per panel*

Treat your garden fence as you would a feature wall in the home to add interest to a vertical space. This could mean painting a section of it in a bold colour, or using a patterned panel to create a focal point.

See all our garden screening ideas .

7. Pick a pretty picket

*This* *Traditional Palisade fencing from Jacksons* *comes as individual components, to fit any size plot. Post, £12.40; corner post, £13.40; rail, £6.15; pale, £1.50*

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.

8. Paint a picket fence for rustic color

path winding through the front garden of a victorian home to the door

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.

Like that walkway? Here are all our garden path ideas .

9. Fence off a vegetable patch with a woven number

Hazel Hurdle 5 — *This* *hazel fencing from Harrod Horticultural* *is ideal for a rustic scheme; the wood wraps around the end of each panel for strength. Prices start from £48.95*

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.

10. Or, choose a more uniform woven fence design

*Quercus' woven oak fencing panels* are handmade from the highest quality English wood at its Somerset workshop. Finished with self-preserving tannins, the hardwearing panels require no maintenance once installed and will age to an attractive silver tone. From £223.20 for a 6ft x 6ft panel

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 will damage the panels over time.

11. Take out the gate opening for fluidity

Silva Timber Western Red Cedar Slatted Screen Fence

Instead of fencing your entire space and adding a gate, keep the space open to increase ease of movement around your back yard. Also, don't shy away from modern looking slatted screen fencing designs. Inject a little boho glam into your traditional garden 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.

*Like an iron-clad barn in a wheatfield, these weathered* *Corten steel panels from Harrod Horticultural* *blend naturalism with industrial design. The rust-coloured metal makes a stunning backdrop to cottage-garden style borders. From £410*

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 which won't look too heavy in a traditional scheme.

13. DIY a colored fence for a cheap upgrade

*Grange's pre-painted Woodbury timber fencing panels* *are pressure-treated and guaranteed for 15 years, priced* **£322** *for five H180xW180cm panels at B&Q*

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 which are pre-treated in coloured stains, but otherwise, take advantage of the large range of fence paints on the market and save cash with this easy DIY.

Find the best exterior wood paints for this DIY.

14. Build a boundary with climbing plants

Recreate a Victorian feel to your garden using wirework trellis still woven using ancient skills. Made from zinc galvanised wirework, the trellis panels won't rot or rush and creates an elegant garden screen. Bespoke available. These straight panels are perfect for topping walls. Price on request from *Garden Requisites*

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 you break your garden up in to different areas and maximises the planting potential of your plot.

15. Choose iron railings for a classic front yard fence

Wrought iron railings are another garden fence idea that are frequently used to the front of properties as they 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, sure to keep the dog and kids secure and finally, they require little maintenance.

Find all our front garden ideas in this edit.

16. Build a living retaining wall

*This bespoke border from* *South Hams Fencing and Landscaping* *works perfectly in a country setting, £175 per metre*

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.

Find out which are the best garden plant ideas for your outdoor space.

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. 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 makes this small fence pop. Perfect to frame a cozy reading spot and imagine how great this would look on a grander scale too.

20. Be coherent with your color scheme

Maxine Brady transformed her small garden into a Moroccan-inspired haven — 'I wanted to use patterned tiles I'd seen in Marrakech, but they'd be too slippery when wet,' Maxine says. 'Instead, I went for bespoke hexagonal granite paving with a textured finish, which is safer in wet weather.' Hexagonal paving, *CED Stone* *. Bench,* *George Home* *. Neon pink cushion,* *The Effortless Trading Co*

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.

Which wood is best for garden fencing panels?

Garden fence in a country cottage garden

Cedar is the ideal choice of timber, 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 (check our buying guides for both).

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 purpose and 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:

Decide whether you want to set your posts in concrete or use post supports. Metal post supports are quicker and easier, but can be weaker.
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.
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.
Use a spirit level as you go to check that your panels are level
Prolong the life of your fence panels by using pressure treated gravel boards below the panels.
Fences on a slope need to step up or down the slope.
Leave hedgehog holes under solid fences so these creatures can move from garden to garden.
Use post caps to protect the timber from rain and create a more attractive finish.
Use thicker, 100mm posts for heavy panels for additional strength.

Fence it off guys 🙌