Decorative fences can be a unique way to frame your yard and express your style. They can also protect children and pets and keep intruders away from your home.
Decorative fence ideas can be as simple or extravagant as you wish. Here are some creative ways to make your fence a work of landscaping art:
Decorative Rock Pathways
A decorative rock pathway is easy to create and adds a sense of depth to your garden. Use gravel, river rocks or even sand to line walkways and connect garden beds. Choose natural coloured aggregates to complement your design scheme.
Low planting (thigh height or below) along paths offers long views and plenty of space around the body, promoting a stronger connection between paths and their surrounding areas. On the other hand, tall planting blocks views and makes pathways feel closed and private.
Hang a collection of picture frames from a fence and fill them with your favorite garden pictures for a backyard gallery wall. Or, repurpose a window grate and lean it against a wood fence to plant tough annuals such as ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia and pink ‘Supertunia Vista Fuchsia’ petunia. These flowers will grow over time to create a beautiful green backdrop.
Decorative Rock Gardens
Rock gardens provide natural beauty to the yard, as well as a unique feature that adds texture and color. They can define a slope or act as a substitute for a lawn in areas where little grows. Rock gardens are also great for screening an outdoor space like a deck or patio.
Vary the size of your rocks, stones and pebbles to achieve a more organic look. If possible, mix up the colors as well. For example, dark grey rocks can contrast with lighter sand or gravel and green plants.
Plant drought-tolerant, flowering shrubs and perennials to create a garden that will bloom throughout the season. If you’d like to attract pollinators, add bee-friendly flowers as well. Add uplighting to illuminate the rocks and plants at night for an extra touch of drama.
Decorative Window Boxes
When you want to brighten up a fence, a window box is a lovely choice. It can be placed near the front of your home or on a garden wall to create an eye-catching display of flowers, shrubs or other greenery.
Plant a mix of fillers and thrillers in a window box to keep it looking lush and full throughout the growing season. For example, in this container, ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia and ‘Marguerite’ sweet potato vine share space with scabiosa, foxglove, and licorice plants.
Add a little whimsy to your backyard with a funky repurposed birdhouse that doubles as an art piece for the fence. This is a fun DIY project that the whole family can get involved in. Just make sure to follow all local laws regarding wildlife. Decorative wrens also work well as decorative fence art.
Decorative Planters
Add interest to a fence by planting containers filled with flowers, herbs and other plants. Place them at regular intervals along the length of a fence. Try terra cotta planters or ceramic pots for an elegant look, or go rustic with wooden crates. Fill a container with agastache, bee balm, trumpet creeper and red salvia for a color-packed effect that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Use a garden-themed quotation or your family name to create a piece of art for a fence. Or, showcase a grouping of framed prints to make a backyard gallery wall.
Repurpose a decorative panel for your fence to instantly add curb appeal. Try a paint trend like an ombre finish or add texture with wood grain. Hang a dragonfly sculpture for a bold, eye-catching touch. Decorative panels can also double as garden art with an intricate floral motif that’s perfect for cottage gardens.
Decorative Mirrors
Decorative mirrors add both style and functionality to a home. They can help brighten a room, create the illusion of more space, and showcase art or plants. They can also work as a focal point to draw attention from other pieces in your garden design.
Choose a mirror with a frame that complements your garden decor. Thin frames are ideal for contemporary gardens, while arches and window pane styles work well in traditional gardens. Circular mirrors are another great option, as they help the eye flow visually and offer a different look than an angular one.
Don’t forget to weatherproof your mirror before hanging it outdoors. This will prevent moisture from seeping behind the glass and causing damage. Old jars and glassware are another good choice for adding decorative interest to your fence. Paint them in fun colors and place at regular intervals along the fence for a colorful display.
Decorative Window Grates
Decorative grilles aren’t just for windows, they can be hung on a fence as well to instantly transform it into a work of art. Choose a pretty patterned design, and surround it with climbing plants for an extra-smart look.
A fence may be a practical necessity to keep pets and kids out of flower beds or to obscure the yard from nosy neighbors, but it doesn’t have to be ugly. Use these expert suggestions to beautify your yard with plant-based boundaries, ornamental screens and more.
This backyard looks like a garden, thanks to this winding ivy-covered fence and gate. You can mimic the enchanting scene from The Secret Garden by planting English ivy, a deciduous vine that provides privacy all year, with a flowery climber like clematis. Then, accent the fence with decorative plants and flowers that match your landscape scheme. If you are interested, check out what the automatic sliding gates installation in dallas-fort is worth.
Decorative Plant Hangers
Fencing adds structure and privacy to your yard, but it doesn’t have to be boring or plain. Paint, plants, and even a few accessories can transform your fence into a showstopping feature. From a flowering trellis to an artsy dragonfly sculpture, these landscape ideas will bring out the beauty in your fence and make it an important part of your garden or backyard.
Wooden fences complement a wide range of architectural styles, from sleek townhomes to historic Victorian mansions. If you prefer a more minimalist approach, use post caps ($25, Amazon) in an unusual color or material to draw attention to the top of the fence.
Hang planters from your fence to grow herbs for summer meals or flowering annuals that will brighten up the space. For a more permanent option, screw or twist cup hooks ($4 each, Target) into your fence for a more decorative look.
Decorative Flower Boxes
The area alongside your fence doesn’t have to be a blank canvas. Defining clear borders and boundaries with decorative rock helps keep your landscaping in check and also adds a nice design element. Plant low-maintenance drought-tolerant plants or ornamental grasses among the rocks to create a gorgeous display that complements your fence and garden.
A simple wood fence can look elegant when painted a deep green or black color. Adding trellis and planting climbing flowers such as vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) or Saxifraga x urbium (London pride) on the trellis gives a lush and beautiful finish.
Flower boxes can be filled with flowers to add a pop of color and attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Try planting tulips, pansies, or rosemary for a spring display. Use poinsettias or Christmas cacti in the fall. Filling the boxes with seasonal blooms keeps the display looking fresh throughout the year.
Decorative Dragonfly Sculptures
Fencing provides structure and privacy to your yard but that doesn’t mean it has to look boring. A little paint, plants and accessories can make it a showstopping feature.
To add a touch of exotic flair to your garden, try this dragonfly wall plaque. Creatively sculpted, this metal dragonfly features a colorful finish with a thriving natural feel.
Treat your fence like a garden wall using unique planters. Hanging plates is a great way to showcase your garden flowers, and extra chairs double as unique hanging planters. Creepers and climbing plants such as ivy will happily grow up and over fences, walls and other structures, but be careful not to let it get out of control. Then again, some ivy can be very attractive when used on a decorative fence. For a more permanent solution, consider using decorative rock gardens that are filled with low-maintenance plants.
Decorative Panels
Decorative panels are a great addition to your fence for a fresh new look. They can be hung on a fence to serve as a unique backdrop for plants and add a beautiful touch of color that highlights the landscape.
A simple way to improve your backyard fencing is to plant flowering shrubs along the fence line. These shrubs provide more privacy and enhance the beauty of your property.
Some homeowners choose to plant creepers and climbing vines such as ivy on their fences. However, ivy can easily damage walls, panels and other landscaping elements over time.
Instead of planting ivy, you can use decorative rocks and drought-resistant plants to construct a rock garden that offers attractive contrasts and requires less maintenance. These gardens also help reduce soil erosion, which protects your landscaping from encroaching on the fence.