Your yard is your sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the office, school, and volunteer work that you do.
You spend your evenings there, reading books by the glow of a solar lamp, hosting pool parties for the kids, or enjoy quiet evenings with a glass of wine and a crackling fire nearby.
But you need a great perimeter fence to keep out the prying eyes of those nosy kids next door, or simply as a marker for where the property line runs.
Either way, if you don’t have a fence, you should consider some of these interesting, unique, and fun perimeter fence ideas, most of which you can do yourself.
Some Fun, Beautiful Modern Fence Ideas for Your Home
When you’re ready to build a new perimeter fence, you’ll want to check out these ideas that use a variety of different materials ranging from concrete to upcycled glass bottles.
Fence Idea #1 – DIY Upcycled Pallet Garden Fences
You can find old wooden pallets at a number of places, like shipping warehouses, grocery stores, or the Craigslist free section.
Find the plans you want to use first, to ensure you get enough pallets, and then grab other simple supplies to put up this reclaimed wood fence that offers a little bit of privacy and a lot of beauty.
You can find tons of tutorials online for building wooden pallet fences.
Fence Idea #2 – Galvanized Steel Perimeter Fence
For a thoroughly private perimeter fence that shines, you can install a galvanized steel fence. There are a variety of styles of steel that you can use, which can create a wide selection of fence types as well.
Galvanized steel is extremely durable as well since it rarely rusts so the fence will last a long time.
You can find tutorials on a variety of sites for a galvanized steel fence and learn more about galvanized steel options and styles to create short, tall, or uniquely styles fences.
Fence Idea #3 – Wattle Fences
Wattle fences aren’t exactly what you’d call modern, but vintage stylings are on the rise as a way of preserving our history and wasting nothing. Wattle fences are made of lightweight branches woven together and stacked inside wooden posts along the fence line.
If you’re still not familiar with the concept, try googling images for wattle fences, and look for some DIY tips and instructions for making these inexpensive, authentic fences.
Fence Idea #4 – Log Fences
Another vintage fence type reborn is the log fence. These are great for folks on a tight budget. Pretty much, you just load up stacks of wooden logs that have been cut to the specific length you desire for the texture of the fence.
You can build the fence pretty much as high as you like, to keep in, or out, whatever critters may frequent your backyard.
And, if built tall enough, these offer more privacy than nearly any fence could.
Fence Idea #5 – Latticework Fences
For those who love the lacy feel of latticework, you can build a simple but beautiful lattice fence at the perimeter of your yard.
This style of fence is fairly easy to install, gives some privacy, if constructed properly, and adds some interesting elements to the yard.
For full privacy with a latticework fence, try growing vines like ivy or other hardy vines that quickly cover. You’ll add a lot of color and greenery to the yard in the process.
Fence Idea #6 – Cattle Panel Fences
If you’re looking for an open, attractive perimeter fence, you may want to consider installing a cattle panel fence. It sounds like it’s farm-worthy, and it is, but this kind of fence is extremely attractive when done right.
Be sure to choose the right wood for the posts and frames.
You can create interesting fences with cattle panel fences by framing gates and sections and using interesting diagonal or Criss-cross frame supports across the sections of fencing.
Fence Idea #7 – DIY Decorative Fences
If you love a variety of styles, you can combine them into a single perimeter fence that catches the eye.
Galvanized steel, cattle panels, chicken wire, iron, and even reclaimed pallet wood can be combined into a single fence to create a unique, interesting visual unlike anyone else’s fence in the neighborhood.
Fence Idea #8 – Modern Privacy Fences
For a unique take on the corrugated metal and “standard” privacy fences, combine a few elements to create a completely modern, gorgeous fence as tall as you like.
Using corrugated metal panels and painted wood supports, construct a unique, staggered look. You can use the painted wood cross beams as shelves for small potted plants, candles, and another décor for parties, evenings in the backyard, or just whenever.
Bonus, these fences give more privacy than just about any kind of fence could.
Fence Idea #9 – Chicken Wire Garden Fences
Another option for repurposing supplies is taking old chicken wire and reclaimed wood and creating a garden perimeter fence that’s sturdy and attractive.
You may not find tutorials for this style as much as some other styles, but with a little bit of study on creating fence panel frames.
Chicken wire is easily attached to the wood with a staple gun.
Think through the height of your fence before finding your supplies or let the supplies you find dictate the height and width of your fence.
Fence Idea #10 – Gabion Wall Fences
A gabion wall is a retaining wall built with a wood frame and wire. The wire “pocket” in the wall is filled with stones.
As a fence, gabion walls are usually combined with wooden posts and panels for a striking contrast, and the wire cage is filled with unique and beautiful stones.
Many choose local rocks and large cobblestones as their fill.
Fence Idea #11 – Repurposed Bottle Fences
For a unique twist on a concrete wall as a perimeter fence, you can use repurposed glass bottles as décor.
After creating the frame for the fence with wooden posts, and either backing the fence with concrete or wooden panels, the decorative side is constructed using glass bottles with their bottoms facing outward.
Concrete is then used to fill in the gaps between the bottles. For the most interesting glass bottle wall fences, explore thrift stores, dollar stores, and garage sales to find glass bottles in a wide variety of colors.
You can then accent the wall with other interesting objects, such as large glass beads, smooth colorful stones, or other materials. The smaller the accent objects, of course, the more work will be required.
Fence Idea #12 – Concrete Block Fences
For a reasonably easy to construct a fence, you can use concrete blocks. You can construct the wall in one of three ways.
The blocks can be side by side, concrete sides facing into the yard. The blocks can also be stacked together so that the holes in the blocks create the wall, making the neighbor’s yard or nearby space visible.
Finally, you can alternate the way the blocks are stacked, some with the concrete facing in, some with the holes exposed. This third option will be the trickiest to create but can make for a very interesting fence.
Fence Idea #13 – Bamboo Fences
If you’re into a natural-looking fence, consider making one from bamboo.
You’ll need to find some tall, thick bamboo stalks, and grab some weather-treated wood from the hardware store. Make a base out of concrete to anchor the pieces, then construct panels from bamboo and wire or twine, and install.
Bamboo fences are stunning, easy to build, and lightweight, and make a stunning backdrop for family photos and pool parties.
Creating Your Ideal Backyard Starts with the Right Fence
If you’re ready to install a stunning, unique, or simple modern fence, you can consider any of the above options. Many of them used repurposed materials that you can find at yard sales, on the free section at Craigslist, or while dumpster diving in the city.
Get creative and make your fence your own by adding unique twists to the ideas above or using a step-by-step tutorial.
If none of these ideas quite tickle your fancy, you can learn more about fence types, design styles, and materials, you can check out some great informative sites like Home Stratosphere.
Common FAQs
How do you make a natural fence?
A natural fence is a type of fence that is made from natural materials. There are many materials that can be used to make a natural fence and the type of material depends on the environment and your preference.
Some popular types of fences include:
-Logs: Trees can be cut down to make logs that can be arranged to form a fence.
-Bamboo: Bamboo is a strong, flexible, and lightweight plant that grows quickly. It can grow up to three feet in one day!
-Wooden boards: Wooden boards are easy to use and they provide a sturdy barrier.
-Straw bales: Straw bales are inexpensive but they do need some maintenance over time.
How do I keep my fence looking natural?
Wooden fences are a great addition to any property, but they can deteriorate over time. There are three ways to keep your fence looking natural and well-kept without spending too much money or time.
1) Pressure wash the fence every six months to remove dirt and grime that accumulates on the surface of the wood.
2) Add a coat of sealant every three years to protect the wood from moisture damage.
3) Apply a penetrating oil every six months to help preserve the natural color of your fence.
What plants can be used as a fence?
Fences are used for many purposes, but mostly to keep people and animals in or out.
There are many types of fences that can be used for different purposes. For example, a wire fence is great for containing livestock. A wooden fence is good for keeping pets in the yard or deterring deer from eating your plants.
You can also use a chain link fence to keep people out of your yard, but this type of fence is not very attractive and it’s not usually strong enough to contain livestock.
A metal mesh fence is good if you want something that has a more modern feel than a wooden or chain link fence. And finally, you could use hedges as a way to create the illusion of privacy without having to worry about them being too high or too expensive.
What is the cheapest style of fence?
The cheapest style of fence is a plain wood fence. Wood fences are great because they are affordable and durable. They can be made from treated or untreated wood, and they can be stained to match any color scheme you want.
Wood fences are a popular choice for many homeowners because they come in a variety of styles, colors, and heights. They also have a timeless look to them that will never go out of style.
