Privacy Fence Ideas

Wood privacy fences are budget-friendly and simple to install. One of the most common backyard fences, wood fences offer classic looks and other design options. Wood privacy fences tend to require finishing and other forms of upkeep. They are also less durable over time.

Cedar, pine and redwood are popular woods for planks. Recycled pallets provide a less traditional approach. Stockade fencing offers a traditional design with clean lines and a smooth flow. Pickets, rails and posts can be installed individually or in pre-made panels. The tops can be flat, rounded or jagged. 

Tip: Any kind of wood fencing should be treated with sealants to protect against weather, rot and pests. Paint or stain the fence every 2 to 3 years. 

Composite privacy fences offer a lot of options to match your home’s style. Made of recycled plastics or wood products, composite fences need less upkeep than wood fences. They may have the look of a white picket fence or a stone surface. Composite fences come in pickets, posts and panels. Decorative patterns on some panels add to their appeal.

PVC vinyl fencing looks similar and lasts longer than wood fencing. Like a composite fence, a vinyl privacy fence also needs less maintenance. However, it can be can require more investment in the short term. Vinyl privacy fences also tend to become brittle in cold weather.

Metal privacy fences, made with panels or sheets of metal, can offer a simple, modern look. Corrugated metal tends to be lighter and more budget friendly than wood. A metal privacy fence also doesn’t need as much care as a wood fence. 

A tall chain-link privacy fence can enclose your yard securely. You can block the view through it by weaving plastic privacy slats between the links. These privacy slats come in multiple colors. A chain-link privacy fence is durable and easy to maintain. It has a more straightforward look than most other backyard fence ideas.

A bamboo privacy fence can add tropical style to your space. Look for a bamboo slat fence that’s made with cut bamboo. A sustainable material, this type of bamboo privacy fence embraces the rustic look. Unique fence ideas like bamboo slats can also bring a more upscale feel to a yard. 

Tip: Steer clear of bamboo plants. They can easily take over your yard and wipe out native plants. 

Brick or stone fences add the utmost in privacy. Depending on the type of stone or brick you choose, your yard can reflect a classic look, old world charm or modern appeal. One of the most popular choices, brick and stone fences are seen everywhere from country estates to townhomes in major cities. Brick or stone fences create a border between neighbors and help to block out sound.

Some backyard fence ideas can bring more color and greenery to your yard. Try a vertical garden privacy fence, also known as a living wall. Planters for privacy fences can be built-in or added as window boxes. Or create a charming look with flowerpots hung from the slats of a classic fence. 

A vertical garden is a great solution for city dwellers who want more space for plants. Living walls filled with planters for privacy fences are also a beautiful option those with large yards.

Durable and practical, an iron, aluminum or other metal fence can provide safety while also letting light in. While these open fences may not provide complete privacy, they do make your home look and feel more secure. You can choose an open metal privacy fence to match your home’s look. Metal privacy fences are easy to maintain and require less upfront investment than some fence types.

Horizontal privacy fences work well in both rural and urban spaces. They are made with slats that are parallel to the ground, instead of the more traditional vertical type. A horizontal privacy fence adds a timeless look, without making a statement too bold. They block views, while still letting some light into your yard.

One of the best fencing ideas are shrubs. An eye-catching alternative to a typical yard fence, a fence made of shrubbery is a creative landscaping idea. A shrubbery privacy fence can add curb appeal, while also providing a spot for birds and butterflies.

These privacy fences grow quickly and are often planted too close together. Shrubs can be grown in containers or planted directly into the yard. As the plants grow and mature, they are more likely to get diseases and be damaged by pests. Mixing and planting different shrub types can resist disease or pest attacks a single species. 

If you like the natural look, you might decide to go with a tree privacy fence. You could place mature trees in the ground or grow them in containers. Because they grow quickly, consider “Green Giant” arborvitaes, Arizona cypresses or Japanese cedars. 

A tree privacy fence could take a while to establish, so it may not result in privacy right away. You’ll also want to consider the water and sunlight needs of the trees you select.

A trellis is one of the more popular fencing ideas. Made of metal, wood or bamboo, trellis fencing features a lattice-work design that supports and shows climbing plants and shrubbery. A trellis privacy fence is ideal for smaller patio areas and can also help to define outdoor spaces like decks and gardens. Available in a variety of heights and designs, trellis fencing can act as a perimeter, as well as a decorative accent.

Lightweight and easy to work with, cedar is very durable and works well for fences. A cedar fence can stand up to all kinds of weather. It also resists insects, rot and decay. When you have a cedar slat privacy fence, you can enjoy the wood’s natural red and gold colors or stain or paint it. 

With an expandable privacy fence, you can enclose part of your yard now. Later, you can add panels and posts to the fence to make it bigger. Expandable privacy fences come in a variety of materials and styles.

A gray privacy fence is the perfect balance of light and dark. This popular neutral choice works with nearly every color scheme. It goes well with fellow neutrals like beige and cream. A gray slat privacy fence can also make brighter colors and even pastels really pop. Gray can pair well with your home’s style, whether it’s classic or modern.

Composite fence panels come in gray and never need to be painted. A wooden fence can be painted gray is another option. 

You can paint an exisiting fence to create a green privacy fence. Another option is to attach a green privacy fence screen to an existing fence. These screens can shield your yard, patio or pool, while also blocking UV rays. Privacy fence screens, which also come in colors like black, blue, beige, gray and brown, are low maintenance. They can resist fading, stains, mold and mildew.

An element of many dream houses, a white privacy fence can give your yard a clean look. This classic option can also help showcase any plants or flowers you may have growing in your yard. Both greenery and colorful blooms will show up well against a white privacy fence. You can paint a fence white or put up white vinyl privacy fence panels and posts. 

Ivy plants can quickly grow out of control. But you can still get the look of an ivy privacy fence with artificial greenery. A faux ivy privacy screen can be attached to an existing fence. Dense leaves block the view of your yard, while adding style to your space. With a faux ivy privacy fence, you won’t have to worry about cutting back plants. Faux ivy also doesn’t attract bugs or other animals.

A lattice privacy fence could be the perfect backdrop for your outdoor living space. For small backyards, enclose the entire area in a lattice privacy fence. For a larger space, use the lattice as an accent in another kind of privacy fence. Other fence ideas include using the lattice to decorate a plain wood fence. 

Made of mesh material, a privacy fence screen can be attached to an existing chain link fence or installed as part of a new fence. Easy to care for, mesh privacy fence screens come in a range of colors. For a bold statement, you could choose bright blue. If neutral is more your style, there are beige, brown and gray mesh privacy fence screens. 

If your home has a modern flair, you may want a fence to match. If your home has a modern flair, you may want a fence to match. But a modern privacy fence could also be paired with a more classic home or a standard midcentury ranch that you’d like to add some modern details too. 

You can create a pallet privacy fence by recycling wooden shipping pallets in one of two ways. You can take the pallets apart and reuse the wood. Or if you’d like a more organic look, you can install complete pallets. No matter which option you choose, you can embrace the natural color of the wood or add some paint. 

Both sides of this fence, also known as a board-on-board fence, look the same. This attractive wooden fence may help change the minds of any anti-fence neighbors you may live next to. Boards on either side of the fence rails are placed in staggered rows that block the view through the pickets. This construction still allows light and air to come through.

Gaps can sometimes form in standard wooden picket fences as they shrink due to weather effects. The overlap in a shadow box privacy fence counters any changes to the wood, resulting in longer-lasting privacy. 

A panel privacy fence is the choice for many backyard fences. The pre-made panels are ready to install, so you don’t have to build your fence one board at a time. Fence panels come in a variety of styles, from pressure-treated wood to white vinyl with a lattice top. The panels come in standard heights and weights. If you need a custom solution, however, a panel privacy fence may not be for you.

Many types of privacy fences have decorations along the top. You can choose the fence top that best suits the style of your fence and home. A lattice pattern has a rustic elegance, for example. Other styles include rounded, wave-like and the classic pointed picket.