How to make fence panels look better?
14 Ways to Decorate Your Outdoor Fence - Ronseal
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1. Brighten things up
Fences don&#;t have to be brown or green; your fence can be as vibrant, vivid and colourful as you&#;d like! You could even choose a scheme that contrasts your flowers &#; it&#;s sure to create a statement piece for your garden.
From Moroccan Red to Pink Jasmine and Lime Zest, we&#;ve got 29 colours in our Garden Paint range for you to choose from to make your garden fence &#;pop&#;. Not only does it look good, but it&#;s also rainproof and lasts up to five years.
2. Add climbing flowers
Introduce nature to your garden without compromising on floor space with a trellis; clematis, bougainvillea and wisteria are all perfect for a trellis as they will just climb and climb and climb &#; but be sure to cut them back regularly so they don&#;t make their way next door.
Securely fix the trellis to your fence with waterproof screws to make sure the weight of your plants doesn&#;t overwhelm it.
3. Add a living wall
Want to make an impact? Then consider a living wall in your garden, not only do they have a dramatic effect, but the added greenery provides oxygen and helps to purify the air. There are many ways to create a living wall including attaching irrigated troughs to the walls as planters or placing plants in small pots that are rooted into a mat and hung on the wall. There is no right or wrong way to do this, it&#;s all about what works best for your garden and fence space.
4. Light it up
Fairy lights are an easy, low-maintenance way of brightening up and bringing to life any garden fence. To keep things energy efficient and so you don&#;t have to pay a fortune for batteries, opt for solar-powered, all-weather lights when you&#;re searching for which style of string lights to feature.
5. Colour coordination
If you&#;re wanting to keep things neat and tidy, or if you have an overall vision for your garden that doesn&#;t have the fence as a focal point, then we recommend keeping this simple. Colour coordinating your fence with the rest of your garden so it seamlessly blends in, is the easiest way to decorate your fence without highlighting it as a main feature of the garden.
Before decorating, ensure your fence is protected with treatment and preserver such as our Fence Life Plus or wood preserver products.
6. Suspended planters
If a full living wall isn&#;t for you, suspending planters from your garden fence is a good alternative option. You&#;re still adding greenery, however, suspended planters draw the eye up which is great for a smaller garden where planting space on the ground may be minimal.
7. Attract the wildlife
Bird feeders are a great addition to any garden fence, not only are they beautiful to look at, but they&#;re also the perfect way for you to attract more wildlife into your garden. To ensure you&#;re being eco-friendly, why not make your own bird feeder out of recycled materials?
8. Statement feature wall
Featured fence panels are becoming more and more popular in gardens, providing a splash of art and intrigue to an exterior space. If you&#;ve got a larger garden or your fence spans around the whole perimeter of your garden, fence panels are a great way of making use of all of that fence space in a sophisticated and artistic way.
9. Hanging baskets
Perfect for smaller gardens, hanging baskets allow you to utilise fence space and add colour without taking up any ground space. Unsure which flowers to put in your hanging baskets? Popular choices include geraniums and calibrachoa, but the truth is you can use any plant, all you need to do is make sure you don&#;t choose plants that will outgrow the container you select.
10. Add a potted bench
Hanging baskets or big statements like fence panels may not be your style, but adding a potted bench may be an ideal option for you. A growing favourite for those that have a shabby chic style garden is propping a potted bench against fencing; this could be the final touch you&#;re missing in your outdoor space. Anything goes when it comes to styling and creating a potted bench, just as long as it&#;s able to hold a variety of pots, plants, and tools!
11. Mix up materials
If you&#;re wanting to transform your fence but don&#;t want to have to pay for a whole new fence to be installed, then we suggested adding extra materials to give it a new look but without the price tag. For example, adding bamboo garden fence trellising or screening introduces a new material into the area, completely changing its design and feel.
12. Reflect the light with mirrors
Who doesn&#;t love the idea of making a garden look bigger while decorating a garden fence? To do this, you&#;ll need to add mirrors. The mirrors don&#;t have to be huge, but you just need to make sure they&#;re optimally positioned to reflect light, giving the illusion of a larger outdoor space.
13. Go big with a mural
If you&#;re wanting to introduce something with a &#;wow&#; factor into your garden, then go big with a mural painted on your fence. It could be something personal to you, or just a stunning piece of art that you love to look at, whatever the design, any garden mural is sure to make an impact.
14. Express yourself
Finally, think of your fence as a blank canvas with few limits and remember whatever you want to do to it, you can. From hanging paintings and lights to using kid&#;s wellies as a planter &#; the choice is yours. Try to maintain a practical element while still looking decorative and you&#;ll soon have a fantastic focal point in your garden.
If you&#;re looking for more ideas and ways to make the most of your garden, check out our informative guide for more tips and tricks. Or if you&#;re ready to get started on your garden fence project, head over to the Sheds and Fences area of our website to find the featured products from this post.
32 Garden fence ideas for showstopping boundaries
When you&#;re planning summer barbecues, parties or just unwinding in your garden, your garden fence is not usually something you factor into your garden checklist. However, prioritising your garden fence ideas can give your garden a total refresh. Giving your garden fence a facelift can be as simple as a lick of paint or more elaborate with a complete replacement.
No matter if your garden ideas are within a small or big garden, there are a large variety of styles and materials, from wood for a classic traditional look, to metal for a modern and contemporary look.
'Unique fence designs can be created by the homeowner and not just the manufacturers,' says Leigh Barnes, expert at Jacksons Fencing. 'Combining fence panels with either a trellis or fence panel topper is a great fence idea to personalise your fence line and make it your own. It also provides you with the combined benefits of different fence types. For example, using a privacy fence panel with a semi-solid trellis on top offers privacy but keeps light flowing into the garden.'
Garden fence ideas
A good garden fence can provide structure and definition to your garden landscaping ideas making it picture-perfect all year round. Your garden fence ideas aren&#;t purely for separating one garden from another but can set the overall character of the garden. &#;Giving your fence a touch of TLC is a great way to refresh your outdoor space,&#; says Michael Rolland, DIY expert at The Paint Shed.
Get inspired with these garden fence ideas to suit different styles and budgets.
1. Create a living wall
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Instead of going for a standard fence, a pretty boundary can be created from a living wall for a natural fence of green foliage. This works especially well for your small garden ideas because it adds greenery and interest without taking up too much floor space. The living wall can be unique to your garden incorporating flowers such as Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) and Saxifraga x urbium (London pride) which work well with vertical planting.
Long grasses will add depth to your living fence and climbing ivy will cover any gaps you may have for a full look. If you want an easy garden idea, pre-planted modular panels give you a fence in full bloom with little effort. Make sure to include a range of herbaceous perennials, grasses, herbs, seasonal flowers and scented plants. If you are struggling to know what to plant ask your local nursery for advice.
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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors2. Incorporate art with a mural
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
Art is something that is not limited to just within the house, a mural on your fence is a fun way of adding colour to your garden. Using your garden paint ideas to make a mural will lift a bland garden scheme and provide an interesting focal point. When painting a mural on your fence, choose bold colours which will enhance the nature in your garden, think pinks,redsd, oranges, blues and greens.
Before you start painting your work of art, give it a good clean and remove any flaking paint, moss or dust from the fence. With a wooden fence, certain areas may need to be sanded to give a nice smooth surface and any holes filled with wood filler. Protect your surrounding plants and grass by putting down an old cloth and prime a wooden fence with an acrylic base coat.
3. Light up your fencing
(Image credit: Future PLC/BLACKMORE)
&#;Festoon garden lights can be added along any garden fence for a touch of luxury, and are perfect for illuminating your garden all year round,&#; says Tom Cain, technical engineer at UltraLEDs. Garden lighting ideas along your fence not only look good but are an easy way to light up steps and paths in your garden to keep it safe at night.
&#;These garlands of twinkling bulbs can add a playful and celebratory atmosphere to any garden party, whether you&#;re marking a special occasion or just hanging out with friends and family. These lights have many benefits, including energy efficiency, durability and safety too. In fact, one LED bulb is so energy-efficient that it can last up to 50,000 hours, benefitting both your wallet and the environment.&#;
If you do string LED lights along your fence all year round, they need to be suitable for all kinds of weather. Make sure they have at least an IP44 rating so the lights are protected against light rainfall, if you expect heavier rainfall choose a higher IP44 rating.
4. Use fencing as a background for seating
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)
If you are lucky to have enough space for a separate garden seating area, use the fence to cocoon it to create your own private seating zone. Placing your seating in a corner with a fence on two sides creates a mini &#;room&#; extending your living space out into your garden. Having the fence surround your seating area not only provides a comforting boundary but gives added privacy from any nosey eyes.
To stop your fence from feeling bare Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World recommends, &#;Plant the fence up thickly with evergreen and herbaceous climbers which flower at different times of the year. Try and make sure there is a constant supply of colour.&#;
5. Use deconstructed pallets to make a fence
(Image credit: Future PLC)
For a budget garden idea that will not only provide a solid structure but will get you hands-on with your garden fence ideas, create your fence from pallets. Pallet ideas for the garden are an eco-friendly way to give old wood a new lease of life as a fence.
&#;Deconstruct pallets and use the boards to make a fence,&#; says Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World. &#;However, they do need a post and rail frame on which to nail them. For added interest, instead of nailing on the boards in a vertical position, fasten them on at a slant or place the boards horizontally for a contemporary look. Deconstructed pallets do involve a little work; as they are just rough timber, they do have to be sanded down. They also need to be protected against the elements otherwise they will soon rot.'
Wood pallets provide stable and resilient fencing material and can be picked up very cheaply or sometimes for free from local businesses. Using leftover pallets for your fence prevents them from ending up on a rubbish heap and adds a rustic twist to your garden.
6. Place shelves on your fence
(Image credit: Future PLC/JAMES FRENCH)
A fence with shelving provides you with not only a boundary but somewhere for extra storage and decoration. Shelves can maximise your garden storage ideas by holding regularly used garden tools, or to place decorative potted plants.
&#;Shelves can provide you with a lot of unique possibilities. You can use the shelves for bird feeders or attract insects such as butterflies. You could even create an outdoor kitchen area with shelves incorporated,&#; says Thomas Goodman property expert at Myjobquote.co.uk.
If you love entertaining then use the shelves as somewhere for people to perch their drinks or plates of barbecued goodies.
7. Create a mixed hedge boundary
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Mixed hedges provide seasonal colour to your fence all year round, and will blend in with the rest of your garden greenery. When looking at garden border ideas, hedging is a great option.
&#;Growing a native mixed hedge can provide privacy, security, if you include thorny shrubs, and food and shelter for birds and small mammals,&#; says Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World.
Mixed hedgerows provide both a nesting cover and a diverse source of food for animals, bringing a mix of wildlife to your garden. If you are a beginner gardener creating a mixed hedge fence is easy to maintain and grow because it suits a wide range of soils and climates. Unlike a single variety hedge, a mixed hedge will give you a variety of colours, shades and shapes.
When thinking about which plants to incorporate in your hedge, Photinia is an evergreen plant that has vibrant red leaves, lilacs will offer a lovely fragrance and Sambucus has white flowers and produces black fruit.
8. Turn things on their head
(Image credit: Future Plc/Joanna Henderson)
Think outside the box when it comes to your fencing and get creative. You don't have to use fence panels in the orientation they were necessarily intended, especially if it doesn't suit your space. Here, fence panels with vertical panels have been turned on their sides and joined together to create fencing that works better for the space. It also allows the home owner to hang potted plants and gardening tools from the horizontal slats, creating storage space too.
9. Break it up with bamboo
(Image credit: Future Plc/David Giles)
Garden fences are not only used along the boundaries of your space, but can also be used to zone different areas within your plot too. Bamboo screens are great for this as they are lightweight so you can install them yourself, plus have a malleable quality to them, making them great for all spaces. They can also be cut to the size you need, and any off-cuts make lovely flower bed borders.
Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World says, 'Woven bamboo panels are a relatively inexpensive form of fencing but they do need a secure framework. Living bamboo plants make a quick growing green fence; just make sure you don&#;t buy the invasive varieties. Sink slates on their edge around the space where you want the bamboo to grow, they are fairly shallow rooted and won&#;t go underneath the slates but will stay contained within their allotted area.'
10. Take it back to black
(Image credit: Future Publishing PLC/ Colin Poole)
When considering how to paint a fence, black might seem like a bold choice for garden fencing, but by painting yours in this shade, will actually make the greenery around it seem greener!
Fresh green shades up against the black of your fence will make them stand out even more and gives a contemporary look that's easy to achieve. Finish the look by hanging a string of fairy lights along the top, which at night will create a cosy glow against your fencing.
11. Encourage ivy to grow in abundance
(Image credit: Future PLC/Future Plc/Colin Poole)
If it's not an option to replace your fencing, perhaps you can try and disguise it a little instead. Creepers and climbing plants like ivy will happily grow up and over walls, fences, panelling and more, so while it's fine to plant it up where you want this to happen, be aware that ivy can spread quite quickly and cause some damage to walls over a long period of time.
That might sound a bit scary, so while with maintenance ivy is easy to grow and live with, you could always opt for some panels of faux greenery to disguise ugly fencing instead.
12. Pop up a potting bench
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(Image credit: Future Plc)
Turn your garden fencing into the backdrop for a potting station. Instead of your garden ending with just a solid fence, break it a bit by setting up a potting bench and work station to enjoy all summer long. Fixing up a couple of shelves will give you space to display potted plants and garden accessories.
13. Echo your fencing around the garden
(Image credit: Future Plc/Annaick Guitteny)
If you have chosen contemporary fencing that creates a feature in your garden, why not echo that feature to other areas too? Here the homeowner has made a bench with similar slim panels of wood as the fence behind, tying the whole space together. Thin, horizontal slats of wood are a modern, fresh look for fencing and whether painted or left bare, are perfect for courtyard gardens and turf-covered gardens alike.
14. Take it up a level
(Image credit: Future Plc/Cece Wilden)
Use traditional lap fence panels to align the different levels of the perimeter of a garden. Run the design alongside an incline or stepped paving to create a continuation of the fence, rather than adding different height levels &#; making it feel disjointed. Rather than staining or painting the panels, simply seal them with a coat of wood preserving varnish for an understated finish.
15. Paint a feature wall
(Image credit: Sadolin)
Update an old fence with new season trends with a splash of paint, creating a feature wall within your garden. Within your garden paint ideas try creating an ombre effect by choosing several colours in the same paint family. This delicious earthy colour palette is a mix of 'Bleached Rose'; 'Sandbank'; 'Gingerbread' and 'Sharon Fruit' all by exterior paint specialists Sadolin.
16. Make a playful statement with a two-tone panel
(Image credit: Cuprinol)
'Create a striking look for your fence in two tones,' advises Marianne Shillingford creative director at Cuprinol & Dulux. 'Keep the darker colour at the bottom to show off brightly coloured furniture and to make floral arrangements pop. All it takes is a bit of masking tape to get a sharp line between the divide.'
17. Soften the look with spacing
(Image credit: Future Plc/Annaick Guitteny)
If your property is not over looked you may not wish to erect a solid fence panels. This slatted fence is a soften approach to setting the boundaries of a garden, without making it feel enclosed. The slim gaps between the slats allows a glimpse of the greenery beyond, in a sense extending the view of the garden &#; while still framing the grounds.
18. Bolt-on a neon pink trellis
(Image credit: Future Plc/Jamie Mason)
Give an old brown wooden fence a splash of colour with a colourful trellis. Fences are perfect for attaching trellis for climbing plants too. A vibrant trellis is a cheap and easy way to give your fence an easy, yet practical facelift.
A trellis fence allows you to screen one part of a garden from another without losing too much light. And if you're a fan of climbers like magnolia, it's also a cost-effective two-in-one option.
19. Repurpose old shutters as fences
(Image credit: Future Plc/Tim Young)
Create an innovative garden fence that has plenty of eco credentials by repurposing old shutters. Start by giving the shutters a coat of paint. Grey is a good colour for a backdrop, as it pretty much goes with everything, but white would look fab, too, especially when it starts to become rougher and less pristine. Add hooks to your shutter fence and use them to display pretty potted plants &#; buckets work well, as their handles make them easy to hang.
20. Create privacy with a fence extension
(Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole)
This beautiful low wall has so much character, it would be a shame to cover it up with full fence panels. Similarly, building it higher to give the owners more privacy would be costly and could make the space feel too institutional. This fence 'extension' has been carefully selected in a colour that complements the brickwork, and its horizontal slats have a contemporary feel to chime in with the landscaping's mix of traditional and modern.
21. Mount on an outdoor kitchen
(Image credit: Cuprinol)
A slatted fence panel can be so much more! By adding a protective pergola above, a countertop and a shelf for storage, you can build up an outdoor kitchen for next to nothing. A little imagination, basic DIY skills and some timber can go a long way &#; add baskets for storing pots, pans and fuel for your outdoor cooker, and hang festoon lights so that you can cook well into the evening.
22. Paint your garden fence to make it colourful and cheery
(Image credit: Future Plc/James Merrell)
Let your garden fence stand out from the crowd with a stylish colour clash. If you're a brave sort, give your garden furniture a makeover at the same time. This picture shows that there are no rules. You could go for just one bold shade or divide your fence up into multiple panels &#; make masking tape your friend to achieve a perfectly straight line.
23. Camouflage in green
(Image credit: Future Plc/Jeremy Baile)
If you don't want your garden fence stand out from the crowd with bold colours, make it blend in with a coat of green paint. A serene shade of green helps to make this garden fence camouflage into the foliage. You can add colour through other mediums, from a string of decorative bunting and jolly striped outdoor cushions.
24. Go for an on-trend grey fence
(Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore)
Use your garden fence as part of an outdoor kitchen. Take your barbecuing as seriously as the Aussies by moving your kitchen into the garden during the fine-weather months and using your fence as a handy place to store the bits and bobs you need.
Hang utensils in close reach of the action, along with a rack for all your favourite sauces. You could even place a clock on the 'wall', so you can make sure burgers and steaks don't get cremated.
25. Open the boundaries with rustic willow materials
(Image credit: Future Plc/Claire Richardson)
To prevent a garden fence from feeling too imposing or constraining it's an idea to use rustic materials to break up the design. A willow twig fence design is given a softer edge thanks to infilled panels of chicken wire &#; providing a secure design but allowing a view through. Use this for doora and gates, teamed with willow woven fence panels for the main fenced area.
26. Decorate your garden fence with colourful tealight holders
(Image credit: Future Plc/Mel Yates)
Take a garden fence with a trellis top and jazz it up with jam-jar-style tealight holders that look super pretty even during daylight hours. Use secure but unobtrusive nails to hang them so that they look almost like they're floating. A variety of shades will work well, but clear jam-jar tealights would also look great. At night, enjoy their warm glow from the comfort of a nearby garden chair - bliss.
27. Create a secluded dining area with willow fencing
(Image credit: Future Plc/Brent Darby)
Go for a garden fence that is extra high so that it will provide all the privacy you could ever need - especially if you have curious neighbours. This fence features narrow lengths of willow that create a bamboo-style effect, ideal for screening an existing fence if you don't want to start completely from scratch. Willow screening fence panels can also add height to a short wall or fence, or you could even use it to keep the compost heap hidden from view.
28. Opt for a modern, low horizontal design
(Image credit: Future Plc/Winfried Heinze)
Mount a wooden garden fence on top of a concrete border for an elegant and modern scheme that has the feel of a room, complete with 'skirting board'. Not only does this contemporary garden fence look great, but it will also keep the gravel neatly in place. Go for horizontal wooden panels so that everything is flowing in a similar direction - a smart mid-toned varnish will be the perfect finish.
29. Decorate your garden trellis
(Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Scarboro)
Paint a garden fence white to create a pretty country look that is a perfect colourful garden idea. The gaps in this trellis fence have been used to hang some characterful buys, such as a 'Welcome to my garden' sign. A garden trellis has other advantages, too, from providing a helpful place to train climbing plants to offering privacy without blocking rays of sunlight.
30. Paint your picket fence in an array of colours
(Image credit: Future PLC/Alun Callender)
Use a fence to create a front garden with a difference. Thomas Goodman from My Job Quote says, 'Picket fence panels are unique due to their evenly spaced vertical boards and pickets. The main benefit of picket fences is that they are low in cost and they are easy to customise and paint, so you can easily change up the aesthetic as needed.'
This design has been painted in colourful shades that make passers-by feel that bit happier. We all dream of a white picket fence, but if you're lucky enough to have one, why not take the plunge and go for something a little more daring? Paint your fence in pastel hues for a pretty, rather than garish, look.
31. Mix your materials to create an unique look
(Image credit: Future Plc/David Woolley)
For a unique take on a garden fence, combine stone and wood in a Jenga-style arrangement. Here, this has been done not just for the effect, but also for practical reasons - stone will endure a good soaking from the outdoor shower far better than wood. With a garden fence like this, the emphasis is on quality natural materials with an innate beauty of their own.
32. Charm with a picturesque picket fence
(Image credit: Future Plc/Adam Wallis)
When it comes to garden fencing you can't get much more idyllic than a traditional white picket fence surrounding the property. A charming picket fence in white is ideal for both front and back gardens to create a picturesque classic garden enclosure for your home. As picket fencing only offers a low-level partition it might not be suitable for homes that require more security - such as households with children and pets.
What is the cheapest fencing for a garden?
Although you may want to save money on your garden fence ideas, the best way to make your garden layout ideas shine is to not go too cheap. Cheap material won&#;t last as long and will need repairing and replacing multiple times during the same lifespan of a quality fence.
&#;We always recommend investing in quality fencing with a long lifetime guarantee; the lifetime cost will be a lot lower. It is also the most sustainable option as fencing can&#;t be recycled due to the treatment processes it goes through, so it has to end up in landfill. The less fencing you need to replace the less will end up in the rubbish,&#; says Leigh Barnes from Jacksons Fencing.
&#;However, there are ways to still purchase quality fencing but more cheaply. Kit form, or traditional fencing, does not come premade. Fencing products are provided in kit form as individual posts, pales, and rails to be put together on-site. This reduces the cost to the manufacturer which is passed onto the customer, due to reduced labour and costs associated with making fence panels, making it cheaper to buy.&#;
How do I make my garden fence look good?
The style you choose for your garden fence depends on the rest of your garden design and works best when it also reflects the style of your home. When considering how to make your garden fence look nice, think about decorative touches that will elevate your fence. From pretty climbers, to colourful paint, to festoon lights, you can add as many decorative touches as you wish.
Leigh Barnes from Jacksons Fencing says, &#;A high-quality, well-made fence will always look good if installed correctly. Installing fencing takes skill and no two gardens are the same. Investing in quality installation by a skilled professional will always pay off in making your garden fence look good.&#;
&#;Always look for stainless steel fixings as if they are not used to hold your fence panel together, you will get awful rust marks running down your fence. This will ruin the look of your brand-new fence.
Jenny Davis, head of marketing at Forest Garden says, &#;You could also look at adding fence toppers &#; decorative lattice designs which are designed to fit on the top of traditional 6ft panels. This can add height and privacy without cutting out light.&#;
For more information, please visit custom euro fence panels.
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