8 Privacy Fence Ideas for Yards of All Sizes (2024)

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Create your own backyard oasis (free of nosy neighbors!) with a privacy fence.

ByGrace Gallagher

Updated on December 21, 2023

Privacy fence ideas should have a clear function but don't have to look clunky or cold. Adding planters, using an unexpected material, making the fence part of storage, or even hanging decorative items can make any fence look more inviting.

Whether you're trying to create separation from a neighbor, keep pets or kids contained, or secure your property, these privacy fence ideas deliver solitude while making your outdoor space cozy—like an extension of your home rather than a barrier.

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Metal Privacy Fence

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Corrugated metal is not only a cost-effective privacy fence idea but also more durable and easy to care for than wood. The material is rot-, rust-, and mold-resistant, making upkeep minimal. And because it doesn't have slats, sheet metal provides an abundance of privacy. It also works well for hanging planter boxes or outdoor wall accents.

Metal adds a modern, industrial touch to your yard. Its reflective nature is great for nearby plants that like a lot of light. That reflective quality also means you might need sunglasses on a sunny day. Metal can also get hot to the touch in warm weather. However, using metal is a low-maintenance fence solution that lasts decades.

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Traditional White Fence

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Get all the charm of a traditional picket fence by opting for a white wood or vinyl plank privacy fence idea with no gaps. Lattice detailing at the top of this privacy fence adds an elegant touch that will never go out of style. Thanks to cohesive matte black railing and post cap details, the fence blends seamlessly with the rest of the house. The gate's location at the driveway makes it easy to access the outdoor area, especially if you're entertaining and don't want people coming through the house.

High Wood Fence

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There's a lot to love about this small backyard oasis, including the high fence that keeps it private. There are no gaps in the slats, so neighbors, traffic, and anything else outside the fence are out of sight. A light wood stain keeps the outdoor area airy and bright. Building a DIY privacy fence designed to be extra tall may require a permit and installation of additional support beams.

Trellis Fence

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This privacy fence idea features no space between slats, which works especially well if the back of the fence faces toward a wooded area or somewhere infrequently viewed, as the back will need support panels. Adding a trellis to a fence is a great way to let in light and add style to the overall look. It's also the perfect place for displaying vining plants, like these purple clematis.

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Mixed Materials

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Mix and match privacy fence materials to create a custom look that works with your yard. In this space, a wood fence with horizontal slats adds a modern edge to a nearby bamboo privacy fence. While a smaller outdoor space, every aspect is thoughtful. The living fence wall allows light and air to circulate, while the surfboards and storage shed allow for functional privacy. If your fence isn't quite as private as you'd like, consider adding bamboo or other tall plants for additional coverage.

Living Green Wall

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An array of lush tropical plants is a privacy fence idea that cleverly helps the wall transition into the home's brick exterior. Horizontal wood slats offer a modern look, and dark stain cohesively blends with the gravel. The wall of live plants adds color to the patio, which lacks a grass lawn. It also provides a focal point while infusing the largely neutral space with warmth and earthiness. Look for wall-planter hooks at most hardware stores and screw into wood fences.

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Lattice Fence

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If you have an outdoor kitchen, keep it private yet elegant with a lattice-topped privacy fence. This design features solid paneling at the base to conceal the yard and lattice at the top to expand the small backyard visually. The stylish privacy fence idea gives the outdoor space the cozy feel of a room, especially when paired with a pergola. Decorative plates mounted on the classic white fence give it even more charm, and the lattice top softens the look while allowing for vining plants.

Hidden Fence Door

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A changing area, outdoor shower, or shed where valuables are kept requires as much privacy and security as possible. This wood fence features a sliding barn door that can be pulled closed to block views while blending in with the surrounding fence. Installed with small gaps between boards, this privacy fence lets light into the backyard while keeping the area secluded. Adding hooks to the fence further maximizes space and storage.

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8 Privacy Fence Ideas for Yards of All Sizes (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest privacy fence to build? ›

PVC fencing. The cheapest way to create a fence for your home is by getting one made from PVC. Such fences substitute wooden pickets and stakes to offer your protection from the outside world. PVC sleeves improve the stability of wooden posts used as a fence, reducing the cost of material and the labor used.

Is an 8 foot privacy fence too high? ›

Privacy fences, by design must be tall enough to obstruct the view into your property. For that reason, privacy fences are typically between 6-8 ft. tall in residential areas. The maximum privacy fence height is 8 ft in most cases.

What type of fence provides the most privacy? ›

Simple Vinyl Privacy Fence

One of the most effective privacy fence styles on the market, these vinyl fences are made of tall vinyl panels that completely block the line of sight.

How far apart should privacy fence boards be spaced? ›

When there is no gap to compensate for these changes, the planks are forced into each other to the point of warping, cracking, or breaking. This is why it's always advised to leave a tiny gap of around 3/8 or 1/4 inches even for privacy fences where you don't want anyone peeking.

What is the least expensive fencing option? ›

The least expensive type of fencing is chicken or hog wire. It's great for keeping pests out of your garden and animals contained, but these wire fences aren't the most aesthetically pleasing—although we have ideas below on how to spruce them up.

Is it cheaper to build a privacy fence or buy panels? ›

In summary: premade fence panels, in most cases, are cheaper and requires less installation time. However, it is best suited for yards without hills or slopes.

How far apart should 8-foot fence posts be? ›

Typical spacing is right around 8 feet between each post however different circ*mstances may call for different measurements and it is not uncommon to have spacing between posts reach up to 10 feet. Once you have a rough idea of your post layout start by digging your first hole.

How close to a property line can you put a fence? ›

How Close To The Property Line Can I Build? Fences are typically built between 2 and 8 inches from the line between properties. Some areas will allow the building of fences directly on the property line, but in this case, you'll have to cooperate with your neighbor and potentially share the cost of the fence.

What is the highest fence you can have between Neighbours? ›

As a general rule, if the fence in your front garden is next to the road or footpath, it can only be one metre (3.2 feet) in height. Fencing in your back garden that separates your garden from your neighbour's can be a maximum of two metres (6.5 feet) in height – this includes any trellis topper.

What are fences that annoy neighbors? ›

For example, a spite fence might block the neighbor's view or obstruct the passage and enjoyment of light or air. Under state laws, spite fences might be prohibited and subject to be declared a private nuisance. [Last updated in August of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team] PROPERTY. property & real estate law.

What is a good neighbor style fence? ›

A Good Neighbor Fence is a wood privacy fence that divides two properties, where the finished side of the fence (i.e. the more attractive, smooth side) faces the neighbor's property. The homeowner building the fence then has a view of the rails and posts from inside their yard.

What type of privacy fence lasts the longest? ›

What Type of Fence Lasts the Longest? Chain-link fences with a galvanized finish that doesn't rust are the longest lasting fences. All other components of the fence are made of steel and are also galvanized, so there is relatively no maintenance.

Can I put pickets on both sides of fence? ›

You can achieve the same look on both sides of a wood fence by adding pickets to both sides of the fence or choose a shadowbox design that has alternating pickets on each side.

Should fence pickets touch each other? ›

For solid privacy fences, the fence boards can be butted tightly together or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow for wood expansion and contraction during varying weather conditions.

Should fence posts be 6 or 8 feet apart? ›

So, how far apart should fence posts be? The standard spacing for fence posts is 8 to 25 feet apart, depending on the type of fence. A standard wood fence would require posts 8 feet apart, while a high-tensile wire could span 25 feet.

What is cheaper than a wood fence? ›

Premium Vinyl fencing will outlast the wood fencing by years, requires no maintenance upkeep, is impervious to insects, and over the long run, VINYL IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN WOOD! Not only will it be less expensive than wood over 10 years, but it will also have about 6-1/2 times the Return On Investment over wood.

Is vinyl fencing cheaper than wood? ›

Wood fencing, without a doubt, has the cheaper upfront pricing. According to HomeAdvisor, a wood fence costs $12 per linear foot on average. On the other hand, a vinyl fence costs about $17 per linear foot. The cost of materials for your unique project may vary based on style, terrain, and other factors.

What is the easiest fence to install yourself? ›

What is the Easiest Fence to Install Yourself? Did you know: with the right tools and planning, vinyl fences are among the easiest fences to install yourself! This is due to the fact that you install this material with essentially a no-dig design rather than needing to dig posts bases and fill them with cement.

What is the cheapest type of 6 foot fence? ›

The cheapest fence you can install is wire fencing at $2 per foot on average, while a 6-foot high wood privacy fence costs $13 to $25 per linear foot, and vinyl fencing costs $15 to $30 per foot.

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