a photo showing a natural wooden fence designs - one of our fence design ideas

Your boundary fence is the backbone of any garden design, the frame to your landscape canvas; ensuring you have the correct product for your garden fence designs is vital. There are many unique design ideas, but the trick is combining practicality with inventive garden fence design ideas. So, with stylish practicality and longevity in mind, here are fifteen creative fence designs that will stimulate your creativity just in time for the BBQ season.

Fence design ideas

If you scroll through social media for garden designs or look through landscaping magazines, you will see that designers first look at the boundary fence. Just like building the walls of your house, a garden fence line creates a hard border along a property line or around a specific area in your garden, creating a sense of safety, sanctuary, peacefulness, and seclusion.

Quirky, stylish fences are in vogue, and garden fencing is very personal, so you must consider your options carefully before deciding. Remember, your fence designs are the major focal point of your garden for the foreseeable future, so while something funky and creative is a fun idea, you could get bored of it very quickly - as a creative compromise, here are some fence design ideas that cover all bases but will not look out of place in a few years.

Our top fifteen innovative fence designs

Whether you are looking for fence design ideas for your back garden or front garden, these fifteen ideas will certainly help:

1) Natural wooden fence

natural wooden fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
natural wooden fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Europa Plain Pressure Treated Decorative Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View

Why choose a traditional natural wooden fence? A sturdy option made from sustainable natural wood might seem obvious, but often, less is more. A tongue and groove or overlap fencing offers a great natural wood option that provides the flexibility to adapt once installed. You can paint a natural fence and hang things like planters, pots, and baskets from it while still enjoying your privacy.

2) Trellis or lattice fence

trellis or lattice fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
trellis or lattice fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Europa Hamburg Decorative Garden Screen Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View

A garden trellis or lattice fence panel offers an interwoven lattice fence design combined with a solid wood fence. This garden fence design idea is perhaps more romantic than a completely opaque fence. The trellis part of the panels creates a see-through element to your boundary that is great if you do not need to be 100% closed off from your neighbouring view. This can be partially filled if you add climbing plants. While a lattice top is one of several romantic fence design ideas, it is not the only decorative fence available.

3) Interwoven panelled fences

Interwoven fence panels are a modern or contemporary version of the traditional wooden fence design. What distinguishes these panels is the individual wood slats woven in and out between three vertical battens to give the garden fence its wicker basket-like appearance. Modern yet a country cottage style offering light and privacy in one fence design idea.

4) Picket fencing

picket fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
picket fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 3' Wooden Pale Picket Fence Panel (1.8m x 0.9m) - Click Image to View

Everyone knows picket fencing; think Little House on the Prairie, and you know exactly the fence designs we mean. You can choose a white picket fence or leave it in natural wood. The picket fence is not designed for privacy screening it is there as a boundary reminder.

5) Natural green fencing

natural green fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
natural green fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas

Natural green or plant fencing is organic and attractive; natural fencing is an organic gardener's choice that offers privacy. Also, sometimes called a living wall it is not a quick or overnight solution. The popular Thuja conifer hedge takes years to grow, but once it is established, a green fence like this offers an aromatic screen, creating an attractive alternative to a traditional wooden fence. 

You will still need some fencing and an attractive garden gate to complement your natural boundary we suggest some double-slatted fence panels, finishing this fence idea perfectly.

6) Brick and fence options

brick and fence fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
brick and fence fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 4' Pressure Treated Contemporary Double Slatted Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.2m) - Click Image to View

City gardens may require more than a traditional wooden garden fence, and in this case, a combination of brick walls and fence panels offers garden fence ideas that are practical and attractive. Double-slatted fence panels set between brick pillars on top of brick walls create interest but leave the passerby in no doubt that this boundary is not for breaching.

7) Concrete and grey slatted fence panels

concrete and grey slatted fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
concrete and grey slatted fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Contemporary Grey Double Slatted Fence Panel (1.8m x 1.8m) - Click Image to View

Continuing with the solid boundary fence designs, this contemporary garden fence is a step on from the brick and wooden fence solution noted above. A concrete boundary wall is usually made from breeze blocks with a concrete render with grey slatted fence panels interspersed to add texture and create a modern look that offers alternative fence design ideas for those who like to do things differently.

8) Wire fences

wire fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
wire fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas

Of all the fence designs, this is not a favourite. Wire fences are practical if you live in the country and need a boundary that blends into the countryside, but most people choose a fence for security or as a privacy fence, and a wire fence does not really do either of those things. 

9) Pallet fencing

pallet fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
pallet fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas

If you are an enthusiastic recycler, a pallet fence could be for you. Wooden pallets offer a garden fence design that is equally rustic and modern and, what is more, cheap, or even free. Most DIY fencing ideas are great if you have the time and the skill to do it yourself. While the wood pallets are not costly, you will need to buy some fence posts, fence post supports, and fixings for installation, but once you have those, you are good to go.

10) Mesh fencing

mesh fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
mesh fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas

Mesh panel boundary fencing is not to everybody’s taste; however, the structure of the mesh panels makes it incredibly robust and resistant to vandalism, making mesh a low-maintenance alternative to traditional fencing. If you are into prison chic, then fence design ideas that combine mesh fencing with a solid retaining wall may be the way forward - or not; we can hear the sirens already!

11) Horizontal fence panels

horizontal fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
horizontal fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Lap Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.83m) - Click Image to View

If you have a thin garden that would benefit from a fence design optical illusion, installing horizontal fence panels gives your garden a widening effect. Sadly, your garden or outdoor space will not grow, but it will appear wider and, therefore, more spacious.

12) Vertical fence design ideas

vertical fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
vertical fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 5' Brown Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.52m) - Click Image to View

Vertical fence designs do the opposite of horizontal fences. If your outdoor space is short in length but wide, using vertical fence panels will give the illusion of height, making your garden look bigger. Vertical, closed board fence panels are a perfect screen; the run of the panels takes the eye up to the top of the panel, creating an illusion of space which changes how the garden appears.

13) Tyre fence designs

tyre fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
tyre fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas

At this point, I have to say, unless you are into hobo chic, an entire boundary made out of old tyres is enough of an eyesore to get the council involved, but if you have a spare tyre or two, you can make an interesting, zoned area that will appeal to children. You can fill the tyres with earth and use them for planters, with flower beds or a vegetable garden being a possibility. If you are feeling adventurous, you can use them as a foundation for a feature wall and cover them with concrete, but tyres and concrete, that is a whole different blog!

14) Cheap fence panel designs

cheap fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
cheap fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Straight Cut Lap Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.83m) - Click Image to View

Rather than upset your neighbours by building a wall of tyres, the next best thing economically is fencing design ideas incorporating cheap fence panels. Cheap fence panels offer fantastic quality and value for money. You can use dip treated or pressure treated panels to create a traditional no-nonsense boundary fence around your home.

15) Closeboard fence panels

closeboard fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
closeboard fencing such as this is one of our fence design ideas
Forest 6' x 6' Pressure Treated Vertical Closeboard Fence Panel (1.83m x 1.85m) - Click Image to View

Closeboard panels are solid; they are used in scenarios that need robust trespass-proof construction and sturdy vertical planks that overlap to create an attractive but opaque garden border. Closeboard panels are not only tamperproof but also undergo treatment to ensure longevity. Use these fence panels as part of your fence designs and know that your privacy is guaranteed.

Material and style combinations

Once you have decided on the fence design ideas that suit your overall landscaping plans, all you must do now is decide on the materials and style combinations.

We talk above about a brick wall and fence option; in this case, pressure treated contemporary double-slatted fence panels are the ideal option as they lend themselves to modern brickwork styles while seamlessly blending in with the surroundings.

Personalising your fence design

You can easily personalise your garden fence ideas with decorative fence toppers and garden trellis. If you want to add height to your fence, increase your privacy, and personalise your design without blocking sunlight, fence toppers do the job without causing a stir. Another personalisation option is to add garden lights.

Installation tips for unique fences

Try these installation tips for a smooth fencing project:

  • Measuring and cutting rule - ask any fencer for their top tip, and they will always say - measure twice and cut once, which makes sense if you think about it
  • Unique fences - are just like any boundary; consideration is required
  • Consider employing a professional - get a fencing expert to do your hard work if you cannot do the maths

Conclusion: Bringing your vision to life

When deciding on the best fence designs for your garden or outdoor space, stay focused on your overall vision while being honest about your realities, such as your budget. Keep your vision in mind through the design process, but always be willing to reset your goals. It is usual to revisit your existing fence design ideas frequently to ensure they fit your long-term garden plans.

Finally, set up processes and practices that support your garden fence designs, and if all else fails, consult an expert.

Contact us

We are always available to talk to you about your fence designs so contact us:

  • You can contact us by telephone to order using the following number: 0333 003 0515
  • Feel free to email us at [email protected]
  • Use the live chat option