Garden Fencing Ideas and Inspiration

Fencing normally serves some purpose:  to restrict movement or access; often to provide privacy. To this end fencing is erected to keep animals – sometimes also children - out of a specific area. Depending on its purpose the fence will be made from posts of timber, metal pieces, concrete or stone.

In many cases fencing is erected simply because it is practical to do so, e.g. to keep big farm animals like horses and cows out of a certain camp/meadow and any aesthetic considerations will not impact on how the fence looks. However, very often the fence forms part of a garden area and care is taken to make it look inviting and attractive.  This is often true for smaller gardens in suburban areas or even in high-rise apartment complexes where the only garden is a balcony.


Different Styles

Some inspiring ideas for garden fencing, esp. in areas with limited garden space, include a variety of styles from stark, no-fuss fencing in white to more ‘dramatic’ looks with a greater emphasis on colour. Experiment with patterns, which do not fit the ‘traditional’ description. Try curved fences, or lattice fencing. Also, a fence does not only have to separate or divide, it can provide the perfect spot for climbers and creepers, thereby affording you even more privacy, if that’s what you want; and a lush green to feast your eyes on.

Pot plants on top of your fence can make a huge difference to how attractive your garden looks. If the structure allows for it you’ll simply place the pots on top of the fencing; otherwise attach them with brackets. It is recommended to use plants with bright blooms on top of, say, a white fence and more subdued colours if your fencing is painted bright.  Another idea is to use the fencing for hanging small container plants, which you attach with brackets at various intervals, thereby covering as much of the fencing as you want. Again: This will look better against a white background.


Simply Decorative

Some clever fencing ideas (apart from the obvious practical benefits of separating/dividing) may contribute to a feel of ‘adventure’ and may serve as an example of creative output. It is also a fun way of getting your children involved. Some ideas include DIY projects such as erecting a wooden fence with patterns/faces/characters carved out of the wood, or painting some nature scenes on a white background; even painting the slats of your fence different bright colours. This kind of fencing may not be everybody’s idea, but it works well for the relaxed family with young children.


Traditional VS. Modern

We all know the ‘traditional’ picket fence, painted white and often representing the known, maybe even conservative values of those living behind it; if regular maintenance ensures a good coat of paint when necessary, then it is still an example of great garden fencing. However, the more modern among us may go for something a bit more 'daring' like a metal fence which finds its inspiration in stark features and the industrial age. More contemporary than wood, it negates any superfluous influences and looks best when bare – no plants or foliage.


The Veggie Patch: Something Different

Most of us grow vegetables and herbs in small areas for the sheer joy of doing so – and of course to use the produce in our kitchens without paying much attention to the garden fencing around our patch. Where you have, for instance, a patch with different veggies like carrots, beetroot, lettuce and other salad greens, peppers and whatever takes your fancy, why not try something very different to break away from the traditional? Here is a novel idea to make the fencing around your veggie garden look interesting by simply coming up with something ‘unusual’:

Take bamboo reeds and cut them into pieces long enough to create clever ‘borders’ around every separate area (keep carrots separate from beetroot and so on) on all 4 sides, and repeat upwards, maybe 4 layers (with 6 or 8 inch intervals between layers) until you have a proper ‘boxed-in’ feel for every separate area (where necessary, provide upright support pieces and simply tie the bamboo pieces together with string). Now, instead of one ordinary looking fenced in area, you will have a few; you still have the same patch, but different little ‘compartments’ to separate the different veggies. But wait: You can do even more!

If you opt for veggies that grow upward, like beans or tomatoes, use left-over bamboo pieces and plant them in between some other veggies (such as the lettuces or carrots) and lead your beans up. You will have an interesting garden fence: practical and not ‘ordinary’. Another idea to round the veggie patch off: If you can get hold of pine needles, scatter them around the fencing - it helps keep weeds out and moisture in. The result is a veggie patch fenced off as it was before, with additional fencing created inside the bigger patch.


Be Inspired All Over Again

Old garden fencing can so easily distract from what should be every homeowner’s pleasure – the beauty and tranquillity that the garden and its immediate surrounds offer. Maybe it’s time to try something else, be it a totally new fence inspired by a creative design, or simply sprucing up existing, tired structures.  Let renewed inspiration for the perfect garden start with the perfect garden fence.

Check out our range of garden fencing and see if anything catches your attention