21 Trendy Alternatives To A Boring Wooden Fence

Traditional wooden fences are often the standard for many homeowners, and there are a few different options for creating just the right look for your outdoor space, be it traditional picket fences around a garden or high cedar fences between yards. But if you're looking for something more unique or budget-friendly than wood fence installation, there are a wealth of other material options and fence construction methods perfect to achieve the look you are going for, including fences made from other natural materials, metal, PVC, and upcycled items like doors, shutters, and even tires.

Many of these fences are DIY-friendly in terms of labor and supplies. Others, like brick, stone, or wrought iron may require professionals to install the fence. Although they can be more expensive, professionally installed fences are often the way to go if you want a more elevated look than standard wood can provide. Many alternative fencing materials are also far more durable and eco-friendly approach than chemically treated wood, which lasts only a limited number of years and is often subject to pests and other weather-related damage and deterioration.

Woven reed fencing adds carefree coverage

A beautiful and inexpensive alternative to wood, reed fencing uses natural bamboo or other organic materials to create a fence that is usually held up by metal or wood posts. The effect is more textured with a slightly coastal vibe that is perfect if you want your outdoor space to look like a tropical oasis. Use a thicker woven matte material for privacy or opt for a more open weave if you're just looking to add texture and definition without blocking light.

A plant-covered trellis brings more greenery

A trellis, whether made from wood, iron, or other synthetic materials, can be a great way to block off an area of your yard without putting up a solid surface, allowing air flow and light to filter through. This approach also allows the fence to blend more naturally into the landscape. You can combine this type of fencing with an arbor or pergola for a more enclosed space, allowing vines, greenery and draping plants to scale up or down the trellis to create additional privacy.

Upcycled pallets create a privacy wall

While still technically made of wood, an upcycled pallet wall can be a great inexpensive way to create zones or keep pets contained. To create a taller fence, stack pallets on top of each other, attaching them with bolts or nails to vertical posts to provide stability. You can even create a low wall of pallets with a planting space in the top to increase its height or allow vines to grow around the boards and fill out the spaces between.

Stone walls stand the test of time

While it can be one of the more expensive materials to work with, stone and mortar can provide and elegant and secure look to your space. Natural stone is also a great surface for plants, lichen, and moss to take hold and make your garden feel like it's ages old and not recently built. Use chic flagstone or fieldstone for a modern or high-end look or opt for rounder stones and crude grout for a more rustic and cottage-like aesthetic.

Shrubs are an eco-friendly natural barrier

For a great all-natural alternative to a fence, plant and grow a bank of closely laid out shrubs at your desired height to create privacy and block ugly views. These shrubs will also contribute to the overall lush flora and fauna of your yard, possibly housing birds and other wildlife. If your yard is on the smaller side, this type of border can also make an outdoor space feel more open with less of a solid stopping point.

Repurpose glass bottles for a fence with artistic flair

This cool DIY fence glistens beautifully when lit by the sun. To make your own glowing glass bottle fence, all you need is a drill with a diamond drill bit, metal rebar, and colored glass bottles. These vintage style fences are beautiful additions to the yard as a wall around your garden, a portion of fencing, or a gate with some extra decorative interest.

A room divider suits small spaces

If you come across a thrifted or unused dressing screen or room divider, it can make an excellent alternative to a fence in a small outdoor space, patio, or balcony. They are often arched or intricately detailed, and can be great for creating privacy, serving as a focal point in a seating area, or blocking unsightly items in your yard like garbage cans or electrical meters.

Macrame panels bring whimsy to your yard

For a fence that adds softness and texture, try hanging macrame panels from fence posts. This fence alternative allows light and air through while still providing a degree of privacy. Use a simple panel on a balcony to add privacy or create a longer series of macrame panels to mark off areas in your yard. You can even DIY your panels using a decorative knotting technique and macrame cording that is washable and designed for outdoor use. 

A glass block wall allows for more light

Glass blocks used as fences add a fun retro touch that work just as beautifully outdoors as they do inside the home. They still allow lots of light and can be stacked as high as needed to create privacy and block views. Glass is a durable material that will stand up over time and can be combined with other stone, bricks, and concrete blocks for a mixed-media look.

Cinderblock walls don't have to be boring

Cinder blocks may seem like a basic and utilitarian solution to needing a fence or garden wall, but while you can go super simple with conventional blocks, you can also take advantage of many more decorative versions that create beautiful patterns. Blocks with a lot of recesses are also great for climbing and winding plants. To beautify the boring blocs, you can also paint the wall or stencil designs onto the concrete.

Brickwork adds a classic cottage vibe

Brick wall fences can be a classic and stylish way to demarcate zones and add privacy even if they are lower to the ground. The warmth of brick also creates a lot of texture and interest, fostering an old English cottage feel that compliments rustic and rural gardens. You can lay your brick wall in a traditional format or opt for a chic herringbone pattern.

Try a mosaic mural to dress up a solid wall

Mosaic walls can be a beautiful way to make your rather utilitarian garden wall a fantastic work of visual art. Turn any concrete retaining or garden wall into a mosaic feature by adding broken bits of pottery, tiles, and other materials set in with some mortar and sealed for protection from the elements. The project gives you a chance to upcycle materials and create a distinctive one-of-a-kind garden wall that will be the envy of neighbors.

Tall planting boxes separate spaces

Large planting boxes can not only create the same feel of a low fence, but can be heightened as desired with tall plantings like grasses and shrubbery that extend it upward. This is a great way to still have an organic and open feel, yet block anything you don't want to see (or to be seen). The boxes themselves can be made of metal, stone, or wood. You can also buy lightweight models in galvanized tin and resin.

Corrugated metal is a reliable alternative

Using metal panels can be an industrial-chic way to create a fence. Not only is the material more durable than wood, but it adds additional texture and interest in a budget-friendly way. You can use more uniform panels like above for a modern and minimalist look or choose overlapping corrugated metal panels in various colors for a fun patchwork pattern attached to a wood framework. 

Vintage doors or plantation shutters draw the eye

There are plenty of unique DIY fence ideas made with repurposed materials, and one is to use antique wooden doors as high fencing to create privacy. You can also use them as a screen for smaller areas like balconies and porches or place them on hinges for a simple gate. Create a wall of doors as a focal point in a seating area to ground a space or craft a similar charming look with larger wooden plantation shutters. 

Driftwood fencing embraces nature

If you still like the warm touch of wood but planks seem a little too predictable, create a fence made from beautiful twisted driftwood. You can assemble the pieces much like a traditional fence using support posts. This looks especially charming for lakeside cottages or coastal homes that want a more natural alternative to traditional lumber.

A rope fence creates separation without the eyesore

An easy way to create definition of zones or demarcate property lines, this cheap and lightweight fencing can be created with just some fence posts and thick, weather-resistant rope. This fence style easily suits a rustic or nautical look depending on the rest of your yard decor. You can even use colored rope or paint the posts for extra interest and charm. You can also get creative with a knotted designs strung between the fence posts.

Tires can be cleverly repurposed

While not for everyone or every design scheme, creating fences from tires or upcycled rubber can be a great solution in more rustic spaces. Tire fences come in different varieties, from upcycled tire tread strips strung across more traditional fence framing to whole full-size tires arranged vertically or horizontally. You can also get a fun look with half tires placed in the ground.

PVC fences are a reliable option

Made from durable polyvinyl chloride, PVC fences are one of the wood fencing alternatives that are worth the extra cost. These have a similar look to original wood plank fencing but without its vulnerability to pests and the weather damage over time. They also are available in upcycled plastic for a more earth-friendly option and come in various colors and finishes, from classic white to sleek matte black. There are also PVC fences with wood pulp that have a more wood-like appearance.

Chain link can be dressed up

While it isn't necessarily the trendiest, chain link is one of the more cost-effective and utilitarian modes of fencing, particularly if it's just a matter of keeping people/pets in or out of the yard. To make the standard chain link fence more charming, try hanging glass beads in each of the diamond spaces or growing climbing and vining plants and flowers that will cover the fence's metal framework.

Mesh grid fencing has additional benefits

This simple and affordable fence is great for keeping critters out of your flower beds while still allowing views through to the other side. It usually involves a wood or metal frame with sheets of metal mesh strung between them, eliminating the usual gaps and holes that allow animals to slip through. You can use traditional silver mesh or opt for a matte black finish to mimic stunning wrought iron fences for luxurious curb appeal.

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