Key Takeaways

  • Classic wooden lattice fences allow you to train plants to climb, creating a beautiful living wall design in your yard.
  • Bamboo privacy fences are eco-friendly and sustainable, growing rapidly and biodegrading over time.
  • Custom planters along a wood fence can expand your garden, allowing you to grow vegetables and container-friendly flowers.

Privacy fences can add a wonderful layer of comfort and relaxation to your backyard. While making friends with neighbors can be delightful, sometimes it's also nice to have a quiet sanctuary where you can recharge.

By setting up a privacy fence you can upgrade your backyard and design a bespoke area that's perfect for sipping a cup of coffee, reading a book, or tending your garden. Discover 15 inspiring privacy fence ideas to elevate the atmosphere of your yard.

1. Choose Classic Wooden Lattice

Do you love cultivating flowers or vegetables that grow vines? Then, choose a classic wooden lattice-style fence, so you can train your zucchini plants, squash vines, or perennial flowers like clematis, to climb. As you tend your plants, they'll create a stunning living wall design that transforms your yard into a haven awash with greenery.

2. Make It Eco-Friendly With Bamboo

Bamboo privacy fences elevate a backyard with a modern aesthetic that is also eco-friendly. Bamboo grows rapidly in just four to seven years. So, it is more sustainable because it takes less time to mature than traditional timber. Plus, it is also biodegradable meaning it's better for the earth in the long term!

3. Expand Your Garden With Planters on a Wood Fence

Enhance a classic wood privacy fence by building custom planters that resemble raised garden beds along the base. Then, cultivate scrumptious vegetables like squash, crisp carrots, or fast-growing radishes to expand your garden. You could even choose a selection of container-friendly annuals like marigolds for vivid colors that adapt well to small spaces.

4. Elevate With Elegant Emerald Arborvitae

Evergreens are a timeless option for a classy and elegant privacy fence. Emerald arborvitae is a popular choice that can grow into a 10 to 15-foot tall, and 3 to 4-foot wide living fence. It is also hardy in zones 3 to 7, where it can provide year-round greenery and privacy.

5. Add Modernity With Aluminum

A minimalist aluminum privacy fence can upgrade your patio with a modern chic aesthetic. Complement trendy black aluminum slats with patio furniture in neutral gray, beige, or creamy white tones. Then artfully place solar lights above the seating area, so you can enjoy your private oasis after sunset.

6. Cultivate 'Spartan' Juniper Trees

'Spartan' junipers (Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan') are an elegant way to increase privacy. They can reach a height of 20 feet in 15 years, creating a curtain of greenery for a secluded backyard retreat. 'Spartan' junipers are an excellent choice for zones 5b to 10 where they are hardy.

7. Boost Privacy With a Pergola

Traditional fences aren't the only way to upgrade privacy in your garden! Pick a privacy fence that doubles as a pergola to add shade and create a comfortable lounge where you can entertain guests. Place the pergola over a patio made of concrete pavers to compliment a contemporary backyard design.

8. Plant Ornamental Grass

Although evergreens tend to capture the spotlight when it comes to privacy fences, ornamental grasses can also provide superb coverage. 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) can get up to 5 feet tall and grows well in zones 4 to 7. Cultivate it alongside your patio or even create a private border beside a front path or driveway.

9. Uplift With Lilac Hedges

Lilac bushes are an enchanting choice for living fences that bloom in beautiful pastel hues. Common or French lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are a superb variety for hedges because they can reach a height of 8 to 15 feet and a width of 6 to 12 feet. In spring, watch the green foliage transform into a purple masterpiece of blossoms that last up to two weeks.

10. Accent With Pattern Fence Toppers

Take your garden fence to the next level by picking a fence topper with a unique pattern that enables sunlight to delicately filter through. Then, artfully place planters to border the fence. Choose bright vibrant flowers for a pop of color or cultivate tomato plants and expand your vegetable garden.

11. Stagger Fence Panels for a Contemporary Design

When you design your fence, you can modernize your landscape by staggering your panels. Offsetting fence panels creates a contemporary look while maximizing light for your garden. Instead of blocking sunlight, the spacing between the panels opens up spots to cultivate plants, while still offering privacy.

12. Illuminate Your Fence

Turn your privacy fence into an elegant statement piece with solar lights. Attach lights along the fence to brighten up your yard in the evening and even highlight your favorite garden accents like statues, water features, or seasonal planters. Pick lights that run on solar power for an eco-friendly option that minimizes cables.

13. Cultivate Height With Holly

Holly bushes are beautiful evergreens that make gorgeous privacy hedges. When growing a living fence, choose a type of holly such as Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) that is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and can grow up to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide. American holly (Ilex opaca) is another top choice that thrives in zones 5 to 9 and can reach heights of 60 feet and widths of 20 feet.

14. Choose Brick for a Timeless Look

Building a brick fence can add a timeless, elegant aesthetic to your yard. A solid brick fence will also create a shady area that is ideal for a patio set where you can read a book, enjoy a homegrown salad outdoors, or even cultivate a container garden that thrives in shade. Then, plant a green border along the base of the fence with evergreens like boxwood shrubs, so you don't miss out on any greenery.

15. Go Vertical With Hanging Planters

Take your privacy fence to the next level and opt for a privacy fence that has shelves where you can grow a vertical garden. Plant herbs like basil, rosemary, or oregano that grow well together in containers. Then, pop outdoors to gather fresh herbs to garnish your home cooking!

Beautiful and Bespoke Privacy Fences

Design a bespoke landscape in your backyard where you can comfortably relax. Choose from a stunning selection of modern, classic, or living privacy fences to border your yard. You can further accentuate the design with planters, solar lights, or trendy patio furniture. That way you can grab a cup of coffee, pull up a patio chair, and head outdoors to recharge!

What are your favorite privacy fence ideas? Share your top picks in the comments below!