27 Privacy fence ideas for your home - pool fences, privacy screen designs (2024)

Looking for privacy fence ideas? Privacy fences have many functions. Architecturally, they can be a decoration and improve a home’s exterior ‘face’. And they may also do a good job of covering up the ugly exterior of your neighbour’s house. They can help define your space, and they can help break it up by adding dynamic aesthetic elements.

There are so many different privacy fence ideas out there that will beautify your outdoor areas. It’s always visually pleasing to view vine-covered trellises or the neat parallel lines of a horizontal fence.

But their main job, by definition, is to add privacy. Technically, a privacy fence is very similar to a regular one. But a privacy fence is usually regarded as being somewhat more portable and is usually at least 4 to 6 feet tall.

What to consider when choosing the right privacy fence? You’ll need to consider things like longevity, durability, maintenance and ease of repairs. And then there’s your overall style and the limits of your budget.

Privacy fence ideas: planning

There are so many options for privacy fencing that it can be hard to know where to begin. When deciding on the perfect solution, ask yourself some basic questions first, such as:

• How tall do you want your fence to be?
• Do you need full privacy or do you want it to be a little see-through?
• Should it be horizontal or vertical?
• What privacy fencing materials are suitable – timber, bamboo, metal, vinyl, reclaimed materials, stone?
• Will the materials be natural or stained?
• What colours will be most effective?
• Are there any features of the terrain to take into account, such as sloping land?
• What’s your budget? Some projects are naturally going to cost more than others. But give some thought to how a better quality privacy fence will actually add value to your home, making it a good investment.
• Can you really DIY or would it be better if you got a hand from a fencing expert?

Choosing materials

Consider the full range of possible privacy fence materials. Don’t limit your thinking to timber slats. You’ll find there are many more fencing options in other materials. For example, recycled plastics, vinyl, aluminium, steel, concrete or wrought iron. The latest composite materials are always a good solution, offering low-maintenance and longevity.

You could also consider masonry work. It may not be the cheapest solution, but consider whether a stonemason might create a gorgeous stone wall for you. Modern gabion walls are an option too—a sturdy fence design that has been around since mediaeval times.

Other options include pre-formed etched metal privacy screens which come in a range of patterns and designs. Or you can use solid wood rather than planks—for example, white birch trunks look amazing. Finally, consider frosted glass panels, which provide privacy but obviously allow light through.

1. Have a green screen

One of the easiest methods of constructing a privacy fence is to use screening plants to create a living wall. Go for a row of planters containing ornamental grasses, a mobile vine wall or a beautiful hedgerow. Either way, plants are a beautiful and simple natural barrier.

2. Use horsetail grass

Some of the most popular plants for privacy screening include horsetail grass grown in planters. This plant makes a fantastic architectural statement in the garden, growing between 60cm to 120cm tall.

3. Plant magnificent trailing succulents

The beauty of using plants as a privacy fence is that they add so much texture and visual interest.

4. Privacy fence ideas with containers

Keeping bushy plants in containers makes a convenient and easy privacy fence. And it’s portable for when you feel like making a change to your garden design.

5. Consider a flower wall or a fruit tree wall

You might also consider creating a flower wall or planting an edible wall of fruit trees in planters. An excellent choice for pleaching and for colour is a bougainvillaea tree. Just watch out for the thorns! (A tree wall is constructed by ‘pleaching’ trees, which is essentially tying branches together to create a wall.)

6. Get into bamboo

Bamboo screening is one of the easiest DIY solutions for privacy. Buy a roll of bamboo reed fence and attach it to your existing fence or railing. Or buy pre-formed metal fence frames together with bamboo panels to construct yourself.

You could also simply install bamboo poles for an easy, cheap solution.

7. Brush it off

Brush privacy fencing is a classic option. There will be no peering eyes getting into your house with one of these fences.

8. Timber chevron wall

You’ve got herringbone splashback tiles and herringbone timber flooring. Now meet the herringbone privacy wall! You might think this is an easy DIY idea. But with the precise angle cuts needed, a herringbone pattern is definitely something to get some help with if you’re not a pro.

9. Wide horizontal natural planks

This is a much easier DIY project if you want to try this privacy fence idea. All you need to do is take a trip to your local hardware store and then set aside a weekend or two to get it done.

10. Timber vertical panelling

Possibly the most “on-trend” type of fencing at the moment is vertical timber panelling which can either have a gap between or be stacked together. It looks great when treated with a stain or using a few shades of timber to create a more dramatic effect.

11. Horizontal pine slats

Give your patio an intimate feeling with some horizontal screening. For example, use up pieces of leftover pine from other projects.

12. Woven privacy fence

More homeowners are constructing privacy fences featuring unusual designs rather than standard planks. For example, a woven design is becoming more popular.

13. Uneven screen designs

Another contemporary trend is towards uneven screen designs and uneven heights. Things like interlinked slats also add interest and dynamism to an otherwise plain fence.

14. Lattice privacy screens

Basic lattice is very affordable from gardening and building supply shops, and you can easily spruce it up with a coat of paint. The beauty of a lattice is that it offers privacy but still allows in lots of light. Fill your lattice with gorgeous greenery, such as jasmine. You might also look at fast-growing vines like trumpet vine. But remember their fast-paced growth means more maintenance will be needed.

15. Standalone screen

It may not offer complete privacy, but if you made sliding privacy screens, it may allow you to customise your screens at different times of the day.

16. Natural privacy screen

Love the natural look? Use a bunch of cedar wood planks to create a simple DIY outdoor privacy fence.

17. Coastal cool white

A white framed no-frills privacy screen is beautifully airy and brings those Hampton’s vibes to your backyard. White timber simply offers class, sophistication and summery style in bundles. There’s no denying that a white painted timber privacy fence is a charming look. It especially suits modern coastal style dwellings. And it looks gorgeous against the white gravel, too.

18. Go retro with breezeblocks

Create nostalgic vibes with a curved privacy fence constructed from retro breezeblocks. These blocks allow the breeze through (duh!) while creating a pretty pattern and adding Mid-Century flavour.

19. Chocolate horizontal planks

You can always find the right wood stain colour to match your house and style, such as a lovely warm chocolate colour.

20. Grey horizontal panelling

Or if you’re after something a little more muted, perhaps grey is something that will work with your home.

21. Black is the new… black

It’s one of the most popular colours in privacy fencing and black is certainly enjoying its moment in the spotlight. Black fencing contrasts beautifully with green and gold foliage. And it creates a mesmerising, moody backdrop for your plants. It also looks amazing with whitewashed decking and natural timber furniture.

22. Add a gazebo

Simple, but always deluxe in appearance. A gazebo offers plenty of privacy and with its drapes for walls, quickly converts to a pool change room.

23. Panel style metal fencing

Worried about dampness or just want something a little more modern than timber? You can get really great quality metal privacy fences that look fabulous. Contemporary and stylish, black metal fencing works just as well as black timber slats do. Visually, you can hardly tell the difference.

DIY fencing ideas

Are you a bit handy? You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you have a little DIY know-how, a few tools and a bit of skill. For the average DIYer, building a privacy fence won’t be that hard, and the best part is, you get to have complete control over the outcome.

Check your local building codes/homeowners association before beginning construction of your fence. There may be limits on what you can do yourself in terms of fencing. Like all outdoor construction tasks, you’ll also need to ensure you have called your local underground utility line before any digging takes place.

You don’t need to pay a large sum to a landscaping company to design your dream garden. You can easily make your outdoor spaces private and tranquil on a budget. But realistically you can only DIY so much. If you’re thinking of something more complicated than the odd trellis or shrubs in planters, you may want to hire a builder to help with construction.

If you do decide to use a landscaping company, try to choose a company that is starting out as they are likely to be less expensive. You will also save money if you buy all your plants yourself, then get someone in to help with the planting, mulching and regular lawn care.

24. Fence kits

You may not want to start completely from scratch, and that’s where kits or pre-built panels are especially useful. The uniformity of the materials and the precision cutting means frame kits appear more professional than DIY fences. Purchasing a pre-built frame kit still allows you to choose what material you will infill it with. For example, cedar, pine, cypress, bamboo, or a wonderfully exotic kind of wood for a conversation piece.

25. Think outside the square

Be creative, break rules and try something different. For a unique DIY privacy fence, you can repurpose pallets, or even old doors and windows. Either attach pallets or other reclaimed materials to an existing fence or railing with cable ties. Then extend the fence height by stacking more pallets up. Paint it in your favourite colours or to suit your existing décor. Or why not paint a mural?

26. Landscaping around fencing

Just putting up a privacy fence isn’t the end of the process though. Make the most of the space by decorating the area and allow your personality to shine through. Add a modern touch with hanging potted plants from posts or wall planters. Or add landscape lighting either inside or outside the privacy fence. You might also add hooks and hangers for ornaments or tools. Or add lattice just to the top of your fence for training plants. Don’t forget you can also use smaller sections of fences to create partial barriers for zones.

Other possibilities include:

• Stepping stones,
• Gorgeous arrangements of native plants,
• Creatively using gravel (for example to create a pathway),
• Water features,
• Comfy outdoor furniture,
• And a patio umbrella.
• So have some fun creating your personalised—and now wonderfully private—outdoor sanctuary!

27. Temporary privacy screen ideas

Can’t decide yet what style of privacy fence you want to install? In the meantime, simply take some vinyl or PVC and easily create a low cost, temporary privacy screen. You’ll find loads of DIY ideas on Pinterest!

So there you have it – plenty of privacy fence ideas to get you thinking about your ideal fencing solution. Love the idea of DIY hacks but deep down, know you’re probably less handy than some? Don’t be afraid to call in help from a tradesman to get your privacy fence put up. Also, if you’d like to know hose much does fence repair cost, check out our updated fence repair price guide.