Front Yard Fence Ideas that are not White Picket Fences
Who else is obsessed with the idea of a “white picket fence”? It’s just such an iconic look that comes to mind whenever I think of the ultimate curb appeal. If you are anything like me, you have always dreamed about having a white picket fence surrounding your front yard. But did you know that you can get the same curb appeal from a variety of front yard fencing ideas? White picket fences will always be classic but don’t overlook other front yard fence ideas. From metal fencing to wooden fences that are lattice or horizontally picketed, there are truly so many possibilities. I wouldn’t just stop at the white picket fence when looking for the best fencing options for your front yard. Here are 15 front yard fence ideas that are relatively budget-friendly and they will spruce up your home’s curb appeal in.
Can you Build a Fence Around your Front Yard?
Before you go any further, you want to make sure you can even put a fence around your front yard. The need for a permit to install a front yard fence can vary depending on your location and local policies and regulations. You must check with your county or cities building code enforcement department to determine if a permit is required. They can provide specific guidelines and information regarding the permit application process or if a permit is even required. If you live in a community that has a homeowners association, you absolutely should check the HOA bylaws to make sure you stay on the right side of the HOA and avoid any fines or penalties.
Front Yard Fence Design Ideas
Let’s get into it. Feast your eyes on some of my personal favorite fence ideas (I love wood fences for front yards) as well as the best overall options for front yard fences. You’ll realize pretty quickly that you are not limited to the traditional (and a personal favorite) white picket fence. Fencing is a fun way to give the exterior of your home some personality. You can design everything from the fence material to the layout to the overall style and feel of your fencing. A white picket fence will have a traditional vibe while a wood rail fence will give you a farmhouse vibe. What is the feeling you are going for?
Low Horizontal Fence
This is a lovely little fence for your home. I love the dark wood against the light cream-colored home. The wood also coordinates amazingly with the black trim of the home. The fence itself is a great example of a horizontal fence. With this design, you aren’t too concerned with privacy or keeping people out as there is no gate. This fence is more for style and curb appeal. Which it has plenty of.
Wooden Picket Fence
This is a more neutral, natural wood version of the classic “white picket fence.” This front yard design really gives off that “home sweet home” vibe. This picket fence style is a great way to go if you prioritize aesthetics over privacy. If privacy is more your jam then something like a privacy hedge would be more your speed but if you really want to show off your gorgeous yard, and create a really welcoming exterior, this is an excellent fencing choice. That’s not to say you can’t have privacy with picket fences as you can always adjust the height and number of pickets in your picket fence design. This type of fencing also can seamlessly fit into your home’s existing exterior design.
White Picket Fence
This is the classic look that we all dream of, myself included and it really needs no explanation. A white picket fence around your front yard adds a level of charm to your home’s exterior you just can’t get with any other fencing design. I absolutely love the contrast of the white pickets against a green lawn. To me, there is nothing better. I think one thing I would note about picket fencing, or just fencing that doesn’t provide a lot of privacy, is that you may feel more compelled to constantly upkeep your front yard. You could even elevate this design slightly by incorporating a small pergola overhead and planting ivy nearby to eventually drape over the pergola and gate.
Picket Fence with Pergola
This is a great example of how to incorporate a pergola into your fence design. This is a great look for those who want to make a statement with their front yard fence. In this example, they left the wood raw instead of going the traditional white picket fence route. I really appreciate the more casual feel of the natural wood picket fence. Additionally, I love how the climbing ivy on the pergola will be on display when fully grown and draped over the gate.
Vinyl Fence
Vinyl fences are a popular fence choice for those who want the look of a wood picket fence without having to worry about upkeep and maintenance. You won’t have to stain or paint this fencing. You’ll power wash it once a year or so to keep it looking fresh. Vinyl fences come in many different styles, colors (the most common is white), and heights so you can find the perfect style to fit into your home’s existing exterior design.
Stucco Front Yard Fence
Growing up in the Western United States stucco fences are everywhere so maybe that’s why I am not such a big fan of this style. I would also only recommend using this style of fencing if your home is also stucco as it may be hard to coordinate a stucco fence with other common home exterior materials such as brick or aluminum siding.
White Lattice Fence
This is a unique and gorgeous front yard fence idea. The white lattice creates a wall of texture that looks amazing against the home’s brick facade. This type of fence is particularly great if you are looking for privacy as it can block out sound, too! As an added bonus, you can always plant your favorite flowers or vines in the latticework for an even
Gray Wooden Fence
This is yet another spinoff of the classic white picket fence. Though the gray geometric fence doesn’t have the same ring to it. I adore everything about this fence. I like the height the color and the design. I would love to have a fence like this in my front yard when I finally get my fever home.
Stone Front Yard Fence
This is one of the most expensive front yard fencing ideas but I just had to include it as it looks incredible. This fence honors tradition while still standing out with its natural stone construction. It’s a great way to add some flair to your home while keeping a classic style. Stone fences are a relay nice addition to any home as they coordinate with nearly any style of home. I love the combination of materials in this design as it helps to keep costs down. I don’t even want to think how much an all-stone fence would cost to install and maintain.
Wrought Iron Fence
Wrought iron fences not only provide a timeless design but also comes with a whole list of practical benefits. The strength of wrought iron offers excellent security, acting as a solid deterrent against potential intruders. Wrought iron can withstand even the worst weather conditions, ensuring longevity with minimal maintenance. The versatility of wrought iron allows for countless design possibilities, catering to both modern and traditional homes. Additionally, the value that a wrought iron gate brings to your property in terms of curb appeal can increase its market value. While they may require a higher initial investment than other front yard fence ideas, the long-term benefits and lasting beauty of wrought iron gates can justify the cost. Wrought iron fences don’t typically come with a ton of privacy, check out my recent blog post on wrought iron privacy fences if privacy is important to you but you love the wrought iron look.
Concrete Fence
Concrete fences are a great choice if you desire extra privacy or noise reduction. They are also perfect for keeping your dogs and other pets contained in the yard or blocking off a pool area. Most commonly, concrete front yard fences come in either very sleek modern designs or classic stone looks imitating natural stone walls. The good part about using concrete for your fence is that they don’t require a ton of maintenance.
Metal and Wire Front Yard Fence
Metal and wire fences are a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable solution that is also low maintenance. Metal and wire fences offer security as well as style and can be easily adapted to fit your particular landscape design. Plus, they usually require only minimal upkeep.
Steel Cable Front Yard Fence
Steel cable fencing is a great option for those who want an unobtrusive and contemporary look for their front yard. Steel cable fences are made with steel wires strung together in a criss-cross pattern, making them nearly invisible from far away. The flexibility of the cables also allows you to create unique designs or outlines around your property.
Ivy Covered Fence
This is one of my all-time favorite front yard fence ideas. It is perfect for those who are looking to add a natural element to their home. An ivy-covered fence not only adds an interesting texture and color but also contributes to privacy since ivy can quickly grow tall enough to block out unwanted viewers. This is not exactly a design you can create overnight but is still a beautiful fencing option.
Chain Link Fence
I wanted to include chain link fencing in this round-up as it is still very much a viable option for front yard fences. Chain link fences are not the most attractive but they can be a great solution if you need an inexpensive way to keep pets or children contained in your yard. Plus, with the help of some strategically placed plants or shrubs, you can easily add privacy to chain link fences.
Ways to Elevate Your Fence Design
Greenery
Adding greenery and plants to your fence area is a great way to elevate your fence design. Whether that be by planting flowers along the bottom of the fence or even training vines to creep along the top, you can easily add beauty and color to your fence with some well-placed greenery. Greenery can also add to the privacy of your fence design.
Lights
Adding lights to your fences is another great way to light up the night by creating a beautiful ambiance and illuminating your outdoor space. Lights can be used in a variety of ways: accent lights, spotlights, or even stringing fairy lights along the top of your fence. Or, why not combine greenery and lighting for an extra special design?
Artwork
Adding artwork to your fence elevates the design and adds some personal style to your front yard. The options are endless when it comes to selecting the perfect artwork for your fence. You can opt for something abstract or if you have a specific theme, perhaps something to match that theme.
Front Yard Fence: Final Thoughts
The takeaway here is that when it comes to designing your front yard fence, the options are endless. If you prefer classic designs like the forever popular white picket fence (or the vinyl version of it) or something more modern and unique like a stone wall – there is an fencing idea out there for design! You’ll want to think about materials and concepts that fit well with the design style of your home’s exterior and create a front yard fence that feels like you! With the help of greenery, lights, artwork, and a few other design tricks you can easily have a beautiful front yard fence that stands out.
