A garden fence does more than mark boundaries – it’s a backdrop for your outdoor space, a canvas that can reflect your personality, and even a practical part of your garden design. There is a whole host of opportunities to decorate your garden fence. 

Here are some creative, practical, and easy ideas for decorating your garden fence and breathing new life into your outdoor space.

1. Build a Raised Bed in Front of Your Fence

One of the most effective (and practical) ways to decorate your fence is by building a raised planter at its base. A wooden raised bed can soften the bottom of the fence and act as a natural frame for your planting scheme.

decorative raised bed

Use it to grow a mix of shrubs, perennials, or even vegetables, or go vertical with climbing plants that can grow up the fence and add height, texture, and seasonal interest. 

2. Encourage Climbing Plants with Trellis or Semi-Solid Panels

Want a living wall effect? Install a trellis panel or use a semi-solid fence design that allows plants to intertwine and grow through. These work brilliantly with climbers like jasmine, clematis, and honeysuckle. 

venetian panel as green screen

Not only do trellis panels look decorative in their own right, but they also provide structure for plants and allow light and air to flow through – great for softening a space and attracting pollinators. 

3. Use a Trellis Panel as a Decorative Feature

A trellis doesn’t need to be hidden behind greenery. You can use a trellis or slatted panel purely for decoration, breaking up long stretches of solid fencing or adding a patterned design feature.  

decorative trellis

Trellis panels are ideal above fence lines too;  – perfect for a bit of extra height or privacy without blocking out sunlight.  

fence installation essex

Attach a trellis panel onto your fence panel for a unique decorative feature.  

4. Add Outdoor Shelving, Mirrors, and Decorative Items

Make your fence functional and stylish by attaching items like: 

  • Wall-mounted shelves for lanterns, succulents or bird feeders. Bring your interior style outside, and make your garden feel homely. 

decorative shelves on fencing

  • Outdoor mirrors to reflect light and make smaller spaces feel bigger. A simple and effective homely addition to your garden which can be customised to match your style by the type of mirror you choose, making it either modern or boho. 

tongue-and-groove-fence-panels-designer-garden

  • Decorative plant pots or hanging baskets to introduce pops of colour. Pots are decoration in themselves. Choose patterns or colours to suit your style or even paint your own pots. 

decorative plant pots

Just make sure any fixings are secure and suitable for outdoor use and the overall integrity of the fence is assessed first.  

5. Incorporate a water feature 

Using your fence panels as part of a decorative design is also an option. In one project, one of our Approved Installers created a beautiful garden feature which involved a blade water feature fitted through a fence panel. 

Read about the project

 

decorative water feature

6. Highlight Unique Fence Styles 

If you’re lucky enough to have a Shadowline panel , show it off! The profile design creates a modern linear effect with a striking shadow gap between each board. It's designed to be visually distinctive on its own, so sometimes the best decoration is minimal. – letting the fence panel design speak for itself. 

You can enhance the look further by planting low shrubs or ornamental grasses in front or pairing it with contemporary lighting and matching planters. 

7. Incorporate Lighting

String lights, solar lanterns or fairy lights along the top of your fence can create a cosy atmosphere when the sun goes down. You can also install downlights or subtle spotlights to highlight specific areas, such as a feature plant or seating area. Lighting is one of the easiest ways to bring a decorative touch at night.  

how to decorate a garden fence

Decorating your garden fence is a great way to elevate your whole outdoor space. Whether you're adding greenery, colour, structure, or light, these simple upgrades can make a big impact, – turning a plain boundary into a beautiful focal point. 

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