Looking to add a little extra flair to your yard? Customize your yard to match your personality with these four unique ways to decorate your fence!
Vines
Climbing vines capture the elegance of a French chateau or a prestigious New England university. Training ivy or flowering vines to climb your fence isn’t difficult and adds timeless appeal to your yard.
“It’s not unheard of for Virginia creeper, which is hard to control because it’s so fast-growing, to put on 20 feet of growth in a year. But other vines, such as climbing hydrangea, creep slowly, putting on just 1 to 3 feet yearly,” says celebrated landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni.
- The first step is to choose a vine. Avoid selecting invasive species. When in doubt, choose a native vine.
- Next, use wire or hooks to create a path for your vine to grow. Depending on the material build of your fence, you can use screws, nails, or hooks to fasten these to your fence. For slow-growing vines, you can create designs and shapes to train the plants to grow. For fast-growing vines, it’s best to stick to a straight line. Make sure to use galvanized wires and outdoor grade hooks to avoid rust. Then, it’s finally time to plant your vine.
- Once your vine grows long enough, gently wrap it around the wire. The vines have tendrils that will naturally grow and wrap around nearby objects. This initial wrap that you do on the wires is to teach them where to go.
Artificial Plants Panels
Not everyone is blessed with a green thumb! If you can’t raise a plant to save your life but still want to enjoy the timeless appeal of climbing vines, faux plants may be the solution. And I know what you’re thinking — tacky. But artificial greenery has come a long way in the past couple of decades, and today’s artificial wall plants are a far cry from grandma’s stiff, neon flowers.
Paint
Paint can add personality to any space. If you’re looking for a more traditional look, go monochromatic and choose a rustic red or pearly white to add character to your outdoor space. If you’re interested in something a little more eclectic, you can add some hand-painted designs or maybe even a full-blown mural.
- If you’re painting your whole fence, begin by applying a primer. Then, apply your paint in multiple thin coats to ensure even coverage and reduce the risk of drips and streaks. Also, it’s important to avoid painting on hot, humid days.
- The best paint for your project will depend on the material used to construct your fence. For wooden surfaces, it’s best to use acrylic latex paint. For metal or iron fences, it’s generally recommended that you use oil paint.
- After the paint has dried, apply a clear, UV-protective sealer. For areas with heavy rainfall (i.e. Chicago), it’s generally recommended that you add a waterproof sealer to prevent moisture damage.
If you’re only painting parts of your fence, feel free to lean into the arts and crafts aspect of painting and use whatever tools you think best. But still, be sure to consider the best type of paint for your fence and to add a waterproof sealer when finished.
If you’re not up to spending a weekend (or two) painting every inch of your fence, you may consider investing in a beautifully crafted pre-painted fence from Bespoke Fence.
Staining
Staining a wood fence is another great way to add character to your yard. Opposed to paint, staining enhances and accents existing patterns and designs rather than covering them over and starting fresh. Vibrant woods with rich textures and ring-filled patterns, like redcedar, are an excellent option for staining.
When staining a fence, apply a heavy coat to the open grain of wood. Then, work with the grain, applying one to two even coats with smooth strokes. For darker stains, you can work from the top down. Apply the stain to a few boards at a time to avoid lap marks. You can also back-brush the stain into the wood to help it penetrate and distribute evenly.
Lights
Light up your yard by stringing lines of lights across your fence. The ideal backyard lights feature a string of big yellow bulbs for a laid-back bohemian look.
To create the perfect fairytale backyard, begin by drilling pilot holes into the fence posts and then screw in outdoor-rated cup hooks using a ladder. String the lights from post to post, and use zip ties to secure the lights to the hooks.
For metal fences, consider using adhesive hooks and strips.
Fences to Fit Your Style
The right decor can transform your yard into a backyard oasis fit to match your style and personality. But even the best decorations can’t fundamentally change your fence, no matter how much you dress it up. If you want a stylish fence that looks good from day one and stands the test of time, call Bespoke Fence — Chicago’s most trusted fencing experts. They offer various styles and materials for beautifully crafted custom fences, including aluminum, cedar, steel, and vinyl.