Fences are more than physical barriers. They are the backbone of modern suburban life. They possess powerful cultural and psychological associations that impact how you see the world. And whether you know it or not, fences have played a key role in determining the course of your life.
Below, we explore the cultural history of fences, why fences are such powerful psychological and emotional cues, and how you can design your space to positively influence your mental health.
The History of Fences and the Tragedy of the Common
The construction of fences and walls stretches all the way back to the beginning of human civilization. (Google the Great Wall of China or the Ishtar Gate to see spectacular feats of early engineering.) The earliest fences were built for protection and to mark boundaries. Fences were also crucial for developing farming, as they protected crops and livestock. Early agricultural societies, like Egypt and Mesopotamia, used mudbrick walls and woven reed fences.
Fences played a central role in the creation of modern England and, by extension, the US. Beginning in the 1500s, the Enclosure Acts led to the privatization of common lands. Large tracts of previously shared land were fenced off, transforming England’s cultural and agricultural landscape.
In fact, the word “commoner” originally described a person with the right to use common land to graze livestock or collect wood for fuel. However, as England’s population grew, the overuse of commonly held land for grazing and wood cutting led to its eventual degradation.
In America, early settlers claimed land by fencing it in. But in the West, vast stretches of prairie were held in common and were known to settlers as “open range.” Similar to England, the “tragedy of the common” eventually led to privatization of shared lands through the Homestead Act and Desert Land Act. Fences were built to separate tracts of land.
The rich, symbolic history of fences in America (and the West in general) makes them important cultural markers with powerful psychological associations.
The Psychology of Fences
In the 1950s, the white picket fence became the symbol of American suburbia. Spread by Hollywood films, this timeless design represented the promise of the American Dream. It communicated the idea that if you worked hard, you, too, could own your own piece of paradise.
The idea of one day owning a home with a green lawn and a white picket fence became a marker of success. It gave people something to aspire to, and working toward that dream gave people a reason to wake up early, work hard, and plan for the future.
People like fences because they’re comfortable and reassuring. Fences provide a sense of security and ownership. They also create boundaries in our heads, not just between neighbors but also between the outside world and your home environment. When you walk through your gate — passed the buffer zone separating the outside world of working and doing from a world of relaxation and privacy — this visual cue allows you to relax and enjoy.
The type of fence you have can also influence your day-to-day mental health. Fences with wide slats communicate a more open concept, providing you with a sense of connection to the outside world. Tighter fences allow for greater privacy, allowing some mental separation between your home life and everything else. The warm, rich color and pleasant smell of a red cedar fence can be calming to people who enjoy a more natural environment. And putting up a classic white picket fence might offer the confidence booster you need, saying, “You made it!”
Bespoke Fences
Bespoke builds beautiful fences to put your mind at ease. Not only do our fences provide a sense of security and comfort, but they’re also easy on the eyes. Whether you prefer a spacious, open concept or something a little more private, we have something for everyone!