17 Horizontal Fence Ideas We Love for a Private Yard

@thetruehouse / photo by @minopromedia / Instagram

Fences and walls exist to serve a very practical purpose, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful. Opting for a horizontal fence rather than a vertical fence can make your backyard feel more put together while improving your home’s curb appeal at the same time.

We’ve curated this collection of 17 horizontal fence ideas to help you make this useful feature a stunning one.

Horizontal Slat Fence DIY

@tabithablue / Instagram

Building a horizontal fence in your backyard doesn’t have to break the bank. Tabitha Blue, digital content creator at Fresh Mommy Blog, put together this easy-to-follow tutorial for a DIY slat fence.

Short Horizontal Fence on Deck

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Perhaps installing a horizontal fence across your entire yard isn’t in the budget yet. If that’s the case, consider installing one along your deck to create privacy where you most likely lounge the most.

Fence Lighting

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Horizontal fences tend to have a more high-end look than your basic privacy fence. To draw more attention to your fence and create a cozy glow, consider installing some solar-powered sconces on it.

Fence Above Concrete Garden Bed

@designbybrookside / Instagram

Raised concrete garden beds make a beautiful border for a backyard. Layering this feature with a horizontal fence is a stylish way to add more privacy.

Horizontal Fence With Tall Hedges

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Any type of fence is fairly limited in terms of the amount of privacy it can actually provide. To give it a little boost and your yard some extra shade, try planting a row of fast-growing hedges and pruning them under the fence line.

Stained Horizontal Fence

@builttolasthardscapes / Instagram

If you go with wood for your horizontal fence, never underestimate the power of a stain. It will give your fence a completed look, and depending on what product you choose, it can provide some UV protection for the wood.

Different Spacing

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When designing your horizontal fence, think about ways you can play around with the spacing between the wood planks. Closer spacing along the bottom provides more privacy, but you can pair it with wider spacing for the top portion to create some visual interest.

Horizontal Fence Gate

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Your driveway gate plays a big role in your home’s curb appeal. For a cohesive look, you can match your gate to your horizontal fence and even install an automatic opener to take it to the next level.

A Backdrop for Cooking

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An outdoor kitchen is an equal parts useful and stunning backyard feature. A horizontal fence makes the perfect backdrop for your grill and outdoor countertops to pop against.

Matching Wood Accents

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If your horizontal fence is wood, you can incorporate this material into your other backyard features to create a sense of visual balance. This design that shows off a wood arbor paired with a wood bench is a great example.

Fence Accessories

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A horizontal fence with a classic, simple design is a great place to hang some decor, like stringed lights and plants. Little touches like this will help your backyard feel like a cozy second living room.

Plant Wall

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Another way to decorate your privacy fence is by turning it into a full-on plant wall. Think beyond terracotta pots here. The flower pots themselves can be a beautiful design feature that complements your fence.

White Horizontal Fence

@thetruehouse / photo by @minopromedia / Instagram

If you want to channel a relaxed coastal style, white paint is definitely your friend. Giving your horizontal fence a clean coat of paint will highlight all of the small details on your fence as the light bounces off of it.

Built-In Shed

@westendtor / Instagram

Horizontal fences have a similar look as shiplap, so this material makes a great option for shed siding. The corner of your fence is an ideal spot to tuck a matching built-in shed.

Different Heights

@hicks_exterior_accents / Instagram

Your horizontal fence doesn’t need to be the same height on each side. For example, you can make the sides that border your neighbor’s a bit shorter. If there is a public-facing area behind your yard, such as an ally, a taller fence may be the way to go there.

Black Stain

@slattedscreenfencing / Instagram

There are so many different stain colors on the market. While brown stains give off more of a traditional look, a charcoal gray or black stain provides a sleek, modern look on a horizontal fence.

Unique Wood Varieties

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Pine is a very affordable and common type of wood to use on vertical and horizontal fences alike. However, there are other more unique varieties to consider for your fence as well. For example, cedar and redwood create a stunning visual appeal with their warm red and orange tones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a horizontal fence more affordable than one with vertical boards?

Horizontal fences tend to cost more than vertical fences, because they require higher quality wood. Cheaper wood can start to sag on a horizontal fence.

How tall should horizontal fence be built?

Horizontal fences typically measure between 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on how much privacy you want.

Read the original article on The Spruce.