There are any number of reasons why you might want to cover a fence. Maybe you’ve found that it doesn’t offer quite enough privacy. Perhaps you’re looking to increase the value of your home, and a privacy fence might be the way to do it. Or maybe you’re just looking for an aesthetic change, and that boring old fence just won’t cut it anymore.
Whatever the reason, we’ve put together a few suggestions for fence cover ideas for you to consider, but first, let’s think about the project itself.
As with any home improvement project, it’s important to have a plan for tackling it. Here’s a few questions you might want to ask yourself before diving in:
Once you’ve got all that figured out, it’s time to move onto the project itself. Here’s a few of our favourite fence covering ideas to inspire you!
Natural cover-ups are an attractive way to spruce up a boring fence. They will, of course, require ongoing maintenance but if you’re not a keen gardener, there’s still easy-to-manage options you can explore.
Line up your planters and create a living wall. Hedgerows are perhaps the most common example of this and are sometimes even used instead of installing a fence in the first place. Hedges do require regular maintenance and if you’re looking to start from scratch, expect them to take a while to reach the heights you might be hoping for.
That said, there are some ornamental grasses and brushes that will do a fine job too, including fountain grass, porcupine grass, and switch grass. Their quick growth rate makes them an attractive possibility, avoiding the wait times of a classic hedgerow.
Now, we know it’s a type of grass, but we feel bamboo deserves its own shout-out. Strong, stylish, and durable, it’s a fantastic option for covering fences. Bamboo also ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to sustainability and affordability.
While climbing plants won’t offer immediate full coverage, there’s something to be said for the beauty of trailing vines and colourful creepers. Examples include bougainvillea, Boston ivy, star jasmine, and wisteria. You’ll need to look carefully into each plant before deciding – some will do better in shady areas, some prefer sun, and some will need a trellis for support.
Looking for form and function? Why not plant a line of fruit trees? With so many types and sizes of fruit trees, you’re certain to find something delicious to cover up that old fence. Plus, free food!
Plant them in a row or try a technique called “pleaching”, and tie branches together to form a living wall.
If you’re not planning to cover the entire fence, and maybe just want to liven things up a little, consider creating an attractive border in front of the fence. You can fill them full of flowers, ferns, bushes; anything that you like the look of and feel comfortable taking care of. Let them grow to a height or keep them short and decorative. The choice is yours!
If you feel like you might want to change up your look from time to time, consider using planters, rather than planting directly into the ground. This gives you the option to move your plants around to suit you, your garden, and the changing seasons. Spend some time picking out some plant pots and flowers boxes you really like and craft your perfect border.
Covering a fence needn’t be a purely practical thing. Consider dedicating a space to showcase your personal style through outdoor-safe artwork and decoration.
A simple way to cover a fence’s flaws is by painting it. You could pick a new colour or go all out and add a beautiful mural. It won’t do much to stop the nosy neighbours (if anything, it might encourage them to take a closer look!), but it’s certainly an option if all you want is a visual change.
If you’re looking to hide the fence a little more, why not hang a few art pieces on it? You’ll need to ensure they’re fully prepared for a life outdoors, including protection from the sun, rain, and humidity. Choose your favourite pieces in a variety of sizes and create your very own gallery wall outside.
There is no shortage of garden decorations that can help cover a fence – and they can do much more than that besides. For example, a mirror can give the illusion of more space in a smaller yard, or a water feature can add visual appeal and calming sounds into the mix.
Garden ornaments, outdoor furniture, and decorative structures can all come into play and can be teamed with plants and trees to craft a fence cover truly your own. You might want to explore privacy screens, which can come in a variety of styles and materials, ranging from simple trellises to die-cut metal panels. You could even hang some outdoor curtains for some added luxury and just a little bit of drama.
Of course, not all fence covers need to be dramatic or require a huge amount of work. There are options that can both highlight what you already have and add a little pop of something new to the garden.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full row of fruit trees or hedgerows galore, consider hanging a few baskets filled with your favourite flowers to the fence. Teamed with a little decoration, such as a new paint job, they’ll go a long way to helping improve that boring old fence.
You may want to add some lights to your fence, whether that’s a simple string of pretty lanterns, or a full cascading set of outdoor-friendly fairy lights. They’ll not only improve the fence (or even cover it entirely) and brighten the space, but they’re a sure-fire way to add atmosphere and mood to your garden.
Whatever your reasons are for covering your fence and however you’re planning to do it, there’s clearly no shortage of ways to realise your goals. Just remember to plan ahead, stick to the local rules and regulations, and reach out to professionals (and your neighbours) if required.
References
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