17 Wood Privacy Fence Ideas That Actually Look Good In Your Backyard

This is the fence I originally built in my backyard, and it has worked really well for a long time.

I didn’t want a standard, straight-off-the-shelf design, so I came up with something that has a little more detail than a basic privacy fence.

It does take a little more effort (and lumber) than the usual options, but I like that it feels more like a design choice instead of just something that’s there for privacy.

If you’re thinking about building your own, I also have a full tutorial that walks through exactly how I did it.

This is the standard privacy fence you see everywhere, and it definitely does its job.

The boards are installed close together so there aren’t any gaps, which gives you a really solid visual barrier.

However it can also feel a little like you’ve walled yourself into Fort Knox.

It blocks the view really well, but it’s not exactly inspiring to look at.

If privacy is your only goal, it works. But if you want your backyard to feel like a place you actually enjoy spending time in, this style can come across as a little heavy and plain.

If you like the basic board-on-board look but want to make it a little more interesting, changing the color of the posts and frame helps a lot.

Whether that’s painting them a darker color or using a metal frame like this one, it gives the fence more definition.

Instead of one big wall of wood, you get some contrast that breaks it up and makes it look more custom.

My mother used this bamboo reed fence in her backyard and while it also provides total privacy, it has a totally different feel.

Using bamboo instead of solid boards softens the whole look and adds a lot more texture.

I think it has a more relaxed, garden-style vibe, and it doesn’t look as flat as traditional wood panels.

Replacing the top section of a privacy fence with lattice is a really common way to make it feel a little less like a wall.

You still get full coverage where it matters, but the open pattern at the top keeps it from feeling so closed in.

It’s a nice balance if you want privacy without making your yard feel as boxed in.

I like the look of square lattice better than diagonal lattice because it echoes the shape of the fence and it’s not as common.

This is the same idea as adding contrast to the posts and frame… just applied to a lattice-top fence.

Painting both the lattice and the posts a different color helps define the structure and makes those details stand out more.

Without the contrast, the lattice can kind of blend into the rest of the fence.

But once you highlight it (along with the posts), it feels more like a design feature instead of just part of the construction.

Of course, you can just go with a full lattice privacy fence.

My mother added color and interest to her fence by building in holes where she could hang flowering baskets.

Adding some architectural details to the top of the fence also gives it a custom look.

This fence stands out because of all the little details working together.

The arched top gives it that custom look, but the real interest comes from the mix of materials… diagonal wood boards on the bottom and mesh panels at the top, separated by those curved wood dividers.

That combination adds a lot more personality and keeps it from feeling like just another solid wall.

And if the arched shape feels like too much work (or expense), you could use the same idea with straight panels. The mix of diagonal boards, mesh, and trim details would still give you that more custom, designed look without having to make curves.

Switching the boards from vertical to horizontal is one of the easiest ways to make a fence look more modern.

Same basic idea, totally different feel.

This style of fence works really well in a more minimal landscape (like behind a Japanese garden) where the simple lines won’t distract from the structure and layout of the space.

It also has the added benefit of making a tall fence feel less imposing. Since your eye moves side to side instead of straight up, it doesn’t emphasize the height the same way vertical boards do.

You can also install horizontal boards on opposite sides of the fence and then add planter boxes to make it look more interesting.

This still keeps the more modern aesthetic but breaks up the wide expanse of fence with some greenery.

Using slats instead of horizontal boards produces a lighter version of a privacy fence.

You still get separation, but the gaps between the boards keep it from feeling too solid.

It’s also nice if you want to incorporate plants.

You can actually grow things through the slats, which helps the fence blend into the landscaping instead of just sitting behind it.

This one gives you the privacy of a solid fence on the bottom, but with a more decorative look at the top.

The picket detail makes it feel less heavy without giving up coverage where you need it.

If you like a more traditional style, this is a good way to keep that look while still getting the benefits of a full privacy fence.

A picket fence doesn’t usually come to mind when you think of privacy, but it actually can work if you make the pickets taller and space them closer together.

You still get that classic look, just with a lot more coverage.

I also like that you can customize the tops of the pickets to make it feel a little more unique.

Instead of the standard pointed shape, you can cut curves or patterns so it feels more like a design feature than a basic fence.

Painting each section of a fence a different color is an easy way to make it stand out.

Instead of fading into the background like most fences do, it becomes part of the design.

And it doesn’t have to be a new fence to make this change. So it’s a very economical way to update the look of your fence if it’s still structurally sound.

If you don’t want to deal with repainting, using different stain colors would give you a similar look with less upkeep.

Note: This picture happens to be of a picket fence, but you could use the same idea with any style.

This is one of those ideas that’s just fun.

Shaping and painting each picket to look like a colored pencil turns the fence into something totally unexpected.

It’s obviously not for every yard, but if you want something playful or you’re designing a space around kids or a creative theme, this would definitely be memorable.

It’s basically functional art that just happens to be a fence.

Using old doors as fencing gives you a really eclectic, collected look.

Since the doors are all different shapes and sizes, you automatically get a lot of variation without having to design it from scratch.

Painting (or leaving) them in different colors really leans into that one-of-a-kind feel.

But if you want it to feel more cohesive, you could paint them all the same color to help tie everything together.

Either way, it’s a great way to reuse materials and create something that feels one-of-a-kind. Definitely not your standard backyard fence.

I am actually leaning towards doing this design. Which uses this black decorative panel* (that looks like wrought iron but isn’t) and my DIY privacy screen design as its basis.

My old deck (where I originally had the privacy screen) was falling apart so I replaced it with a screened in porch (stay tuned for a post about that.)

And I didn’t want to just get rid of the privacy screen, so I replaced a section of my existing fence with it. And I love it!

I will probably do something to the final design so that there is less of a gap on either side of the screen. But the basic idea will stay the same.