By Adelina Iacob, WIR Contributor

A swell fence is just like a good haircut – you simply can’t do without one. What’s best, in this day and age, fences come in all shapes and sizes, so even if you don’t have the faintest idea what lumber or style would suit your garden, you’re bound to find the perfect combo, so long as you have some guidance. Luckily for you, we’re here to lend a hand.

First things first, let’s settle what type of wood you should use. As you probably know, there are lots of possibilities, but this makes choosing all the more difficult. That’s why we encourage you to go for the most aesthetically and financially viable lumber ever – Southern Yellow Pine. Not only does pressure-treated SYP call for almost no maintenance whatsoever, but it’s also one of the most versatile materials out there. Conclusion? SYP is a win-win situation both for your yard and wallet.

Now, here comes the interesting part, where you’ve got to decide on the coolest design. One thing’s for sure: you know you’ve found the right fence when deep down, you feel like it reflects your personality and resonates with your lifestyle.

…Isn’t this how you’re supposed to choose your wedding dress too? Whatever, we’ll leave that for another time, ’cause we’re quite busy right now. Grab a cookie and take a look at our favorite fence designs, all handpicked to inspire you.

  1. Classic is always the height of fashion

Whatever century we may be living in, few things can top a good old-school fence. Forget about paint, forget about stain, forget about futuristic styles, because this is what real beauty looks like. We’re all for #nomakeupSYP.

  1. Eden is surrounded by lattice

SYP lattice is the wooden version of the checkered shirt. Traditional and modern at the same time, this baby retains its timeless beauty and improves the look of absolutely every garden, not to mention that it makes greenery truly stand out.

  1. Minimalism is grand

Simple lines are the epitome of class. Paired with some vintage garden furniture, like these gorgeous steel chaises lounges, a sleek fence will blend in just perfectly with everything, all that while screaming, or rather subtly whispering: elegance.

  1. All the world’s a playground

Indeed. If your children are the adventurous type, incorporating a rock climbing wall into an otherwise regular fence will definitely help you earn the Parent of the Year badge. To prevent your dearest boys and girls from getting any nasty bruises, go for a rubber floor too – you won’t regret it.

  1. Who doesn’t love a chalkboard?

Regardless of your age, a chalkboard is always a good idea, so whether you’ve got kids with a real flair for art – better said, doodles – or just want to make your inner child jump with joy, you’d better spice up your fence with one of these.

  1. Soft, simple nuances – the key to success

A natural fence is always sweet, but do all the boards really have to look the same? Go crazy – in a fashionable way – by staining some pieces of lumber differently, to create one visually impressive effect.

  1. Symmetry is overrated

Rules? Does this word still exist? Because right now, it doesn’t really matter how your fence is built, as long as it looks good. Fit some horizontal planks between the vertical ones and take Jenga to a whole new level.

  1. White fences and flowers, the original power couple

It’s a fact that white goes with just about everything, but when you’ve got lavender and pink roses actually growing through the boards of a perfect, cartoon-like white fence, you know it can’t get any better. If you decide on something like this, you will have to wait until the flowers are fully grown to get the desired effect, but it’s worth it. Every passer-by is going to stop and stare for a while, bewitched by the divine beauty of this Monet-inspired fence.

  1. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

Just because this fence looks all funky and elaborate, it doesn’t mean it’s also hard to reproduce. All you need is Southern Yellow Pine and as many paint colors as you can get. If you dig the whimsical, Alice-in-Wonderland look, we suggest using boards of different sizes.

  1. Anybody fancy a rooftop fence?

Who says you have to own a house to get a marvelous fence? Even if you live in crowded, polluted area like Midtown Manhattan, you can always come up with something totally awesome. With a little creativity, you can get yourself a slice of paradise even on a rooftop, in the most uninviting surroundings.

Oh, almost forgot. You get bonus points if you plant ivy.

 

Now that’s what you could call a terrific gallery. Hopefully, you’ve found your favorite fence – or fences – so best of luck turning daring ideas into reality. Just remember, if you’re not so keen on wasting time and money, use Southern Yellow Pine. You’ll feel the difference.

 

(Images via Houzz)