Asked on May 03, 2017

Love my small yard,hate the ugly fence. Replacing in 2 yrs.Ideas?

Denise Elkins
by Denise Elkins
I love to decorate and use my small courtyard, but the fence is an eyesore. Hanging plants and outdoor decor helps- I'm currently cleaning up from winter- but would love other ways to hide or detract from its appearance. I'd appreciate any ideas!
  17 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 03, 2017

    I use old metal art work found at garage sales and I spray paint them fun bright colors.

  • Susan Savarese Susan Savarese on May 03, 2017

    your fence doesn't appear to be in total disrepair, so I'd just try and spruce it up and distract from it at the same time. Here's a picture that inspired me to do the same on my fence which is just like yours. I hung matching flower baskets on every post.

  • Monalisa Harris Monalisa Harris on May 03, 2017

    I paint flowers on it with spray paint and paint hub caps turning them into flowers.

  • Charly Charly on May 04, 2017

    I would paint it first of all. The color is your choice. And then I would attach some lattice panels and plant some climber roses.

  • Joanie Joanie on May 04, 2017

    I would clean the fence first, pressure wash with bleach.......bring it back to natural wood......STAIN, do not paint........your askin' for chippin' and more work. We rented a sprayer and did our HUGE fence, inside and out. We also did our HUGE deck, floor, railings and steps into the pool. It does take some work, but it gets done. First tip, Do NOT plant anything close, because when you get ready to re stain., you're askin' for more work......Keep vines off fence, unless they are hanging, the same with flowers. Plant all bushes with in reason from your fence. This is all I have to say, where I would begin. Thanks for listening and good luck!!

    • See 1 previous
    • V Smith V Smith on May 04, 2017

      Totally agree. Clean it up with a bleach product like Thompson. Right out of the sprayer you will see a big difference. You may like it natural and not need to stain at all. Good luck.

  • Caseyem11 Caseyem11 on May 04, 2017

    I agree with Theduke 1234 that staying is the best way to go. I would use a clear rather than an opaque stain. Adding decorative objects painted in bright colors or a series of bird houses or strings of lights would be good choices. The fence could be a beautiful backdrop for art. You can have a favorite picture, perhaps of your garden in bloom, pot on canvas that is coated with an exterior poly. Old windows and mirrors also do well on a fence. Have fun with this project.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Depatie Sharon Depatie on May 04, 2017

      Be careful of mirrors - birds Will fly into it & possibly break their necks, or stun them long enough for animals to get them. Use the empty frame. It no glass or mirro please.

  • Desiree Suggs Desiree Suggs on May 04, 2017

    Consider gutters. That’s right, gutters. Cut to length, drill holes in bottom of gutter for drainage, line with felt and plant with favorite plants. Don’t forget to use the end caps for the gutters. You can stagger the gutters, vary the length (not too long-consider weight), vary the plants (vines, bushy plants, blooming plants, succulents, etc.).


  • Renae King Estes Renae King Estes on May 04, 2017

    I also have an ugly fence that I cannot replace because it belongs to the neighbor! I sprayed it a dark gray and it practically disappeared!! I also planted things in front and hung cute lizards, ect ! Honestly: dark gray paint!!

  • Denise Elkins Denise Elkins on May 04, 2017

    Terrific suggestion using gutters! I think that may work well....thank you😊

  • Susan Savarese Susan Savarese on May 04, 2017

    Why thank you, Denise! The flowers really do take away from the fence and they look pretty, too! Good luck!

  • Joanie Joanie on May 04, 2017

    Denise: Trust me on this one......I also live in VA.......not far from Manassas......how about a Richmond neighbor.....;)))? Hey!!

  • Gar772698 Gar772698 on May 04, 2017

    Since your planning to replace your fence cover it with bamboo fencing Its inexpensive but very pretty.

  • Cheryl Francis Cheryl Francis on May 05, 2017

    I used a solid stain and painted my fence and used some metal trellis frames with white lights to dress up the area. I needed to replace a few sections so I used old closet louver doors, painted them and then attached them to the chain link behind it.

  • Brandi Mahurin-Wright Brandi Mahurin-Wright on May 05, 2017

    I have a similar fence in my yard and I've been thinking about finding old windows and repurposing them as art to hang on my fence to cheer it up. I would spray paint the frames in bright colors and handpaint flowers and butterflies and birds on them or other outdoorsy things. You could also make "curtains" for them with shower curtains. If you're really going to replace the fence in two years then you could paint it white for now to cover the ugly or some other color...I mean its temporary so you'll be rid of it most likely before it has a chance to peel.

  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on May 05, 2017

    I have the same fence that you have...and we plan to change it out eventually. In the meantime, I used an opaque dark grey stain to stain it and make it look a bit nicer. The only problem with the "shadowbox" type fence is that if you are rolling or brushing the paint on like I did, it is a real pain to get it onto the set-back boards....so I left them unstained. I didn't want to spray this because we tried a small section and the overspray went all over the other side in the neighbor's yard....so that was not a great option. For now, I can live with it this way....but will definitely be happy to see it go!

  • Brenda Brenda on May 08, 2017

    I painted mine black. Really makes the flowers and greenery pop

  • Drew Drew on Jul 10, 2017

    When you replace your fence consider Trex Fencing. It's a wood-plastic composite material that has all of the beauty of wood without any of the maintenance. You won't need to paint or stain it. Trex Fencing won't rot and resists insect damage. Plus its unique board on board look is the same on both sides. You can see more at http://www.yournextfence.com