77 Modern Fence Designs (Wooden & Wrought Iron)

Fencing Materials

Before you start planning out a fence for your property, you must first decide on the material that you want to use. Each material comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and while some serve a more practical purpose others are chosen for their aesthetic style. The choice ultimately comes down to the function of your fence, the climate where you live, the style of your home, and your own personal preferences.

Wood

Wood is a classic, appealing fencing material that will work with nearly any home style. When compared to other fencing material options, like vinyl and masonry, wood tends to be the cheapest. Depending on the species of wood and with proper care, the material could last you several decades. Though, it is susceptible to warping, rot, and termite infestation. As such, it requires frequent resealing and refinishing.

Cedar

Redwood and Teak

You can expect to pay the most for a redwood or a teak fence. However, nothing compares to their natural sheen and smoothness. Since they are very expensive, teak and redwood fences are typically reserve for small areas – such as barriers around pools or spas.

Similar to cedar, both teak and redwood are naturally resistant to shrinking, warping, decay, and insect infestation. To maintain their original color, both species require a penetrating oil or sealer once or twice a year.

Treated Wood

Metal

However, wrought iron isn’t the only type of metal available for fencing. More modern metal options include cast iron, steel, and aluminum. These materials offer the strength of wrought iron but with a more DIY-friendly installation process.

Although steel is most commonly used in industrial or commercial settings, it makes a great choice when security is your main concern.

Chain Link

One of the drawbacks to chain link is that it is susceptible to corrosion, particularly where the links of the mesh meet. This corrosion is very difficult to prevent. In order to enjoy a longer lifespan and a better look out of your chain link, consider opting for one that is vinyl-coated (as pictured above).

Vinyl

The major benefit to vinyl fencing is that once it’s installed it is practically maintenance-free. All you’ll need to do is give it the occasional wash with your garden hose and a mild detergent.

In terms of cost and durability, vinyl is an excellent choice. Not to mention, the style, design, and color options are nearly endless.

Composite

Masonry

An often-overlooked fencing material, masonry can create a dignified aesthetic around any home. However, this material tends to come at a high cost and requires professional installation. Because of the substantial weight, masonry fences need to have structural footing placed beneath the frost line. Some of the most common types of masonry used in fencing include stone, block, brick, concrete, and stucco.

Oftentimes, homeowners combine masonry with another type of fencing material – such as wood or wrought iron – for both cost and design purposes.

Both block and poured concrete need steel reinforcement. Whereas, brick fences typically have a concrete or block interior fence and a brick veneer on the outside.

This fence combines horizontal metal slates with poured concrete to create a very sleek, modern look in this backyard.

Brick fence designs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. This dark, modern brick fencing is paired with an iron gate for maximum security and a traditional appeal.

Bamboo

A classic bamboo fence design, adorned with flowers and foliage, amplifies the experience of traversing down this garden walkway.

Milled wood adds stability and structure to this bamboo fence, while also amplifying its visual appeal.

Barbed Wire

Barbed wire fences are solely functional, typically constructed in order to contain livestock or keep natural predators off of your property. The design is basic and cost-effective enough for those looking to fence in a larger area. However, before you consider installing a barbed wire fence, it’s important to note that this type of fencing is only reserved for rural use and is prohibited in most municipalities.

Fences by Function

There are a number of reasons why a fence may be needed and, oftentimes, they can serve dual purposes. Whatever your specific reason is for wanting to design one, fences are far more than just barriers. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most common fence designs categorized by their function.

Perimeter Fence

Perimeter fencing is, arguably, the most common use for pretty much any type of fence around the globe. These fences surround your property, helping to keep your child and pets in, while also keeping unwanted visitors out. It’s one of the greatest security features you can install for your home and often comes with a range of additional features that can help you increase the efficacy of keeping things out– or in.

Privacy Fence

A privacy fence is a catch-all term for various fencing styles, materials, and designs that are tall enough to block the view from the outside. If your goal is to keep a large majority of the outside world out, installing a privacy fence is an effective and inexpensive way to do so.

Oftentimes, these fences are made out of wood or other locally sourced materials. Regardless, the main purpose of privacy fences is to keep you and your property safe from prying eyes.

Another option for providing total privacy to your outdoor space is a fence made out of corrugated metal panels. It’s also a great choice if you’re trying to achieve a very unique look, as it’s unlikely you’ll find a fence like this in your suburb. While it may not be the easiest fence to customize, if you love this look, nothing needs to be done in order to make it unique.

Acoustic Fencing

Agricultural Fencing

If you live on a farm, you most likely are familiar with agricultural fencing. Its purpose is to keep animals inside, while also keeping potential predators out. When compared to the fences you see in residential communities, agricultural fencing tends to be more utilitarian in design. These fences can be made from a variety of materials, depending on the location, terrain, and the animals that are being confined.

The earliest agricultural fences were made using stone or wood, as they were the most widely available materials. Nowadays, they are typically made out of wire, barbed wire, vinyl, metal, or some form of electric fencing.

Solar Fencing

Solar fencing is a new design, which takes advantage of the exposure that your fence gets to the sun in order to generate electricity. This style of fencing is incredibly useful in areas with hot temperatures and will likely pay for itself with the electricity that it generates over time.

Garden Fence

A low, decorative barrier can add a nice touch to any garden. Although a short fence isn’t going to provide much in terms of protection against deer or rabbits, it adds visual interest to the garden. Choosing the right garden fence can enhance the overall look of your outdoor space.

A simple but appealing bright, white garden fence. Short wood planks, of all the same length, add nice visual appeal to this colorful garden.

If you want more protection for your garden, simply opt for something a bit larger and more utilitarian that will discourage and prevent unwanted animals from entering.

Pool Fence

If you are a pool owner, you need a pool fence. Even if you don’t have neighbors, pets, or children, a pool fence can be an absolute lifesaver. Anyone, even an expert swimmer, can accidentally slip and fall into the pool, injure themselves or potentially drown if they hit their head. Not to mention, you may be required by law to install a pool fence. Fortunately, there are many different pool fence options to complement your outdoor space and provide safety in your backyard.

Mesh is the least expensive and easiest pool fence option. However, they offer little in terms of reliability since they can very easily be pushed down.

Likely the most expensive choice, glass is both beautiful and functional. It provides a nearly unobstructed view of your pool from anywhere in your yard.

Although wood offers tons of versatility when it comes to design and style, it requires quite a bit of maintenance. Whether you decide to leave it natural, painted, or stained, the fence is eventually going to need to be stripped or repainted due to long-term sun exposure.

Metal fencing around this home swimming pool provides just enough safety, without obstructing the view.

Fencing Styles and Designs

Beyond fencing materials and functions, fences also come in a nearly endless number of styles. After you’ve determined the purpose of your fence and the material that you want to use, your next major consideration is the style. Each of the following styles will work in a variety of aesthetic settings, with various goals for your outdoor space.

Lattice

A lattice fence is comprised of thin slats arranged in a diamond or criss cross pattern with spaces in between. It may be made out of wood, metal, or another material. Lattice fences can be used as perimeter fencing, patio screens, garden walls, archways, veranda enclosures, or as a freestanding divider. They are often used to add a decorative element to landscapes or as a trellis for vining and trailing plants to grow and extend to their full potential.

Square hatch lattice is a classic design, which features square open spaces in between the evenly-placed thin slats.

Opt for unfinished lattice fence panels to let the natural beauty speak for itself. Lattice is a great choice for creating a boundary around your home, without feeling too restrictive.

A tall classic wooden lattice fence with a diagonal weave is the perfect choice for delineating your outdoor space, without obstructing the view or limiting fresh airflow and sunlight.

Metal lattice fences can be customized to create intricate designs and patterns, as seen above.

A short, decorative diagonal lattice fence with a scalloped design surrounds this quaint patio. White fences, regardless of their style, offer timeless charm that is well-suited to cottage inspired outdoor areas.

Adding lattice to the sides of an archway can complete a look, while also allowing space for flowers, ivy, or other trailing plants to grow.

Lattice Top

Lattice panel tops are a wonderful decorative option to add a little flair to any type of fence. These are commonly seen to add an ornamental element to large wood privacy fences.

You can also find vinyl fences with lattice tops. Vinyl offers higher durability and resistance to the elements, in a design that closely resembles the look of real wood.

This fence combines cedar wood for the main walls and powdered coated aluminum for both the posts and lattice top. Combining these materials gives the fence more stability and adds visual appeal to your property.

This design features a horizontal fence with a lattice top, painted in a dark stain to match the deck. The addition of lattice on the top of the fence add an extra level of privacy from neighbors.

Picket

Functional Spear

Similar to those in Colonial Williamsburg, these pickets are specifically designed so that they will shed water.

Greek Revival

This rounded picket style, with an eased top and bead, fits right in surrounding a Greek Revival home.

French Gothic

French gothic picket fences offer an elegant look and a touch of old-world charm to any property. They feature spear-topped pickets set between the posts.

Classic Picket

Classic picket fences feature an orderly design, reminiscent of the balusters found on porches or along staircase railings.

Arched

With this fence, beginning at the post, each picket gets slightly taller than the previous before peaking in the center. Then, the pickets gradually get shorter before reaching the next post – resulting in a lovely arched design.

Staggered

Orienting the pickets with alternating miters is a great way to enhance the look of a relatively basic design.

Dual Pickets

This fence features flat top boards in between spiked pickets to preserve the views of the garden, while also softening an otherwise formal design. Not to mention, the square pickets provide a nice spot for birds to perch in your garden.

Irregular Heights

Alternating the heights of the pickets can add some visual interest to a formal fence.

Capped

Picket fences that are capped off with a rail on top of the pickets can offer a clean appearance and a cottage aesthetic.

Scalloped

Essentially the opposite of an arched picket fence, scalloped fences have a curved design that is created from installing pickets of varying heights. This gentle curve between posts adds a sense of rhythm and movement to your property. It’s also a nice choice for those who want more of a romantic, ornamental feel from their picket fence.

Differing Widths

Another unique way to design a picket fence is using alternating pickets of two distinct widths. With this fence, each type of picket is arranged in a row with a small gap between each. Finish off this stylized design with horizontal rails on the top and bottom to complete the look.

Spaced Picket

A spaced picket fence is essentially the same as a traditional picket fence, save for the wider gaps between the pickets.

Shadow Box

Shadow box fences don’t only have to be arranged vertically. This fence features wooden boards that are horizontally placed, still offering the same level of privacy.

As the name suggests, the structure of shadow box fences yields shadows that create depth and dimension to the fence design.

Flat Top

Flat top fences have, as the name suggest, a completely flat top – whether it be created by boards of all the same size or by finishing off the tops of the pickets with a rail to create a clean look.

Dog Ear

Split Rail

Split rail fencing is a low-profile style of fence that typically features three to four rows of horizontal posts. The posts are supported using vertical beams every couple of feet. These fences are usually made from wood or vinyl, with wood being the most affordable option. Though, vinyl tends to last the longest and requires little to no maintenance.

The horizontal posts on split rail fences are spaced roughly one foot from one another. That way, you still have a mostly unobstructed view of your property. However, this also means that split rail fences are not ideal for privacy or security purposes. Instead, they are mostly used for defining a long property line or keeping large livestock contained.

Free-Standing Iron Slats

This fencing design is just simple enough to stand out! It uses iron slats to create a boundary, serving its purpose and also looking gorgeous!

Repurposed Pallet Fence

When you need a privacy fence made out of solid wood at an affordable price, you can build your own using recycled wood pallets. You can use the pallets as they are, or take them apart and construct a custom fence. The pieces of wood in a pallet are roughly the same size and cut as the ones you’d purchase at a home improvement center.

Building a fence around your garden using pallets can add to the rustic beauty of your outdoor space.

Low-Profile Fencing

A fence that sits low to the ground creates a boundary and a barrier to entry, without limiting the view of the home from the street.

This low-profile fence is constructed out of chicken wire and then framed with wood. It’s high enough to keep the pups contained, but low enough to not distract from the exterior of the home.

A small home with big style, this is another prime example of how a low-profile fence can be incorporated into the design of a home without taking away from the curb appeal.

Stockade Fence

Stockade fences were traditionally used in military compounds or to contain livestock on farms. The boards typically have a pointed tip to discourage unwanted visitors and may be flat or round.