28 Inexpensive Privacy Fence Ideas for a More Secluded Yard (2024)

Gardening

Landscaping

Hardscaping

Farima Ferguson

Farima Ferguson began her career at HGTV where she worked with designers to write about home design. Her work has appeared in HGTV, Insider Reviews, Travel Channel, and more.

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Published on 07/18/23

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28 Inexpensive Privacy Fence Ideas for a More Secluded Yard (2)

Your outdoor space should serve as your own private sanctuary where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the real world. Installing a privacy fence not only gives you a private oasis, but it will keep out pests, help keep your kids safe, and enhance your home's curb appeal. They can be as fancy as a custom stone wall or as budget-friendly as a DIY project that can be done in an afternoon.

From landscaping ideas to using cost-effective materials, we share our favorite inexpensive privacy fence ideas that won't break the bank.

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Low-Maintenance Fencing

Natural reed fencing is a great alternative for a bamboo fence. If you want your fence to enhance your backyard's design instead of blending it, border it with a variety of evergreen trees and shrubs. For a low-maintenance border, choose hardy plants like monkey grass.
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Moody Privacy Walls

When you think of fencing, you may think of a traditional wood fence or even a white picket fence, but you may love darker, moodier colors for your outdoor space. If you have a privacy wall or fence, paint it in black and decorate with neutral furnishings for a polished, more refined look.
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A Cheery Look

Painting is a budget-friendly, easy way to show your personality. The fun painted pattern of this fence adds a bright, sunny look to this backyard, while the mirror makes the backyard look and feel larger.
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Ivy Fence

If you have a small backyard with neighbors in close proximity, a fence is a must. If a traditional wooden fence isn't in your budget, install a chain link fence or a trellis, and plant fast-growing climbing vines, like ivy.
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A Colorful Touch

Sometimes all you need is a simple addition to make a big design impact. This wooden fence get a dose of color with a simple hoop wreath adorned in colorful dried flowers.
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See Also
8 Foot Privacy Fence Ideas: The Ultimate Guide 50 Functional Privacy Fence Ideas That Look Great in Your Yard 8 Privacy Fence Ideas for Yards of All Sizes 26 Privacy Fence Ideas to Keep Unwanted Eyes Away From Your Space
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Private Dining Experience

A chain link fence on its own isn't a good privacy fence option, but add plants and you have a completely different look and function. This outdoor dining area feels like its own private restaurant with the vertical garden fence on one side and a stone wall on the other.
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A Cozy Outdoor Room

Everything about this backyard feels intimate and private. From the comfortable seating to the variety of lighting. The outdoor room is surrounded by lush trees and shrubs for added privacy.
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Fence Artwork

Thrift stores are a great place to find unique artwork on a budget. For a simple way to update your fence, hang one-of-a-kind artwork and string lights. Adding simple touches like these elevates your backyard while making it easy to swap out the design with the seasons.
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Painted Bamboo

Bamboo isn't the most budget-friendly choice, but it is a durable, eco-friendly fence material that will last for years to come. You can paint or treat it to match your personal aesthetic. This bamboo fencing is painted white for a charming cottage-style look.
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A Fun Mural

Why go with just one solid color when it comes to painting a fence? A fence is a big canvas where you can express yourself and make your home stand out. This fence mural is bold and fun that sets the tone for the rest of the home.
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Decorating Theme

Choosing a decorating theme for your backyard is the first step to redesigning it. This outdoor seating area features a pink and gray love theme that's evident in the framed photos and romantic furnishings and lighting.
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Semi-Private Wall

With a sleek black privacy wall like this, it only makes sense to decorate the outdoor space with modern furniture and furnishings. The privacy wall is taller by the outdoor seating and shorter by the garden to allow a view of the surrounding trees.
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Bringing the Inside Out

Whether you have a full fence or partial one, it should blend seamlessly with the rest of your outdoor space. The home's interior design style is carried out to this outdoor relaxation nook with its hanging mirror, bedding, and lighting that sets the tone.
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A Row of Trees

A wooden fence or even a metal one might be the simple, utilitarian division you need. Plant a row of trees in front of it to give it a high-end look.
See Also
18 Privacy Fence Ideas for Your Yard (2024)
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An Eco-Friendly Choice

For the eco-conscious, bamboo fencing is the way to go. However, bamboo can be expensive and may be difficult to maintain. If you want the tropical look of bamboo but you are on a budget, natural reed fencing is a great alternative. Natural reed fencing is almost as durable as bamboo; it is made from peeled fresh water reeds woven with galvanized steel wire. It's a versatile fencing option that can be treated and painted.
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Garden Art

A row of tomato plants add a pop of green to this plain wood fence, and simple butterfly garden art brings a whimsical touch to the backyard.
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Brick Accent Wall

Brick is an elegant choice when it comes to a privacy wall, but it can be pricey. If you love the look of brick, install a partial brick wall and adorn it with hanging flower baskets to act as an accent wall.
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Wood Pallet Privacy Wall

A wall made of wood pallets adds privacy on a budget. Some string lighting, outdoor cushions and signs add a cute design element and a personal touch.
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Artificial Plant Wall

You have many options when it comes to choosing artificial plants, including ivy. This artificial ivy wall looks just like the real thing but without the maintenance.
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A Vertical Herb Garden

If one of your favorite pastimes is gardening, you can use your fence to create a vertical herb garden while adding a beautiful design aesthetic. Use scraps of plywood or use a small wood pallet to plant seeds, and apply chalkboard paint to label all your herbs.
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A Natural Fence

Not only do trees and shrubs provide privacy but they help block noise, too. This stock tank pool is surrounded by trees and shrubs that provide a natural backdrop while adding privacy.
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Growing Ivy

What fits better in a Southwestern-style backyard than succulents and other greenery? This outdoor seating area is surrounded by a variety of potted succulents that bring height and texture to the backyard, as well as a fence adorned in ivy that makes you feel as if you're in our own relaxing oasis.
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Horizontal Fencing

Fencing often has vertical boards, but horizontal boards are an option too. Painting is your opportunity to add a one-of-a-kind look to the fencing and give it some added drama. This fence gets an instant upgrade with black paint, and the trellised plants really pop against it.
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A Private Outdoor Seating Area

This outdoor seating area is so stunning you hardly notice the chain link fence. If you don't have the budget to turn your chain link fence into a privacy fence, incorporate outdoor furniture, lush plants and a large outdoor umbrella to help the fence blend in with the background while adding privacy.
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A Variety of Items

For a lived in, eclectic look, add a variety of items around your fence. A variety of plants, planters, baskets, a lantern, and pampas grass completely transform this plain wooden fence.
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Mint Green Fence

A mint green fence will really help your herb garden pop. Add galvanized metal planters and watering cans in contrasting colors to create an eye-catching focal point in your backyard.
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DIY Hanging Lanterns

To spruce up your existing fence, hanging lanterns creates a relaxing ambiance without going over budget. To get this look, place small battery-powered lights inside mason jars and hang along the fence using twine. It's the perfect, relaxing way to enjoy a nighttime swim.
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Cinder Block Fence

For fencing on a low budget, cinder blocks are an easy way to create a barrier around your pool. To spruce it up, paint it and plant shrubbery and flowers in front of it. White paint will make your greenery and plant choices really pop.