Front yard fence ideas – 7 stylish modern and heritage designs, including an ancient Japanese technique you can use on timber

Traditionalists may go for a classic white picket, yet there are so many front yard fence ideas it could be a wasted opportunity to not look at the other attractive styles on offer.

Whatever your front yard landscaping ideas may be, there are plenty of fence styles to suit, from rustic and raw to smart and streamlined or quintessentially classic. Before you consider the aesthetics of your fence, think about the practicalities. Do you have pets or kids that need to be contained? Do you require extra security or privacy? Or do you just want to hide the bins and create an attractive perimeter to your property?

Once you're clear on the function of your fence, you'll be better placed to choose its form. It's likely you'll need to validate your property lines, inform your neighbors and apply for a permit too, so check with your municipality and HOA (if applicable) prior to purchase.

7 front yard fence ideas

When practicalities, such as front yard privacy and permits have been settled, determine your budget. This will dictate which styles and materials are available to you. It will also help to narrow down the wide choice of options on offer.

'The height of a front yard fence is typically dictated by the local building code,' explains Kat Aul Cervoni, founder, Staghorn Living. 'Most of the time, the max height of a front yard fence will be lower than what is allowed in backyards.

'For example, in NYC, the maximum height for a residential lot is 4’ tall. So our front yard fences are typically between 38”-48” tall, depending on the style and needs of the home and client. I generally prefer either wood or metal for a front yard fence, again depending on the style and budget.'

Kat Aul Cervoni

Landscape designer, Katherine "Kat" Aul Cervoni is the founder and principal of Staghorn Living. Kat creates outdoor spaces that become natural extensions of a home’s interior. A member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, she also mentors young plant enthusiasts and upcoming designers.

1. Black metal fencing with vertical balusters

This classic style of fencing is ubiquitous in cities such as New York, where properties were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often surrounding townhouses with grand front porches, black iron railings ooze elegance and grandeur.

It's possible to replicate this style in front of suburban homes too, although do consider your property's period and style. Iron is also one of the pricier options, although aluminium or steel offer affordable alternatives, with both modern and traditional designs available.

'I love black iron fencing, seen on older and more traditional homes in New York,' says Kat. 'If well-kept, black iron balusters provide a clean, airy and somewhat neutral delineation of the front entry garden.

'There’s sometimes room for artistry too, whether with a repetitive looping design, or molded top rails or decorative post caps, which can tie to the home’s architectural details. It also allows front entry plantings to show through for folks to enjoy from the sidewalk.'

'There are various tubular steel and aluminum ornamental options with powder coated finishes which are virtually maintenance-free,' says John Levesque, founder, Builtwell Fence Co. 'These can replace the old solid steel wrought iron fences that are very heavy, labor intensive and will eventually rust and lose their nice appearance.'

For a low-budget option, consider the Yardlink Grand Empire black decorative fence panels at Lowes.

2. Semi-privacy fence with horizontal timber slats

Garden fences offer a psychological barrier to a property as much as a physical one, and as such, low slatted styles tend to be sufficient in a front yard. However, the options are still vast and some people prefer extra front yard privacy, security or noise reduction. You may also need to prevent a pooch from escaping, which can be achieved with more height (if permitted).

However, be mindful not to block light with a taller front yard fence. A modern style that's popular is a wooden semi-privacy fence with thin horizontal slats and narrow gaps. Made with raw unfinished timber, this offers a clean, simple and low-maintenance choice. Timber can of course, be stained or painted too.

'My current favorite fencing style is skinny slats with ½” or so spacing between the boards,' says Kat. 'There’s something so appealing to me about that aesthetic and the light / shadow play it gives. It is tidy and simple but also has a nice dimension.

'I’m a big fan of using cedar since it’s a lovely color, naturally insect and rot resistant and is easy to work with. It’s also a very sustainable lumber choice. I prefer to leave wood unfinished and allow it to age to soft gray.

'The softness of the gray acts as a lovely neutral and looks beautiful amidst the greens and foliage of the landscaping. It also blends well with most stone and brick in the hardscaping. We use this style in backyard gardens as well. It is also the most low maintenance - a priority for clients in many of my projects. I avoid pine since it has such a short lifespan and inconsistent quality.'

At 4' height, the Yardlink cedar semi-privacy no dig fence panel at Lowe's is worth considering if you like this style for front yard fencing.

3. Semi-privacy fence with vertical timber slats

A similar modern option is a low to medium height fence with thin wooden slats laid vertically with narrow gaps. This style can be kept beautifully simple for those who prefer a linear look. However, it offers more choice in the way of fence decorating ideas, as the vertical slats can be shaped, if you prefer more detail or adornment.

Low fences with wide spaced gaps and boards painted white obviously become a classic picket style, while taller timber boards left untreated with narrow gaps between them, offer a more contemporary aesthetic. Whether you prefer a painted or patina'd finish, it's also possible to add some extra flair with post caps.

'I love the opportunity for a pronounced post or post cap,' says Kat. 'Whether it has a wider cladding or a decorative ball, molding, or finial on the cap, I think it’s fun to add a bit of personality or flourish as long as it doesn’t feel out of place with the rest of the home.

'I also rarely skip a top cap or trim on a wooden fence - as this gives such a beautiful crispness to the carpentry.'

If you prefer a darker or more colorful finish, consider coating a timber front yard fence with one of the beautiful hues from the Woodluxe exterior wood stains at Benjamin Moore.

4. Woven willow fence

In a rural location, you might prefer a more rustic style that blends with the landscape or your garden ideas. Here a woven willow fence is a charming choice. This style can either be used on its own, or as a topper on a low brick wall, if you want to create more privacy or security.

'I like the landscape to be open, but I understand the need for a fence is sometimes inescapable,' says Jon Fargion, founder, Jon Fargion Design. 'One option I would choose is a willow waved fence, which is made with willow twigs intertwined like a basket on a vertical surface.

'The landscape design should always be in tune with the interior design or the architecture, so when using a material like Willow weaving it would be for a more country looking aesthetic.

'However, as a contrast it can also be used on hyper modern architecture and have a strong break with the willow weaved look. So it either has to be a good match or a strong smart opposite.'

'Adding vines is always a good idea no matter what material the fence is made of.'

Jon Fargion

Jonathan grew up in Milan, where he got an MA in environmental architecture from Politecnico di Milano. His academic and professional experiences took him from Italy to Israel, and Hong Kong to Lisbon, ending up in New York. He has a specialization in ornamental horticulture from the New York Botanical Garden, and designs outdoor spaces, whether urban, countryside, or coastal. He has spoken at NYU Casa Italiana, the New York Botanical Garden, and Montclair University to share his experience, and give talks about ecology and gardens.

5. Timber fence with shou sugi ban finish

Shou sugi ban is a favorite finish on buildings for many modern architects. This ancient Japanese technique, where timber is charred to create a blackened textured finish, has a stylish contemporary look. There are also new methods of treating timber to replicate the style without burning the wood. Landscape designer, Jon Fargion loves to use this effect in garden fence ideas.

'I love sugi ban because it comes in so many different colors,' says Jon. 'The wood is so beautifully treated where you can clearly see the wood venetian, which is a beautiful characteristic.

'Another great thing about it is that compared to a regular Cedar, where you have to wait a couple of years before it becomes silvery, sugi ban comes already in the finish color desired. Any plants look good on it too. If you use a dark sugi ban a bright green color will pop very nicely, although I wouldn't use an dark colored evergreen tree against it, as there is little contrast.'

6. Privacy fence with vertical timber slats

Although more popular for backyard fence ideas, a privacy fence, without gaps between the slats, is sometimes required for a front yard, particularly in cities or urban areas, where security or noise reduction may be of more concern. The maximum height will be guided by the building code and bylaws in your particular municipality. So do check before selecting your fence, whatever style you are considering.

'Privacy fences can have horizontal or vertical board orientation depending on your aesthetic preference,' says Kat. 'These styles are popular in New York. We often use cedar as it is better priced than hardwood but still a great, long lasting lumber that looks beautiful.'

7. Classic white picket in vinyl

Even with a classic white picket fence, there are multiple choices in decorative details, along with the option of timber or vinyl. The fence panels can be the same height (level top), closed top or scalloped (as above), with pointed, dog-eared, flat or rounded finishes or other decorative post caps. There are numerous fence colors to choose too. Although, consider these carefully, if you plan to sell in the not-too-distant future, as a strong color could deter buyers.

'When it comes to the frontage of properties, more often than not it comes down to the local city/state codes and what they will and won’t allow,' says John Levesque. 'It’s always important to know what your local requirements are before installing a fence.

'If fencing the entire property is desired, something lower in height for the frontage of the property certainly has a more welcoming appearance, better visibility and allows more sunlight in for your landscaping.

'In our area of New England if you are on a corner lot and you want the fence to run along the road, the height can’t go over 3’ and must be an open spaced style of fence. The quintessential, American dream 'white picket fence' would be the most popular option for that application. This is typically done using vinyl fencing. This style is perfect to keep pets and children contained.

'Another important thing to consider is pulling out of your driveway. You’ll want to make sure that your view of traffic isn’t obstructed and traffic can also see you pulling out.

'In our area we also have snow plowing to consider along property frontages. Any fence close to the road is going to take a lot of abuse through the winter. Going with a heavier duty steel fence might be a better option than vinyl or wood.'

The choice of fence styles is vast, but once you know what is permitted in your area, your budget and the functions your fence needs to serve, you can focus on the aesthetics. The fun part is choosing a style that will perfectly suit your property perimeter. If you really want to bring your front yard up to date, these are the outdated front yard trends designers say you'll want to replace this year, and what to opt for instead.