Frame the Driveway
Driveways that point directly at the house is an ideal setup for a fence. This is an opportunity to frame the path towards the front door, and in essence, frame the house, too. It can be done with a beloved white picket fence or even something more colorful.
Go for a Modern Wooden Fence
Wooden fences might sound rustic or traditional, but when done well, it can be the perfect addition to more modern houses, too. Laid on top of jet-black rails, wooden pickets with blunt, squared-off ends are a sleek and innovative way to balance the earthy look of wood and the starkness of black iron.
Opt for a Stone Fence or Wall
When seeking out front yard fence ideas, you're certainly not chained to composite slats and iron rails if that's not what suits your fancy. Options are creative these days, and a stunning stone fence can be a gorgeous way to add security and a statement.
Create Chic Contrast
Breezy, light homes typically keep the theme running with a bright white fence, but here's your sign to try something a little different. A black or charcoal gray fence is instantly more intriguing. Choosing opposite colors offers major contrast, but they play nicely off one another. Ten points for visual interest.
Go for Built-In
Front yard fences don't have to be at the very front. You have a whole yard to experiment with. Depending on the style of house, a built-in fence that matches the housing material can be a gorgeous choice. It gives much more privacy and gives an unbeatable sense of cohesion.
Blend Two Materials
A fence that matches the house is a nice little burst of consistency, but adding in a second material can often provide a chic visual break. For instance, wooden doors between stone walls. Two different colors can give the same look, even if it's not two separate materials.
Create Planters Within the Barrier
There are very few instances where a plant won't make a space more inviting. If your gates or fences feel a little cold, built-in planters or botanicals growing around the fence can infuse welcoming energy in a heartbeat. This is great for dwellers who may not have a large front yard to work with.
Choose a Fun Pattern
Want your fence to feel less like a blockade? Break up bold colors or stark materials with a fun pattern. It doesn't have to vary wildly from the original material, but just enough to lighten things up. Minimal circles, wavy grates, or chevrons may be all that's needed to elevate it.
Match the Exterior of Your House
There's really two ways you can take a front yard fence. It can stand out from the house or blend in (and in some cases, a little of both). For a clean, streamlined appearance, opt for a fence made of the same stones, wood, or composite as the house.
Add a Fence Made of Plants
Not everyone loves the look of a fence, and that's where hedges come in. They're a natural way to give some protection and privacy to this part of your space. And there's no shortage of types to choose from, whether you prefer tiny-leafed boxwood or Arborvitae trees. There are even gorgeous flowering shrubs, such as mountain laurels, to use.
Set the Fence Further Back
While many front yard fences sit further in front of the house, it might be more functional for you to have the fence attached to your home and wrap around. This type is ideal for anyone with backyard areas they'd like to keep sectioned off.
Make It a Statement
There are many ways you can turn a front yard fence into a statement. One such way is using a thick, solid wall in one color with very little details. On the other end of the spectrum, an ornate iron fence can give the same effect in a different style. Fences can be subtle and out of the way, but they're also a chance to be bold.
Install a Slide Gate
Extra privacy and security don't have to look dull or intimidating. If you'd prefer your home to retain its chic energy and welcoming exterior, there are plenty of stylish options for gating your driveway and front yard area, such as a sliding fence that matches the color palette of your home.
Go for Traditional
When you hear the words "front yard fence," a white picket likely comes to mind, and for good reason. It's a classic that works with various home types, whether you prefer a traditional look, own a Colonial-style house, or are aiming for a coastal theme. They're not all the same either—you can find variations in height of post, types of picket, and color.
Choose a Low-Profile Fence
Fences aren't necessarily just for security or privacy, as mentioned. Sometimes they can be a great stylistic addition. A low-profile fence that matches the same build materials can be a chic way to draw a visual perimeter around your property. It's a great way to keep a garden contained, too.
Use the Architecture to Inform Your Fence Choice
There's nothing wrong with choosing any fence you like the look of, but sometimes the style of your home can be the perfect starting point. Whether it's Craftsman, ranch, Colonial, Victorian, midcentury, or farmhouse, the features and architectural structure can point you in the direction of a matching fencing.
Place White Picket Around the Perimeter
If you really adore the look of a white picket fence, don't just dot one side of your home with this type. Use it to frame the perimeter of your entire front yard. Not only does it look well-designed, but it's a great option for homeowners with pets or kids.
Add More Privacy
For more privacy, you'll want to avoid pickets with ample space between each. Instead, composite fences with taller heights and a peek-free alignment are a good bet, but it's not the only option. Privacy fences come in various styles of posts, rails, pickets, and materials.
Get Creative With Narrow Spaces
Even homes in neighborhoods that stand nearly shoulder to shoulder have room for a front fence—it just takes a little thinking outside of the box. Rather than having a fence run in front of your abode, a fence that runs parallel in the front area and links up with a gate looks good. It's a nice chance to incorporate an accent material as well.
Stick With Classic Black and White
A black-and-white color palette remains a tried-and-true favorite. It always looks modern and clean. If your home exhibits these classics, consider a front yard fence that does the same. It could be a black iron gate or a white picket fence—either way, it'll fit in seamlessly.