Ornamental fences have been popular for decades. Installing an ornamental fence can be beneficial even if you don’t need a fence for privacy or security. They can offer a unique aesthetic to your home that improves curb appeal now and sellability later. In fact, your fence may even increase your home value. 

But how do you choose a decorative fence for your yard? With so many to choose from, we’re outlining our top five choices along with why we picked them. Keep in mind that one ornamental fence may look great on your property while another one doesn’t. Before choosing one, consider the current aesthetic of your home, yard, and neighborhood.

Picket Fences

A picket fence is versatile because you can customize the design to fit your needs. A picket fence can be low to the ground with the panels spaced far apart. Or, the fence can be taller with less space between each panel to offer a greater sense of privacy. 

Panels can be a uniform height or differing heights to offer a patterned fence top around your home. Picket fences are well known for appearing white, but you can also stain the wood a color of your choice. If you do choose a picket fence, matching ornamental gates are also common. 

Lattice Fences

A lattice fence usually has thinner pieces of wood that appear to be woven together in a crisscross pattern. Similar to a picket fence, a lattice fence can be tall or short. However, the pattern is likely to be more successful in a slightly taller fence. The lattice pieces can be closer together for a tight weave or farther apart for more visibility. The criss-cross pattern can run up and down and side to side or diagonally. 

Iron Fences

While commonly called an iron fence, you can use other types of metal to achieve a similar appearance. Keep in mind that metal fences can be expensive depending on the metal you choose. Iron fences tend to leave a lot of visibility with narrow rails and wide gaps. 

However, they are highly customizable and well known for their ornamental fence toppers. You space each topper evenly around your fence 8-12 rails apart. Commonly designs for ornamental fence toppers include:

• Hollow spheres
• Square or triangular caps
• Rosettes that resemble varying flowers
• Spears or spikes
• Fleur de Lis 
• Stamped image

Contemporary Privacy Fences

Tall wooden privacy fences are popular because of the low visibility and increased feeling of security that they offer. The traditional vertical slats are old news, though. More homeowners are looking for ways to have a more unique privacy fence. Ways to customize a privacy fence and make it ornamental include:

• Running the panels horizontally instead of vertically
• Using metal or vinyl in place of wood
• Combine horizontal and vertical panels to create a pattern
• Create curves in your fence so it isn’t perfectly straight

Post and Rail Fences

Post and rail fences usually have thick posts spaced out with three to four horizontal panels spaced out evenly from top to bottom. While they offer little privacy, they are decorative and still establish a defined barrier outside your home.