11 Unique DIY Fence Ideas That Can Be Made From Repurposed Materials

Replacing or installing a new fence might seem like a relatively straightforward project, but it can actually get fairly expensive when you're purchasing materials straight from the hardware store. The average cost to install a fence is over $3,000, but there are plenty of ways to help cut down costs. Taking on the project yourself rather than hiring someone to do it for you can seriously reduce the amount you spend, but, even when you eliminate the cost of labor, you have to factor in the money you need to invest in materials.

Luckily, there's a solution: repurposing. Fences serve a fairly simple role in your outdoor spaces, so, unless you're going for a very specific look, there's plenty of opportunity to play around with what you decide to build them out of. Rather than buying new wood or plastic slats, consider building your fence out of items that you wouldn't traditionally see lining a yard. While a fence made of reclaimed doors or old surfboards might seem a bit random, these creative projects can bring a ton of personality to your outdoor space and help you save quite a bit of money along the way. If you're still on the fence, check out some of these unique ideas to get some inspiration.

Items that have been reclaimed from old buildings carry a ton of personality and can bring a touch of eclectic flair to your space. Using repurposed doors as fencing material is the perfect example of this. Pick up some old doors, treat them with a weather-resistant coating to ensure they're able to stand up to constant exposure to the elements, and add on some beams along the back to create a fence. If you're having trouble sourcing doors, look to vintage stores, reclaimed wood shops, and secondhand selling websites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay to track some down.

Searching for a quirky fence design that's sure to stand out against the neighboring yards? Look no further than this creative repurposed bike idea. While this DIY fence won't offer much by way of privacy, it's perfect to use as an accent in your front yard or as a way to visually section off your space. By far the most difficult part of this project is sourcing enough bikes, but, once you've done that, all you need to do is slightly bury the wheels of each bike in the dirt and add on some wood or metal supports.

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow, skiing is a great way to get outdoors and have some fun during the chilly season. It's recommended to replace skis after about 100 days of use, so, if you're a frequent skier, it can be beneficial to find a way to repurpose this old equipment to make the most of your money and help cut back on waste. This unique fence idea is a great option. Attach your skis together using some wood beams to keep them standing straight, then install your fence as you normally would.

Ironing boards typically don't see a ton of use outside of the house, but this upcycled fence idea could change all of that. Source some old ironing boards, remove the fabric cover, detach the legs, and use the boards themselves in lieu of traditional pickets. If you're going for a more worn look, you can leave your ironing boards as-is and allow them to rust with exposure to the elements, but you can also top them off with a few coats of weather-safe spray paint or sealant if you want the final product to appear more polished.

Upcycling wood pallets is all the rage in the DIY community, and it's no surprise why. Buying pre-cut wood from the hardware store can get surprisingly expensive, but pallets are both easy to find and usually free. To create your own pallet fence, you'll need some sturdy stakes, weather-safe paint, and, of course, some wood pallets. Paint the pallets your desired color, then stack them up on end where you want to install a fence. Drive the stakes into the ground between the layers of the pallet to keep everything from toppling and you're good to go.

Do you like the idea of creating a repurposed fence, but want something that looks more natural? Consider using tree stumps. If you've just cut down a tree in your yard, this is a great opportunity to reuse those pieces, rather than just tossing them out. Cut down the tree into more manageable chunks, keeping the height of the pieces relatively consistent, if possible, then lay these pieces out around a garden bed or as a way to mark the edge of your property. Because they're so heavy, you won't have to do any real fence installation.

Switching out your furniture is one of the easiest ways to perk up your patio, but that doesn't mean your old items have to go to waste. With this clever fencing idea, you can give your old lawn chairs a functional second life. Begin by separating your lawn chairs into pieces and removing the legs. This will likely be easiest with folding or plastic options, but you can do this with just about any chair with a bit of effort. From there, bury the bottoms of pieces and connect them together with some string to create a fence.

Metal signage can last for decades along the side of the road or in front of a business, so it's safe to assume that it can do the same in your very own backyard. Metal fencing is popular thanks to its durability and relatively low price point, but you can accomplish the same task with a much more interesting final look by using repurposed signs. Take a peek at your local vintage and thrift stores to source material for this project — you'll likely be surprised by just how many metal road signs, license plates, and advertisements you can find.

Creating a home that feels beachy and summery is about more than just your proximity to the water. If you're looking for a DIY project that's more impactful than hanging up ocean-themed artwork or decorating with seashells, consider trying out this surfboard fencing idea. Keep an eye out for some old boards that are a bit too damaged to use on the water, then give them a good clean, making sure to clear off any leftover wax. Paint them, if desired, then use them as pickets to create a decorative repurposed fence that's sure to turn heads.

If the shutters are your house are looking a little worse for wear, consider replacing them and reusing them as fencing material in your garden. Just like reclaimed doors, worn-in shutters carry a ton of history and personality and can seriously soup up your outdoor space. Collect your shutters, give them a fresh layer of weather-resistant paint, if needed, and use them as pickets when building your fence. Because they're made of a solid material, they make a great choice if you're wanting to build a fence that gives your space a bit more privacy from the neighbors.

There are plenty of ways to repurpose empty alcohol bottles in your home and garden, but this idea goes beyond simple décor. While it might seem like a bad idea to bring a fragile material like glass into your fencing, bottles are surprisingly sturdy and resistant to a wide variety of weather conditions. After building a frame out of wood, mix and match your bottles to create an eclectic fence panel. The final look will bring a fun touch to your outdoor space day and night, but it will really shine when the sun beams through the glass.