Upcycle Old Glass Bottles Into A Unique And Charming Garden Fence

Unique garden and yard decor is an easy way to make your home stand out in the neighborhood and create a backdrop for enjoyable hours spent outside. Outdoor fencing runs the gamut from simple and functional to beautiful or ornate, some of it used to add privacy and mark property lines, others to add interest and cosmetic beauty to your yard. For a fun garden fence idea, try decorating your divider with colorful glass bottles using only rebar, a wooden frame, and a drill. 

The result is a stunning and colorful fence that allows the sunlight to filter through charmingly. This DIY works great as a small sanction of fencing or a gate, or as a perimeter fence that still grants enclosure, but also has an open feeling that lets light readily pass through. It's also great for concealing an unattractive chain link fence behind it or hiding unsightly areas of your backyard. Depending on how close you place your rails together, it also makes a pretty privacy fence idea. A segment of bottle fencing can also work beautifully as a trellis for climbing plants to wind around in your garden.

To create your fence, start by gathering your bottles, removing any labels, and washing them. Use some Goo Gone or acetone and a scraper to nix the most tenacious and sticky ones. Look for a mix of bottles with interesting shapes, colors, and patterns like wine and alcohol bottles.  The easiest ones to work with will have a divot in the bottom at the very center. Use a bucket with sand or kitty litter to secure your bottle upside down while drilling, starting at an angle with a ¾-inch diamond drill bit. Make sure to wear protective goggles and gloves, keeping the surrounding area wet as you work to prevent overheating and damaging the bit or glass. After, wash them again to remove any glass dust or debris. 

Thread the bottles onto the rebar in your desired configuration, alternating sizes and colors. Rubber washers will hold them in place securely. Build a simple wooden frame from 2 x 4s or scrap wood, drilling recessed into the wood to house the pieces of rebar. 

This fence idea can be customized in both color and variety of bottles you use, as well as how large you want the bottle fence to be. Just vary the number of bottles, length of rebar, and the size of the wooden frame. You can also add other elements like glass beads or crystals as accents between the rows of bottles for even more sparkle, or thread twinkle lights through the fence to glow at night.