7 Modern Front Yard Fence Ideas For A Private And Stylish Landscape

Having a home with a lush front lawn and fresh picket fence has been a staple of the American dream for decades. However, as times have changed, so have people's ideas on how they want their homes to look, and fencing is no exception. For some of today's homeowners, a white picket fence just isn't going to do the job. Aesthetics aside, picket fences also don't provide much privacy. If your tastes and your home's architectural style leans sleek, then you need a modern fence installed. 

Modern designs right now are dominated by one key feature: Horizontal slats instead of vertical ones. You can also achieve a contemporary look with decorative panels and even wire fencing (and we'll explain how to add the privacy factor). Stormy, steel grays and black are probably the most common colors, but natural wood tones are also popular. Let's take a look at seven fence ideas that will add privacy and style to your home's landscape for years to come. With the right pick, you can boost your home's curb appeal and help prevent nosy neighbors from peaking into your space.

Traditionally, white is probably the first color that comes to mind when many people think of front yard fencing. However, black has become a popular choice for a more modern aesthetic. Not only does the color represent elegance and timelessness, but the use of aluminum brings in an even slicker touch of modernity. Since there are quite a few ways that black aluminum fencing can be designed and installed, you can get creative when choosing the specific style. For instance, you can opt to have the slats installed with a slim gap or without any gaps, the latter of which will create a solid panel for maximum privacy. 

Another benefit of aluminum fencing is that it is durable and doesn't require much maintenance or upkeep. For example, although installers recommend hosing your aluminum fence down every few weeks, you'll only need to deep clean it once a year. Not only will your front yard look great and have an added layer of privacy, but you likely won't have to worry about replacing, repairing, repainting, or restaining your fence any time soon.

If you like the idea of a black aluminum fence but feel like all black simply doesn't fit the look you're going for, then a red cedar wood fence with black aluminum posts may be a great option for you. Although wood might not seem like the best material to use for a modern-looking fence, this style puts a contemporary spin on wood fencing ideas by using horizontal planks instead of vertical ones. Horizontal fence panels can even add more privacy because the boards tend to be placed closer together. If you want a complete absence of gaps, you can even opt for tongue and groove planks. Horizontal fencing also offers extra flexibility in terms of height, which might be especially important if neighbors overlook you or your property is lower than the street. 

Red cedar wood is a great option for fencing because it is resistant to problems that plague other types of wood, like rotting and warping. It can also withstand the elements without being pressure-treated. However, you will still need to seal or stain the planks every three or four years for maximum longevity. Red cedar wood fencing can also be more expensive than other options (such as pressure-treated pine), so the price can quickly add up, especially for people with larger front yards.

Horizontal and vertical fence panels might be the most common options, but they certainly aren't the only ones. Decorative panel fences offer a chance to do something different and bring a little creativity to your front yard. For example, you can decide if you want your fence panels to be diagonal, wavy, or something completely different. Although this option isn't tied to one style, a lot of the designs available incorporate elements of the Palm Springs style, which has its roots in mid-century modern design and is known for its clean lines and minimal aesthetic. If you want to create a modern effect, we'd advise opting for linear or geometric motifs in the panels, rather than something more ornate like intricate leaf patterns. 

Besides giving you room to get creative, decorative panel fencing also allows you to enhance your front yard's privacy without keeping it completely blocked from view, as most designs have gaps and cutouts. On top of that, this option can be great for a wide range of budgets since there isn't just one kind of material that can be used. For instance, some people may opt for aluminum decorative panels, while others may prefer composite. Another potential advantage is that you can browse and price out panels at places like Lowe's, The Home Depot, or Wayfair. 

Nothing says modern like narrow, sleek lines, and that's exactly what a thin slatted horizontal fence offers. The horizontal slats provide privacy, while their thinness brings in an extra element of contemporary style. Fencing isn't the only place where this thinner look has become a trend. For example, "skinnylap" is a modern alternative to the classic shiplap that Joanna Gaines loves. This also coincides with the increased popularity of using thinner tiles in home design. Opting for slender fence slats is a simple way to tap into this trend and give your new fence a stylish, current look. 

The skinny horizontal slats are what give these fences their style, and you can channel the look with whichever kind of material you prefer, including aluminum, composite, or steel. However, timber is a signature material for this design, and is an especially fitting choice if you're creating an organic modern aesthetic for your home. Like with other types of slat fencing, you can play with the gaps between the slats to achieve the right level of privacy.

In recent years, many homeowners have been opting for 8-foot front doors as opposed to traditional 6-foot doors. This trend has resulted in taller doors feeling more modern, and the same seems to be coming true for fencing. Building an 8-foot fence in a contemporary material like black aluminum can create a stylish, impactful look. Naturally, it will also make your front yard feel more private because it will be difficult for prying eyes to penetrate a tall fence. On the other hand, though, such a tall fence can lead to your front yard feeling completely blocked off, which may not be ideal for some people.

If you're thinking about having an 8-foot fence installed, you should keep in mind that some areas have restrictions on how high fences can be. You'll definitely want to check the rules and regulations in your city/town because you may need to get a permit in order to build an enclosure that is 8 feet high. If you already have a fence that's in good condition and just wish it was a couple of feet taller, fence toppers might also be an option. Lots of people use fence toppers for extra backyard privacy, and it can be a cost-effective solution for front yards as well.  

Over the last decade, the modern farmhouse style has become increasingly popular. It's known for being simple and rustic, but in a polished way. Which is precisely what black grid fences are. Although they look somewhat similar to chicken coop wire, they offer a sleeker and sturdier design that could be the perfect addition to your front yard. Black grid fences are usually made from steel or aluminum mesh that either has a powder or vinyl coating. Powder coating is the more durable option out of the two. Vinyl coatings will crack or peel over time, but if you're working with a strict budget, this might be your best bet. You can buy rolls of vinyl-coated mesh on Amazon for $0.48 per square foot, potentially making this the cheapest option out of all these front yard fence ideas. 

The downside to black grid fencing is that it doesn't provide as much privacy as other options on the list. However, adding climbers that can intertwine with the metal mesh could allow you to have the best of both worlds: A front yard that's shielded from direct view, but doesn't feel blocked off by a solid fence. If your overall goal is to have a wall that provides some separation between your front yard and the street but doesn't block out the world, this could be a good option. Here are some of the most stunning plants to grow along a fence. For an ultra-contemporary look, you can also combine grid fencing with hedge plants. If time is of the essence, here are some of the hedges you can plant in your yard that grow fast. 

If you're a fan of the industrial aesthetic inside your home, a corrugated metal fence will give you the chance to incorporate that look into your yard, too. With a minimal and clean design, corrugated metal fencing embodies a contemporary look and is also great for privacy. In addition, corrugated metal is more affordable than wood. You will typically pay around $15-$30 for each linear foot of your corrugated metal fence, while a wood fence costs around $25-$50 per linear foot. Depending on the thickness and overall quality, galvanized corrugated metal fence sheets can also be very durable. They can withstand the elements and are fairly resistant to rust, don't rot, and don't require regular resealing like wood. If correctly constructed, they don't require much maintenance and can last for 20 to 30 years. Some high-quality corrugated metal panels may even last between 40-60 years. 

Corrugated metal sheets can be installed on fences either vertically or horizontally. You can also paint the sheets any color you'd like, allowing you to customize your fence to fit your ideal look and give it an extra layer of protection against rust. Alternatively, you can opt for powder coated corrugated sheets, which can sport even more rust resistance than galvanized options. Those who are interested in sustainability will be happy to know that corrugated metal fences are an eco-friendly choice thanks to their long lifespan and the fact that they're easily recyclable should you ever wish to replace the sheets. Many corrugated sheets on the market are already made from a high content of recycled metal. As far as downsides go, they can become hot to the touch and bounce sound around.