Different Ways To Modernize A Dated Wooden Fence

Wood fences are classic, affordable, traditional, and well-loved — but the nature of the beast is that they don't wear as well over the years as more durable materials like vinyl. With that said, your dated wooden fence probably is looking worse for wear after a couple of decades out in the elements. Getting new fencing for your entire yard, though, is one of those to-dos that has a surprisingly big price tag that may shock some of you, especially if you're a new homeowner looking to replace a fence for the first time.

Even though there's some talk that updating or installing a fence increases the value of your home, getting all new fencing sometimes just isn't in the budget, especially with the increased cost of lumber we're seeing these days. And, replacing all the wood with a more durable material is a big upfront cost that may simply not be in the cards right now, either. Instead, there are some budget-friendly and relatively easy tips and tricks to modernize that dated wooden fence, without ripping it out and spending a pretty penny to replace it.

Sometimes the answer to updating a fence is really just to wash away years of grime. Power washing is something you'll want to do to prep for these other ideas anyway, but guaranteed after a good washing, your fence will already start looking so much better (and newer). Once the wood looks brighter in one section, move along to the next, as to avoid over washing; water can damage the wood if you get too excited. After the washing, you may find that this was all you needed to boost the fence's aesthetic appeal.

Your fence may be looking a bit tired because of its finishes — or lack thereof. Dog-eared fence tops  or a plain, cap-less picket fence look can appear a little dated after a while. Updating the top of the fence with new caps or trim is a way to modernize it without investing too much cash. Adding these features makes your fence look a lot more elevated and expensive, and even if you don't put a trim across every single board, adding triangular caps to the posts gives your fence more dimension.

If you enjoy the appearance of a wooden fence, but just want to boost the warmth of the wood, then try giving your fence a stain to modernize its dated look. After the aforementioned power wash, seal and stain the wood with a product like Storm System's outdoor fence and deck stainer ($36.99 for a gallon on Amazon). This will actually help protect the wood from the elements so that it doesn't gray or fade over time, a risk you run if you just power washed it. Play with the color by using different stain hues to either brighten the wood or deepen it depending on your taste.

If the natural wood look is feeling too dated to you, then try repainting your existing fence to match your home decor aesthetic. Here you can play with your fence's look in a budget-friendly way. Try a fun and funky color, like pink, green, or orange if you want to add a dramatic pop to your house's curb appeal or go for a sleek black or charcoal gray for a modern, new-home look. If you love a good country chic moment, then opt for a white wash paint or a dark navy.

Sometimes the answer to your fence woes is simply camouflage. Add some plants or hedges at the base of the fence to draw some attention away from the wooden boards. If adding a whole garden isn't something you want to dedicate time to, then try putting some planters in front of the fence for the same effect. For a cute, less dramatic floral addition, hang some pots from the tops of the boards and create a flower box effect on the fence itself.

Adding a trellis or lattice-wood top is a great idea to update your wood fence for a stylish and private yard. It increases the height of your existing fence to create more of a secret oasis, blocking out the view for people on the street or close neighbors, but without making it feel too closed-in or claustrophobic since the crisscross lattice pattern is still open and airy. Have fun with it by adding unusually shaped lattice pieces or go classic with a checked pattern.

Yes, you can throw any old string of fairy lights onto the fence to make it look a little cuter, but to really modernize your fence in a big way, consider adding solar fence lights or solar post caps for a much bigger wow factor. Both of these options are much more durable and weather resistant than those flimsy fairy lights too. Solar post caps like the Jofios deck post lights ($70.99 on Amazon) come in a variety of colors and designs to create a true focal point on the fence while fence lights like UGDLUCK's solar fence lights ($59.99 on Amazon) create a much bigger area of light.

For the biggest impact, modernize your dated wooden fence with this board-on-board upgrade option. Fill in your old slatted or shadowbox fence with a batten board-style overlay by placing horizontal fence boards across the existing vertical boards or adding vertical boards in between the current ones. This type of fencing instantly boosts your home's curb appeal and increases privacy in a big way. Just beware that your existing fence, while dated, still needs to be somewhat sturdy in order to support the new, filled-in boards.