15 Stunning Wrought Iron Fence Ideas For Luxury Curb Appeal

Wrought iron fence work has for centuries served as a marker of luxury and nobility, boosting the castle curb appeal for even the most stately of homes. The name of the material itself speaks for the skilled labor involved in producing these fences — the term wrought iron comes from an historic form of English when "wrought" meant worked, alluding to the hand worked nature of these pieces. Historically wrought iron was reserved for wealthy families, given how much manual labor and artisanal skill was necessary for it. However, today, supported by machine processes and an availability of alternate materials, like steel and aluminum, wrought iron fences are a more affordable option for the average homeowner. 

Wrought iron, as well as today's modern alternatives, makes extremely durable fences that stand the test of time. It takes skill to craft these fences, but maintenance is quite stress free. Homeowners can easily clean and maintain wrought iron fences, even using household items. There are definitely more cost-effective ways to fence your property, but wrought iron adds a sophisticated luxury to your home's exterior. Plus, due to how historic the practice is, there is a massive catalogue of designs for modern homeowners to choose from. Looking to historic inspiration and modern design sensibilities, these are the most stunning wrought iron fence ideas.

If you're hoping to up your curb appeal with a wrought iron fence, the fleur-de-lis is undoubtably one of the most attractive designs for you. A design that harkens back to French heraldry, the fleur-de-lis symbolizes a lily flower, and long has been associated with ideas of strength, royalty, and purity. Today, a fleur-de-lis topper or finial on a wrought iron fence evokes a certain historic sophistication. It'll make the entrance to your home feel luxurious and fit for nobility, or at least the king or queen of the house!

Not to be confused with the fleur-de-lis, the spearhead design is a paired down, yet still elegant option. It's also practical as it deters animals from climbing over the fence and stops birds from sitting (and doing other things) along your yard perimeters. Spearheaded fences have a certain Old World, luxe appeal while being functional and not feeling overly opulent. If you are worried that spearheaded fences are too sharp, especially if you have children, opt for a ball top finish, which is essentially the same as a spearhead, but with round balls affixed to the point.

The heart scroll spire is a romantic design choice for wrought iron fences that contributes a curved elegance to the otherwise very stoic material. The actual heart and scrolls at the center of the design can vary; sometimes the baluster design can be thicker, other times narrower depending on how obvious you want the heart to be, but either way adding this central design boosts the aesthetic of the fence itself. It also adds a level of practicality to the fence too, since it serves as an additional obstacle for critters to try to squeeze around or through.

Arched tops on wrought iron fences add a little extra visual appeal to the barrier, providing space for added design elements as well. You can top the fence with a number of design choices, from iron circles or more ornamental baubles, and then close the border with a clean arched finish. This adds a luxe design element without cluttering the body of the fence itself. If you do want to add an additional touch to complement the arched border, opt for some vertical fence pickets with texture as well.

The flat topped wrought iron fence design, which some may see as a minimalist and modern take on the classic vibes of wrought iron, is a functional choice that still increases curb appeal immensely without looking like a cheesy castle replica. It's not overly obstructive, letting your home design speak for itself while simultaneously adding just a little hint of ornamental pizzazz to your overall yard and home design. However, if you do want to add a luxe factor to your flat top, add some interesting design elements in the body of the fence.

Another topper option to elevate your home's curb appeal, these scrolls or scallops are visually appealing, but perhaps gentler-looking alternatives to fleur-de-lis toppers or spearheaded toppers. Similar to the heart spires, scroll and scallop toppers add a romantic appeal to your home in an elegant and, most importantly, luxurious way. The only disadvantage to adding scrolls or curves to your fence could be that it's more difficult to clean or maintain as opposed to linear pickets. However, some added elbow grease with soap and water could be well worth it for the aesthetic pay off.

Twisted spindles are an interesting and modern update on otherwise clean and classic vertical pickets. It adds some visual interest and a touch of whimsy to your fence, particularly if you're not ready to commit to some of the bolder wrought iron design options on this list. You can choose entirely twisted pickets if you want to make a big statement with your fence, or choose to have only one twisted picket to every few plain pickets, for a unique look without too much crowding. It's subtle but still elegant.

There are so many wrought iron designs out there that can show off the personality of the homeowner. Floral finials or toppers are a cheeky design element that could be particularly well suited for the homes of avid gardeners or nature lovers. This is a design that you can surely have fun with. Shops on Etsy also sell smaller, hand-forged wrought iron flowers too, so you could even add those around your garden to complement your fence or spruce up your yard at the same time.

While mixing metals is pegged to be the next big thing in interior design, it's been popular on wrought iron fences for many years. Seen in the elaborate wrought iron work of various London palace grounds, for instance, mixing metals is a way to add visual dynamism to your exteriors. It really amps up the luxury of the fence and the home itself, giving that curb appeal one of the most opulent boosts possible from the choices out there.

These pointed arch spires or balusters are reminiscent of the distinctive Gothic windows found in palaces, abbeys, and cathedrals all over Europe. The point itself is meant to draw the focus upwards on the window, and in this case the spire, to make the space appear higher, larger, and more domineering. For wrought iron fences, Gothic arches lend a worldly, and refined flair to the home's aesthetic. These elegant designs work well with homes that feature antique Spanish or French architecture.

While many love the dark beauty of the wrought iron fence, painting over it does allow you to conjure very different aesthetics, dressing the iron up or down depending on how you want to present your house. The downside is that lighter colors will get dirty, so regular maintenance has to be a part of your plan with this design idea. At the same time, you can paint over rust on iron, providing an easy fix for wrought iron fences or gates that are regularly exposed to wet weather conditions, and susceptible to rust.

Basket spires are often featured as balusters in balconies and staircase railings, but they can make for an interesting visual addition to larger wrought iron fences, or gates as well. The basket is a small wired sphere often placed towards the center of a spindle or spire that adds a curved element to the fence's design. There are many variations of the basket itself, ranging from rounder, more open weaved options, to more elongated, closely knit baskets.

Nothing says modern elegance more than adding a monogram to your wrought iron fence. Don't worry, this isn't gauche, in-your-face monogramming, but rather a more subtle and elegant hint at who lives in the property behind the fence. For a true European nobility look, choose a more scrolled or curved lettering option that'll blend with the body of the fence design. However, if you prefer a modern and sleek aesthetic, opt for a bolder serif font placed at the center of fixed vertical spindles. 

For this idea, more is most definitely more. Ornamental wrought iron fences can feature any or all of the aforementioned designs; the name of the game here is to add as much opulence to the design as possible to make it appear intricate, complex, and above all luxurious. The more jam packed the design, the more functionality it brings to your home too, since it provides a sort-of privacy screen that simpler wrought iron fences can't achieve. Massively ornamental wrought iron gates work really well with grand, historic homes, especially those with large gardens or long driveways.

Speaking of privacy screens, a closed metal fence is the optimal privacy design idea. Not so much a style as a valued practical option, closed metal wrought iron gates and fences can marry the best of design with safety and privacy. You can incorporate whichever wrought iron design you want with this option, with the added insurance of a metal backing to the gate or fence to preserve your privacy. Closed metal fences can still match the aesthetic of your house, and provide a bit of luxury curb appeal, without compromising on safety.