12 Ideas for a Beautifully Bordered Garden
Ditch that old splintery fence and frame your outdoor space with one of these smart ideas
Cheryl F
26 November 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
When planning our gardens, we tend to focus first on the landscaping and plants, but how we frame our outdoor space can have just as much impact on how it looks and feels. Here are 12 smart boundary ideas to give your garden a stylish perimeter, from hedges and trellis to modern slatted fences and mellow brick walls.
1. Go horizontal
Traditional fencing has its place, but a more modern alternative can create a big impact, without radically changing much else. Horizontal slats will instantly give your garden a contemporary feel, and lead the eye around it, making the space seem wider but still cosy and contained.
Here, cedar wood slats have been nail-gunned into place, with a post behind every metre. You can have panels made bespoke, or for a more affordable option, shop for off-the-peg horizontal slatted fence panels online.
Traditional fencing has its place, but a more modern alternative can create a big impact, without radically changing much else. Horizontal slats will instantly give your garden a contemporary feel, and lead the eye around it, making the space seem wider but still cosy and contained.
Here, cedar wood slats have been nail-gunned into place, with a post behind every metre. You can have panels made bespoke, or for a more affordable option, shop for off-the-peg horizontal slatted fence panels online.
2. Double up your trellis
Trellis is a simple way to cover up ugly or bland fencing, and is great for utilising vertical space in a small area. In this long, skinny garden, full use has been made of every wall by attaching trellis to it. Once established, the climbing plants can wind their way along the surfaces to create a luscious, green walkway.
Lengths of trellis can be picked up cheaply in garden and homeware stores, but make sure the wood isn’t too flimsy to support foliage or survive extreme weather changes.
To install, fix battens to your walls or fences, then screw on the trellis, and remember that climbing plants need access to the back of the trellis too.
The Climbing Plants That Can Improve Your Garden
Trellis is a simple way to cover up ugly or bland fencing, and is great for utilising vertical space in a small area. In this long, skinny garden, full use has been made of every wall by attaching trellis to it. Once established, the climbing plants can wind their way along the surfaces to create a luscious, green walkway.
Lengths of trellis can be picked up cheaply in garden and homeware stores, but make sure the wood isn’t too flimsy to support foliage or survive extreme weather changes.
To install, fix battens to your walls or fences, then screw on the trellis, and remember that climbing plants need access to the back of the trellis too.
The Climbing Plants That Can Improve Your Garden
3. Pick up a panel
You can also attach larger panels of trellis all around your space. Here, climbers teamed with rectangular planters add a verdant edge to an urban courtyard. And even where it’s uncovered, the trellis still looks attractive.
If you’re worried about mould and rot, choose timber that’s been specially pressure treated so it lasts the distance. Panels come in a range of sizes, so you should be able to find something to suit.
You can also attach larger panels of trellis all around your space. Here, climbers teamed with rectangular planters add a verdant edge to an urban courtyard. And even where it’s uncovered, the trellis still looks attractive.
If you’re worried about mould and rot, choose timber that’s been specially pressure treated so it lasts the distance. Panels come in a range of sizes, so you should be able to find something to suit.
4. Install wraparound beds
Want something more structural in your backyard? A chunky built-in border can add a chic, modern feel. Here, high-walled brutalist concrete beds provide texture and an of the-moment injection of grey.
Speak to a builder or landscape gardener about the possibilities, and go for deep beds so you can plant a variety of foliage and not worry about the roots drying out during summer droughts or long holidays. In this garden, the lush evergreen foliage, including taller bamboo and some clever screening from trees, gives it a tropical edge.
Find a landscape professional
Want something more structural in your backyard? A chunky built-in border can add a chic, modern feel. Here, high-walled brutalist concrete beds provide texture and an of the-moment injection of grey.
Speak to a builder or landscape gardener about the possibilities, and go for deep beds so you can plant a variety of foliage and not worry about the roots drying out during summer droughts or long holidays. In this garden, the lush evergreen foliage, including taller bamboo and some clever screening from trees, gives it a tropical edge.
Find a landscape professional
5. Box it in
A hardy box hedge can be a simple way to add more structure to a garden. The traditional hedge is often high, but a low border can help frame a paved area and add a more formal feel. Here, it’s been clipped to the same height as the concrete border and built-in bench to continue the frame-like effect.
A hardy box hedge can be a simple way to add more structure to a garden. The traditional hedge is often high, but a low border can help frame a paved area and add a more formal feel. Here, it’s been clipped to the same height as the concrete border and built-in bench to continue the frame-like effect.
6. Circle the square
Garden framing doesn’t have to be square or rectangular. In this outside space, a low circular wall softens the edges, disguises ugly corners and creates a focal point for the table and chairs. Even in a smaller garden, a curved border can help define different areas, and provide a home for built-in beds.
For a rustic, vintage feel, use reclaimed bricks in your wall – head to your local salvage yard, talk to a friendly builders’ merchants or buy some on eBay.
Garden framing doesn’t have to be square or rectangular. In this outside space, a low circular wall softens the edges, disguises ugly corners and creates a focal point for the table and chairs. Even in a smaller garden, a curved border can help define different areas, and provide a home for built-in beds.
For a rustic, vintage feel, use reclaimed bricks in your wall – head to your local salvage yard, talk to a friendly builders’ merchants or buy some on eBay.
7. Opt for any old iron
Looking for something completely different? If you love the industrial or salvage look, sheets of corrugated metal could provide a cool, modern way to border your garden.
Remember to use galvanised screws or bolts to avoid rusty spots, and take care that any sharp edges are out of reach of children and pets.
Looking for something completely different? If you love the industrial or salvage look, sheets of corrugated metal could provide a cool, modern way to border your garden.
Remember to use galvanised screws or bolts to avoid rusty spots, and take care that any sharp edges are out of reach of children and pets.
8. Paint it black…
Walls or fences in gardens tend to be white, grey, terracotta or brown. However, the trend for darker paints in interiors is breaking out in gardens too. Here, a wall painted in a dark London Clay from Farrow & Ball provides a dramatic backdrop to the greenery, and creates a feeling of space by drawing the eye beyond the garden. Teamed with topiary, it adds a formal, boutique touch.
Updating a Tired Old Fence
Walls or fences in gardens tend to be white, grey, terracotta or brown. However, the trend for darker paints in interiors is breaking out in gardens too. Here, a wall painted in a dark London Clay from Farrow & Ball provides a dramatic backdrop to the greenery, and creates a feeling of space by drawing the eye beyond the garden. Teamed with topiary, it adds a formal, boutique touch.
Updating a Tired Old Fence
9. … Or white out
At the opposite end of the spectrum, painting your walls and fences in pure brilliant white can bring a sense of airiness to a tiny garden. A lighter shade will also seem to disappear and blend with the clouds and sky. Here, a white border has been teamed with artificial grass for a pristine look. Bear in mind, however, that keeping whites clean in the elements (and subject to wildlife) may require regular touch-ups, so think about whether you have the time.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, painting your walls and fences in pure brilliant white can bring a sense of airiness to a tiny garden. A lighter shade will also seem to disappear and blend with the clouds and sky. Here, a white border has been teamed with artificial grass for a pristine look. Bear in mind, however, that keeping whites clean in the elements (and subject to wildlife) may require regular touch-ups, so think about whether you have the time.
10. Experiment with blue and yellow
Many of us are conservative souls when it comes to using colour in our gardens, but a few bright touches of paint can make the world of difference and IT doesn’t cost much.
If you’re after a laid-back, modern look, copy this bold idea – a different primary shade for every fence panel, interspersed with white. Thrifty but effective.
Many of us are conservative souls when it comes to using colour in our gardens, but a few bright touches of paint can make the world of difference and IT doesn’t cost much.
If you’re after a laid-back, modern look, copy this bold idea – a different primary shade for every fence panel, interspersed with white. Thrifty but effective.
11. Fake it
Do you love the idea of a natural boxy hedge to frame your space? Does the thought of cultivating and maintaining it bring you out in a cold sweat? Then a faux wall of greenery could be for you.
In this smart backyard, neat artificial hedging looks surprisingly convincing and helps turn the space into a serene, private retreat. The greenery contrasts well with the mid-tone decking too. Search online for fake conifers, ivy and other specimens, but expect to pay more for bespoke or realistic options.
Do you love the idea of a natural boxy hedge to frame your space? Does the thought of cultivating and maintaining it bring you out in a cold sweat? Then a faux wall of greenery could be for you.
In this smart backyard, neat artificial hedging looks surprisingly convincing and helps turn the space into a serene, private retreat. The greenery contrasts well with the mid-tone decking too. Search online for fake conifers, ivy and other specimens, but expect to pay more for bespoke or realistic options.
12. Mix it up
Use a combination of materials for a stylish, modern framing device. Here, a Victorian brick wall has been topped with timber, adding further colour, character and contrast to an otherwise grey expanse of concrete tiles. Wooden benches that echo the fencing also help to tie the look together.
To put fencing on top of walls, you’ll need to drill holes and install posts to which you can then attach the panels.
Tell us
How have you framed your garden? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Read more garden stories
Use a combination of materials for a stylish, modern framing device. Here, a Victorian brick wall has been topped with timber, adding further colour, character and contrast to an otherwise grey expanse of concrete tiles. Wooden benches that echo the fencing also help to tie the look together.
To put fencing on top of walls, you’ll need to drill holes and install posts to which you can then attach the panels.
Tell us
How have you framed your garden? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Read more garden stories
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This is my beautiful coastal garden the trees shrubs surround the fences totally, the trees around the spa are full grown now to create a cocoon while in it, the garden "rooms" are sectioned off by long tall banksia's, and other coastal plants, The fire pit area is also surrounded by shrubs. The large water tank is hidden behind a decorative screen "shown in picture with hammock" And this is not all of the garden there are more areas all in a normal size suburban block near the beach of course "hence the style and plant choice"