When I embark on a visit to a new client, my initial step always involves a thorough assessment of their limitations and the condition of their property. While a garden fence or wall undoubtedly serves a practical purpose, it’s rare that you’d want to emphasize the boundary of your property. In smaller gardens, the more common approach is to draw attention inward, creating an illusion of spaciousness by skillfully layering the space. Conversely, in larger gardens, especially those with picturesque views, the overarching objective is to guide the gaze through the enchanting panorama of the open countryside, free from the jarring lines of fences or walls.
Borders, particularly those intended for security and privacy, can pose a significant financial and temporal investment when it comes to replacement, particularly in cases involving neighborly disputes over ownership. Most fences exhibit a duality: a front, which is aesthetically pleasing, and a back, where the structural elements like posts and frames are visible – often less attractive. As per the traditional, and distinctly British, etiquette, it’s usually expected that the owner of the fence positions the visually appealing side facing their neighbor’s garden as a courteous gesture.
Here, I’ll share some innovative ideas for selecting the ideal fences for both urban and rural gardens, accompanied by valuable design tips to seamlessly integrate them into the garden landscape, ensuring they contribute to its beauty rather than being a visual nuisance.