11 Horizontal Fence Ideas for Your Backyard

11 Horizontal Fence Ideas for Your Backyard

by — Andra DelMonico
Published on August 22, 2021
Updated on March 25, 2025

“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” – Robert Frost

They say that great fences make great neighbors. But what is a great fence? Is it a low picket fence that simply marks your property line? Is it a tall privacy fence that completely blocks the view?

How about choosing a fence that does both of these and looks good? That is what a horizontal wood fence can do for you and your property.

This style of wood fence creates privacy, something that a chain link and standard post and rail fence can’t do. Horizontal fencing also looks beautiful and modern.

Check out these horizontal fence ideas and find the perfect fencing for your property.

1. Enhancing Backyard Privacy with a Horizontal Fence

Adding a backyard fence gives you more privacy so that you can enjoy your property in peace without interruption or observation.

You don’t even have to build a full-height privacy fence. However, this is a smart idea if you plan to try out some outdoor bathtub ideas. A horizontal fence can give your outdoor bathroom a spa-like feel.

Wooden fence with horizontal slats and metal posts on a grassy yard with trees and another fence in the background under a clear sky — Source: @lasthourdesign via Instagram

Wooden privacy fence with horizontal slats and small lights, next to a gravel strip and paved path, with trees in the background — Source: @midcenturymodernmomma via Instagram

A garden fence is also a smart idea for preventing unwanted guests from “sampling” your crop. It doesn’t have to be a tall privacy fence, but it could be just high enough to make it difficult for someone to enter your yard.

2. Choosing Cedar for Long-Lasting Beauty

If you want a fence that can easily last 15-20 years, choosing cedar is smart. This type of wood is a beautiful light honey color. However, you’ll need to treat the wood and perform regular maintenance to keep that color. Otherwise, it will weather and turn grey. The grey isn’t an ugly color, though, so you may enjoy this patina.

Horizontal cedar fence with clean, modern lines set against a green lawn and sunny suburban street — Source: @cedarcountrylumber via Instagram

Wooden gate with horizontal planks and black frame, set in a gravel driveway; Airstream trailer partially visible behind — Source: @steelheaddesign via Instagram

What’s nice about a horizontal cedar fence is that it’s more durable than other types of treated lumber. It won’t crack, warp, splinter, or fall apart on you. However, cedar is susceptible to dents and scratches, so you’ll want to be careful about not bumping or banging your fence.

3. Elevate Your Property with a Contemporary Horizontal Fence

A contemporary horizontal fence to your property can transform your property from a boring backyard to a cool and chic place to hang out. The horizontal boards mirror the modern, clean lines of contemporary interior design.

A wooden fence made of horizontal slats between two beige buildings, with rocky ground and sparse greenery in front — Source: @ecgatesinc via Instagram

Contemporary horizontal slat fence in a garden, offering partial privacy with a light, open design and warm wood tones — Source: @fencescapes via Instagram

Sleek dark gray horizontal fence panels add a modern touch to this cozy backyard with patio, plants, and tree shade — Source: @leejohnson7428 via Instagram

Long horizontal wooden fence with clean lines surrounding a sunny backyard featuring patio seating and a modern lawn layout — Source: @premierdeck via Instagram

For an easy DIY fence, use premade panels that have horizontal rails and a black metal frame. You can then mount them on posts, and you’re done. Add a decorative cut-out metal panel to create some visual interest and give your fence a custom design.

4. Creating a Unique Custom Design with Mix-and-Match Elements

Don’t be afraid to get several ideas and put them together for a custom design. Perhaps you want a wall privacy fence, but you don’t want a plain fence around your entire yard.

You could use a horizontal fence design but break it up with panels of plants or stone. A dense, slow-growing hedge the same width as your fence panels or a vine that covers the panel are both great options for adding some greenery.

You could also build a chicken wire cage and fill it with river rocks or small natural stones. This adds texture and upgrades the look of your fence.

Tall wooden fence running parallel to a concrete path, surrounded by greenery — Source: @magnoliafenceco via Instagram

Tall horizontal plank fence made of natural wood panels, offering full privacy and a clean look along a green grassy yard — Source: @redriverfenceok via Instagram

Light wood horizontal slat fence adds modern curb appeal beside a clean white garage and landscaped lawn — Source: @spartanfence via Instagram

Adding custom touches can be as simple as painting the rails. They could be all one color or a combination of colors. Another option is to add shelving. Then you can arrange small decorate potted plants like succulents or herbs.

5. Tailoring Your Horizontal Fence Design to Your Property

The design of your horizontal fence will depend on your property size and shape. It should also complement the design of your home. A more traditional ranch-style house will look better with an all-wood design.

A contemporary home can look beautiful with a metal frame. While an ultra-modern home can support more metal, such as metal posts in addition to the metal frames.

Cozy backyard fire pit area with Adirondack chairs and string lights, enclosed by a warm-toned horizontal wood fence — Source: @howiecontracting via Instagram

Modern gray horizontal slat fence with brick base, separating a backyard from neighboring houses and a cloudy sky overhead — Source: @our_no.26home via Instagram

Sometimes, you may want to be able to see out but also want to maintain your privacy. Angle the rails so that you can easily see out, but they still provide privacy.

Adding more shelves or flower boxes can give you more space for growing plants. This is a good idea if you have one section of your backyard that you use as a garden.

6. Modernizing Your Front Yard with a Horizontal Fence

Skip the white picket fence and build a horizontal fence in your front yard. This creates a uniform look from the front to the back of the house. It also upgrades your home’s curb appeal and gives it a modern feel.

White horizontal slat fence with small plants and white gravel at the base, set on a sidewalk with clear blue sky above — Source: @allthings_rose.home via Instagram

Modern backyard with built-in wooden bench, sleek horizontal fence, LED lighting, and a stylish fire pit centerpiece — Source: @infinity_home2 via Instagram

Chic outdoor dining area with wicker furniture, umbrella, and modern slatted horizontal fence for stylish backyard privacy — Source: @karen_sagegreeninteriors via Instagram

Wooden fence with horizontal slats, small green shrubs in front, and a red umbrella partially visible on a wooden deck — Source: @mikesfences via Instagram

Rich wooden horizontal fence with light posts lines a suburban front yard, adding privacy and curb appeal to the modern home — Source: @naileditfencing via Instagram

You can mirror this look with the raised plant beds or flower boxes on the front of your property. Use the same horizontal rails design for your retaining walls. Build the functional wall out of concrete blocks or pavers. Then create a decorative front with the rails.

7. Gate Design Options for a Seamless or Bold Look

You need to add a gate to your horizontal fence design. For both convenience and safety reasons, your fence should have two gates on opposite sides of the fenced-in enclosure. This enables you to exit the property through the gate without having to walk to one specific spot.

A double wooden gate with black metal hinges on a brick driveway, surrounded by trees and houses — Source: @inkafence via Instagram

Wooden sliding gate in a residential alleyway with a fence and concrete pathway — Source: @inlinefencellc via Instagram

Wooden gate in a driveway, with a house on the right, trees and garage in the background under a cloudy sky — Source: @midcenturymodernmomma via Instagram

Wooden gate with horizontal slats placed between modern homes. House number 5919 is visible on blue siding. Potted plants nearby. — Source: @perimeterkings via Instagram

When designing your fence gate, you have two options. The first is to make the gate look like another panel in the fence. This camouflages the gate and creates a continuous fence design.

The other option is to go bold with your gate design. Choose an ornamental metal gate that complements the metal framework around the horizontal panels.

8. Achieving Modern Elegance with a Horizontal Plank Fence

If you want a modern fence, then you are on the right track by considering a horizontal plank fence. The sleek straight lines and minimal ornamentation help them to create a modern aesthetic in your backyard.

Choose a black metal frame to accent the wood, and you have a mixed media fence that looks chic and modern.

Tall wooden fence with horizontal slats, surrounded by lush green grass, trees, and a potted plant in the foreground — Source: @before_and_after_home_ideas via Instagram

Modern patio with gray horizontal slat fencing, a compact dining set, and wall-mounted planters for a sleek, urban outdoor space — Source: @love.2be.at.home via Instagram

Choose the right wood for your modern wood fence. It should either be light or very dark wood. Skip the cherry and reddish colors. You’ll also want to use treated wood. Otherwise, it will grow mold and look gross, which is not what you want.

9. Maximizing Privacy with Horizontal Fence Panels

Be careful with privacy fence ideas. The first step is knowing how high you can build your privacy fence. Check your local laws, ordinances, and HOA rules.

Once you have this information, you choose fence panels that are the maximum height allowed. What’s nice about horizontal privacy fences is that they give you more privacy than a vertical fence.

Tall horizontal wood privacy fence built atop a concrete block base, creating a clean, secure, and modern backyard boundary — Source: @trees.transformed via Instagram

They typically have less space between the rails. This limits how much someone can easily see when looking through the fence. The horizontal design limits how much someone can see while standing.

10. Building a Horizontal Slat Fence on a Sloped Property

People assume that they can’t build a horizontal slat fence on a sloped piece of property. However, this isn’t the case. There are two ways you can go about achieving this fence design.

The first is a simple method that can be achieved relatively easily. Start with horizontal fence panels. Step them down the hill as you build the fence. You’ll need to account for the width of the panels and the angle of the slope.

Light wood horizontal fence steps down a sloped yard, blending privacy with a clean and uniform backyard design — Source: @a.handcraft via Instagram

Wooden fence with horizontal planks in varied shades, bordered by a garden with yellow flowers and greenery, house in the background — Source: @lifescapecustomlandscaping via Instagram

Stepped horizontal wood fence adapts to a sloped lawn, offering privacy and a neat, modern look along a residential street — Source: @superiorreno via Instagram

The other method is to custom-build your horizontal fence. This lets you custom arrange your rails to have continuous horizontal lines. You could then add and remove rails from the top and bottom as you build your fence up or down the slope.

11. Preserving Longevity and Aesthetic Appeal with Treated Wood

The most common material used when building a horizontal slat fence is wood. This is because wooden fences are affordable, low maintenance, and last for a long time.

Always use treated wood for your fence board. This wood is designed for exposure to the elements and will stay looking nicer for longer.

Light wood horizontal fence adds a sleek, coastal vibe to a modern home with palm trees and stucco steps — Source: @bajafence_company via Instagram

Wooden fence with horizontal planks in front of a house, surrounded by trees, the ground is partially covered with grass — Source: @jriversfence via Instagram

When looking at DIY backyard fence ideas, pay attention to the creative designs. Use rails that are different widths for a subtle pattern to your fence. Thinner rails give your fence a more modern look.

Using standard 2×4 planks gives your fence a traditional look. Have a more solid design with small gaps on the lower portion and a decorative line across the top with wider spaces.

Is it cheaper to build a horizontal or vertical fence?

Horizontal fences tend to be more expensive than their vertical counterparts. Higher grade lumber is needed for horizontal fences to reduce warping and sagging. They also use more materials.

How do you keep a horizontal fence from warping?

To prevent your fence from warping, you need to install back rails. These are horizontal rails at the top and bottom of the fence. They should be no more than eight inches from the top and bottom. If you have a tall fence, six feet or taller, then you’ll want an additional support rail in the middle too. Fences taller than eight feet need two middle support rails.

How far apart should fence posts be for a horizontal fence?

Layout the placement of your fence before you start building it. The posts should be no more than six feet apart. Any further apart, and you compromise the structure and stability of your fence. Too close together, and it will look too busy and lose the horizontal plank effect. If you buy pre-made fence panels, you can place the posts the distance that the panel is wide.