One of the most overlooked accents is fence lighting. Illuminating your yard can be accomplished through underground wiring, but a quicker and more cost-effective method is solar lighting. The optimal method is to have the lighting included as part of the fence installation. However, you can still enjoy illumination, greater security, and enhanced safety with solar lighting.

Solar Lighting

There are so many different types of solar lighting available, it can be overwhelming. Solar units can be installed on fence caps and hung from brackets from fence posts. They’re offered in a myriad of styles from those that look like coach lights to futuristic designs. Solar lights have the advantage of being an environmentally-friendly choice, can be installed anywhere on any type of fencing, and are extremely low maintenance.

Solar lights add ambiance to outdoor environments. The initial cost will depend on the brand and style of lights chosen, but are less expensive than those that rely on underground wiring. Another advantage is that they work even in a power outage. Solar lights are available in different lumen measurements, depending on how much illumination you desire, and can come equipped with motion sensors. There are even models with rotating colors.

Wired Lighting

Best included in the design plan when the fence is installed, wired lighting is tied into a traditional electrical system and requires the installation of underground wiring. They can be installed with a switch that allows you to turn them on or off as desired.

The disadvantage is that they won’t work if a power outage occurs. Many models are also equipped with motion sensors that turn on and off, even if the lights have been doused. Low-voltage lights are typically utilized as accent lighting for plants and pathways and are equally applicable as fence lighting. You can also use strings of lights – full size or miniatures – as temporary lighting for events and gatherings.

You might decide to plant a hedge next to your fence to present a more aesthetically pleasing view from your perspective inside the fence. There are some important considerations for success that apply when planting a hedge against a fence.

Make a Plan

Before purchasing plants for your hedge, you’ll need to do some research on the different types of shrubs available. You can choose from evergreens, those that add interest when they drop their leaves, and flowering varieties. The shrub may litter the ground with spent blossoms or seeds, or require frequent trimming and shaping. Some shrubs that are commonly planted as hedges have thorns or poisonous fruits and shouldn’t be planted around children or pets.

Hedge Size

You’ll need to determine the size of the hedge you want, which will also help eliminate some types of shrubs from your list. There are dwarf varieties that achieve a height of 2 feet, while larger species can attain heights of 6 to 8 feet.

Distance From Fence

A planting distance of 18 to 24 inches away from the fence is typically sufficient for traditional, classic types of shrubs, but it will depend on the type of hedge. Yew is a good choice since it tolerates shade, while you may prefer the formality of boxwood or the blossoms of flowering quince. Tall hedge plants will typically need additional room for the plant to grow appropriately. Planting too close will result in a hedge that’s full on one side and “flat” on the side next to the fence.

Time Investment

Some hedges require a significant amount of time and effort to keep them looking good and within their allotted boundaries. You may not have the time required to perform those tasks yourself. However, you always have the option of hiring a landscape professional who has the knowledge and expertise to keep your hedge looking great.

Fences can beautify properties from the outside, but you may also want something to dress up and decorate your fence from the inside. There are dozens of creative ways to spruce up a fence that are equally applicable for solid or chain link fences. They can be utilized on the interior to brighten your view or used on the exterior to bring joy to those passing by.

Unique Planters

Planters are one of the most obvious. Additional interest comes from the creativeness of the planters themselves. Consider sections of old rain gutters, “pocket planters” for herbs made of burlap, or old tires. Canning jars and fancy bottles, old boots, wooden pallets, and even PVC pipe can be recycled and fashioned into cost-effective fence planters.

Add Lights

Battery and solar powered lights are an elegant and economical solution that doesn’t require any wiring. Individual lights are an excellent way to create ambiance or a fairy-like appearance while adding an extra level of safety within the environment. If light strings are used, they can be arranged in patterns, to spell out words, or artfully draped to beautify the fence landscape.

Artistic Design

If you have artistic skills – or know someone who does – you can paint or stencil a larger than life flower garden on your fence, a full-fledged mural to please the kids, or anything else you want. One of the most appealing aspects is that a desired design can be created in full color, a single hue, or with glow-in-the-dark paint for a one-of-a-kind look.

Colorful Cups

Specifically designed for chain link fences, the colorful plastic pieces are called “put-in-cups” and insert easily into the fence spaces. They can be utilized to create designs, spell out messages for schools, churches, birthdays, or anything else the imagination can devise.