How to Cover Up Shabby Garden Walls and Fences

Friday, 16 August 2024 14:46

If your garden fences or walls are looking a bit shabby it might be time to find a cover up solution. Read on for Sara Whatley’s transformation ideas.

Have you got a rickety old fence that needs some attention? An eyesore of a wall that is crying out for some love? Spending lots of time in your garden at this time of year can suddenly open your eyes to something that never bothered you before, and leave you chomping at the bit to do something about it. How did you ever live with your fence looking like that?

Never fear, there are some smart and fun ways to dress up fences and walls. With options for long-term projects and quick fixes too, you will be just in time for that summer barbeque party at the weekend!

PAINTING
Painting a fence or wall is the easiest, quickest and probably the least expensive transformation you can make. You can opt to make a statement or blend it into the garden depending on the colours you choose. Neutral browns and greens blend in and provide a natural looking backdrop for planting. Darker grey or even black will make the fence or wall ‘disappear’ into the background and help the plant colours pop against the dark background. If you are feeling bold and want to make a statement choose a bright colour or even paint a mural.

COVERING
Covering up with privacy screens is another quick fix to instantly change the look of your fence or wall. From simple bamboo to intricately fashioned metal designs, garden screens come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and designs to suit your needs.

PLANTING
There are so many options when it comes to planting to cover an ugly fence or wall. If you have the time to let them grow think about planting trees or tall hedges, just make sure you leave enough room for them to grow properly and not damage the wall or fence. Another long-term but very elegant solution is to train an espaliered tree along a wall or fence, and if you make it a fruit tree you get the added bonus of tasty fruits as well.Climbing plants are another great cover up and are a medium time investment. Try clematis, honey suckle, or jasmine, or if you have a sturdy wall or can fix a pergola in front of the fence, give wisteria a go.

If you have space in front of the fence or wall, planting a beautiful boarder will draw the eye away, and if you stage your planting with tall plants at the back then a large portion of the fence or wall will be covered as well.

And finally, play with vertical planting. Hanging planters up high gives you wonderful opportunities for cascading plants, and it’s great for a small garden too.

DECORATING
Adding decorative ornaments can make a surprising difference to the appearance of an unsightly fence or wall.

Try hooking lights or lamps along to create a festival vibe and bring more light into your garden. Hanging mirrors create some splendid perspectives of the garden, and can either make a space appear larger, or if you create a garden room with a mirror it can make a space more intimate.

An old window hung along a wall or fence is a fun way to bring interest and a sense of discovery to your garden. You can even create a windowsill by raising a planter as if to sit on the sill.

Lastly, how about a little garden whimsy? Be a friend to the animals and fill a fence or wall with nest boxes (not too close together), bee houses and bug hotels. Not only does this look cute, but it helps to fill your garden with wildlife too.

Garden centres are a treasure trove of wonders when it comes to decorative garden ornaments. Find giant butterflies, flowers and dragonflies to adorn your backdrop, or make your own if you are feeling crafty. Or how about a beautiful old bicycle mounted on your wall? Make sure there is a basket to fill with flowers and see your space truly transported.

AT A GLANCE…
Transform your garden fences and walls with these easy hacks:

• Use paint
• Cover with a screen
• Plant trees and hedges
• Create a flower border
• Decorate with garden ornaments

NB: Make sure to check with neighbours before doing anything to ‘your side’ of fences or walls that belong to them.

How to Cover Up Shabby Garden Walls and Fences

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