How to Incorporate Fencing as a Landscaping Feature
The dictionary definition of a landscape feature is something like this: “Specific element in a yard or outdoor space designed to draw attention and enhance visual interest. It's not necessarily the main focal point, but it supports or complements the overall design, often by adding texture, contrast, color, or structure.”
Our vinyl and composite fencing panels check all the boxes of a true landscape feature! The purpose of incorporating these elements into your landscaping is to break up visual monotony, create layers and depth, guide the eye through the space, and reinforce your design style.
Looking for more variety? Try a SimTek composite fence with a stone or wood texture, available in five different colors. We also offer horizontal privacy and semi-privacy fences. Each fence style adds unique lines, texture, and variation to complement your home and existing landscaping.
A white vinyl picket fence behind a dark green hedge and low flower bed creates three distinct visual layers that draw the eye inward and add dimension.
Break up The Monotony
A white picket fence in front of your house is a timeless example of breaking up visual monotony. This familiar design—top and bottom rail with vertical pickets and dogear tops—pairs beautifully with various architectural styles, including Craftsman, Colonial, Ranch, and Modern. The vertical lines of the fence naturally contrast with the horizontal lines of many homes, adding visual interest.Looking for more variety? Try a SimTek composite fence with a stone or wood texture, available in five different colors. We also offer horizontal privacy and semi-privacy fences. Each fence style adds unique lines, texture, and variation to complement your home and existing landscaping.
Create Layers and Depth
Here’s where things get a little landscaping-nerdy in the best way. Creating layers and depth helps you define space with both function and visual appeal. Functional dividers are straightforward. Maybe you need to contain goats in a grazing area or keep kids safe in the yard. A fence provides a clear boundary. Visual dividers go a step further. Fences help create zones within your landscape:- Foreground: Patios, walkways, lawns, or entry areas
- Middleground: Flower beds, rocks, or shrubs in front of the fence—or even the fence itself.
- Background: The fence (especially if it has height, color, or texture), tall trees, other buildings, or scenic views
A white vinyl picket fence behind a dark green hedge and low flower bed creates three distinct visual layers that draw the eye inward and add dimension.
How to Guide The Eyes Through Landscaping?
Creating layers and depth is the base concept as described above, and the final steps are contrast and design repetition. First, contrast your layout because fences make plants pop visually. The general guidelines are:- Light-colored fences brighten up dark foliage.
- Dark fences make colorful flowers more vivid.
- Clean, linear fence lines contrast with natural plant shapes.
- A 4’ tall x 8’ wide white straight picket fence with spade caps on the tops of the pickets has vertical and horizontal lines. The picket caps are geometric along with spacing between the pickets that are like mini windows that highlight the contrasting background to create rhythm. Adding classic post caps to the post will bring even more symmetry.
- A 6’ tall x 8’ wide Driftwood Smooth Privacy Fence has wide, bold, even width lines (5.5” - 6”). The color is a khaki base with a simulated wood finish. In the full sun, it creates a more subtle appearance, especially mixed with natural vegetation. As the sun moves throughout the day, the shadows on the fence become darker and the simulated wood finish more pronounced. In a more layered and contrasting design, the fence provides privacy but becomes part of the landscape.
Reinforce a Design Style
This is where our fencing really shines! All our fencing is versatile to complement all architectural styles. Here is a list of the major styles, their key traits, and the best fencing fit:- Craftsman – Tapered columns, exposed beams, and earthy tones. Best matches: SimTek or colored vinyl privacy fences in Dark Walnut, Driftwood, or Gray Wood.
- Colonial – Symmetrical facades, gabled roofs, brick or clapboard exteriors. Best matches: Classic white picket, privacy, or lattice-topped fences.
Ranch – Single-story layouts with open plans. Best matches: 2 rail, 3 rail, or 4-rail fences, crossbuck styles, or classic privacy fences.- Farmhouse – Gabled roofs, large porches, and muted siding. Best matches: Virtually all vinyl fence styles—this is the most versatile!
- Modern – Clean lines, large windows, flat or low-pitched roofs. Best matches: Sleek aluminum or SimTek fencing.