Pallet fence ideas: Budget-friendly boundary designs

With the price of timber rising, pallet fence ideas are looking pretty good right now! Nail the rustic look with our design proposals below.

Whether you’re adding more privacy, looking for a DIY upcycling project, or want a budget-friendly alternative to traditional boundary decor, we’ve got plenty of picket-perfect options for you to choose from.

So, keep scrolling for our top trends and best creative ideas. And if you can’t wait to get started, pop your postcode into the search bar below and we’ll send you a list of our best tradespeople ready to help you transform your garden.

Multipurpose wood pallet fence ideas

Build a dual fence and herb garden

Take your pallets apart – bar one – and sand down the planks to use the wood to build your boundary fence. Use a water-based paint to achieve the powder finish of blush blue (as pictured), and seal it with a weatherproof primer.

Once your fence is dry, take your last pallet and affix it to the mid-section to create a shelf. Paint it a different colour to let it stand out or coat it in a weatherproof sealant for a natural finish.

Now you can fill the gaps with herbs and vegetables so you’ll never go hungry again! Read our blog on cheap and easy greenhouse ideas for more self-sufficient ideas.

Build planters within the slats

Keep it simple and rustic by standing your fence pallets side by side and securing them with nails and boundary posts. Sand and finish them with a clear primer to let the natural wood shine.

However, if the wood pallets are in a sorry state, seal and paint them instead. Opt for a pop of colour or brush them with a dark wood stain to improve their original condition.

Another way to camouflage bruised wood is to intersperse the pallets with low-maintenance plants and flowers.

Read our guide: A how-to on fence post repair for DIY tips on fence maintenance.

Mount storage pallets for garden displays

Carefully upcycled wood pallets are an asset to any type of garden – fancy included! Consider making them a feature by mounting them on your garden wall.

The installation is an avant-garde interpretation of a fence (which is what you’ll tell anyone who asks). And they’re also useful storage solutions if you’re low on space.

Integrated wooden pallet fence ideas

Create a decorative boundary fence for your English garden

Nothing looks cheap when you design it the right way – as this English country cottage garden proves.

It uses a pallet boundary fence to create a central focal point, which in this case is a seating area with a matching upcycled table and planters, all of which are teaming with lavender.

It’s the perfect example of how a well-designed DIY garden results in the rustic charm that makes us brave our gardens in winter.

Related content: Read our Gardener prices guide for a labour cost estimate.

Fashion a wood pallet vegetable planter

Let’s face it, the apocalypse always feels like it’s just around the corner. So, why not prepare for the worst by using your garden to grow your own food?

Raised flower beds are the best options for keeping the bugs and slugs away, and with a few tweaks, your wooden pallets are easily transformed. What’s more, they double up as great boundary fences, putting plenty of distance between you and your neighbour’s garden.

Related content: Learn How to build a raised bed with our step-by-step guide.

Build a manoeuvrable privacy planter

If you’re the indecisive sort, why not build a fence on wheels? That way, you can put a boundary wherever you want, whenever you want.

This might be handy on days when you want to block out the sun to sit in the shade, hide some garden weeds from visitors, or fill a gap in a fence post you need to repair! It’s also great for your plants, which might prefer more sun in winter and more shade in summer.

You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade.

Alternative ideas for upcycling wood pallets

Paint your pallet planks for a cheap fence idea

Pallets are relatively easy to get hold of as they’re used for shipping and storage, meaning they’re not in short supply. When upcycled in a variety of ways, they prove to be incredibly versatile construction materials.

However, if you just want to reclaim the wood, one of the easiest ways to make the most of your wooden pallets is to strip them into their raw planks and reconstruct them into a simple fence.

A multicoloured picket fence (pictured), where each panel is a different colour, will brighten up the dreariest of days. Use an oil-based paint for maximum durability or opt for a water-based latex paint if you prefer a rustic finish.

Create dynamic shelving with your wood pallets

If you’re looking to update your current fence or add a feature to an existing boundary, pallets are the answer. This shabby-chic whitewashed aesthetic uses a skim coat of paint to create the mini fence garden.

The finish pairs well with the exposed brick and broken concrete, while the flower planters give it depth and privacy. Consider adding more pallet fence gardens and staggering them to decoratively expand your privacy screen. You might even want to add climbing vines to complete the wild-on-purpose look.

Build a garden gate (DIY experts only)

This one requires impressive DIY skills (or our handy How to make a garden gate guide). However, it’s possible to recycle the wood of a pallet and build your own fence companion. All you need is a vision, a mission, and the means to pull it off.

The prettiest gates are the most simple and authentic ones. An arched head, simple latch, and distressed finish will complement any pallet fence ideas. (They’re also very easy to make!)

However, if you concede and know it’s better to hire a professional, read our Garden gate installation cost guide for a rough idea of how much it might set you back.

Related content: 10 inspiring wood gate ideas.

Did you find these pallet fence ideas helpful? Let us know in the comments! And for more inspiration like this, search our helpful blog.