Ever been the kid who griped the fence, face pressed tightly to the cool metal and watched the games and fun that happened on the inside? Well with some sweat, DIY commitment and the desire to pull people inside the metaphoric chain link fence for some BBQ deliciousness, you need to stick around for a bit longer.

by John Lum Architecture

Ladies and gentlemen, neighbors, friends, family, and yes even my foes (but not for much longer, I hope!) I have some tough news to break to you: Being the villain is only cool in a romantic Gothic. And all those Beware of The Dog and No Trespassing faded, cracked signs hanging lopsided on your poison ivy entwined chain link fence are making you the neighborhood nemesis. Go ahead and take a moment to compose yourself. From my vantage point I cannot tell if this news comes to you as a shock or not, but I can imagine either way it’s a tough break. No one wants to hear that they are the riffs that make the HOA impossible. Not even the main character in the Gothic romance wants to be the thorn in the HOA’s flesh.

So what are you going to do about it? Are you going to continue to check your mail in your bally polyester knock-off, clearance rack robe receiving sour looks as your neighbors participate in the same morning ritual, only they are looking down their noses? At you? No trespassing, they humph!

by Ziger/Snead Architects / Photography by Alain Jaramillo

Using the right tools, ingredients and efforts, you can offer a backyard of solace for yourself and for your neighbors that in its magnificent natural grandeur will still give you privacy but in an unobtrusive way. Besides, chain linked fencing might as well be barbed wire fencing with its negative connotation and let’s face it, unimaginative lack of appeal. This combined with the mysterious aura that instantly triggers the minds of your fellow inhabitants to think, what happens behind the closed gates? Well it’s time to upgrade, wouldn’t you say?

Here are a few tricks to making your yard your own, keeping the VIP list of BBQ guests enclosed in privacy but maintaining a good relationship with the property lines that meet yours.

1. Architectural Designed Fencing

by Crestview Doors

Be it wood that resembles a chevron, horizontal or diagonally lined pattern or maybe a Chinese screen, making a visually pleasing fence as an architectural statement, makes the directly opposing neighbor reap the benefits of your beautiful privacy structure as they too will have that element against their yard.

2. Shrubbery

by froglet moss

This is a fence that is 100% natural, can be trimmed to a topiary treasure and is fun not only for those who love in the area, but all those who drive by. Make it look regal with a concrete entranceway and your backyard now looks like an inviting lawn garden oasis.

3. Canopy & Curtain

by Dillard Jones

Whether you want to partially enclose your porch, have an empty spot on the border of your yard that needs some tweaking, or are looking for some artificial shade you can assemble a weather resistant structure whose curtains and/or canopy can play well into your theme by choosing the appropriate color and fabric.

4.Tree Line

by Avant Garden

Not only will you have the benefit of lush green privacy, but also the air of your very existence will be sweetly improved! This method of fencing may take more laborious planning and the elapsed time before your fence is at its maximum security is longer, unless you have allotted enough money in your backyard renovation budget and have planted matured trees.

5. Recycled Galvanized Metal Roofing

by Randy Thueme – Landscape Architecture

A fence like this is like stating that you firmly believe in the following A.) Opposite Day (defying gravity by installing roofing material on ground level) B.) Recycling and C.) Art (and privacy) comes in many unique forms. This method of fencing offers very defined privacy but offers an Italian rustic/vintage sparkle that if coordinates with your actual roofing will come across as very trendy.

6. Bamboo

by Fabio Galeazzo / Galeazzo Design

Wanted, dead or alive! Processed bamboo comes in many forms today, all intricate and wonderful tributes to their predecessors the Live Bamboo. This plant is such a calming and organic fence line that will entice the panda bears from afar to rest and relax within the bamboo confines of your backyard.

These are just a few of the effective and friendly ways you can start extending a fence line in your backyard that will offer curb and neighbor appeal. A few last tips to keep in mind is surround your new fence line with plants. Hanging, crawling, rooted firmly in the ground, or climbing up a trellis. This will soften the harsher look of a boxed in yard and will prove that life truly does exist within the once chain link confines.

Also remember to adhere to property lines. The last thing you want to do during your generous efforts of friendly fencing and upgrading from your chain link is to take an inch or two off of your neighbors property line and thus steal their acreage.

Now get of your robe, change in your dirtiest working gear and get going!