Updating your garden fence color ideas is a brilliant way to spruce up your backyard. Perhaps you've moved into a new house and want to make your own mark on the space, or you're just a bit fed up with the color you have and fancy a change.

Whatever your motivation, sunny dry days are the ideal time to get outside for these types of garden jobs. It's important to note, however, that not all fences can have their color altered. Wood is easily painted whereas vinyl and composite fences aren't.

'When considering your project, wood and metal paint can be just as effective as a masonry paint to create an individual and premium style,' says Matthew Brown, Sadolin & Sandtex Technical Consultant. 'To the front of your property a fresh coat of paint for railings, gates, fencing or a front door can immediately impart your style or improve curb appeal. In your personal space at the rear of the home, why not look to be a little more adventurous with your garden fence ideas.' 

From pretty pastels that will instantly lift a backyard to darker shades that will act as the perfect backdrop to your planting, there are plenty of garden fence colors to choose from to suit your outdoor space.  

BY TERESA CONWAY

'While a black fence may appear aggressive, it actually serves as a neutral shade,' says garden style expert Samantha Jones from MyJobQuote. 'Because it has a bit more edge than lighter tones, black is suitable for a more modern feel in your yard. What makes black such a great choice is that it allows your favorite plants for fence lines to stand out. 

'The dark surface completes the layout by forming a different frame around the perimeter. If you want to define your own space, consider dark fencing, as a black edge will provide much more definition than a lighter shade.' 

'A dark fence works perfectly in both traditional and contemporary garden spaces,' says Marketa Rypacek, Managing Director, Industville Ltd. 'It provides the perfect backdrop for plants and flowers to really stand out, as well as offering a wonderful contrast to make a statement with stylish metallic accessories and pale landscaping.'

When painting natural wood fencing, ensure surfaces are clean, dry and sound, advises paint expert Matthew Brown from Sadolin and Sandtex. 'Don’t decorate over something that isn’t in a good condition,' he says. 'New coatings only adhere to previous coatings that are in a good condition or a clean timber surface, so anything flaky needs to be sanded off.' 

On timber fences, only use the best exterior wood paint for your chosen fence color too so you can be sure it will create a professional looking finish.

A natural wood color fence can make very appealing garden screening in its own right so you may not want to cover it up with paint. Use a protective varnish or stain to enhance the look and protect the wood. 

Paint trends may come and go but keeping the classic wood shade will mean that you'll create a timeless look which will have wide appeal. Far from looking rustic, a smooth wood grain can give a contemporary feel which at the same time lends itself to a more naturalistic look for your garden. It's also easy to add a coat of paint if you fancy a change further the line.

Whether you're looking for the latest privacy fence ideas or a simple way to section off your plot, using darker gray tones can help make smaller spaces feel bigger as they add a sense of depth. 'They can also be used in bigger outdoor areas to emphasize what space is available, whilst establishing shape and boundaries in your garden,' says Charlotte Radford, Senior Product Manager Emulsion at Valspar. 

'Stony gray colors can help achieve a deep and mature backdrop for your garden foliage and accessories,' she adds. 'Using a gray with a slight blue undertone will help promote other brighter colors that either naturally or artificially make up your garden landscape, as well as promoting a calming atmosphere that is carried through the seasons.'

If you're updating other areas of your garden at the same time, there's no rule that says that your shed or decking needs to be the same gray color as your fence, so you can introduce a more playful touch on these garden structures. 

'Colors that complement gray are pinks and coral oranges for a summery and vibrant feel,' says Charlotte. 'Adding a pop of color draws the eye in and helps create a focal point in the landscape. For a more relaxing theme, pastel greens work well with dark gray and will complement the shades of your garden’s foliage and plants.'

Giving your existing boundary a unique lift can be as simple as updating it with a few complementary shades of outdoor paint, as shown in this striking scheme. 

Matthew Brown, Sadolin & Sandtex Technical Consultant, recommends that you choose tonal shades rather than clashing colors. A number of clashing brights could end up looking quite jarring and will eclipse all other features in your garden. Remember, you want your garden fence color ideas to enhance your space, not detract from it.

'Once you have picked the colors you want to paint your fencing, pick out the starting color and paint two trellises starting from the left,' says Matthew. 'Then choose another shade and paint the next four trellises in this. Continue with your additional color choices and repeat the steps to achieve a cohesive look.'

Whatever fence type you have in your plot, just make sure you use products that are suitable for exterior features – in other words, leftover paint from your living room walls is a no go.

High garden fences can run the risk of making a small garden feel oppressive, but introducing some color can help to open up the space and create an interesting focal point. 

Combining different textures and colors is a great way to boost the interest further. In this patio space, a green painted band softens the look of the garden wall, while the complementary dark-gray slatted fence panels highlight the darker tones in the brickwork. 

'Green comes in a variety of tones, and if a deep forest green isn't your style, try a lighter shade that matches the surrounding plants, trees and foliage,' says Samantha Jones.

Lighter garden fence color ideas will generally reflect natural light rather than absorb it, making them a good choice if you want to brighten a dark patio or courtyard space that doesn't benefit from much sunlight. 

If you opt for a really pale color or white, try to choose one with a blue undertone rather than yellow, as white with a hint of blue will add more depth to the paint. 

'Pale tones add a luxurious and contemporary feel to your garden color scheme when combined with neutral coloured surroundings and outdoor furniture,' says Samantha Jones. 'This can work particularly well in a plant-filled garden because the greenery will complement a pale fence.'

You can transform your outdoor space into a stylish, modern garden haven by painting a cool gray color on your fence. 'Gray paint is not only on trend, but it also provides long-lasting protection to exterior wood from the elements, which means it will keep your fence looking good for longer,' says Samantha Jones. 

Gray is a versatile paint color that works well with everything from modern fences to traditional picket fences. It's a middle ground between black and white, so if you're a bit unsure about going for something too bold or stark then gray is a safe bet. 

For a modern garden fence decoration idea, opt for two different shades of gray and paint the lower two thirds of the fence in a darker tone and the top third in a lighter version of the same color. 

Not everything in your backyard has to make a statement. For instance, you don't always choose a dramatic paint shade for the walls in your house. Sometimes a neutral backdrop is all that's needed to create a serene space where one element doesn't overpower the other.

So rather than making a stand-out statement, you might just want a garden boundary to blend in with its surroundings and blur the lines between the edge of your garden and the surrounding landscape.

If there is lush greenery in a neighboring garden for example, you might wish to borrow this as a feature for your own garden. So a natural wood shade with peep-through slats would be a great choice, as in this project. 

If you're looking for something a little different for your landscaping, why not mix it up and pick a trio of shades for your garden fence color ideas? 

Choosing three tonally similar shades will ensure that the finished paint effect is harmonious rather than clashing, while splitting the fence lengthways with bands of color can create interest and help to open up the space. 

Whether you have kids or are just looking to indulge your inner child, this scheme won't fail to delight. It would work particularly well with an existing picket fence. 

So if you're looking to give a playful edge to your entire space, or use it as a garden divider in a family space, then pick up a few sample pots in an array of shades. The more the better for a proper paint-box of delights.

To create this look, paint the full length of your fence panel. Leave the pointed top bare if it's a natural wood color, or paint it to look like the top section of a coloring pencil and leave to dry. Finish by adding a splash of the main color as the point of the pencil.

White is a classic color choice for fences if you're looking to create a quintessential cottage garden look. After all, nothing says elegant country style more than a white painted picket fence. 

It's best to avoid bright colors if you want to create a traditional look as these can be overwhelming on areas like fence panels. You can always pick out bright colors in your furniture and pots if you're craving that extra pop. And, perhaps most importantly, it will allow your billowing cottage garden plants to really sing.

Make it pink or make it blue? Why not both! Fences which have stripes of color tend to be in blocks. However if you're wanting to create a dreamier look with plenty of depth, then try a mix of vertical and horizontal stripes which overlap each other at irregular intervals.

The fresh pink and blue creates a real party vibe so this could work well as a pool fence idea. That way you'll have the joys of summer all year round (well, not quite, but almost!). Finish off with some festoons, because why wouldn't you?

Nothing quite says coastal style like a classic sailor blue and white nautical stripe. If you have a coastal garden then play up to this nautical theme by reflecting it in your garden fence color ideas.

Add thoughtful details like interesting pieces of driftwood and shells from your beach combing to your beds and borders to pick up on this theme throughout your space. And of course, add some of the best coastal plants to your planting scheme, with pops of blue to complement your new fence color.