Fence Topper Ideas

Looking for ways to add personality and a finished look to your garden boundary? You’ve come to the right place. Finding the perfect fence topper ideas can make a huge difference in your outdoor space’s appearance. It’s the crowning touch that turns a plain fence into a feature, offering extra privacy, security, and a dose of your unique style.

Let’s look at a range of creative and decorative options, from simple DIY projects to more elaborate installations. There’s something for every skill level and garden theme.

Decorative Wooden Toppers

Wood is a classic choice that blends seamlessly with most fence types. It’s also incredibly versatile for customization. With some basic tools, you can create a look that’s uniquely yours.

Lattice Panels: A timeless option. Attach a pre-made lattice panel horizontally along the top of your fence. It adds visual interest and allows light and air to flow, which is great for climbing plants.
Dog-Ear or Pointed Pickets: Replicate the charming look of a classic picket fence on top of a solid privacy fence. You can cut the points yourself or buy pre-cut pickets for a uniform look.
Scalloped Design: This soft, wavy pattern adds a gentle, cottage-garden feel. You can create a template from cardboard and use it to trace and cut the curves onto a board before attaching it.
Post Cap Extensions: Don’t forget the fence posts! Adding decorative wooden post caps, like pyramids or balls, draws the eye upward and gives a polished, complete appearance.

Metal and Wrought Iron Accents

For a more elegant or structured look, metal toppers are fantastic. They are durable and offer beautiful silhouettes against the sky. You can often find pre-made sections at home improvement stores.

Simple Spear Tips: Metal spear tips are easy to screw onto wooden posts. They provide a stately, traditional look and can deter unwanted climbers.
Wrought Iron Scrolls: These ornate pieces can be welded or bolted to the top of a plain fence. They instantly add character and a touch of old-world charm without blocking light.
Wire Trellis Topper: Stretch a section of decorative wire mesh or cattle panel between posts. It’s perfect for training roses, clematis, or sweet peas, creating a living, blooming fence topper.

Living and Green Toppers

Why not use plants as your decoration? A living topper softens hard lines and attracts wildlife. It brings life and color to your boundary all year round.

Planter Boxes: Mount wooden or metal planter boxes along the fence top. Fill them with trailing plants like petunias, ivy, or nasturtiums for a cascading effect. Ensure they are securely fastened and consider drip irrigation for easy watering.
Espaliered Trees: This is a long-term project but incredibly rewarding. Train fruit trees, like apples or pears, along horizontal wires attached to your fence top. It’s decorative and productive!
Climbing Plant Canopy: Encourage vigorous climbers like ivy, Virginia creeper, or climbing hydrangea to grow over the top of your fence. This creates a soft, natural green cap that changes with the seasons.

Functional and Privacy-Focused Options

Sometimes, you need a topper that does more than just look good. If your main goals are extra privacy or security, these ideas are for you.

Extended Privacy Screens: Add another 12-24 inches of solid wood, composite, or bamboo screening above your existing fence. This is ideal for blocking a second-story view or creating a more secluded feel.
Bamboo Roll Toppers: Bamboo rolls are lightweight and easy to attach. They add texture and height quickly. Use sturdy zip ties or u-nails to secure them to the top rail.
Angled Louvered Panels: Installing angled louvers at the top of your fence allows for air circulation while still directing sightlines upward, away from your garden. This is a smart modern solution.

How to Install a Basic Wooden Lattice Topper: A Simple Guide

Measure and Plan: Measure the total lenght of your fence where you want the topper. Purchase exterior-grade lattice panels and 1×2 or 1×3 wooden strips for framing.
Build a Frame: Construct a simple rectangular frame from the wooden strips that matches your fence’s length. The lattice panel will sit inside this frame. Use galvanized screws and outdoor wood glue for assembly.
Attach the Lattice: Place the lattice into the frame and secure it with small nails or staples designed for outdoor use. You can paint or stain the entire assembly before mounting it.
Mount to Fence: With a helper, position the completed lattice topper on top of your fence. Ensure it’s centered and level. Secure it by screwing through the bottom of the frame and into the fence’s top rail from both sides.

Lighting and Decorative Accents

Don’t let the fun stop at sundown. Incorporating lighting or other accents can make your fence topper shine day and night.

Solar Cap Lights: Solar-powered lights that sit on top of fence posts are easy to install and require no wiring. They provide a soft, ambient glow along your boundary.
String Lights: Drape weatherproof string lights along the top of your fence. You can use cup hooks or cable clips to keep them neatly in place for year-round cheer.
Mosaic or Glass Insets: For a crafty touch, embed pieces of colorful broken tile or glass into a mortar bed on top of a wide cap rail. This catches the sunlight beautifully and is a real conversation starter.

Remember, the best fence topper idea is one that complements your home’s architecture and your personal taste. Always check local building codes and regulations, especially for height restrictions, before starting your project. Its also wise to have a chat with your neighbors if the change will be visible from their side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I put on top of my fence for decoration?
You have many choices! Consider wooden lattice, pointed pickets, metal scrolls, planter boxes with trailing flowers, or even a trellis for climbing plants. Solar lights are also a popular decorative add-on.

How do I make my fence top look nicer?
Start by ensuring the existing fence is clean and in good repair. Adding a simple cap rail can make it look finished. Then, choose a topper style that matches your garden—like a scalloped board for a cottage look or a clean horizontal slat for a modern feel.

What is the cheapest way to top a fence?
Using plants is often very cost-effective. Growing a fast-climbing annual vine from seed, like morning glory or beans, can cover a fence top in one season. DIY wooden cut-outs, like simple triangles or waves, using scrap wood is another budget-friendly option.

How can I add height to my fence for privacy?
The most effective way is to attach extended panels or privacy screens directly to the top of your existing fence structure. Bamboo rolls, reed screening, or adding additional fence boards are all common solutions. Just be sure of your property lines and local height limits.