Fences for Small Urban Yards

Ideas

• Horizontal slats
• Black posts
• Built-in planters
• Courtyard gates

Related: Townhome fences.

Where small yards are common in Charlotte

South End, NoDa, Belmont, Villa Heights, Optimist Park, Wesley Heights, Plaza Midwood and townhome communities near the light rail all have small yards. Narrow lots, tall neighbors and busy sidewalks are the usual challenges.

Design moves that make a small yard feel bigger

1. Mix heights. Full 6-foot privacy only where a neighbor’s window or patio looks in; lower or more open fencing elsewhere.
2. Go horizontal. Horizontal boards draw the eye sideways and make narrow spaces feel wider.
3. Use dark posts and frames. Black recedes; the wood or plants become the focus.
4. Build in function. A trash-cart nook, a planter shelf or a bench along the fence frees up floor space.
5. Keep gates generous. A 4-foot gate for carts and bikes is worth the space.

Practical constraints

Small yards often hide HVAC units, gas and electric meters and cleanouts. Utilities need access, so we plan gates or removable panels near them. Narrow side yards also mean we carry materials by hand, which we account for in the schedule.

Good materials for small spaces

Cedar horizontal slats, composite boards and black aluminum all look good up close, which matters when the fence is never more than a few feet away.