Have you ever thought “what can I make with an old picket fence?” Read on to see how we made a privacy screen with a reclaimed wood fence.
I didn’t start this project thinking how I could repurpose an old picket fence. I wanted a privacy screen for our small front yard patio that would eventually be transformed into a trellis screen to block a huge rain water capture tank we have. When I thought up the idea, lumber prices had sky rocketed and I did not want to buy new, crazy expensive wood! This is how How To Make A DIY Privacy Screen From Salvaged Fence Pickets came to be.
Necessity (ahem, cheapness ha ha) is the mother of invention!
So I started to look around on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace. I was looking for something already made or something that I could repurpose. I found a free listing for some very unique fence panels. I hesitated, thinking how will I get these huge panels home, how can the panels be fashioned into a screen, and how will my husband kill me for adding another project to his list!
By the time I thought of transportation, came up with a concept and got over hubby’s possible reactions, I missed out! I was kicking myself for a few days. Then I saw a listing for salvaged fence pickets. The location was closer than the listing I lost out on and the fence was deconstructed and therefore easier for me to pick up on my own and easier to fit in our car. I messaged the seller right away and got them!
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Deconstructed picket fence awaiting it’s glow up.
With the pickets already deconstructed, it was easier to envision how the privacy screen would come together. With a quick sketch shared with my husband, he understood the concept and got the materials together.
Materials:
- 3″ gripe tite screws
- 2″ 16 gauge brad or finishing nails
- Nail gun and compressor (or cordless nail gun)
- Drill
- Circular saw
- Sander
- 15 salvaged fence pickets
- 4 2×4’s
Our DIY privacy screen doubles as a plant hanger!
Click on images below the photo to shop the look.
Instructions to make your DIY privacy screen
- Lay out the pickets or other salvaged wood pieces to determine spacing.
- Start by measuring the area where you want to place the privacy screen. This will give you an idea of how many fence pickets and 2×4 lumber pieces you will need.
- Then cut pickets or other salvaged wood to desired length using a circular saw. The pickets I purchased were 5 ft and I left them as-is. I wanted them horizontal to make for easy hanging of decorations.
- Next, cut the 2×4 lumber pieces to the desired length of your privacy screen. These will serve as the posts that will hold the fence pickets in place.
- Build base that consists of one horizontal 2×4 cut to 4 foot 6 inches (or to your desired size) screwed to two perpendicular 2×4’s cut to 42 inches.
- Screw two vertical 2×4’s that each measure 6 foot 4 inches to the base.
- Screw a 2×4 cut to 4 feet 6 inches along the top to connect the two vertical posts.
- Using brad nails and nail gun, secure the pickets to the frame of 2×4’s. When we were laying out the pickets to visualize the screen, we forgot to take into account the height of the wood frame base. To compensate, my DIY guy started to attach the pickets at the top. This left a larger gap at the bottom, which we were fine with since furniture will cover the bottom.
- Continue attaching fence pickets to the posts until the privacy screen is complete.
- If desired, paint or stain the privacy screen to protect the wood and add some color to your outdoor space.
Note: lightly sand all pieces. I like the shabbiness of the pickets I bought, so I left them alone. Always use caution and wear a proper mask and PPE when sanding or cutting old painted wood.
Privacy screen diagram
Your DIY privacy screen from salvaged fence pickets is now complete! It is a great way to repurpose old materials and add some charm and privacy to your outdoor space.
Cut list for How To Make A DIY Privacy Screen From Salvaged Fence Pickets
Key | Quantity | Part | Cut from | Length |
1 | 2 | Top of Frame | 2×4 | 4′ 6″ |
2 | 2 | Bottom of frame | 2×4 | 4′ 6″ |
3 | 2 | Bases | 2×4 | 42″ |
4 | 2 | Vertical sides | 2×4 | 6′ 4″ |
Pin How To Make A DIY Privacy Screen From Salvaged Fence Pickets!
Get the look without the DIY!
Thanks for reading How To Make A DIY Privacy Screen From Salvaged Fence Pickets!
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I appreciate your visit to our casa. Make sure to follow me over on Instagram for stories and videos. You can follow us on Pinterest too!
For another fun diy project, you can see how I upcycled thrift store finds to make our living gallery wall.
Cindy at Reinvented Delaware is the queen of reupurposing and upcycling. Check out how she re-uses fence pickets.
And here are a few more fun posts:
And tips to stain IKEA furniture
Very creative! What a perfect backdrop in your dreamy backyard!
Ou thanks Kim! That’s so sweet. I’m glad you stopped by. I need to go “visit” you ❤
Thank you so much!! Such a sweet compliment. Thanks for visiting!
Such a great projecr!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you like.
I love this cute and smart project of yours! Your backyard looks amazing after all your hard work.
Oh I’m glad you like this project! Thanks so much for your sweet words. Happy you stopped by!
I love a clever upcycle idea. Your privacy screen looks great!
Thanks so much! I love how this turned out & keep moving it around 😊
Marie, I am such a fan of yours! Love the screen you built here.
Aww thank you so much Libbie 🤗 That’s so sweet. I’m so happy you like the screen.
This looks beautiful!
Thank you! So glad you like it!
such a great idea! I would love to do this along the sides of our house to cover up the trash cans! thanks for sharing
Thank you! Oh yes that’s a great idea.
I love that this does double duty as a plant hanger!
Thank you! I like to hang plants, holiday decorations, and macrame wall hangings!
I love recycling projects and this one turned out great.
Thank you so much! I try to reuse and repurpose when I can 😊
You have transformed your backyard into a dreamy place to relax!
Happy Fall,
Kippi
Thanks Kippi! It’s relaxing and so nice to know so many projects are knocked out 😊
What a creative use! You always surprise me with such great projects. Love this one a lot!
Thanks Melba! That’s really sweet of you ❤
Such a clever idea! Your backyard looks amazing!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you think so! Have a great day!
I love it! I’ve been struggling to come up with privacy screen ideas (I need a few in our garden) but now this has given me some ideas. I’m going to be trawling through the eBay small ads to see if I can get something second-hand in our area. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Thank you so much! Good luck on your hunt! Once I started looking my wheels really started to turn- hope yours do too!
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Thanks for dropping by “Happiness is Homemade” to link your privacy fence screen. I’ve posted it as my weekly bonus feature, so hop over to my blog to read your description! (I always include my own bonus feature no matter who the monthly co-host is.)
Hi Allyson! That’s wonderful! Thank you so much!! I’ll make sure to visit today 🤗❤
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LOVE that you left it chippy and didn’t repaint it!!
I’d love for you to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party/
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Creatively, Beth