How do I persuade DH that painting the fence is a good idea?

[Sticki]

We moved to a new home recently and I'm just getting around to planting a few new plants and generally making the garden 'ours'. I know it would look great with the fence painted a dark brown colour (so not too wild!) but DH says No every time I talk about it.

There are 4 different types of fencing some new some old. It would just provide a plain background to the garden and the plants, and clearly help the fencing last longer. I know it is a big and messy job but am willing to take it on myself.

I'm reluctant to do it with such an adamant no but I really am convinced he will like it once it is done. A long time ago I painted the fence of our 1st home green and it looked great.

I'm not entirely sure what the issue is, partly he thinks a painted fence is too 'urban' (we live in the countryside now) It's also not the cost of the paint- I will pay for it.

I need to do it soon, before I plant some climbing plants.

Anyone done it? Any ideas?

[PigletJohn]

De gustibus non est disputandum

[IdesOfMarch]

Just go for it. I've always had painted fences (I like painting, though) and it looks beautiful. I'm right in the middle of painting our brand new 18m long back fence Black using the "Shades" range. My DH objected saying black would look too harsh and too severe, but I'm halfway along the fence and the black section looks about 5m further back than the natural timber colour. The dark colour makes the fence recede, it's rather amazing.

Once I've finished the painting, I'm putting raised beds in front of the fence when it's done (the beds are timber, and also painted black) and filling the beds with a mixture of pale foliage evergreens like Pittosporum, dark green foliage evergreens like Choiysa Ternata, and decidous Cornus with interesting foliage and bright red stems in winter, interplanted with silver-foliage cottage garden plants and bulbs with lavender/purple/white colourway flowers. The effect of these plants against the dark background is fabulous, the fence just disappears and the beauty of the plants comes to the fore.

You can see the effect by painting a bit of MDF (or even a chunk of cardboard that is A1 size) and hold it up behind various plants, or look on Pinterest for 'see how good it looks?" type examples.

[Sticki]

Thanks Ides. that's exactly the inspiration I need - I'm hoping the fence will disappear and the plants stand out.

[wendybird77]

Well we need to paint our fence because it has gone green with mildew. I'm thinking of black as well - think it will look stunning. If we had different fencing I would be gunning to pull that together like you. No advice on the DH though mine is stubborn as anything, so I just don't ask anymore.

[MrsLettuce]

Black is indeed an excellent background for plants

[NaturalBaby]

We painted our fence white. I love it.
Who's the gardener in your house? My Dh doesn't do any so he didn't get a say!

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

After reading this thread I went on Pinterest and searched black fence for some idea of how it could look. I'm definitely doing that with the fence that came with the house instead of replacing it. Think it'll look much more expensive and classy instantly.
So excited!! Need to create flower beds too though, can anyone recommend some plants/shrubs that look great against the black but require not a lot of care and attention? Some pruning is fine but only once a year type of thing

[piprabbit]

Won't painting the fence prolong its life for a bit? So will save your DH heaps of time and effort replacing the panels when they rot!

Not that it worked for us - or fence panels only die when they get blown over and the main supports snap due to rot.