Swap The Chain-Link Fence For A Rustic Flea Market Find That's Unique

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You only have one chance to make a first impression, so there's no room for hasty landscaping choices — especially when it comes to the type of fencing for your property. Tried-and-true chain-link and cedar facades get the job done, but why not give your neighbors something to talk about? For a unique approach with rustic charm, skip the hardware store and go thrifting instead: Antique wagon wheels are rolling in to make a statement, as proven by TikTok creator Amy Burleson. You can achieve the look of a wagon wheel fence through welding or fastening these flea market finds to your current fence, or fasten them together to create a new fence.  

Burleson put the wheels in motion (pun intended) to create a pastoral entrance to her farm by adding wagon wheels of different sizes to a simple fence structure. Not only do they offer an atypical landscaping approach when making fencing plans, but these pieces of American history helped settlers venture West, all while carrying crops, families, and supplies. The earliest wagons were crafted with wooden wheels and evolved to include wrought iron around the 19th century. Wooden wheels typically range from about $75 to $150 in secondhand shops, and wrought iron or steel wagon wheels can be even pricier, sometimes starting in the early hundreds. But you can find wheels for under $30. To keep costs down, hold out for good deals at flea markets, barn sales, or salvage yards.

To create a wagon wheel-lined fence, consider what would be most manageable. If you already have a structure in place, you can attach the wheels to the fence using baling wire (like this Hillman Hobby 20 Gauge Steel Wire), bolts,or appropriately sized brackets. If you need to fence off an area from scratch — a more tricky task — you can secure the wheels together with baling wire and add support by driving rebar into the ground in places. Welding metal wheels together could be another option, but that isn't a DIY job, unless you happen to know how to weld. 

@whisperingoakfarm

The finished product of our entry to our farm! Thank you to Jared Gunnels for all your hard work! #westernstyle #farmlife #wagonwheel #gates

♬ original sound – D E R R I C K

Once the heavy-duty installation is squared away, it's time for the fun part: Decorating around your wagon wheels. Consider teaming your bespoke fencing idea with rustic elements like a wooden bench or half-barrel planters, and metal accents like an old wheelbarrow and buckets. Some homeowners use the wheels as an opportunity to act as a DIY garden trellis, so consider a climbing plant like clematis to add a pop of color to your antique fence.