Do you like it more brown, or cedar looking?

I like the cedar, but, that could change, if the brown goes with your house better. We cant see that, except for a corner of the body color.

Good point, cat_ky. The house is a Manila envelope shade of stucco, with a bright green tile roof and dark green shutters. I can’t tell if the fence used to be stained, and is gray from weathering, or if it was meant to be that way. I don’t like the currently light colored fence and posts, because it seems to make it stand out. I’d rather it melted away in a more natural way behind the trees and bushes.

It would be helpful to see the entire house, rather than just a few glimpses. From what I see right now, I would be inclined to paint the fence, the color of the house, rather than staining it. Whatever you do decide to do, the fence needs to be power washed before anything is done to it.

I would stain it for easier maintenance. Choose a brown that looks good with the color of your house but is not so light. To determine the color, get some sample cans and paint test patches on scrap. Prop them against the house and the against the fence. it is difficult to judge color from photos on a a computer, but I imagine that you don’t want the brighter browns such as cedar or redwood or lighter color like your house if your goal is to have the fence fade into the background.

Thanks for the tips. Question - do I wash and stain just our own side of the fence, or should I ask to go on the neighbor’s property to do the other side too?

who does the fence belong to? if half and half, you would have to ask neighbors permission. If its all theirs, they would have to give you permission. If its all yours, you would still have to ask permission to go on their property to paint or stain or even power wash it.

I vote for a natural looking brown stain, not redwood or cedar (redwood naturally weathers to gray, I believe: I also believe that stain will be more protective & durable over the long term than paint), a shade that looks nice with the house. I like the contrasting posts but I agree with you about painting them the same as the wood stain.

Same hue as your stucco but a couple of shades darker. Then it will appear to belong to your home. You have a lot of pretty neutrals in your stone too. I’d choose a slightly warm color but Not anything red or bright

In my opinion the fence is a supporting character. I have always regretted painting and staining large sections of fencing. It requires a lot of physical labor every few years too look good. Some of the gardens I love best rely on a natural back drop/fence. The plants and landscaping take the main roles. I agree the contrasting posts (that seem painted now) just draw attention to the natural fence and the painted posts/caps. Power wash and spend your energy on great plants. It looks like you get amazing sun there. You can grow beautiful flowering perennials and the fence can be background.

Black! I wish I could stain my pool surround fence black but it has so many gorgeous climbers attached it is out of the question for me. Do the pergola, too.

Ooh, that black fence looks fancy. I agree that the painted white posts stick out in a bad way. I wonder if it’s possible to get rid of the paint and stain the posts too, if it’s too late once it’s been painted? Also…once the leaves come in on the trees, the back yard is actually almost completely shaded most of the day. The previous owner’s gardener told us that only plants meant for zone 4 full shade will grow back there.