Deirdre O Meara 
A DIY enthusiast has shared her cost-effective solution to transform an unsightly chainlink fence into a stylish garden feature. Stef, known as @couchstef on TikTok, posted a step-by-step guide on how to give a garden a fresh look whilst maintaining privacy on a budget. Her solution involved using pressure-treated fence panels and attaching them to the existing fence using cheap pipe clamps. Stef’s video has gained over 196,900 views and 4,200 likes, with many viewers expressing their interest in trying out the budget-friendly solution.
Stef’s video begins with her attaching the pressure-treated fence panels to the existing chainlink fence using galvanized tube straps meant for plumbing. She then added a support beam in the middle of the panels to align with the horizontal bar of the chainlink fence. Stef used a slightly larger tube strap to slide around the pipe and drill into the support, and two-inch pipe straps at the bottom around the larger vertical post. She plans to paint the backside of the fence black to give it a seamless look.
The total cost of the project was $399, with Stef buying eight fence panels at $46 each, eight 2x3x8 supports at $3 each, and 28 pipe ties at $.70 each. The project took just one afternoon to complete, and Stef’s garden now has a brand-new, modern look.
Similar fence panels can be found in various stores, including Wickes, with prices starting at just £39.50. Pipe clamps or saddle clips can also be bought online from retailers like Screwfix, with prices starting at just £2.48.
Stef’s video has garnered a lot of attention from DIY enthusiasts, with many expressing their interest in trying out the budget-friendly solution. One viewer commented, “I’ve been wanting to do this exact thing to my yard in NM! I had no idea it could be so cheap. Thank you!!” Another viewer wrote, “Definitely doing this!” whilst a third viewer commented, “Oh, I wish. My neighbors would lose it.”
Stef is known for sharing budget-friendly DIY and interior design ideas with her 115,800 followers on TikTok. Her latest video has proven to be a hit with many viewers who are looking for cost-effective solutions to transform their gardens. With her step-by-step guide, Stef has shown that it is possible to give a garden a fresh look whilst maintaining privacy on a budget.
