Installing a chain link fence is a simple and effective way to protect your family and pets, but it isn't the prettiest. Rather than giving in to the idea that your yard will never be the prettiest one on the block, use this as an opportunity to do some creative decorating. This can take a boring chain link fence and make it into something special.

Weaving Climbing Plants Inside the Links

A chain link fence is a hard, modern structure. That is part of the reason that it looks so out of place in the living, breathing space that is your yard. There is one simple way to counteract this -- use the fence as a base for living things. There are plenty of plants that can use the fence to climb and thrive that won't damage the metal that makes up the links.

• Morning glories are beautiful climbing annuals. If you can't make up your mind or are waiting for a slower growing perennial to fill things in, these are a great choice.
• The mile-a-minute-plant is a good choice if you don't want to replant your vines every year but want coverage sooner rather than later.
• Boston Ivy has a bad reputation because it can damage buildings and trees. However, there is little that it can do to a metal fence. Quick growing, thick, and easy to care for, it is a good choice if you want to completely hide the chain link beneath a layer of green.

Plastic Slats Create Whatever Pattern You Want

One of the issues that many have with chain link fences is that they are relatively easy to climb and don't offer much in the way of privacy. Fortunately, where there's a will there's a way, and several companies have stepped up to the challenge. There are several types of slats on the market that are designed to weave in between the links in your fence to shield your yard from prying eyes. Some products are simply that, but others are set up with connectors that you can use to create a design with different colors.

If you are planning on just slipping in standard slats, you just need an estimate of the square footage of your fence. For a more complex design, make sure to thoroughly plan what the end result will be so you can purchase enough of each color and the binding clips. You should also make sure to buy extra supplies for when a piece breaks. You won't know whether or not the color you purchased will still be available at that time.

Unleash Your Creative Side

If you think of your chain link fence as a giant canvas, the possibilities to engage your creative side are endless. Browsing the internet, you can find plenty of ideas for ways to decorate your fence using a variety of methods and materials. If this will be in the front yard, you may wish to consider the area with your design, but in the back yard, your only limit is your imagination.

A popular way to create fence decoration is to use found or recycled materials. Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and other household items make great materials that will stand up in outdoor conditions. They are plentiful enough that you can collect them in bulk, and you can still recycle the materials when they start to fade.

Decorating your new (or old) chain link fence is a good way to flex your creative muscles and create something that is truly your own. Whether you use a premade product or are create something from recycled materials, you can easily spruce up this simple fence into something that you can enjoy for years to come.