While the snows of winter are still falling all around the country, you should still be paying attention to your yard – and, specifically, to the boundary around your yard. Your fence is about ready to fall apart and you shouldn't wait until your annual yard overhaul in spring to replace it. But how do you know which style will be functional and still mark your home as one decidedly up-to-date with fashion? If you're looking for what the 2016 trends will be for fences in spring, then here's what you need to know.

Back in Black

Dark fences have cycled in and out of fashion for years now – it seems like when spotless white becomes passé, good, old-fashioned black is always there to take its place. But the black in this year isn't just any type of black: it's shou sugi ban, which translated means "charred wood." Not only does this type of fence look gorgeous and slightly mysterious, but it also is better protected against the elements, as the charring makes the wood resistant to water, sunlight, and even fire. This isn't a DIY project to be taken lightly, however – it is better to find a provider who sells charred wood fences or fence panels, rather than simply taking a blowtorch to your preexisting wooden fence.

Short and Tall

Gone are the days of the nice, straight fence where every post is the exact same height as its neighbors – now, in order to tie into the patterns of nature herself, fences with posts of varying heights are becoming more and more popular. Such fences look more natural, dipping down and rising up like a mountain range or rolling hills, and are not nearly as noticeable if the top of a post gets damaged or even broken off. Whether you live in a locale that can be mimicked by these variations or you wish to introduce some variety for the eye in a flat location dominated by plains, these fences will make your yard look both current and inherently interesting.

Eco-Friendly

As the population of the Earth expands year by year, it gets more and more important to pay attention to the impact of building on the environment. By using eco-friendly materials such as a recycled composite (made generally out of recycled plastic and reclaimed wood fibers, commonly used for decks), no new materials have to be created or formed – and thus, there is no new environmental cost to these fences.

For an affordable change, also look into vinyl fencing.