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BEYOND THE FENCES: ORIGINAL IDEAS FOR BUILDING CUSTOM LEGO BARRIERS

Hello everyone!
If you, like me, enjoy making things a bit more complicated in order to achieve more original and satisfying results, then you’re in the right place. Today I want to show you some alternative ways to build LEGO fences without relying on the classic pre-made pieces, the well-known FENCE elements.

In the photo below, I’ll show you how NOT to do it: it’s an approach that’s far too simple and predictable, and it won’t catch the eye of a more experienced audience—especially if you plan to display your MOCs in front of seasoned builders.

THE FENCE WITH THE LADDER

                                       

Let’s start with something simple, by creatively reusing the Bar 7x3 with 2 U Clips (Ladder) piece, which is normally used as a ladder. As you can see in the images, turning it into a railing is incredibly easy: the piece adapts very well to different angles and allows for more dynamic solutions compared to standard fence elements.
At this point, I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN LEGO FENCE

A few years ago, I worked on my very first Halloween-themed MOC and, of course, even though I was still a beginner, I didn’t settle for standard building techniques. Among tombstones, cobwebs, and a rather “romantic” scene between two peculiar minifigures, I decided to create a small fence for a tiny graveyard.
To build it, I used the Bone Long piece (part ID 92691), which is perfect for representing a barrier made entirely of bones. The result is quite striking and, as you can see from the instructions, it’s a type of fence that can take on any shape or angle you need.

FENCE WITH PLATE ROUND 1×2 WITH OPEN STUDS (35480)

There’s really not much to explain for this solution. As soon as LEGO introduced this piece, it immediately came to mind for one of my older articles. It also allows for some very interesting curves, as you’ll see in the instructions below.

CURVED VERSION

THE BOW BALCONY

The MOC in the photo below is titled “The Ancient Italian House” and was created about seven years ago. It’s one of my first works, where I applied all the techniques I had learned up to that point.

Today, I want to show you the solution I used to give the balcony railing a gentle, almost bow-like curve. This time, I won’t be providing instructions made with LEGO Studio, because, despite my attempts, it’s far from easy to bend flexible HOSE pieces as desired using that software.

All you’ll need are:

• two flexible HOSE pieces of the desired length,

• 4 Brick 1x1 Modified with 1 Stud on Side,

• Clamps (Manette),

• Technik Bush 1/2 Smooth, in sufficient quantity.

There isn’t much to explain, so I invite you to study the photo carefully. As you can see, the HOSE pieces are secured using the bricks with the side Stud. The clamps not only look great, but they also keep the two rods equidistant, preventing them from moving independently. The Technic Bush is very useful both as a decorative element and to properly space the clamps, ensuring that no gaps remain visible between the rods.

The final result is visually pleasing and resembles an antique wrought-iron railing.

THE GARDEN BED BORDER

This small fence also comes from the previous MOC. This time, creating the instructions was easier, although at the end I included an old image from one of my earlier articles on the same topic.

The main pieces are the Tap 1x1 (part ID 4599) and the Technic Bush (part ID 4265c), already used in the previous suggestion. You will also need the Pneumatic T Piece, the new version with the ball in the center (part ID 4697b), to create the curves.

Since the instructions are provided, I don’t think there’s anything more to add.

THE WOODEN FENCE

Now let’s talk a bit about the solution I also hinted at in the cover image, the one with the Japanese temple on the little hill. This solution is very adaptable, both in length, thanks to BARs of different sizes, and in height, for the same reason, as well as because the CLIPs of the Bar Holder (part ID 11090) can attach anywhere on the BAR. Additionally, the BARs work perfectly as fence posts, since they can fit into any hole, whether it’s an open Stud, a semi-open one (like on Jumper pieces), or a clip.

Thanks to all these features, I was able to recreate the cover image for you, using varying lengths and different angles. At the end of the instructions (for the fence only), I included a photo showing how I used it in one of my MOCs, where the adaptability to different heights works much more smoothly.

LOW FENCE

First of all, you won’t find the instructions for the statue here; I might create an article in the future dedicated specifically to it. As you can see from the rendering, it’s a simple yet striking build, so I’ll let you study the instructions.

PNEUMATIC T-PIECE BORDER ASSEMBLY

Do you like the fountain, right?
Just so you know, I’ll prepare a tutorial for that as well in the future. But for now, let’s focus on this little border: it’s very simple to make, yet really, really cute!

The instructions are easy to follow, so I won’t go on any longer. Let’s get straight to how it’s done!

FENCE FEATURING SPHERICAL ELEMENTS

In this case, you need to pay attention to two things: the horizontally placed BAR L6 is positioned on the back row of bricks, while the vertical ones with the tow ball piece (cod. 6628a) are placed in front. As a result, there will never be an actual connection between the two elements—only a close-contact point.

LOW FENCE WITH PERPENDICULAR CONNECTOR (CODE 92690)

Actually, in my old tutorial, I made it because I had a ton of pieces of that code, and it was super easy to get really clear real-life photos. 😅
But let’s be honest: it’s a technique that’s anything but sophisticated, and the result is… debatable. Honestly, I never ended up using it again.

My advice? Only use it if you have a whole army of those pieces cluttering up your loose parts drawers. Otherwise, just skip it! 😎

WHEN LEGO MICROPHONES BECOME A FENCE

In this tutorial, we won’t focus on building the exact same fence as shown in the photo; I just included it to give you an idea of how you might use it.
In the instructions, you’ll learn only the proper way to construct it—after that, it’s up to you to adapt it to your own needs.

THE ORIENTAL FENCE

For this type of fence, you’ll need to broaden your way of thinking.
Some might say it’s an “illegal” technique, others won’t. You know what I say? It’s super sturdy, it doesn’t come apart even under cannon fire, and in my opinion, the pieces don’t take any stress. So, enjoy it!

I actually built this one and placed it in front of my Temple of Heaven, an Oriental-style MOC, which I later incorporated into my diorama titled THE DRAGON’S REVENGE.

I’d like to give you one more little tip: place the TILE 1x1 WITH CLIP so that the injection mark of the piece is visible, it creates a really nice effect!
Take a look at the following photo to better understand the concept.

That’s all for now, and I’ll see you in the next tutorial.