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21 Garden Arbor Ideas For Every Taste And Every Backyard

Why do you need an arbor in your garden?

Well, I believe that it transforms any garden into something out of a fairytale. Imagine waking up to the sight of a beautiful flower arbor, right in the middle of your garden. Better yet, enjoy a cup of tea on your garden arbor swing while watching the sunset. I personally need this scene in my life!

For these reasons and more, I’ve compiled a list of the best garden arbor ideas out there, so you can pick and choose whichever one will be the focal point of your front yard.

All Things Metal

Gateway to Heaven

arbor with a rustic metal design surrounded with pink roses #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

I think this one, among all other garden arbor ideas, is one of my favorites. It has a rustic metal design that’s complemented by pink roses. I believe that It can be useful if you have pets or little kids and don’t want them near a specific part of your garden.

Double the Size

white metal arbor  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

If you want more area to decorate and work with, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a 2-metal-arbors-in-1 design. You can always repaint it if white isn’t your color.

Welcoming Simplicity

Caribbean inspired  arbor #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #flowers #pergola #vines

Image credit: wayfair.com

This is one of my favorite Caribbean-inspired metal arbor designs with a tropical vibe. It won’t take up too much outdoor space in your garden. Go to wayfair.com for more details and other options.

With Open Arms 

basic black metal arbor with gates  #flowers #pergola #vines  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: fromhousetohome.com

I think that you can always go with this basic black metal formal garden arbor with gates if you’d rather start with a simple design. Fromhousetohome.com, a personal blog all about DIY design projects, has many more creative ideas for metal garden arbors with gates, so make sure you check them out.

Rustic For Me Please

Like Something Out of a Shakespearean Play

rustic garden arbor made with natural wood with climbing flowers #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

Image credit: hgtv.com

Who wouldn’t want this fairytale-style rustic arbor in their garden? I absolutely love this one! The natural look of the wood, coupled with climbing flowers, gives this design a magical effect.

How About a Walk in the Woods?

rustic tunnel arbor made of strong logs #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: bhg.com

If you have a big garden, I think that you should go for this rustic tunnel garden arbor. It doesn’t require much, just a few strong logs for the roof and for support. Bhg.com, the official website of Better Homes & Gardens, a leading publication about home improvement that’s been around for more than a century, has more than a few rustic garden arbor ideas.

In a Land Far Away

arbor with a countryside look made of big logs decorated with flower pot hanging on the side #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

Bigger gardens call for grander designs, don’t you agree? I think that this garden arbor has a countryside look with its triangular roof. You can decorate yours with hanging flower pots, like in this example.

Make a Wish

garden arbor made of logs with benches on both sides #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: lonny.com

I believe that the only thing missing here is a wishing well. This setup, with the water features in the middle, is great for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of your garden. Be sure to give Lonny.com, a well-known home design magazine, a look.

Come On Over, Have A Seat

Three’s Company

wood arbor with one bench seat, climbing plants on the pergola roof  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

Image credit: sunset.com

This is an example of a wooden arbor with a seating area. I think that the pergola roof is perfect for garden accents like climbing plants. Check Sunset.com, an acclaimed lifestyle magazine, for a step-by-step guide on how to build this beautiful arbor.

Try the Amish Way

two-bench-seat style arbor with pergola roof  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Here’s another awesome two-bench-seat-style arbor I absolutely love. It’s an Amish handcrafted piece with a pergola roof and trellis sides.

Or, Maybe Go With White

white arbor with bench seat #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

Image credit: thecottagemarket.com

Check out this white garden arbor with a bench. I believe that this arbor bench makes a perfect place for reading your favorite book. Go to thecottagemarket.com, a personal lifestyle blog all about DIY projects, recipes, and much more, for some great garden arbor ideas.

Keep The Kids Out

No Paws Allowed

wood arbor with a door design  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #gate

Image credit: cleverwoodprojects.org

If you want to protect part of your garden from destructive feet or paws, I suggest going for this excellent formal garden arbor with a door design. Go to CleverWoodProjects, a blog full of wooden shed projects and plans, for more garden arbor ideas.

No Feet Allowed Either

wood arbor with a gate that features a rustic look #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #pergola

Image credit: sitehouse.net

Here’s another garden arbor with a gate that features a rustic look. I think that this arbor could be part of your garden fence. I suggest you check out sitehouse.net, a blog full of home design projects and DIY designs, for some more garden arbor ideas.

Extra Protection

white arbor with a white pergola and fence, for a white fence #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas  #flowers #pergola #vines

Image credit: pinterest.com

This white arbor gate is suitable for a higher picket fence. It comes with a pergola roof, which I believe combines security with beauty. Find out more about this at pinterest.com, the largest online image-sharing platform.

Extra Elegance, Too

elegant white arbor with a gray gate  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard

Image credit: bhg.com

Check this elegant arbor gate with an imposing gate. It could be the focal point of your front yard and doesn’t need any decorating to look good. Do you need more garden arbor ideas? I’ve got you covered! Simply go to bhg.com, which is the official blog for Better Homes & Gardens, one of the leading magazines in home improvement designs for over a century.

Swinging In The Rain

Swing and Deck

Wood arbor design with a deck and swing #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: hayneedle.com

If you’re looking for a strong swing in your outdoor space, I suggest going for this arbor design, as it has a deck for more stability. You can sit and relax here and swing yourself to the sky. Visit Hayneedle.com, an online retailer specializing in indoor and outdoor furnishing, to find out more.

Simple and Strong

sturdy arbor swings  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

I believe that simple and strong garden arbor swings, such as this one, would be a good fit for a smaller garden.

One For All

two arbor with swing and pergola roof #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: briahammelinteriors.com

Do you have a big family? No problem, I have the perfect garden arbor swing idea for you. It comes with two swings and a pergola roof. Briahammelinteriors.com, a well-known residential design firm, has more options for you, check it out.

Recycle Your Doors

Don’t Throw the Door Out

recycled door arbor with two hanging pot plant #flowers  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: empressofdirt.net

How about making your own recycled door arbor, any way you like? I suggest you visit Empressofdirt.com, a personal blog full of interesting DIY ideas, for some interesting and doable designs.

Old is Gold

old doors recycled into an arbor #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: offgridworld.com

Look at this garden design! Design elements like old doors can be recycled into very pretty and practical garden arbors, in my opinion. Go to offgridworld.com, a well-known blog about sustainable living and DIY designs, to check out what they did with their old doors.

It’s All DIY

white door recycled into a garden arbor #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola #flowers

Making your own recycled door arbor is an inexpensive way to decorate your garden, in my opinion.

What Is An Arbor?

A white Arbor with a pink rose plant

I used to confuse an arbor with a pergola. Then, when I learned about gazebos, I was even more confused. To educate myself, I read a lot about these structures, so now I can help you understand what an arbor is and how it differs from similar outdoor objects

I would describe an arbor, or a garden arch, as a roofed structure in a park or garden surrounded by climbing plants (the sides can be open, but they are often covered with a trellis that supports vines). 

Lisa Hallett Taylor, a landscape design expert and writer for Spruce magazine, describes an arbor as an outdoor space structure that acts as a garden or landscaping accent. In her words, the main difference between a pergola, a gazebo, and an arbor is size. Arbors are typically the smallest, which also makes them the most affordable

There are three ways you can get an arbor for your front yard:

  • You can make it (Purchase a DIY kit if you don’t want to start from scratch!)
  • You can buy it
  • You can have it custom-made

If you choose the DIY option, watch the video I have found that will guide you through the process of building an arbor for your garden:

YouTube player

Interesting Fact:

According to Etymologeek, “arbor” or “erbour” is an English word most likely derived from the Old French “herbe” or Latin “herba,” meaning herb or grass.

Where To Place An Arbor?

An Arbor in the front lawn supporting vines

You can place your arbor anywhere in your garden or backyard. You are limited only by your imagination and the already-existing landscape design. The professionals from Penn Dutch Structures, a reputable outdoor structures building company, warn that choosing the right spot for an arbor is “key to creating the right setting for your outdoor space.” According to them, there are three top solutions:

  • Placing the arbor at an entrance to your garden to serve as an entryway.
  • Placing the arbor in the center of your garden as a focal point of your landscape design.
  • Placing the arbor over the walkway to accent the path and make it more visible.

My neighbor built an arbor over a bench. Do you have any other suggestions?

FAQs

How tall should a garden arbor be?

A garden arbor should be tall enough to walk through (at least 6 feet). Whether you want to make it taller than that is a matter of style and preference. My advice is to build an arbor that fits the size and scope of your garden.

What color should I paint my arbor?

You should paint your arbor white or leave its natural wood color – that is how most traditional arbors look. Alternatively, make it original with a coat of your favorite bright color. I suggest a shade that stands out against the surrounding greenery.

Does an arbor need to be anchored?

An arbor needs to be anchored well to prevent it from falling in heavy wind or other weather predicaments. As landscaping guru David Beaulieu explains in his Spruce magazine article, it is best to secure arbor posts to something sturdy or use concrete footings.

What is the best material for arbour?

Wood is the best material for arbour, giving it a traditional look. As I read in a Houzz article, other typical arbor materials are metal, wood composites, and vinyl. You can mix these materials too.

How high should an arbor be over a gate?

An arbor over a gate should be at least 6 feet tall so people can walk through it. Individuals often make their arbors taller than that, but that is a matter of preference.

That’s All For Garden Arbor Ideas Folks!

I hope you enjoyed our list of wood garden arbor ideas. I tried to be as comprehensive as possible. I think that having a beautiful garden arbor in your garden is a must if you have enough outdoor space. For more ideas on how to spruce up your backyard, check out this backyard pavilion article.

Let me know what you think in the comments and which design is your favorite. Please share the article if you like it, so we can spread the joy. Also, don’t forget to send me the garden arbor ideas you came up with!

About The Author

  • Nadya Jones

    Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

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About The Author

Nadya Jones

Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

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