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31 Arbor Ideas For Every Taste And Every Backyard

Why do you need an arbor in your garden?

Well, simply because 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, enjoying a cup of tea on your 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 arbor ideas out there, so you can pick and choose whatever works for you.

Plain And Simple

Sit Back and Relax

wood arbor with  built-in bench seat and two areas for flower pots  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: wayfair.com

​This is a simple wood arbor design that can work with every garden setup. It has a built-in bench seat and two areas for flower pots. You can find similar designs at wayfair.com.

Enjoy the View

basic wood arbor #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: onechitecture.com

​Here’s a basic design that you could decorate however you want. You can use wind chimes or even dream catchers to make this into the wood arbor of your dreams. If you want more ideas on DIY arbors, check onechitecture.com.

All Things Metal

Elegant

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

Image credit: morflora.com

​I’d describe this design as the representation of metal arbor elegance at its finest. You can put this arbor at the entrance of your garden or to highlight a pathway. Check out morflora.com for more metal arbor designs.

Gateway to Heaven

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

Image credit: homedecors.info

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

Double the Size

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

Image credit: vestnik-sadovoda.ru

​If you want more area to decorate and work with, here’s a 2-metal-arbors-in-1 design. You can always repaint it if white isn’t your color. Find out what else you can do with this design at vestnik-sadovoda.ru.

Welcoming Simplicity

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

Image credit: wayfair.com

​This is a Caribbean-inspired metal arbor design with a tropical vibe. It won’t take up too much 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

​You can always go with this basic black metal arbor with gates if you’d rather start with a simple design. Fromhousetohome.com has many more creative ideas for metal 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: diynetwork.com

​Who wouldn’t want this fairytale-style rustic arbor in their garden? The natural look of the wood, coupled with climbing flowers, gives this design a magical effect. Visit diynetwork.com for more ideas.

Would You Prefer a Feng Shui-inspired Design?

arbor made of tall logs  #flowers #pergola #vines  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: gardenj.seoveri.com

​I know this isn’t Feng Shui per se, but it does give you the same feeling, right? The tall logs and simple structure will definitely make your garden look more serene. Find out more at gardenj.seoveri.com.

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, go for this rustic tunnel arbor. It doesn’t require much, just a few strong logs for the roof and for support. Go to Bhg.com, it has more than a few rustic 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

Image credit: morflora.com

​Bigger gardens call for grander designs, don’t you agree? This arbor has a countryside look with its triangular roof. You can decorate yours with hanging flower pots, like in this example. If you want more creative ideas, go to Morflora.com

Make a Wish

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

Image credit: lonny.com

​The only thing missing here is a wishing well. This setup is great for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of your garden. Be sure to give Lonny.com 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 one bench seat. The pergola roof is perfect for climbing plants. Check Sunset.com for a step-by-step guide on how to build this beautiful arbor.

The More the Merrier

wood arbor with 2 bench seats  #flowers #pergola  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: thepergola.link

​If you want to share the view in your garden, try this arbor with two bench seats. It has two hanging flower pots for you to decorate with your favorite plants. Check out thepergola.link for more ideas.

Try the Amish Way

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

Image credit: dutchcrafters.com

​Here’s another awesome two-bench-seat-style arbor. It’s an Amish handcrafted piece with a pergola roof and trellis sides. You can find similar arbors at dutchcrafters.com.

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 arbor with bench seat. It makes a perfect place for reading your favorite book. Go to thecottagemarket.com for more picture perfect designs.

Or Aim For the Moon

moon gate arbor with 2 bench seats, surrounded with climbing plants #flowers #pergola #vines  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas

Image credit: pistoncars.com

​This one’s called a moon gate arbor. It can’t get more heavenly than this.  Pistoncars.com has more ideas for you.

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 this is a very good arbor with a door design. Go to CleverWoodProjects for more 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 arbor with a gate that features a rustic look. This arbor could be part of your garden fence. Be sure to check out sitehouse.net for more.

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 fence. It comes with a pergola roof to combine security with beauty. Find out more about this at pinterest.com.

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 complement your yard and doesn’t need any decorating to look good. Do you need more ideas? Go to bhg.com.

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, this arbor design has a deck for more stability. You can sit and relax here and swing yourself to the sky. Visit Hayneedle.com to find out more.

More Traditional

wood arbor swing in a Japanese design #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: gardenstructuredesign.com

​For those of you interested in traditional Japanese tranquility, this arbor swing is a perfect choice. It comes in a dark shade of brown. You can customize your arbor swing at gardenstructuredesign.com.

Simple and Strong

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

Image credit: westerntimberframe.com

​Simple and strong arbor swings, such as this one, would be a good fit for a smaller garden. Check out westerntimberframe.com, if you’re interested.

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, this is the perfect arbor swing for you. It comes with two swings and a pergola roof. Briahammelinteriors.com has more options for you, check it out.

Flower Your Life

Have a Floral Entrance

rustic flower arbor design #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola  #flowers #vines

Image credit: pinterest.com

​This flower arbor design works well as an entrance to your garden. You can decorate it with jasmine or any climbing flower of your choice.

Rustic and Full of Life

rustic flower arbor  #flowers #vines  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola

Image credit: flickr.com

​Don’t you think this rustic flower arbor would go beautifully with brightly colored flowers? It also has a narrow pergola roof. Go to Flickr.com for more arbor ideas.

Cottagey Feel

white flower arbor  #arbor #backyardLandscaping #backyardLandscapingIdeas #landscaping #cheapLandscapingIdeas #backyard #landscaping #pergola  #flowers #vines

Image credit: town-n-country-living.com

I’d say go with this white flower arbor if you want your garden to have a cozy, cottagey feel to it. For similar arbor ideas, check town-n-country-living.com.

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? Visit Empressofdirt.com 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 design! Old doors can be recycled into very pretty and practical arbors. Go to offgridworld.com 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

Image credit: pitacoseachados.com

​Making your own recycled door arbor is an inexpensive way to decorate your garden. Go to Pitacoseachados.com if you’re looking for a few useful tips on the subject.

That’s All For Arbor Ideas Folks!

I hope you enjoyed our list of wood arbor ideas. I tried to be as comprehensive as possible. I think that having a beautiful arbor in your garden is a must if you have enough 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.

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About The Author

Nadya Jones

Nadya is a writer, entrepreneur, and designer based in Raleigh. She writes in her blog, the one you are visiting right now, where she shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design. Her husband Brett provides her with a lot of inspiration and behind-the-scenes content. Together, they work on creating beautiful outdoor spaces that serve as an extension of their home and inspire others to do the same. If you are interested in landscaping, gardening, or outdoor design, be sure to check out the blog! Also, follow Nadya on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

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