17 Stylish Arbor Ideas

Few things go hand-in-hand in the garden like roses and arbors. Look for the climbing roses best adapted to your area -- not all roses grow well in all regions. Selecting the right rose will make your garden easier to keep up.

Put an arbor -- even a simple one -- over your front walk to dress up your front yard and make your entrance a memorable one. For the most impact, choose an arbor that fits with the style and scale of your home.

It's a common mistake to get so busy filling your garden with plants that you forget to leave a spot where you can enjoy it all. So incorporate an arbor into your garden, put a bench beneath it, and you have the perfect garden getaway.

An arbor makes a charming addition to any patio. Not only does it help provide a focal point, but if you place it strategically, your arbor can also create an entrance or add privacy.

Just like it can enhance a patio, the right arbor can add drama to your deck. Keep the style and scale of your structure consistent with the rest of your deck for an extra-special, beautiful area.

We tend to focus on what an arbor does for the garden in the growing season, but don't forget about the dormant season. Arbors add structure and shape to otherwise barren landscapes.

Combine a series of inexpensive metal hoops to create an instant garden room. The arbors together create a sense of enclosure, especially if you grow vines on them.

Give your eyes a place to go up in the garden. Here, a wooden arbor nestles in a lush perennial border and provides structure and height.

Find an old arbor at an antique or architectural salvage store to help make your garden feel more established. Or be creative and look for non-traditional materials.

Stuck with a narrow side yard? Use a simple arbor to help make it a destination. Here, an otherwise wasted, long and narrow space becomes a lush, inviting path.

While arbors are traditionally painted white or left their natural wood color, you can add extra eye-appeal by painting yours in bold, bright colors. They become a focal point and a work of garden art.

Add a sense of surprise with an arbor. Here, a crisp white arbor rises out of a boxwood hedge and is crowned dramatically with climbing roses. Incorporate an arbor into a hedge, or use a mix of materials, such as wood, metal, or stone to create your arbor.

A simple -- or even an ornate -- arbor can be the perfect spot for birdhouses. Tuck smaller houses in for a subtle effect or use them as a focal point.

The right arbor can enhance your garden's theme or style. For example, a white arbor among lush plants creates perfect cottage style.

If you have a classic-style garden, use a traditional metal arbor and climbing roses to run with the theme and create a perfect vignette.

Add to Asian style with a simple arbor. Look for an arbor with clean, simple lines and a natural color. Don't make it too dramatic -- in Asian style, the simpler is usually better.

Weeping conifers look great when they carpet the ground, but they're downright stunning when supported and allowed to drape. This weeping larch is a perfect plant to clothe a sturdy arbor and create a landscape masterpiece.