Home Improvement Ideas Outdoor Structures Pergolas, Arbors & Trellises 19 Beautiful Trellis Ideas Turn Your Yard into a Private Escape By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 24, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Bob Greenspan A trellis fence or screen is the perfect way to add a sense of privacy and structure to your backyard. Whether the design is wood or metal, a garden trellis creates a beautiful backdrop for outdoor living spaces. These trellis ideas, including simple structures and elaborate designs, will help shape your patio or garden in style. 01 of 19 Small-Space Trellis Ideas Werner Straube Especially in small yards, a sense of separation from the neighbors can be difficult to achieve. Close off your outdoor space with a trellis fence to create a more intimate atmosphere. Choose lattice panels with a tighter pattern and add climbing perennial vines for even more privacy. 02 of 19 Deck Trellis Design Kritsada Panichgul Besides offering privacy, a trellis helps create a more clearly defined outdoor space. Surround your deck or patio with a trellis to separate it from your home's exterior. This creates a more cohesive deck design and provides a visually pleasing backdrop for a patio seating area. 03 of 19 Modern-Style Trellis Edward Gohlich Unexpected lattice patterns can put a contemporary spin on a classic trellis design. Here, a wood trellis with an abstract design tops a deck railing for an added decorative element in this Zen-like outdoor space. If a simple trellis doesn't offer enough privacy for you, consider planting a hedge alongside your deck for a more secluded feeling. 04 of 19 Trellis Work Space Stephen Cridland This long sectional trellis creates a useful zone for potting benches and gardening prep work. The front of the trellis acts as a staging area for an assortment of potted flowering plants. The screen keeps clutter and unsightly equipment out of view. 05 of 19 Garden Trellis Ideas Laurie Black Photography Narrow areas don't always mean there's no room to build. Even small gardens or yards can benefit from well-executed trellis ideas. Here, an ensemble of three structures, including a small-grid trellis, a larger L-shape trellis for privacy, and a gated arbor, all fit in a side yard that's only a few feet wide. 06 of 19 Garden Trellis Backdrop Davree Media, Inc Besides providing privacy and creating a smooth transition from one outdoor space to another, trellises can also act as a background or support for plants. Colorful flowering vines or blooming shrubs are perfect for pairing with garden trellis designs. Here, a trellis serves as a backdrop for shrub roses, turning a basic flower bed into a focal point. 07 of 19 Decorative Trellis Gate Ed Gohlich Photography Inc Set the scene for your garden's visitors the moment they enter. Here, a magnificent trellis and pergola combine with a gated fence to form the garden's entrance. The grand structure is flanked by urns, offering an elegant introduction to a formal garden. 08 of 19 Gated Arbor and Trellis Stephen Cridland Employ a trellis fence to create a private entrance to your garden or backyard. This white-painted gate-and-arbor duo is set to the side of the home, allowing guests to bypass the front entry and head straight to the backyard. The structure provides virtually the same privacy and security as a fence but is far more charming. 09 of 19 Trellis Seating Area Stephen Cridland Elevate a simple bench with a beautiful garden trellis. Here, three lattice screens form an impactful backdrop for this private seating area. The middle panel is topped with a gable for a playful architectural touch. 10 of 19 Open Trellis Design Bob Greenspan With its wraparound form and projecting top, this trellis design offers privacy in a delightful and relaxing setting. The sense of shelter is unmistakable thanks to hedges and climbing vines, but with an L-shaped trellis layout, the space doesn't feel too enclosed. A pair of cushioned chairs add to the cozy vibe. 11 of 19 Wire Trellis Design Matthew Benson Traditional white or wooden trellis designs provide classic charm, but other materials work well, too. Here, a wire trellis fits with the modern look of this patio. The thin metal bars allow climbing vines to take center stage. 12 of 19 Patio Trellis Design Gordon Beall Photography Add distinction and structure to your backyard with a patio trellis. This trellised screen wraps around the patio, adding an attractive curve and an architectural element to the space. It incorporates small window areas along the top so that views outward aren't obstructed completely, which helps maintain an open feeling. 13 of 19 Curved-Top Trellis Colleen Duffley A small side yard doesn't have to simply serve as a transition space. This narrow path is a destination itself thanks to a pair of graceful trellises topped with curved rails and flanked by stout posts and finials. The curved tops help balance the latticework's long, straight lines and make the trellises more significant, transforming a narrow side yard into a pretty vignette. 14 of 19 Trellis Fence Ideas EYESWEET INC A trellis fence offers a more decorative way to divide your yard. Choose a trellis design that complement's your garden's overall style. The swooping lines of the latticework fence and arbor seen here reflect the curves in the landscaping, furniture, and decorative stone balls. 15 of 19 Trellis Ideas for Decks JON JENSEN PHOTOGRAPHY Add a trellis to your deck to create a private setting for conversation or relaxing. A series of large-grid panels cap built-in benches wrapped around the edge of this spacious deck. The deck's position on a steep hillside also ensures more privacy since the rough terrain precludes passersby or neighbors from being able to see in. 16 of 19 Trellis Screen Separation Peter Krumhardt Dividing your garden into zones creates order within the design. Here, a trellis screen creates a separation between a water garden area and the rest of the yard. The structure sections off the space while allowing breezes to pass through. 17 of 19 Private Patio Trellis Laurie Black Photography Outdoor areas take on instant charm when an enclosure is established. This latticework trellis provides an appealing backdrop for a bistro table and chairs. Without the screening, the setting would seem too exposed and far less inviting. 18 of 19 Garden Trellis Fence Lynn Karlin Photography A basic wood trellis can form a simple border to your yard (and you can even build one yourself). This windowpane trellis outlines the garden without blocking views. Sheathed in rot-resistant cedar, these trellis posts are turned on the diagonal for added interest. 19 of 19 Backyard Trellis Rooms Mike Jensen Use trellises to carve your landscape into separate areas. Designate specific "outdoor rooms" for conversation, dining, play, and other outdoor activities your yard typically hosts. Vine-clad lattice fences are a natural option for the walls between rooms, while arbors and gates can serve as doors. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit