Instant Garden Design: Arbours, Arches & Pergolas
13 May 2021
Arbours, arches and pergolas are easy but effective ways to level up your garden design. Without the need for a complete garden makeover, these attractive garden features can define an area of the garden, provide practical seating space and support your favourite climbers.
With lots to choose from, including both traditional and modern styles, you're sure to find a garden structure to add the wow factor to your garden.
Here we'll show you some of our amazing garden structures, including:
- Arbours
- Arches
- Pergolas
- Ideas for Climbing Plants
Arbours
A wooden arbour is both practical and pretty. This special garden seat is usually surrounded by trellis sides, a trellis or solid back, and a solid roof. It provides a shaded spot to enjoy a cup of tea or the perfect reading nook for lazy summer days.
Grow scented climbers up the trellis sides, add cushions and even use solar lights - you’ll have a magical spot for relaxation.
Look out for garden arbours that can seat more than two people, corner arbours, or arbours with storage within the seat.
Make sure you install your arbour on a solid, level base to maximise its build integrity and longevity.
B&M Top Tip: from Garden Furniture to Solar Lighting, you'll find everything you need at B&M to make your garden shine! Check out our Garden section now.
Arches
A garden arch is the ideal way to mark the entrance to a pathway or the point where you move from one area of the garden to another.
Most wooden arches have trellis sides and a pergola style top. This makes them ideal for supporting climbing plants.
Other arches are more modern with sweeping curves or minimalist, straight lines. There is a choice to suit every style of garden design.
Arches should either be concreted into the ground or installed using post spikes. Check the arch and its fixings every season.
Pergolas
A pergola is a larger structure usually with four legs and a roof. The traditional pergola roof consists of generously spaced beams of wood. More solid roofs, both flat and peaked, are also available though some may consider these a pavilion or open-sided gazebo.
Pergolas are perfect for defining a particular area of the garden. Whether it’s an outdoor dining space, a deck for sun loungers and comfy chairs, or a large section of a pathway, a pergola makes a striking feature.
Corner pergolas are also available for adding style to a once overlooked corner.
You can even opt for a pergola deck combination to add a whole new dimension to your garden design.
Garden pergolas can, like arches, be installed with concrete or post spikes. Bear in mind that a mature climber can become very heavy so check the pergola every season.
Top Ideas for Climbing Plants
Check out our Top 5 Favourite Climbers to adorn your arbour, arch or pergola:
- Clematis
- Rambling Rose
- Honeysuckle
- Jasmine
- Ivy
Get Designing!
Now, it’s just up to you to decide which garden feature will be the latest addition to your garden design. But who said you can only have one?
Take a look at our gorgeous garden features online at B&M Garden Buildings - you can buy online and have your purchase delivered straight to your door! (Please note that there are delivery surcharges for a few remote postcodes. T&Cs apply.)
Have you seen anything you like? We'd love to see what you do with your new arch, arbour or pergola! Share your photos with the B&M Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
