“Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

Aside from plant life and patio furniture, garden design only offers a few opportunities to express yourself through decor. So when these chances come along, it would be wrong not to take advantage of them.

Garden gates are a prime example of outdoor decor you can customize to fit your exact taste. And from picket and modern fences to brick walls, no garden border would be complete without a matching gate.

Check out the garden gate ideas below for a little landscaping inspiration you can use in your own backyard.

1. Garden Gate Arbor Ideas

If you want your garden entry to feel like a portal to another world, an arbor gate design is a great option. Arbors are like small pergolas, providing a tiny bit of shelter and support for viney, climbing plants.

Source: @exploringvirginia via Instagram

Source: @redress.the_.address via Instagram

Arbor gates are quite common in cottage and English garden design — you’ll often find them swallowed up by beautiful climbing roses or wisteria in Great Britain. Filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery, an arbor gate will instantly transform your backyard into a secret garden.

You can utilize this gate style in any entrance or with any landscaping trend. Install a white, trellised arbor to match your existing picket fence. Or use a wrought iron arbor to bridge the gap between your stone garden walls. We also love the look of an arbor gate paired with weather-worn wood fencing for a rustic storybook aesthetic.

Your arbor roof can take any shape, but some work better than others structurally. If you plan to grow vines up the supports, you’ll want to stay away from a thin and flimsy gate. Some climbing species, like wisteria, are capable of tearing down their support structures — go with a strong cedar arbor for these plants.