There are so many different garden design and landscaping features you can incorporate to really transform your outdoor spaces that it can be very difficult indeed to narrow down your choices.
As such, taking as much time as you can to really plan your garden and decide exactly what you like (and what you don’t!) will yield dividends in the end, ensuring that you love the finished project for years to come.
One beautiful trend that’s coming back into fashion at the moment is that of the garden arbour – and it’s not hard to see why.
These structures serve a variety of different purposes, helping you to zone your space, create a symbolic gateway that welcomes you into the garden and delivering unparalleled visual interest.
Arbours themselves are typically a recessed or partially closed off space in the garden with shade and a seat, ensuring that you have somewhere comfortable and private to rest and enjoy the garden.
It’s thought that garden arbours can actually trace their origins all the way back to ancient Egypt, first devised as a way to beat the desert heat.
While we may not have to worry too much about that in the UK, arbours are still a wonderful addition to any garden, giving you a beautiful frame for your plants and helping to bring your space to life.
If you’re keen to ensure seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces, aim to have your arbour built in a similar architectural style to your home, with colours and materials that match or complement the house to create a truly cohesive look and feel.
You could even consider creating a natural arbour through clever planting, choosing fast-growing trees and shrubs, and positioning them so that their canopies start to mingle as they grow. Eventually, they’ll merge together overhead and create the look you’re after!