An arbour seat in your garden can provide the ideal shelter to relax and enjoy the vista, and they are one of the most popular features to quickly enhance your landscaping. If you are planning a project in your garden, it is worth planning to fit a garden arbour into your scheme, because they are so useful and can create a focal point in the design. They are simple to build without too much ground preparation, and they work well in both big and small gardens. Shop all arbour seats >>
Arbour seats come in all shapes and sizes, so whether you have a grand landscaped garden or a small bijoux garden, you will be able to find a suitable style. Flat-back arbours take up little space, but a corner option can easily fit into a right-angle corner of your garden, adding slightly more seating space.
Flat-back seats are typically compact and cosy, but there are also some larger and taller styles that can make a big statement. They sit easily against walls, fences, or natural hedges to provide a partially enclosed bench area within an otherwise open space. Half-boat style arbours are especially popular in seaside areas.
If you have an unused corner of the garden, then a corner arbour will be perfect. They prove to be a comfortable retreat with even more privacy than a flat arbour. Depending on the roof, they can even add substantial shelter from the sun and rain. Because they fill corners, they don't take up space within the open garden area leaving you plenty of room for other landscaping features.
Consider how much shelter and protection you need. Some arbours come with pitched roofs, open pergola type roofs, or even wooden shingle roofs, and the height allowance will also factor into how much sunlight and protection you get.
Wooden arbours with a trellis allow you to see your garden beyond but will have limited protection from the elements. However, these are the perfect support for climbing plants such as clematis or fragrant honeysuckle. They give your landscaping a stunning effect and can even add back some privacy after some time.
Alternatively, you may be looking for more shelter and protection, so a seat with a solid timber back and roof may be more suited. These are ideal if you have an exposed garden and want protection from the wind.
If you have a traditional cottage garden, then more than likely you will want an arbour seat that has a classical design with a traditional pitched roof or arched roof beams.
If you have a more contemporary design in your garden, you may be looking for a more current style with modern straight lines or curved roofing.
Arbour seats are simple to assemble, and unlike larger gazebos or buildings, they don't require much ground preparation. They are designed to be freestanding, so it's best to site them on firm level ground as it will keep it stable and look more pleasing.
Wooden arbours can usually be built within 5 simple stages. Generally, you start with the seat construction which form a simple bench. Then add the sides and back panels. Usually, you will fix the apex of the roof with a few screws separately, and then the full roof structure is fixed to the upright posts with more screws. You can permanently fix an arbour onto a patio or concrete using 4 metal right-angled brackets fixed to the ground using anchor bolts. This can provide additional stability which may be necessary if siting your seat in an open area with a lot of wind.
Some arbours can be painted with special timber paint or stain. The added colour can tie together different elements within the scheme of your garden.
You may want to site the seat adjacent a wooden fence, so you could paint the fencing and the arbour with the same colour paint. Tying the seat into the boundary gives the illusion of more space in your garden. In another example, you could paint the arbour in a contrasting colour to make it stand out. This will then become a stand out feature or focal point of your garden.
Once you paint the seat, you will have to continue to paint generally every 3 years just to maintain the appearance. The Cuprinol colours range offers a great palette that will work within any garden scheme. These durable colours last for ages and add a great weatherproof protection to the timber. Keep in mind, the amount of protection will depend on the aspect of your garden. A sunny south facing position will require more frequent coats of paint.
Arbours are available from several brands, well-known for their quality garden timber products. Look for Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood to make sure the timber comes from sustainable, well-managed forests.
Forest Garden offers a wide selection of trellis arbours that are perfect for climbing plants. There are a few with solid walls or backs for more privacy, but the trellis options are the ones that stand out, with diamond or square lattice styles depending on what will best suit your garden.
Rowlinson arbours come in the most varied styles, with both trellis and sold wall options, including a popular half-boat style flat arbour. A convertible BBQ shelter adds to the functionality for garden parties and barbecues.
Zest 4 Leisure features contemporary wooden arbours in smooth, sleek styles. This range boast trellis options that are more closed than other brands, adding partial privacy while still having a natural, open appearance. Under-seat storage is also available for several arbours within this range.
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