A garden arbor bench might not be a common sight in American backyards, but that is quickly changing. This charming feature, popular in Europe, is gaining traction across the US. It’s easy to see the appeal. Much like the trendy She Shed, an arbor bench offers a perfect little hideaway right in your own garden, creating a cozy and personal retreat.
What is an Arbor Bench?
An arbor bench is simply a garden seat built into a wooden arbor framework. It creates a shaded garden alcove, with a structure and roof made from wood planks or covered with climbing plants trained over a trellis.
Many of the designs you will see are DIY kits that you can get and put together yourself, while a few are custom creations. You can buy a kit or draw inspiration to build one from scratch. Constructing an arbor bench is not significantly harder than building a standalone bench. The arbor serves as the main frame, and the bench is simply attached to it with screws.
Adding an arbor seat to your yard is usually a straightforward project that should not require a permit. Still, it is always a good idea to check with your local building and zoning office. Some areas require permits for any new structure over 30 inches high.
You can find them with various features like pergola roofs, gable roofs, trellis details, and even built in storage. If your goal is to train vines, you will need lattice panels, which can increase the cost. Otherwise, they are not essential.
A solid roof is a fantastic feature, letting you enjoy your outdoor space even in the rain or under the hot sun. Solid walls provide seclusion but make it harder to train a vine. Walls made of trellises or lattices connect you more with nature but offer less privacy.
A roof covered garden seat with enclosed sides feels like a true garden alcove, a shady hideaway. You might prefer a pergola style design to see the sky and smell the climbing flowers overhead.
While enclosed and roofed arbor seats are arguably more practical, pergola arbor benches have a distinct aesthetic appeal. They look especially stunning when draped in flowering vines, as the inspirational photos below demonstrate.
Consider a built in storage box under the bench. It’s a great place to tuck away cushions when they are not in use or to store your garden tools.
Western Red Cedar and pressure treated Pine are the most popular wood choices for building arbor benches. You can also find some constructed from Teak, Redwood, and Northern European Redwood (Spruce).
You will want to secure the structure to the ground using simple L brackets or Super Spikes, depending on the surface. Some people, however, choose not to anchor it at all.
To get the most out of your arbor, think about the sun’s path across your garden. Decide whether you want shade all day or just for part of it.
To make sense of the many arbor bench designs, we have grouped them by their construction style. Explore all the possible design ideas below.
Garden Arbor Bench Inspiration
Picture yourself enjoying your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or a glass of wine in the comfort of your own backyard arbor bench, with your favorite vine blooming overhead. Imagine reading in the shade while still breathing in the fresh air.
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These six arbor bench designs offer plenty of inspiration.
1. A romantic covered garden bench with lattice sides, enveloped by pink climbing roses. 2. The perfect outdoor reading spot. 3. A pergola arbor featuring two benches and beautiful roses. 4. A personal garden escape for quiet moments. 5. A place to indulge in a cup of coffee and linger a while. 6. An ideal setup for reading in the open air.
Now, let’s explore what is available on the market today. You can find options to buy and build from a DIY kit or create a homemade version to match these inspiring ideas.
Gable Roof Arbor Bench Ideas
Gable roofs are one of the most common styles for garden arbors. They can be straight or curved, solid or covered with lattice work. This design reflects a classic English aesthetic from an era when gardens were the centerpiece of grand estates. These are excellent for creating a shady garden seat.
Designs with Octagon Windows
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The Bramble Painted Arbor Bench from Rowlinson is an easy two person assembly DIY kit. You will mostly need the second person to help put the roof on. It even comes with touch up paint.
Its distinctive design features octagon windows built into the lattice work and a seat painted in a contrasting white. The design includes a bolt shaped hole, allowing you to put your feet up for total relaxation. The gabled roof has a slight arch, giving this piece a more modern appearance.
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You can also find this Rowlinson bench design with a straight gable roof or with a convenient cushion storage box.
This bench arbor kit arrives flat packed for home assembly. According to reviews, it takes about 90 to 120 minutes to put together. Reviewers also compliment the design for being a strong and well made structure.
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Designs with Rectangular Windows
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The Shire Mimosa Arbor Bench is an unpretentious yet charming design that suits any garden, whether traditional or modern. Its pressure treated timber construction includes a built in bench and windows with trellises, perfect for growing climbing plants. Note that the back wall is solid for added privacy.
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Shown above is the Shire Arum Bench Arbor. In contrast, this attractive design is full of details, like two side windows, gently curved roof fascia boards, lattice accents, and a diamond cut out on the back panel. This bench lets in more light. The kit comes with full instructions and is simple to assemble.
Cottage Style Idea
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The Cottage Arbor, shown in a Mushroom & Cream color, is a very elegant arbor bench design. It could become your perfect garden spot to read a book or relax with a glass of wine. It conveniently includes an armrest with a drink holder and a comfortable bench seat under its gable roof. Made from painted Redwood, it is ordered as a flat packed DIY kit for easy assembly.
Design with Open Sides
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The Tavistock is a very different arbor bench design that could be an interesting addition to your garden. Under its beautifully constructed gable roof, you can watch the world go by in style.
Lattice Arbor with Bench Designs
If you want to train climbing vines to grow against a trellis or lattice, then these garden arbor bench design ideas are for you. They feature side and back walls designed as lattice work, ready for your favorite plants.
3-side Diagonal Lattice Design
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You can build an arbor bench with a solid roof and diagonal lattice trellis panels on three sides. The arbor shown above is a great example of a DIY kit with all these features. It arrives as unfinished natural timber, so you can stain or paint it to match your garden’s aesthetic.
Partial Lattice Design with Storage Box
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Here is a very large garden arbor bench. It features partial lattice mesh on three sides and an extra wide bench with a storage box underneath. What a cool concept for a comfortable garden retreat.
3-side Square Lattice Design
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Alternatively, you can have sides and back panels designed with square lattice, like in the 2 seater wooden garden bench above. The roof is also solid, but the overall look is completely different. It is a perfect arbor idea for climbing plants. You can buy a similar one.
To get a sense of what it takes to assemble one from a DIY kit, you can check out these step by step building instructions.
Luxury Teak Design with Unusual Lattice Work
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Above is a luxury arbor bench crafted from Teak. It is a very sophisticated design, with many interesting decorative details in addition to the intricate lattice work. This arbor can become a focal point of your garden or patio. Imagine it covered with roses, clematis, or honeysuckle. Find it here.
Deep Design with Diagonal Lattice Sides
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This deep arbor bench design is built in a Victorian style, with diagonal lattice side panels and a beautiful solid roof. What a charming idea for a garden centerpiece.
Covered Garden Seat Designs in Western Red Cedar
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This very elegant arbor bench is handmade to a customer’s specifications in Western Red Cedar. Cedar is a very interesting wood choice for this Victorian style covered garden seat. Its distinct natural qualities include amber reddish wood tones and a pleasant aromatic fragrance. What an ideal concept for a garden escape.
You can also have it built in a larger size and with a storage box, by Victorian Garden Buildings.
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Enclosed Garden Arbor Seat Ideas
Many people dream of building a comfortable, shady garden seat as a DIY project. Assembling an enclosed arbor seat from a kit could be the perfect solution. You can enjoy fresh air even when it is raining. Let’s look at some design ideas and examples.
Enclosed Seat Design with Gabled Roof
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This wooden garden arbor seat is completely enclosed, offering privacy and protection from the weather. It comes as a DIY kit, which includes a solid back wall, a wood clad roof, two sides, and a bench. It should be an easy two person assembly when following the instructions. You can paint or stain it yourself. Find it here.
Enclosed Seat Design with High Pitched Roof
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With a high pitched roof, this rustic looking arbor seat has a different appearance. You can assemble it from a DIY kit that also includes a storage box under the bench, perfect for storing cushions or garden tools. Find it here.
Here is another idea. If you are building an arbor seat yourself from the ground up, you could make it extra wide as shown in the photo below. This provides maximum seating comfort for one or two people.
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Enclosed Seat Design with Cathedral Roof
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Here is a very different design idea for an enclosed garden arbor seat: the cathedral roof. Source.
This very cool design includes storage space underneath the hinged seat and a metal tin roof. It is an easy to assemble DIY kit for two people. It can be painted or stained as you wish.
Pergola Arbor Benches
A pergola arbor with a bench is one of the most popular garden arbor seat designs right now. There are several interesting ideas to showcase that would make great backyard DIY projects. You can build one from scratch or assemble one from a DIY kit available for purchase online.
Outdoor Pergola Arbor Bench with Lattice Sides
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Above is a very popular pergola arbor bench design from Lady Goats. It has everything you could want: a pergola top, a nice bench, and two lattice panels. To build it, you can use the free building plan developed by Ana White. Scroll to the bottom of the linked page to see the entire plan.
Arbor Bench with Curved Pergola Top and Diagonal Trellis Panels
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This simple pergola bench is sold as a DIY kit. It comes with beautiful trellis details on all three sides. The slightly curved pergola top completes the fabulous design, which is perfect for training plants to climb up and around this awesome garden arbor. It is made from Northern European Redwood (Spruce).
Picnic Pergola Arbor with Two Benches
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What a fantastic idea for a garden or patio arbor! This two bench arbor with a pergola style top includes a built in picnic table. Made from treated pine in the USA, it ships partially assembled and takes about two hours to put together. Wouldn’t you love to enjoy this in your backyard?
Trellis Arbor Bench with Planters and Pergola Top
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Here is another great design idea for a pergola arbor. It features two planters on the sides, a nice wide bench in the middle, and a curved pergola style top. It is a perfect trellised garden structure for climbing plants and is assembled from a DIY kit.
Simple Rectangular Pergola Arbor Seat Design
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Above is a more straightforward arbor seat design with a horizontal pergola style roof. It has square lattice side panels, cute diagonal trellis details on the corners, and an open back side. A nice place to relax! This is also a DIY arbor kit.
Custom Garden Bench Idea with Pergola Top
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Shown above is a more elaborate, custom arbor bench design. It features many decorative woodwork details, a very large comfortable seat, square trellises on three sides, and a beautiful pergola style roof. It is also very deep.
Pergola Arbors with Three Benches
Finally, here are a couple of ideas for very large pergola arbors with three benches. One is enclosed with trellises, while the other has open sides. Not only would these designs be great additions to any garden or patio, but they could also be used for weddings.
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Custom built by gmcorenovates.com
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Notice that this arbor even has its own patio style flooring laid in stones.
Corner Pergola Arbor Bench Ideas
Corner designs can be excellent space savers, and they look cool too.
Small Corner Design with Trellises
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This corner pergola arbor bench is a great choice for a small garden. It is made with pressure treated Northern European Redwood and can be built from a DIY kit. Imagine how gorgeous this little corner sanctuary will look when the trellis panels are covered in climbing vines.
Pergola Arbor Idea with Two Benches and a Table
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If you are into DIY, here is a cool design idea for a corner garden arbor to build. Under the slatted pergola roof, two shortened benches leave room for a small corner table. The entire wood structure is adorned with trellis side panels. You could try to build one yourself or purchase a DIY kit and assemble it using the attached step by step instructions.
Corner Garden 4-Seater Arbor with Pergola Roof
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This could be the most awesome idea for a corner pergola arbor with a bench that you will find. It is large enough for a whole family to enjoy, as it seats up to four people. It requires a simple assembly from a flat packed DIY kit. Think how much you could enjoy planting your climbers and shrubs around it.
Eastern or Period Inspired Arbor Bench Designs
Rowlinson Jaipur Arbor – Raj Inspired
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If you enjoy Eastern architecture, this Raj era’s Indian garden inspired Jaipur Garden Arbor is a design you may want to consider for your own garden or patio. It features fine lattice work all around and a pointy roof. This DIY kit comes unpainted and is an easy two person assembly in accordance with the supplied instructions.
High-end Luxury Garden Arbor with Seat Cushion – Elizabethan Era Inspired
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Want to feel like a royal in your own garden? This arbor bench design, named after the Queen owned palace, could be an interesting idea for you. It is a product of luxury craftsmanship and comes with a seat cushion. Handcrafted in the UK and finished with a Teak stain, the Sandringham Arbor is sold as a partially assembled DIY kit. The roof and sides arrive already assembled, you just need to attach them together.
Windsor Garden Arbour with Pitched Lead Roof – Victorian Era Inspired
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This next arbor bench design is a classical English garden seating idea: the Windsor Arbor with Lead Roof. It ships fully assembled as it is an expensive luxury item that incorporates traditional mortise and tenon woodworking joints and is built to last. The two sides are partially trellised for climbing plants. The lead roof will change to a blue grey color over time.
Arched Roof Arbor Benches
Arched roof arbors deserve their own category, as both their look and construction are quite different from other outdoor bench designs. Building the arch requires special tools and woodworking techniques that are not easy for a beginner DIYer, so the next few ideas are better suited for more experienced folks.
Classically Victorian Garden Arbor Bench
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The Rowlinson Victoria Arbor DIY Kit features a diagonal lattice design.
Classic Style Arbor with a Bench Seat
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This semi circle arched roof arbor bench is a DIY Kit with square lattice detail.
Trellis Garden Seats
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These gorgeous arbor seat designs will add charm to any garden. They combine fine trellis work, nice benches, and arched roofs into adorable garden structures.
Log Cabin Style Arbor Seat
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An unusual garden bench design with two arches. It would look great next to a log cabin. Source: plumplay.co.uk.
Gazebo Style Arbor Bench Ideas
Gazebo style garden benches are called gazebo arbors because they have more elaborate, large roofs, at least four sides (some are even hexagon shaped), at least two benches, and can fit four or more people inside. The overall look and feel is that of a backyard gazebo, not a small garden seat. Most of them are designed for corner locations. Below, we have picked a few interesting design ideas for this type of arbor plan.
Hexagon Gazebo Style Corner Arbor Bench
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Venetian Style Roof Gazebo Arbor Seat
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This gazebo like corner design will look great on your patio. Such a beautiful, unpainted treated wood look can be created from a DIY kit.
Small Gazebo Like Garden Arbor Seat
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A cute small arbor seat idea with a gazebo style roof, designed for a corner location.
A Fully Enclosed With Trellises Gazebo Arbor Seat
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This very large gazebo style arbor with two benches and a table is a corner design. It is covered with trellises on four sides.
For more awesome backyard inspiration, please check out our guide to top 7 patio seating ideas for 2017.
Do not forget to pin this guide for your future projects!
