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16 Creative Garden Gate Ideas

Published on July 13, 2015Last updated January 27, 2022 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
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If you want to make a fabulous entrance, you need a great garden gate. Whether they’re functional or decorative, garden gates can make a big artistic statement.

For more, also see Idea Gallery of Arbors, Trellis, Obelisks and More.

Garden gates.

Garden Gate Ideas

Examples of creative garden gates.

I photograph garden gates everywhere I go. I’m sure it’s connected to the fact that I’m a complete garden geek and I get this wave of excitement passing through any garden gate to see what’s on the other side.

I’ll share a few photos here and below you find the gateway to a whole bunch more ideas.

Old Metal Garden Gates

This first gate is from my garden. I got it dirt cheap at a junk shop. It was a lucky find.

It started out free-style in the garden with a Fresh Flowers sign and flower pots.

Vintage metal garden gate used as garden art.
Vintage garden gate with Fresh Flowers sign

In its next life I placed it as garden art on the front of the garden shed along with some other junk art treasures.

Vintage garden gate hanging on a shed wall.
Vintage garden gate on shed wall

I am so fond of it I wish I had several, but no such luck (yet).

Vintage garden gate hanging on shed wall with other garden art.
Vintage garden gate with window box on shed wall

Woman painting an old garden shed.

Related: How to Paint Vinyl Siding—Garden Shed Makeover


This next gate is used as free-standing garden art in a front garden bed:

Rusty vintage garden gate in front garden bed
Rusty vintage garden gate in front garden

This next gate is part of an arbor. The morning glory steals the show.

Garden gate with morning glory flower.
Gates on garden arbor

Lovely vintage gate in a garden with red poppies growing nearby.

Metal garden gate with red poppies.
Vintage metal garden gate with poppies

This wall planter is made to look like an old metal garden gate:

Metal garden gate.
Metal garden gate on fence with window box

Rusty garden art orb.

Related: 29 Rusty Metal Garden Junk Art Ideas


In the next photo an old gate is used as a trellis for a climbing clematis.

Garden gate trellis in garden bed.
Vintage garden gate used as trellis in garden bed

This next vintage gate has its own custom made arbor for roses.

Vintage garden gate with roses and arbor.
Vintage garden gate mounted on arbor with roses

This next gate leads to trails through some woods. The allium garden art brightens it up.

Metal garden gate with allium art
Metal garden gate with allium art

Allium garden art flowers.

Related: How to Make Giant Garden Art Alliums


Wooden Garden Gates

If you want a bold choice, red is your color.

Bright red wooden garden gate leading to backyard garden.
Red garden gate with black inlay window

This next one was the gate at my old garden. The three types of clematis didn’t seem to mind the shade.

Curved garden gate with colorful clematis flowers.
Clematis by wood garden gate

Clematis vines in bloom.

Related: Clematis 101: Easy Guide for Beginners


These next ones are all snapshots from gardens I have visited.

The first is a classic white picket fence with matching gate and arbor overhead.

White garden fence with arbor and gate.
White garden arbor with gate and fence

This old gate is propped up against a chainlink fence. It’s a gorgeous old piece and helps distract from the ugly fence behind it.

Old-fashioned wood garden art decorated with wicker basket.
Old wood gate mounted on garden fence

This next one is a fresh twist on the classic Z design. See how the 2×4 boards are placed to hold the long boards in place? Looks nice with the metal inset.

Double Z garden gate design.
Wood gate with X supports

I built this gate to fit an odd-sized opening in our garden. I took the photo before adding the lock hardware.

Newly built Z style garden gates.
Matching Z saloon style garden gates

Here it is years later viewed from the other side:

Saloon style fence with honeysuckle vine
Saloon style fence with honeysuckle vine

This next garden makes a bold statement with black fencing and arbors. You can see them in the arbor gallery here.

Black garden gate.
Wide black garden gate

A veggie garden fence can keep a lot of munching rabbits out. I love the welcome sign and aged patina of the wood.

Garden gate with painted flower sign leading to vegetable garden.
This flower sign is a cheerful addition to the vegetable garden gate.

Creative and funny garden signs

Related: 60 Garden Sign Ideas—Funny, Sweet, & Practical


Some garden art including a Garden Street sign dress up this next wooden gate:

Wood garden gate with street sign.
Wood garden gate with open top panel

Hanging Door Gates

With the addition of barn door hardware (Amazon.com), old doors become garden gates.

Hanging doors used as garden gate.
Door garden gates on barn door hardware

A lovely, custom arbor with one-of-a-kind dual gates or doors.

See-through hanging garden gates.
Decorative gates with metal decorations

Old doors and windows used as garden decor.

Related: Gallery of Doors and Windows in the Garden


Optical Illusion Garden Gate

Optical illusion garden mirror painted blue.
Optical illusion garden mirror

This final idea is not a gate, but it could be. While it looks like there is a door into the fence, it’s an optical illusion. 


Optical illusion mirror in garden

Related: How to Make an Optical Illusion Mirror (It’s Cool!)


More Garden Idea Galleries

I’ve got lots of idea galleries for you to explore including arbors, planters, sheds, garden art, and more!

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Next

  • Turn a Real Bed into a Garden Bed
  • Fence Garden Art Ideas
  • 50 Creative Garden Sheds
Examples of creative garden gates.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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