How to Build a Simple Entry Arbor for a Charming Front Yard

Arbors are ideal for framing a pretty view or dressing up a path, and they look especially charming when placed across a front walkway. These outdoor structures provide an architectural element that enhances curb appeal, creating a beautiful focal point that helps direct visitors toward your front door. For an even more eye-catching front yard, you can trail climbing vines and flowers across the arbor to seamlessly integrate the structure into your front landscaping. Choose vines such as annual morning glory, cypress vine, or black-eyed Susan vine for easy color from seed that lingers until frost. At the end of the blooming season, plan to compost annual vines after frost knocks them down.

To build an entry arbor yourself, you'll need a fairly well-equipped toolbox, including a circular saw or a small handsaw and a miter box for making precise cuts. Brush up on some basic carpentry skills before you begin, then follow the instructions below to construct a simple arbor for your front yard.

How to Build a Simple Entry Arbor

Follow these steps to build an arbor for your home's front entryway. When the structure is finished, dress it up with climbing vines to add color and charm.

Supplies Needed

• 4 8-foot 2x4s (A)
• 4 8-foot 1x4s (B)
• 13 4-foot 2x2s or 7 8-foot 2x2s cut in half, or 13 precut deck spindles (C)
• 72 feet lath or 24 36-inch pieces (D and E)
• About 60 3-inch deck screws
• About 30 2-inch deck screws
• About 12 1-1/2-inch deck screws
• About 50 6d galvanized nails
• 4 decorative brackets (optional)
• Tube general-purpose construction adhesive (optional)
• Quart exterior stain, wood sealer, or paint (optional)
• Quart exterior primer if painting (optional)
• Paintbrush and turpentine if using oil-base products (optional)
• 3-4 gallons gravel

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Choose Wood for Your Arbor

Build the arbor from rot-resistant wood. Cedar and redwood are excellent choices for minimal maintenance, and both weather beautifully. You also can use pressure-treated pine or fir, though you'll have to check carefully for warped pieces when purchasing the wood.

Step 2: Dig Holes for Posts

Measure the placement of the four main 2x4 posts, and dig four holes 18 inches deep. Fill with 6 inches of gravel for drainage to prevent the wood from rotting.

Step 3: Cut Lumber to Length

The upright posts (A) come in 8-foot lengths and do not need to be cut. Cut the four 1x4 top rails (B) into 7-foot-3-inch lengths. If you wish to add the optional 1-inch-diameter decorative hole, use the following trick: Before cutting a rail to length, draw a line with a pencil where the 30-degree cut and optional decorative hole will go. Mark and drill the hole in the proper location with a 1-inch flat bit, then cut off the end along your marked line.

Step 4: Cut Spindles

If you did not purchase precut deck spindles, cut the thirteen 2x2s (C) to 3 feet 6 inches each using a 45-degree bevel on both ends. (We beveled 2x2s in the arbor shown in the photograph. The arbor in the illustration is shown with precut spindles, sometimes called deck spindles, which are already cut and beveled.) Cut the common lath (D) into 24 pieces of 3 feet each.

Step 5: Assemble the Sides

There are a number of ways to assemble the trellis, but the easiest is to take the four uprights (A) and lay them on their narrow sides on a flat surface and with the ends flush. Push them together side by side. Using a square and pencil, measure and mark the location of the lattice (as indicated in the illustration) on all four sides facing up.

Assemble the sides of the arbor by laying two of the upright post pieces on the ground exactly 2 feet apart at their outside edges. Then nail on the lath pieces almost the way you would construct a ladder. (For durability, use construction adhesive at all joints.) Making sure the frame remains square and properly spaced during assembly, nail the bottom lath piece, then the top lath piece. Continue with the remaining six pieces of horizontal lath for that side of the arbor. If the lattice cracks, predrill holes before nailing.

After the horizontal lattice is installed, nail on the diagonal pieces (E). Repeat the process to assemble the other side of the arbor. Set the two assembled ends into the holes, keeping them level, square, and properly spaced.

Editor's Tip: Temporarily tack two 2x2s or other pieces of wood across the bottom of the trellis front and back to keep everything square. Fill holes with soil, and tamp well with your foot.

Step 6: Assemble the Top

Lay the four top rails so narrow sides face up. Using the square, measure, and mark the spacing (4½ inches apart) for the 13 top pieces (C).

Install the marked top rails (B) using three 2-inch screws per joint. Check for square. Using the marks on the top of the top rails, install the top 2x2s (C) with 3-inch screws. Tip: For easier installation, predrill holes in just one of the 2x2s, then use it to measure and mark the holes on the remaining 2x2s. If using, screw in the optional decorative brackets with 1-inch screws; fill holes with the manufacturer's wooden plugs.

Step 7: Finish the Arbor with Paint

Give the arbor a coat of white exterior stain as we did, or let it weather. To paint your DIY arbor, first coat with a primer followed by exterior latex.