Much more than a security feature, gates help to define the look of an outdoor space and are one of the most important aspects of your front yard landscaping ideas. They have been a key element of many different garden ideas for hundreds of years, and today there is a wide choice of designs and materials to complement any property style – from simple modern timber to ornate metalwork. ‘Gates define the entrance to a garden so their style and state of repair are important in creating first impressions,’ says renovation expert Roger Hunt, who cautions regular maintenance to keep your gate in good condition. ‘If not properly maintained they may stick, squeak or wear. Check latches and stays, keep hinges and other moving parts well greased, keep on top of any damage, and paint or refinish when needed.’ Ensure house names or numbers attached to gates are clear and readable.
Garden gate ideas
To get you started, we’ve rounded up the best garden gate ideas for functionality, durability and style. Consider how your chosen design will complement your garden fence ideas or garden wall ideas to create a truly impressive perimeter.
1. Mirror the fence design in your gate
When adding a garden gate, consider how well the design will work with other elements – in particular the fence. In this beautiful cottage garden, a low-level trellis fence is complemented by a timber gate featuring a trellis panel. Trellis ideas make fantastic use of the vertical space in your garden, allowing you to grow the best climbing plants while maintaining a good view. Here, a statement pergola with trellised roof links the design to the garden beyond, creating a walkway framed by climbing roses and vines.
2. Take inspiration from moon gates
A moon gate is a fully circular opening traditionally seen in Chinese gardens belonging to the wealthy. The design may be left as an open passageway, or can include a closing gate. Add a touch of zen to your garden by introducing circular elements to your garden gate ideas. This stunning timber gate mirrors the opening of the topiary hedge and is accompanied by a patinated picket fence for a rustic country feel. ‘The hedging echoes the moon gate, drawing the eye up past the clipped spheres,’ says gardening expert Leigh Clapp. ‘It’s a wonderful way to green up the vertical plane in your garden.’ The design actually utilises a pair of gates, creating a short passageway and making a stunning focal point.
3. Restore rather than replace an old metal gate
‘Crafted from wrought iron, cast iron, steel or a combination of these materials, metal gates are an important decorative and practical feature,’ says Hunt. Lack of maintenance is the main cause of problems. The metalwork is protected by its paint coating. Once the paint starts to crack and flake, moisture reaches the substrate underneath, causing the metal to rust. To assess a gate’s condition, wipe down the metalwork with soapy water to remove the grime that has built up over time – you can then see how bad the paint surface is. Any loose and flaking paint needs to be removed, along with rust – this can be through sanding, but if the gate is in very poor condition, it might be best to have it professionally shot blasted. Missing sections can be replaced or welded by a metalworker, and finally the gate can be primed and repainted.
4. Mix wood and metal together
Garden gate ideas aren’t just confined to one material – topping a traditional timber gate with an ornamental metalwork top is a beautiful way to make it more of a feature than a plain design. It is also more cost-effective than specifying a fully metal gate, while adding a sophisticated edge. Make sure you match the paint color correctly across the wood and metal to create the best possible effect.
5. Design a clear route between the gate and house
‘A clear, easy-to-navigate route from the front gate to the front door is essential,’ says gardening expert Matt James. ‘Avoid fiddly arcs or fussy curves just for the sake of them; visitors will inevitably cut corners and might trample plants either side in the process.’ A clear line from one gate to another, or with a straight path to the front door is a very elegant way of creating an approach. It creates a more classical, symmetrical design that adds a touch of formality to the garden. ‘Wide garden path ideas are best too, especially if you plan to border them with frothy geraniums or lavender, for example, which are unpleasant to brush against in wet weather,’ adds James.
6. Choose a strong, long-lasting material
Wrought iron has the edge over other metals for garden gate ideas when it comes to achieving an ornamental finish. Sturdy and durable, it can last for years as long as it’s properly protected. Constant exposure to water and air can quickly result in rust and decay, however, so regular maintenance is required. These gates leading to the Sylvan Theatre in the garden at Killruddery House (opens in new tab) in Ireland are truly a spectacular design.
7. Select a steel design
Steel is a popular option for more contemporary garden gate ideas. It is inherently stronger than iron and has the added benefit of being naturally more resistant to corrosion and rusting, although a protective layer is still advised. ‘Galvanised, powder-coated or painted finishes will all help ensure longevity,’ says Hunt.
8. Install a modern garden gate
Aluminium offers a modern look, similar to steel. It’s not as strong, but it does have the extra advantage of being relatively maintenance-free. Once installed, you won’t need to worry about it rusting, cracking, peeling or needing repainting. Plus, it’s easily recyclable, too.
9. Wow with a wooden gate
Most gates, especially in high-traffic areas, take a lot of battering from the elements, so it’s worth investing in garden gate ideas that are not only stylish, but durable. There are so many different species and grains of wood to choose from, ranging from oak to timber. ‘Natural timbers work best in traditional or cottage gardens, but can also be used to add character and charm to modern schemes,’ says Homes & Gardens’ Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. Bear in mind that many off-the-peg designs are mass made using pressure treated soft woods such as pine or redwood. Although soaked and injected with wood preservative these wood types do have a shorter lifespan than hardwood timbers – so shop wisely.
10. Use paint to update a wooden garden gate
First impressions do count, so make sure the front garden gate is as welcoming as the interior. Give wooden garden gates, or any other wooden garden privacy ideas such as fencing or screens, a makeover by brushing off any dirt and debris with a hard brush and applying a new coat of wood stain or exterior paint. With endless paint colors to choose from – including rich heritage shades, earthy neutrals and infinite bold brights – you can really express your home’s style and personality.
11. Paint your garden gate in a soothing color
Your garden gate doesn’t have to be a standout feature, it can simply be one that blends into its environment. Take a cue from the immediate surroundings to inspire your choice of gate – the same principle also works well when considering fence decorating ideas. ‘Painting your garden gate in one color – preferably in a heritage color palette – can make it look commanding, while dominant features, like foliage, lawn or fencing should all influence your color choice,’ says Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab)’s color consultants.
12. Go bespoke in awkward spaces
If you want your garden gate ideas to fit an awkward space, then a bespoke option may be your best bet. There are many companies that will provide a fully bespoke service, which includes assessment of layout, help with design, manufacture and installation of your garden gate. Perhaps surprisingly, it often works out to be the most cost-effective option, too. For a smart and secure finish, accurate measurements are essential – buying a generic size will often result in pricey alterations, which can also damage protective castings on the mental.
13. Conceal your garden gate in your fencing
A garden gate is for privacy and security, but it should look good too. Cleverly camouflaged in one corner of this garden is the garden gate. Constructed from the same slatted hardwood panels as the fencing that surrounds the garden, it blends seamlessly into the whole design. ‘Of course, installing a garden gate, such as this one, is a costly business, so it is important to know the facts before putting up a new one,’ says garden designer Lucy Wilcox (opens in new tab). After all, a well-installed gate and fence combination should last up to 10-15 years, so you need to get it right.
14. Blur the boundaries
In a country garden, you can borrow a bit of the landscape by blurring the lines between the borders and wild flowers with a simple wrought-iron gate. This is one of the best garden gate ideas as it has the benefit of being almost invisible, so the flowers in your borders flow seamlessly between the two spaces.
15. Pitch up a traditional picket gate
In more built-up areas of a village, you can create a similar effect with a wooden picket gate made up of vertical poles clad to a framework of posts and horizontal rails. Traditionally, the main function of this type of gate is to delineate the garden’s boundary, but it also makes a delightful backdrop for old-fashioned perennials such as lupins, daises and delphiniums.
How can I restore an original gate?
If you’re lucky enough to have original gates, there are plenty of companies that specialise in sympathetic restoration services. Their offerings range from basic cleaning and simple hinge, latch and fitting adjustments, to a full refurbishment. When there is too much damage to the gates to allow for restoration, there are expert firms that can take moulds from the originals and recast exact replicas of them using recycled materials.
What is the best material for a garden gate?
If you are after durability, style and sustainability, then oak is often considered the best wood for a garden gate. One of the most eco-friendly options, oak is both carbon-neutral and sustainable: new trees are planted to replace those felled and, because oak is a natural product, it doesn’t require large amounts of energy to manufacture. Though more expensive, metalwork gates can last for centuries and can be cast or manipulated into the most elegant designs.
Should a gate open in or out?
Your garden gate should almost always swing inward. You want your gate to move towards private space, not out on to the public. If you gate links two privately owned spaces, however, then you can throw the rule book out of the window.
