Dreamy Garden Arbors from Architectural Salvage (P.S. a dream project for 2026)
I found the dreamiest vintage style garden arbors all made from architectural salvage, and I can’t wait for you to see them!
But first, let’s rewind for a second. Earlier this year we built raised beds and created our own little kitchen garden / potager garden next to our farmhouse!
And I have LOVED being able to garden out here – though I haven’t shared much about this space since we built the garden beds!
Here’s a pic of our potager garden from earlier in the summer when things were just starting to grow.
I need to be better about documenting this space when it’s in full swing, but you get the idea!
My dream is to continue building and adding onto this space over time.
I’d like to add a couple more raised beds and some collected planters for herbs and such, and maybe some pretty trellises for my cucumbers and pole beans to climb.
I could also see adding a little fence to keep the bunnies out because they tried to burrow inside of the beds this year.
But the one thing I’d really love to build out here is a garden arbor to walk through at the entrance! Can you picture it?!
Ever since I got the idea, I’ve been pinning and saving all the inspo pics in case I come across a good deal for some old porch posts or a handful of salvaged corbels.
And today I thought I’d share some of my favorite inspo pics with you!
P.S. this post is part of a new blog series here at whiteandwoodgrain.com where I share photos of rooms, interiors, homes, projects, etc. that are inspiring me lately!
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
All the inspo photos in this post are photos that I’ve either pinned on Pinterest or saved on Instagram. Hence the “P.S.” in the name of the series!
In my last P.S. post I shared some pretty rooms with pink painted trim – a project I’m hoping to tackle soon!
But in today’s post I’ll be sharing some of my favorite garden arbors made from architectural salvage – a project I hope to work on in next year or so.
Let’s scroll through the photos and get inspired together!
Weathered Wood Post Arbor with a Mix of Antique Corbels
I love an antique corbel. So when I saw this pretty garden arbor I about fell on the floor because of how pretty it is and because of all the corbels!
But when you look closer to see all the salvaged pieces that make up this garden arbor, you see there’s so much more than just the corbels.
The wood porch posts, the spindle-y trim piece at the top, the railing at the bottom.
Every side of this unique garden structure is just full of charm!
White Gingerbread Trim on a Garden Arbor
Next, let’s take a look at this white painted garden arbor. It has the most stunning piece of salvaged gingerbread trim on the top!
I mean… I CAN’T!
Is that not one of the prettiest, dreamiest garden arbors you’ve ever seen?!
I will definitely be on the lookout for gingerbread trimwork pieces when I’m scrolling Facebook Marketplace!
Eclectic Arbor Pieced Together with Salvaged Iron Porch Posts
This next arbor is a little different but still so beautiful!
They used salvaged iron porch supports for the sides, and a piece of carved wood as the top. Here’s how it all came together…
I probably wouldn’t have thought to incorporate iron porch posts into our arbor. My mind originally went straight to wooden porch posts! So that’s what I’ve been keeping an eye out for.
But this eclectic iron garden arbor has my wheels turning!
Country Garden Arbor with Finials and Salvaged Corbels
Another inspiring find, this country garden arbor caught my eye and I had to share it with you!
The structure itself looks fairly simple to put together. But the pretty finials, that trim piece in the middle, and the two corbels on either side all add so much character and personality!
For me, what ties it all together is a fresh coat of paint!
Painted Porch Post Arbor with Trellised Sides
Another pretty painted garden arbor option – only this one is white and has a pointed roof as opposed to a flat beam across the top.
I think this arbor is just so inviting, and I love that it looks like a little open air house!
The trellised sections at the bottom also really appeal to me. I think they would look so beautiful with vines or some sort of climbing plant growing up the sides.
What do you think?
White Strombrella with Bargeboard Trim
I recently came across the word strombrella, and I immediately thought of this photo I had saved on Instagram!
A strombrella is a roofed garden structure built to provide cover for a bench or a swing. They were popular in early 1800’s Victorian gardens, and were often embellished with gingerbread scrollwork. Just like the one below!
(Click here for more on strombellas and other historic garden structures.)
I LOVE the little bargeboard trim along the roof of this structure, and while it might be a little time consuming… DIY bargeboard trim is something I might could make myself to add a little extra character to our own garden arbor!
Cottage Garden Arbor with Intricate Gingerbread Details
This last arbor is a little fancier than some of the others I shared.
I love how steep the pitch of the roof is, and all the intricate scrollwork details over the walkway. Isn’t it so pretty?!
I’m not sure if this arbor was 100% DIY or if it was put together with salvaged pieces, or maybe a little bit of both. Either way, it’s definitely one I found super inspiring as I dream up ideas for our own garden arbor.
The truth is, how ours turns out is all gonna depend on what I can find and how those pieces all fit together.
But I’m excited to start treasure hunting, and I hope to find some really unique architectural pieces to incorporate into our structure!
Things I’m currently searching for: chippy corbels, salvaged porch posts, antique gingerbread trim, scrap pieces of lattice, old porch railings, fence pickets, etc.
I don’t know exactly when I’ll get around to building our garden arbor… That’ll depend heavily on when I can source all the materials.
But be sure to subscribe to my email list, and I’ll let you know when I get started on this project!
Thanks for stopping by the blog and hanging out with me here today!
I hope you enjoyed looking through all these dreamy garden arbors with me today. And I hope this post brought you a little inspo for your home too!
Until next time…
