Sage Cottage Architects

  • Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Kitchens
  • Design
    • Living Small
    • Old Houses
  • Exteriors
    • Decorating
  • Granny Flats
  • Construction
You are here: Home / Exteriors / 15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal

15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal

Exteriors

28 Jun

Looking to take your curb appeal to the next level? Then check out this list of garden gates that will have all the neighbors talking. In a good way.

Curb appeal is all about making a good first impression. Whether you’re trying to sell your home or are happy where you are, most of us want our home to make a good first impression. Nobody sets out to live in the dumpiest house on the block, right? But, have you ever thought about how a garden gate can affect a home’s curb appeal?

Table of Contents hide
Wooden Garden Gates
Vinyl Garden Gate
Wrought Iron Garden Gate
DIY Garden Gates

Once upon a time, I worked for an architectural firm whose primary client was a large housing developer. This company specialized in the stereotypical tract housing project: two hundred new homes based on five floor plans, which were roughly the same size, shape and style, and located on curvy streets with cul-de-sacs. They were nice homes, but the neighborhoods were a bit bland because everything was so similar.

One of my jobs was to coordinate the sales details (checking that a particular plan would fit on the site the buyer wanted, for example) and drawing a site plan for that sale. It wasn’t terribly exciting because the builder provided the same site improvements for every home: a driveway, sidewalk, small concrete patio, and six foot tall wooden privacy fence with one plain garden gate next to the garage.

It can be really difficult to have curb appeal when your house looks like every other house in your neighborhood and everybody has the same fence and garden gate.

If you live in a neighborhood like I described, an easy option to add curb appeal is to replace your garden gate. It doesn’t need to be especially fancy or expensive. It just needs to have some character with details that add visual interest.

I’ve rounded up fifteen different garden gates that can differentiate your house from all the others and boost your home’s curb appeal.

Wooden Garden Gates

Did you know you can buy wooden garden gates on Amazon? And that shipping is free in some cases? Way easier than trying to haul a gate home in your Prius. 😉

I like this Pacific Gate Works – Rose City Wooden Side Yard Gate. It’s unfinished Western Red Cedar; so not only will it last, you can decide how to finish it. The arch provides some nice character.

Arched top garden gate with openings15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 1

The Pacific Gate Works Signature Style Gate looks like it belongs inside the house, doesn’t it? Pretty, pretty.

Solid wood arch top garden gate15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 2

This Cedar Arch Lattice Gate is a nice, simple gate that you can get at Home Depot, yet it looks very nice and would definitely add some curb appeal.

Wooden gate with lattice panel and arched top

The Yardistry Gate with Faux Glass Inserts is an interesting option.

Wooden garden gate with stained glass insert panels at top15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 3

For a more modern take on the garden gate, take a look at Yardistry Gate with Black Baluster Inserts. It’s pre-stained in light gray.
Arched top wood garden gate with metal rods in top panel

The Signature Development Arch Top Red Cedar Gate is a very stylish option, that’s available at Home Depot. It looks very nice when paired with the coordinating fencing.
Arched top wooden garden gate with two Mission style panels15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 4I think the Hacienda Solid Cedar Wood Fence Gate is my favorite. The buttons are called calvos, which is Spanish for nail or spike.

Arched top solid wood garden gate with large clavos

This stained bamboo gate would make an amazing entrance to a Japanese style backyard with a Zen garden, koi pond, and miniature Shinto shrine.

Photo of Japanese style bamboo garden gate.

 

Vinyl Garden Gate

Wood gates are really nice, but there is definitely something to be said for a vinyl gate. Depending on your house style, a white gate might complement the house more than a stained wood gate. But, the real value is in it’s low-maintenance. This WamBam Traditional 6’x4′ Premium Vinyl Arched Vinyl Gate has a lifetime warranty against yellowing, cracking, splitting or warping. If you don’t like to do home maintenance, this is the gate for you.

White vinyl arched top garden gate15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 5

Wrought Iron Garden Gate

Wrought iron fencing is always a classic look. This Aleko Munich Style Iron Wrought Pedestrian Steel Gate would definitely boost your curb appeal.

Wrought iron arched top garden gateYou can also find vintage cast iron garden gates on eBay to add some real character and style.15 Garden Gates to Transform Your Curb Appeal 6 Or check out your local architectural salvage for hidden treasures.

DIY Garden Gates

You can also DIY a new garden gate. Here are some interesting projects:

  • This Old House provides instructions for a quaint wooden garden gate. Pair this with the quintessential white picket fence, and your house will just ooze curb appeal.

 

  • How A Girl Built A Gate did a great job with her gate that has an inset grille. It makes you think there’s probably some kind of magical garden on the other side.

 

  • I like this gate from Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement. Rather than inserting a grille, they chose a stained glass panel (which would be great at hiding your yard, if it’s not so magical).

 

  • Black & Decker’s Building a Fancy Wooden Gate in One Day makes it looks so simple and pretty. I’m beginning to think I have a thing for arches.
  • If you’re looking for something more modern, try this DIY Modern Wood Fence and Gate (Courtyard Edition).
  • The Better Homes & Gardens Australia Modern Gate is another modern fence that looks great.

 

What do you think? Is a new garden gate in your future?

Be sure to pin this for later!

Photo collage of rustic wood pickets garden gate

 

Check out some of our other posts:

  • Dated 1970’s Bathroom Makeover – Beautiful Bathroom Remodeling Reveal
  • Bathroom Remodel Checklist – Free Printable Download
  • Paris Travel Tips – An Architect’s Guide to Visiting Paris (read about Kim’s exciting trip to the City of Lights!)
Please share!

About Lori

Lori is a licensed architect, and has specialized in residential, commercial and industrial building projects. She lives out in the sticks of Central Illinois with her brilliant husband, three wonderful teens, and two cats of questionable intelligence.

« Nautical Bathroom Ideas – Planning a Bathroom Remodel on a Budget
Mini Kitchen Remodel Part 2 – It’s Done! »

Comments

  1. Kim says

    July 6, 2018 at 3:17 am

    I love that one with the inset grill but I’m also really into the horizontal gates and fences lately. They are kinda interesting.

  2. Lori says

    July 6, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    Completely agree – I really like the look of the horizontal fence and gate.

welcome to

Sage Cottage Architects

We are Lori and Kim, licensed architects who took a few years off from our professional careers to raise our families. Sage Cottage Architects explores our passion for residential architecture and environmentally friendly design. We aim to make beautiful spaces accessible to everyone.

subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive home decor, planning and design content.

Latest Articles

Home Bathroom Spa Ideas – 7 Easy Ways to Stretch a Small Budget

Pantone Color of the Year 2021: Two Hopeful Optimistic Colors

How to Easily Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro in 15 Steps

What is Living In Place? The 3 Important Principles We All Need in Our Homes

Wellborn Cabinets – What Style is Your Dream Kitchen?

Categories

  • Adventures in Architecture
  • Bathrooms
  • Decorating
  • Decorating
  • Exteriors
  • Granny Flats
  • Home Construction
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • Living Small
  • Old Houses
  • Planning and Design




Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

—

Information

  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Get social with us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Copyright © 2023 · Sage Cottage Architects · Log in