This freestanding arbor combines the beauty and durability of natural cedar with an Oriental-inspired design. Set it up on your patio or deck, or in a quiet corner of your backyard—it adds just the right finishing touch to turn your outdoor living space into a showplace geared for relaxation and quiet contemplation. The arbor has a long history as a focal point in gardens and other outdoor areas throughout the world. And if privacy and shade are concerns, you can enhance the sheltering quality by adding climbing vines that weave their way in and out of the trellis. Or simply set a few potted plants around the base to help the arbor blend in with the outdoor environment. Another way to integrate plant life into your arbor is to hang decorative potted plants from the top beams.
This arbor is freestanding, so it easily can be moved to a new site whenever you desire. Or, you can anchor it permanently to a deck or to the ground and equip it with a built-in seat.
Sturdy posts made from 2 × 4 cedar serve as the base of the arbor, forming a framework for a 1 × 2 trellis system that scales the sides and top. The curved cutouts that give the arbor its Oriental appeal are made with a jig saw, then smoothed out with a drill and drum sander for a more finished appearance.