Much like the rest of your home, your side yard needs to be protected from the rest of the world. This is usually done by installing a gate to the yard. A good gate not only protects your yard and home but looks good and welcoming too.
Here are some great side yard gate ideas for your home.
Four Qualities to Consider
Before you start shopping around for a gate, you need to be looking at what you need from one. There are several aspects you need to consider:
- Height: How high does the gate need to be? A higher gate offers more privacy, something you’ll want if the side yard already has a high fence around it, and your yard is visible from the road. If this isn’t the case, you may want a lower gate that allows you to see over it, something that’s great if you have a feature in your side yard that you want to be seen.
- Style: If you already have fencing around your yard or even another gate, you’ll want this gate to blend in with them. Pick a style that complements your yard and home as a whole. If you’re replacing all your fencing though, you can pick a new style if you so wish.
- Materials: Again, this will be dictated by some degree by what you already have. If you have wooden fencing, a wooden gate may suit you best. The same goes if you have metal or wrought iron fencing. However, there isn’t anything to say you can’t have a wrought iron gate if you have wooden fencing. Make sure you shop around and see what’s out there before you make a decision.
- Security: As well as providing privacy, your side yard gate is going to add extra security to your yard. It’s up to you how secure you want it to be. Consider the security of different styles of gates. Could you add locks onto them if need be?
Related: The Beauty of Wrought Iron Sliding Gates
Side Yard Gate Ideas
There is a wide selection of side yard gate styles, each incorporating unique materials to create a design that stands out. Whether you enjoy the look of wrought iron, weathered antique materials, or repurposed barn wood, you have quite a few things to consider.
To help you get started, we put together a list revealing some of the most popular options.
Take a look …
Lattice Style
If the light is an issue in your yard, then a lattice gate is the answer. These gates, as the name implies, incorporate a lattice into the body of the gate, letting the light shine through while providing a barrier between the yard and the outside world. You can carry on the lattice theme by installing lattice panels on top of your existing fencing, too. This will look fantastic and let in much-needed light.
Barn Gates
These barn door style gates are a staple of yards all over the country, and it’s not hard to see why. They fit in with almost every yard style and can be easily painted any color you wish. You can use one door to close up a smaller gap or use more dramatic double barn doors to really make an entrance.
Archway Gates
These gates have an archway over the top of them, creating an eye-catching entrance for you to enter your side yard through. In many cases, you can buy them with wooden or metal arches that look fantastic on their own. If you’re feeling creative though, you can grow all manner of plants up the arches, such as clematis or ivy. This really gives the gate the feel of entering into a secret garden.
Pointed Doorway
These gates are designed to be built into a brick archway. If you’re looking for a more private side yard, then this will take a little more work but will look fantastic. It also lends a more gothic feel to your yard, too. If that feels too closed off, you can buy a gate with a see-through panel in it, to let light in.
Vintage And Antique
If you want something that’s a little bit different and something that your neighbors won’t have, then it’s time to start searching the local markets and antique dealers. You can easily pick up an older gate from them for less than you’d think, and they all look fantastic with just a little cleaning up. If you love the antique aesthetic, then this is the way to go.
Horizontal Plank
These gates are made of planks stacked horizontally, rather than vertically. You’ll either be able to buy them in solid styles or slatted so you can get light through them. These are perfect if you have a smaller yard, as it creates the illusion of length.
Side Yard Gate Installation
If you’re an avid DIYer, you’ll probably want to install your own gate. This can be done if you have the right know how. If you’re going to take this route, ensure that you’ve looked up how to guides on gate installation, to ensure that it goes right the first time.
Instead, you can hire a construction team to get the gate installed for you. This has several benefits. First, you’ll save time as you won’t have to be shopping for the materials needed, and you won’t need to install the gate yourself. Secondly, you can often buy the gate directly from the company you use, as they’ll have several on offer. Take a look at their websites and see what they have, before you settle with one company. Finally, you’ll know that the gate has been installed properly, so you won’t have to worry about it again.
Whatever you decide to do, you’ll soon see that the gate you install lends privacy and beauty to your side yard, making it better than ever.
You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to installing a gate to your side yard. Make your choice depending on what materials you want, whether you want privacy or security, and the aesthetic you’re looking for. Soon you’ll have a gate that does everything you need.
Photo by Guillaume LORAIN