A well-designed garden entrance can improve your home’s street appeal, show visitors where to go and create an inviting transition from the street to your front door.
A gate or arbour can provide a strong focal point, while pathways, planting and lighting help guide people through the garden. Your entrance could be grand and architectural, or as simple as an arch surrounded by plants.
Get inspiration for your home from these welcoming garden entrances created by clever and creative Bunnings Workshop community members.
1. Create a cottage fence and gate
A matching fence, gate and arbour can help give a front garden a distinctive character. Workshop member @Cian transformed an empty lawn into a cottage garden entrance with a new fence and gate. Cian built the front fence, pedestrian gate and matching double driveway gates from treated Pine, adding colonial-style details that complement the traditional home, while a climbing rose creates a floral canopy.
2. Make a statement with a roofed gatehouse
A gatehouse can clearly define the entrance while also providing shelter, privacy and security. In their front garden transformation with a gate house and fence, @Project_Palmetto turned an open, sloping front yard into a private and functional space. The custom gatehouse was constructed above the new entry path using structural Pine, Colorbond roofing and a VJ-panelled ceiling.
3. Add shade with a Mediterranean-style arbour
An arbour can make an entrance feel grand while also providing practical protection from the sun. Community member @LaCasaDIY built an arbour as part of a Mediterranean-inspired front yard renovation. Angled timber slats help reduce the harsh western sun, creating a more comfortable approach to the front door.
4. Show visitors where to go
A front door may not be obvious from the driveway, particularly when a home is positioned side-on or has several possible paths. Visitors to @Rspek178’s home were sometimes unsure where to go, so a house entrance makeover with an arbour and paving was created to clearly mark the route. The large white timber arbour provides an unmistakable destination, with pavers underneath and a hedge to soften the structure.
5. Conceal the gate within a modern timber fence
Your gate does not have to be the most prominent element of the entrance. Integrating it into the fence can create a clean and contemporary appearance. Experienced member @Nailbag built a timber front fence with a concealed gate using more than 600 hardwood battens. Continuing the battens across the gate allows it to blend almost seamlessly into the fence.
6. Frame a wide driveway with ranch-style gates
Large double gates can help make a rural or generously sized property feel welcoming while clearly marking the boundary. For a timber farm fence and gates, @DoSimpleBetter used treated Pine and recycled timber planks to create a white fence inspired by the classic American ranch look. The design preserves views across the property and feels less imposing than a solid fence.
7. Design an easy-to-navigate entrance path
A welcoming entrance should also provide a practical route between the driveway, street and front door. Workshop member @Kn140964 added a stable paved path during a comprehensive front yard makeover with an arbour and paving. The pathway made it easier to move between the car and the house and improved access for a family member using a mobility scooter.
8. Draw visitors through a garden
Features like a decorative arch and curving path can create an entrance showcasing the front garden. Community member @eksteenag replaced a plain front lawn with a low-maintenance native garden and welcoming entrance. A meandering paved path passes beneath a decorative metal arch and through drought-tolerant native planting with pond, bird bath and a small deck.
9. Create a water feature
A pond or water feature can turn an otherwise plain entrance into a tranquil garden. Workshop member @suziemac transformed their front entrance with a pond and tropical plants. The pond was surrounded by a custom frame clad with stone-look panels and timber trim, and finished with a solar fountain and water plants.
10. Build a boardwalk-style entrance path
Timber decking can provide an attractive alternative to traditional paving and help create a strong visual route towards the front door. Community member @selva created an entry path deck using short timber decking boards laid across the path and sanded and whitewashed. Pebbles contained with PebbleLock border the timber walkway, and colourful pots and plants soften the edges.
How to create a front garden
Experienced Bunnings Workshop member Adam says the key to a successful garden makeover project is planning. Check out his expert advice in the guide How to plan a garden makeover.
The Bunnings team also has plenty of advice for building your ideal front garden. The following guides should assist:
More inspiration for your entrance
Get more ideas from the Bunnings Workshop community in these popular collections:
