Arbors are elegant and beautiful. An excellent way to add shade to your patio, you may want to dress yours up and make it a little more elegant. Once you have the basic structure in place, there are countless ways to make it more romantic or stylish. Here are four grand ideas to make yours more attractive.
Lights for Evening Enjoyment
Head out to the store and buy a collection of twinkling white Christmas lights. Appropriate for outdoor use, they are ideal for adding light and beauty to your arbor. Wrap the lines around the posts to softly illuminate the area after the sun sets. Drape a few strands along the center for a romantic atmosphere you are sure to enjoy.
Other lighting options include marvelous candles. Purchase hanging lanterns that can be mounted in on the posts, and then light the candles inside for a soft and welcoming glow. If you can find hanging candle holders, these look stunning extending from plant hangars on the posts or even the crossbeams. When you want to enjoy a romantic dinner, light the candles for the right ambience.
Climbing Plants
Allow climbing plants to overtake your gazebo or pergola and add natural beauty to the structure. Tall rose varieties with long flexible canes can be trained to grow on the structure and tumble over the top. Tie the canes up with twine or special string available at local garden centers. The best varieties to choose include the red Don Juan, pink Pearly Gates, or beautiful yellow Scent From Above varieties.
Clematis is another strong plant that will thrive on a pergola or other structure. Grown directly in the ground or in a pot near one post, the vines will naturally spread up the posts and over the top of the structure. Over time, it will fill in and create wonderful shade that you can enjoy when the sun is high. Choose pots that are large enough to allow for an extensive root 
system that can support the long vines.
Other plants that will grow and thrive on the raised structure include honeysuckle, wisteria and English Ivy. Keep in mind that the branches of wisteria may become too heavy for the structure, and flowering plants will attract bees to the area.
Adjustable Shade
With the addition of PVC pipes, you can create adjustable shade for the structure. Install the pipes below the cross sections on the top of the structure. Use a long piece of fabric that is several feet longer than the structure and two inches shorter in width to create the shade. At the end of the curtain, sew weights or insert a dowel into a pocket. The curtain can be strung over the PVC pipes with the weighted ends hanging down on each end. You will instantly have shade over the top, and you can pull the curtain down at either end to enjoy shade as the sun moves across the area.
Elegantly Draped Shade
If you need shade but aren't worried about moving it around, then choose to drape fabric for shade and a spa-like atmosphere. Fabric can be draped over the top cross beams, allowing it to drape down into the structure. Sunlight may still filter through or dapple through in some spaces, but you will love the elegant feel and soft shade it creates.
Building an arbor is only the first step. With the right additions, you can make it more attractive and enjoyable, adding something amazing to the patio area. Add shade with plants or fabric, and incorporate candles or outdoor lights for soft evening illumination. You can even mix the treatments for a look that is truly stunning and delightful.
