You don’t need a trip to the hardware store or a big budget to give your climbing plants the support they need. With a little creativity, you can turn everyday items into functional, charming garden trellises — often using things you already have lying around.
In this article, we’ll show you 12 clever DIY trellis ideas, all made from recycled, repurposed, or easily found materials like old ladders, branches, bike wheels, and more. These trellises are not only budget-friendly, but they also add a personal, rustic touch to your garden space.
Because sometimes the best garden upgrades are simple, sustainable, and sitting right in your shed.
Ladder Trellis
An old ladder can transcend its humble origins, becoming a vertical haven for climbing plants. Imagine a forgotten wooden ladder, resting against your garden wall as vines slowly entwine its steps. Modify it with a splash of paint or leave it rustic for charm. As the vines climb, they transform it into a living sculpture. This ladder trellis not only supports your plants but enriches your garden with a story of rebirth. Each rung becomes a step closer to a greener paradise.
Bicycle Wheel Trellis
An old bicycle wheel, often overlooked, can serve as a whimsical trellis for your garden. Stand it upright or hang it on a fence, allowing vibrant vines to weave through its spokes. This creative reimagining turns a simple wheel into a focal point, drawing the eye upward as the plants reach for the sky. With each season, the wheel transforms, offering a dynamic display of nature’s creativity intertwined with human ingenuity.
Picture Frame Trellis
Picture frames, once destined for the attic, find new life as trellises. Placed in your garden, their empty borders provide a perfect canvas for climbing plants. The contrast between the ornate frame and the wild growth creates a living piece of art. Each passing season paints a new masterpiece, with flowers and foliage filling the frame. This unique trellis invites you to reframe the way you see your garden.
Crib Rail Trellis
Crib rails, long outgrown by their original occupants, offer a second chance as garden trellises. Set them upright, and watch as tender pea vines weave through the bars. This transformation is a charming nod to the past, while providing practical support for plants. As the vines climb higher, they echo the growth of the children who once slept safely behind those same rails.
Bed Frame Trellis
A bed frame, especially one of wrought iron, can make a striking trellis. Its headboard, with intricate designs, offers ample nooks for climbing roses or other flowering vines. This transformation from sleeping to gardening space creates a delightful juxtaposition of indoor elegance and outdoor growth. Each bloom that unfurls upon it adds a touch of romance and nostalgia to the garden landscape.
Window Frame Trellis
Old window frames, stripped of glass, find new purpose as trellises. Leaned against a wall, they offer a grid for plants to climb, framing nature itself. The open panes allow vines to extend through and around, creating a dynamic display. Morning dew collects on the wood, adding a touch of sparkle as it catches the light. The frame’s past life as a window onto the world now opens onto a garden in full bloom.
Chair Back Trellis
The back of an old chair can stand alone as an artistic trellis. Positioned among garden beds, its spindles provide perfect support for morning glories or sweet peas. This piece marries the functional with the decorative, inviting nature to dance around its structure. As the vines twist and climb, the chair back becomes a part of the garden’s story, a relic of interior life now thriving outdoors.
Branch Trellis
Gather fallen branches to craft a rustic trellis, connecting nature with creativity. Secure them into a teepee or fan shape, allowing climbing beans to twine upward. This natural structure adds an organic element to the garden, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. As the plants grow, the branches seem to awaken, supporting and celebrating new life. Each twist of the vine tells a tale of resilience and renewal.
Old Shutter Trellis
Shutters, no longer needed for windows, can enhance your garden as trellises. Lean them against a fence, and their slats become a playground for climbing plants like clematis. The weathered wood, rich with history, contrasts beautifully with vibrant blossoms. Over time, these shutters, once protecting homes, now open up to nature’s embrace, creating a picturesque scene of growth and color.
Teepee Trellis
Using bamboo poles or sturdy sticks, construct a teepee trellis for your vegetable garden. It’s a simple yet highly effective way to support crops like cucumbers or beans. The open structure allows sunlight and air to reach every leaf, promoting healthy growth. As the plants ascend, the teepee becomes a living sculpture, offering a functional yet visually striking focal point.
Cattle Panel Trellis
Cattle panels, known for their durability, can be cleverly repurposed as trellises. Bent into an archway, they create a sturdy support for tomatoes or squash. This transformation from agricultural use to garden elegance brings a touch of pastoral charm. As vines drape over the arch, they create a verdant tunnel, inviting exploration and adding depth to the garden’s design.
Old Door Trellis
An old door, removed from its hinges, stands proud as a trellis, inviting a new chapter of usefulness. Its panels and molding offer perfect grips for vines and flowering plants. The door’s weathered paint tells stories of the past while serving as a charming garden centerpiece. This transformation creates a welcoming entrance to your garden space, blending history with horticulture.