50 Dreamy and Delightful Garden Bridge Ideas

There is nothing more relaxing than taking a stroll in your beautiful backyard or private garden that is filled with loads of green goodness. For many of us stuck in the mundane rush of city life and surrounded by concrete and glass, it is indeed a refreshing change of pace and setting. But crafting a stunning landscape involves much more than just the greenery, and if you are blessed to have a natural stream or even an artificial pond in your backyard, then a captivating garden bridge is indeed an absolute must. Turning the ordinary backyard into a mesmerizing masterpiece, the gorgeous garden bridge brings both functionality and beauty to the landscape.

Landscape and playhouse design that seems to have popped out of a fairytale!

Garden bridges come in a wide array of shapes, sizes and forms, and picking one that complements the style of both your garden landscape and your home is an absolute must. The 50 garden bridges on display today will surely inspire you to add one to your backyard as well, even while offering a brilliant visual treat!

1. Small Garden Bridges

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When it comes to garden bridges, space is definitely not a constraint, and even the smallest of gardens can feature a tiny bridge that becomes the focal point of the setting. A small artificial stream with river rocks under the bridge is not too difficult to incorporate either, and top it off with beautiful LED lighting to create a surreal setting that will play host to some memorable evening parties! Small garden bridges in wood do not tug too tightly on your purse strings either, and many of these minimal models come without any railings and work well as decorative elements.

Small urban garden landscape with outdoor living, bridge and a water garden [Design: Aquascape]

A small garden bridge for your Japanese garden [Design: Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group]

Turn your private garden into a relaxing retreat [Design: Verdance Landscape Design]

Suspension-style bridge with rope is perfect for that fabulous tropical backyard [Design: Raymond Jungles]

2. Japanese Garden Bridges

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When it comes to garden bridges, it is often the oriental designs that tend to dominate the landscape – quite literally! Japanese garden bridges are incredibly popular across the globe, and their trademark arched design is easily recognizable. Yet these beautiful bridges are not just relegated to Japanese gardens alone. Even contemporary garden landscapes and those with rustic themes can play host to these striking bridges that look even more appealing when coupled with a lovely koi pond and colorful scenery.

Custom Asian landscape design with waterfall, pond and a bride leading to the pavilion [Design: McHale Landscape Design]

Enjoy relaxing walks under the sun as you take in the sights and sounds outside [Design: Eco Minded Solutions]

Mesmerizing water garden with an arched bridge in Oriental style [Design: Redwood Garden Bridges]

Arched Japanese-style bridges look great even in contemporary backyards [Design: Redwood Garden Bridges]

3. Classic Stone Bridges

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Not a fan of the Japanese style? Then how about those lovely English-style stone bridges that seem to borrow from the European charm of an era gone by? Stone bridges truly seem spellbinding when coupled with lush greenery, a bustling creek and a few mossy rocks that turn the setting into a scene out of a fairytale. But stone bridges can be contemporary as well, and often it takes only a couple of stone slabs to create a simple garden bridge for that small urban garden. No matter what your choice of style is, do not discount stone when it comes to garden bridges, as it can be as appealing as its more popular counterpart – wood.

A stunning stone bridge for the English-style garden [Design: MESA Landscape Architects]

Zigzag bridge steals the show in the Japanese garden [From: Abstract Matter]

Delightful series of natural ponds and streams shape the scenic landscape [Design: Cool Gardens Landscaping]

Stone bridge above a natural creek for the rustic retreat [Design: The Landmark Group]

4. An Array of Stunning Landscapes

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Does your home garden have a style of its own? If not, then maybe now is the time to turn that neglected yard into a serene, personal getaway that is only a few steps from your living room. Garden bridges bring a sculptural and architectural element to this idea of a ‘tranquil escape at home’ and accentuate the style that you are aiming for. While rustic landscapes and homes can play host to bridges crafted from metal, stone and wood, more contemporary settings benefit from sleek designs that mimic unassuming walkways. For those who do not have a large garden to boast of, you can add a bridge to the entrance along with a pond or a small stream to shape a sensational foyer.

Bridge over the streams adds to the cozy, rustic appeal of the cabin retreat [Design: Quigley Architects]

Wooden bridge over the waterfalls with beautiful lighting [Design: Pedersen Associates]

Rustic landscape around cottage with a cool garden bridge [Design: USA-Gardening]

Classic landscape design brings some old world charm to contemporary Illinois [Design: Schmechtig Landscapes]

5. Throw in Some Color!

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How do your turn your wooden garden bridge into a dazzling focal point that draws the attention of your guests almost instantly? Color, of course! Red is a perennial favorite for garden bridges in Japanese gardens, and it seems that even the West has embraced this trend in recent times. Shades of light green and blue that blend in with the natural backdrop make a subtler visual impact, while white is a hue that is apt for landscapes with farmhouse, country or traditional styles. No matter which color you pick, make sure that it does not take away from the sculptural beauty of your wooden garden bridge.