Iron gates can add historic charm to your period home and landscape. While some iron gates can look sturdy and imposing, other antique iron gates have a romantic, curved look that works well with several different home architectural styles. Another benefit that comes from using ornamental iron gates on your property is that newly built residences can be given a look of instant patina with the easy addition of vintage iron gates and other types of wrought ironwork.

Iron Gates In Your Garden

Nothing says class and style like beautiful iron garden gates. The design of iron garden gates that you choose to adorn your garden will play a large part in helping to set the overall look of the garden landscape, especially if you add large vintage iron gates to your landscape.

Placement of ornamental iron gates in your garden is key to creating a focal point with them. You can create a vista, or a focal point, in your garden by using your plants, as well as neighboring views, to frame your antique iron gates. If the background plant foliage frames iron gates in your garden so that your eye is drawn to the gate, you have succeeded in creating focal points. This includes vegetation from ground level all the way up to the horizon. You basically want to create a V-shape from the ground to the skyline, and by placing the vintage iron gates at the apex or point of the V-shape, the eyes will be automatically follow the diagonally lines, giving them visual clues as to where to look, namely, at the vista you have created with the gate. You can create two column shapes using large trees on the horizon as the widest parts of the triangle, and then carefully plant and prune other vegetation to create the legs of the V-shape. This will take careful and judicious pruning on your part, and you will want to step back to a distance to see what else needs to be trimmed to create the desired lines and shape.

You can use iron gates at the bottom of your driveway. The gates are durable and can be locked for added security for your property, but they also provide a hint of intrigue, especially if the design of the gate is detailed and ornate. An expanse of green lawn in the background of the gate helps to show off the detailing in the ironwork, and the lighter color of your driveway will also show a contrast in the dark-colored iron of the gate, both of which will help to focus the eye and draw attention to the gate.

Salvage antique dealers online can help you find an appropriate gate selection for your vintage home.