Long the queen of the outdoors, the pergola seems to be slowly losing its throne. In 2025, a newcomer, straight out of childhood memories and the gardens of yesteryear, is resurfacing with panache. More romantic, more poetic, sometimes even simpler to install… This very retro trend could well eclipse the pergola in our gardens and on our terraces. Curious to find out what it’s all about? Make yourself comfortable in the shade (natural shade, if possible), and let us guide you.
THE UNEXPECTED RETURN OF THE ARBOUR: OLD-FASHIONED CHARM AND BOHEMIAN ELEGANCE
You may have forgotten about them, but arbours are making a comeback. Inspired by Mediterranean, Provençal or French-style gardens, this light structure, often made of wrought iron, is once again a must-have. Unlike the massive, modern pergola, the arbour is romantic, natural and reflects a certain old-fashioned art of living.
Covered with climbing plants, it’s an inviting place to stroll. Made from canvas, voile or canisse, it can also be covered in light fabrics to filter the sun gently. It’s a real plant cocoon, where you can enjoy lunch, read or just daydream.
WHY PERGOLAS ARE BEGINNING TO WEAR THIN
Setting the standard for over a decade, the bioclimatic pergola has conquered contemporary exteriors. With its adjustable slats, sleek design and aluminium structure, it seems to have everything it takes to win you over. But by dint of uniformity, it ended up lacking soul.
In 2025, desires are changing. Individuals are now looking for more warmth, authenticity and simplicity. They want to get away from the diktats of standardised design and rediscover a little poetry in their outdoor living spaces. Arbours, with their craftsmanship and versatility, are the perfect answer.
ARBOUR: VINTAGE IN SPIRIT BUT NOT OUT OF FASHION
The strength of the arbour lies in its ability to combine tradition and modernity. You’ll find them in revisited versions, combining galvanised steel and geometric shapes, or even carved wood for a very chic look. It’s easy to install, often without the need for planning permission, and can transform a simple patch of grass into a charming summer lounge.
Its retro aesthetic is not synonymous with old-fashioned, quite the contrary. It looks just as at home in a country garden as it does on an urban terrace. Accessorise with hanging lanterns, light curtains or even solar garlands to create a magical atmosphere in the evening.
A LIVING SUPPORT: WHEN THE ARBOUR BECOMES AN EXTENSION OF THE GARDEN
Unlike an aluminium pergola, which remains inert, an arbour invites nature to reclaim its rights. It becomes a living support, an evolving shelter that changes with the seasons. Glycine, star jasmine, climbing roses and Virginia creeper grow freely, creating a fragrant, refreshing shade.
This moving, organic look is becoming increasingly popular. It reintroduces plants to the heart of outdoor design, echoing growing ecological concerns. Shading with living things is a gentle, aesthetic way of reconnecting with nature.
PRICE ALSO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Another significant advantage is that arbours are often more affordable than pergolas, both to buy and to install. While a made-to-measure bioclimatic pergola can quickly cost several thousand euros, a beautiful arbour (even one made by hand) often costs less than a thousand.
It therefore offers an elegant solution for those who want to embellish their exterior without blowing their budget. Easily dismantled, they can also be used for temporary purposes, such as family celebrations, garden ceremonies or summer meals.
A TREND UNDERPINNED BY NEW DECORATING DESIRES
The return of the arbour is part of a wider movement: that of the “slow garden”, a gentler, more contemplative way of landscaping the outdoors. Far from large, rigid structures, the emphasis today is on imperfection, the ephemeral and the natural.
Bohemian, Provençal or wabi-sabi influences find a perfect ally in the arbour. It goes well with raw materials, soft colours and wild plants. More than a sun shelter, it’s a poetic object that tells a story.
A PLACE FOR LIVING ELEGANCE
If you were thinking of investing in a pergola this year, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your plans. In 2025, the arbour embodies a new outdoor ideal: softer, greener, more alive. Less rigid than a pergola, it offers a freedom of style, movement and expression that is perfectly in tune with our times.
And what if this is what true luxury is all about today? To sit under a rose-covered arbour, glass of lemonade in hand, and forget about the rest of the world…
Why isn’t there even a single photo to go with the article? I didn’t bother reading it.