DIY Trellis

I have to give full credit to my husband Robbie for this DIY trellis project. He’s the official Made on Maidstone DIY Consultant!

Our Lady Banks Rose bush was previously located next to our steps and had just gotten too big for the space. Lady Banks Roses can be very top heavy and need some support to keep them upright so Robbie decided to build this DIY trellis to help support it.

Trellises are useful for all kinds of climbing vines and plants, and are easy and affordable to build. In addition to providing needed support for plants, trellises can also serve multiple functions. In our case, it hides an outdoor storage bin we use for pool items, gives us some additional privacy, and serves as a pretty backdrop behind our lounge chairs.

What do you need to build a trellis?

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Two 4×4″ posts in 8′ lengths
Twelve 1″x4″ treated lumber boards in 6′ lengths
Cement
2″ exterior screws
Power Drill
Miter Saw
Level
Copper post caps
Exterior paint or stain

How to build a trellis

We made our DIY trellis according to the measurements referenced here, but you can easily customize and make a trellis that perfectly fits your space. Make sure you build your DIY trellis with treated lumber to ensure durability.

Use the miter saw to cut the 4×4″ posts to 72″ high. Next, space them 58″ apart from the outside edge to outside edge. Then bury the bottom 12″ in cement leaving 60″ visible above ground. Top each post with a copper cap.

Then cut twelve 1×4″ boards to 58″ long. Starting at the top of the posts, use 2″ screws to attach the boards horizontally to the fronts of the posts, leaving 1″ in between each board. You can use a 1×4″ board held sideways under each board to get a consistent 1″ space between each. Check with a level to ensure the boards are straight.

After securing the trellis pieces together, paint or stain the trellis any color you’d like. The color I used is Sherwin Williams Colleton Woods which matches the foundation of our house. Make sure to use exterior paint and stain which will help protect your DIY trellis from the elements.