DIY Chevron Lattice Trellis Tutorial

Learn to build an easy beginner DIY lattice trellis in a beautiful chevron wood lattice pattern. Add curb appeal to your home while providing support for climbing plants or vines like cucumbers!

You’ll also like this garden arbor DIY trellis for your plants, and improve curb appeal even more with this easy DIY lattice AC unit screen and 13 more ways to hide eyesores in your yard.

Inexpensive DIY Lattice Trellis, Chevron Style

Lattice is a classic pattern and style, for indoors or outdoors (like this DIY open fretwork screen, lattice detail garden gate, fretwork lattice planter, or gold foil lattice tabletop).

A basic wood lattice panel can add curb appeal and interest, act as a privacy fence to add shade or a screen to hide eyesores, and also support your plants as they grow.

But it’s definitely… square. That’s kind of what you expect when you think of “lattice”, right?

So I love how today’s guest created her own style for this DIY lattice tutorial! The chevron is a classic pattern and looks so great in front of her home, just as an outdoor screen to add height and interest to her home:

This beautiful chevron lattice could be used to extend a fence line, as a privacy screen on a porch or pergola, or even a backdrop for an outdoor wedding area, too!

This post contains affiliate links. Learn more and read our full disclosure policy here.

How to Build a Chevron Lattice Trellis

by Danielle from Easter Avenue Company

Hey guys! It’s Danielle from Easter Avenue Company with an easy wood Chevron Lattice Tutorial.

I wanted to add some height to this flower bed in front of my home and I knew that lattice would be an easy solution.

SUPPLY LIST (to make 1 wood lattice frame)

• 5 – 2x2x8′ pressure treated boards
• 4 – 1×2 8′ pressure treated drywall strips or furring strips (or sub in 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ cedar lath/lattice strips)
• 1  box 1 1/2″ exterior galvanized finish nails
• (optional) exterior wood glue

Check to make sure your strips are straight. Read Remodelaholics Tips for Picking the Best Boards.

Sometimes it’s slim pickens so try to find the less wonky ones in the batch.

TOOLS

• miter saw
• hammer or nail gun
• measuring tape

If you don’t have a electric miter saw, you can use a miter box.  It’ll take a litter longer but it absolutely can be done.  Here’s a miter box with the saw included for about $15.

Here’s our setup.

COST

• (5) pressure treated 2x2x8′ at $3.57 = $17.85
• (4) pressure treated drywall strips at $1.27 = 5.08
• (1) box finish nails = $4.47
• total cost = $27.40 +tax (per 1 lattice frame)

About 30 bucks per frame is pretty awesome considering what an impact it can make!

TIME

This project took about 2-3 hours from start to finish.

DIY Lattice Trellis Step by Step Tutorial

First, you’ll build the strong wood support frame – the trellis part.

Then you’ll add the thinner wood pieces (1×2 or lath) to make the pattern – the lattice part.

We used just nails to hold the trellis and lattice together, but for added support, you can also use exterior wood glue.

Step 1: Cut & Lay Out Trellis Pieces

Take one drywall strip and cut two 36″ pieces.  These are the horizontal pieces that make up the top and bottom of your frame.

Next, lay the 2×2’s in place to create the vertical part of the frame.

Step 2: Attach Trellis Frame Pieces

Lay a 36″ drywall strip (#6) across the top.

Nail the top right and top left into place.  Two or three nails for each corner is perfect.

Measure down 5′ and lay the second 36″ drywall strip (#7) across the bottom.

Nail the bottom right and bottom left at the 5′ mark.

Make sure the end of the drywall strip is flush with the side of the 2×2.

If you want to use this as a privacy screen, place the bottom horizontal board at the bottom edge of the vertical supports and continue the chevron pattern from bottom to top. Use hinges to attach 2 or more lattice section together to be freestanding.

Next, you’re going to nail in 2×2 (#3) at the top and bottom, centered at 18″

At this point you’ll have two 2×2’s left to nail. (boards 2 & 4)

Nail them 8″ to center at top and bottom.

Step 3: Cut Angled Chevron Lattice Wood Pieces

Once the body of your frame is together you can start cutting the “chevron” from the drywall strips (or 1×2 or lath).

Each piece should be cut at a 45 degree angle and will measure 12″ across.

You will need 20 – 12″ pieces.

QUICK TIP:  We used the first piece as a template for the rest. You can mark with a pencil or set up a stop or a jig, too.

Step 4: Attach Chevron Lattice to Trellis Frame

Start at the bottom and lay out your first row of 12″ pieces.

Line up your 12″ pieces on the center of the 2×2’s.

The end pieces should be the same distance from board #7 all the way across.

Nail them into place.

We used two nails in each end.

Measure from the top of board #7 to the top of your first completed row.

IMPORTANT:  Keep your spacing the same all the way up, on both sides.

Work your way to top of the frame.

Step 5: Cut & Attach the Last Shorter Chevron

Your last chevron stripe will be shorter than the others.

Measure the distance from the bottom of the “V” in your last row.

You’re going to mark the strip where it meets board #6.

Cut along that mark and fit into place.

Nail the bottom of the “V”.

You’ll need to stand the frame upright so that you can drive the nail through the drywall strip and into board #6.  This part is a little awkward since it’s such a tight spot.

The nice part about this is that if your pieces aren’t lined up perfectly, it’s ok!

All of the joints and nails are hidden on the backside of the frame. (Unless you want them on the front.)

Step 6: Install the Trellis

The tall trellis legs are long enough to bury in the ground or they can be cut to size to attach to a planter box.

In the picture below you can see where we cut one of the legs to fit around a pipe.

(we used a hand saw for this)

We used all weather deck screws to attach the lattice to the house.

DIY Lattice Trellis Before & After

This is what the house looked like before.

And now with our pretty wood chevron DIY trellises!

We left ours natural but you could stain or paint if you’d like.

I like the way the lattices look with nothing growing on them but if you want you could plant a climber like Creeping Fig or Passion Flower.

Keep in mind that climbing vines and plants will need help and guidance to grow to fill the lattice. You can add chicken wire or another thinner support for vines to grab, or use soft twine to gently tie the plants to the trellis as they grow.

OTHER DIY TRELLIS OPTIONS

Large Diamond Trellis Pattern

During the process we accidentally laid down our second row upside down and created this cool diamond pattern.  The pattern and design possibilities with this project are endless!

Painted Trellis with Hanging Pots

Kevin made one for his parents and they spray painted it black.

Look how awesome it turned out!

His mom attached terra-cotta pots to the lattice with black zip ties.

Chevron DIY Lattice Attached to Planter Box

Robin shared her photo and says her chevron lattice will support the vegetables that will grow in her raised bed planter. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, Robin! (06/14/16)

Kevin and I are really happy with the way these turned out.  They were inexpensive, fun to make, and made a huge impact…enjoy!

If you try this project, take a photo and use the hashtag #EACchevronlattice and #imaremodelaholic so we can see it too!

Easter Avenue Co. is a record of my work and family life, and the slow but sure process of restoring and decorating our little 1924 Florida cottage.  Our house is old, creaky, and well worn.  Lucky for us, my husband is handy and we’ve been able to do most of the work ourselves.  Here are a couple of my favorite projects: sheet metal on the wall & chevron striped wall.

Follow me on instagram @easteravenuecompany

—————————————

More DIY Lattice Projects

An open fretwork or lattice is a great way to add a little punch of texture and/or color without completely overwhelming a space, whether you’re talking about your garden or decorating your interior, using an idea like these: