2. Include an archway
To give some height to your zen garden ideas, an archway provides a focal point for the garden. An arch is a clever way to frame plants, flowers or a water feature and should remain simple to blend in with the rest of the serene nature of the garden. In classic Japanese gardens, Torii gates are a common feature. They mark the divide between the normal daily zone and the place of worship you are about to enter.
The freestanding arch is commonly made of metal, wood or stone and should echo the simplicity of this type of garden. Most Torii archways are painted red because it is believed this will ward off evil spirits, which you can do too if you wish to follow the tradition.
