Looking for Pergola Design Ideas for Your Garden and need some inspiration? Sometimes in outdoor spaces, it can be difficult to create a cool and comfortable surrounding that is going to keep you out in the garden particularly if you don’t have any tall trees to block out that hot summer sun. Thankfully there is the pergola, stylish and practical a great addition to any garden, providing shade and a cool place that you will want to spend all your time under.
When choosing a pergola for your garden there are a few different considerations you need to think about before building the first design you come across.
Considerations When Choosing A Pergola
Size and Shape – There are loads of different reasons that will decide the shape and design of your pergola. First of all, the actual style and taste you are wanting to achieve in your outdoor space, the size and shape of your garden, then finally the amount of privacy you want to obtain. When it comes to the shape you have lots of options to choose from such as square, circle, hexagonal, and rectangular. These shapes are always affected by the positioning of your pergal and of course your budget. If you’re wanting to have an attached pergola design then refrain from circular ideas as they will not attach to your house in a smooth, clean way.
Material – Though there is a lot of choices when it comes to the material of your pergola the best choice is either timber or aluminum. A timber frame will provide a natural and, or rustic feel to your garden, however, they will need regular maintenance to save from fungi, termites, and the bad effects that moisture will bring. Wood coatings and preservatives will do the job for this but are needed to be done routinely and adequately. If aluminum is your material of choice you will not have to do as much up-keep in order to preserve it. An extremely lightweight material that is resistant to the usual humidities or moisture you would get from the outdoor spaces. For extra protection, you can use a powder-coated aluminum.
Roofing And Lighting – Roofing and lighting come hand in hand, letting you enjoy your garden in the later hours of the evening. There is a balance to find when it comes to roofing, making sure there is correct shade from sun and rain, but also making sure there is enough cross ventilation not making your space stuffy. Lighting will create a cozy and comforting atmosphere in those warm evening nights sat in the garden, you want a warm brightness that will not cause too much of a glare when you are relaxing underneath. Adequate guttering will need to be in place to ensure there are no drips or leaks that will fall into the interior of the pergola. Lighting could be affected, but water could also find its way into your house interfering with the electrics there too so a good outward flowing guttering is essential for the framework that is attached to the building.
20 Best Pergola Ideas For Backyard
1. Square And Modern
This pergola blend different materials in a great way, it is large in size and offers a great area for lounging on the large garden furniture that is placed underneath. The four pillars holding up the frame are made from concrete and provide a more vintage style, even hinting to a roman aesthetic. The wooden roof has crossed vertical and horizontal beams, which is covered by a clear thick plastic sheet to stop any rainfall. This pergola design has been situated in a great place of the garden, creating shaded areas on one side from the tree coverage and an open area facing the house. This adds a nice bit of privacy to this wonderful seating area.
2. Octagonal Shape
This stunning backyard pergola idea is a really breathtaking structure. The whole structure is made of wood and has a tiled roof. This roof design will keep the inside from getting wet, with water falling down the slanted roof shape. Not really a space for lounging, but a peaceful sit down surrounded by lots of greenery. Some privacy is given with the large sunflowers that cover some of the sides, but there is still open space so you can gaze into the garden. Wooden structures like this will need more maintenance to them, with the wood reacting to the moisture in the air. If you are willing to put the work into the up-keep then you can definitely achieve some beautiful results.
3. Patio Deck With Pergola
Patio pergolas can be a great extension of your outside space, providing a space for relaxing with a book or entertaining friends and family. This outdoor pergola is made entirely from wood, matching the wooden patio area that it sits on. There isn’t a sheltered roof on this square pergola design, so if it is raining there is no chance to stay out in the garden. This kind of design is beneficial in a warmer climate, somewhere rain isn’t much of a problem. A great feature in this garden is the shaded screen that comes down and attaches to the little fence that is on the patio, providing great cover from the sun.
4. Elegant Pergola Backyard
The design and execution of this elegant pergola are truly exquisite. The use of natural wood and painted green areas follow suit on the exterior and interior furnishings all over, offering a wonderful continuity that is greatly appreciated by the eye. A clever idea that is used on this pergola is the use of trellis which forms the walls. Using trellis enables natural privacy with vines and ivy being able to climb up the structure. This completely wooden structure will be harder to maintain than using an aluminum structure, especially with this not having a solid roof so rain will be able to reach all areas inside and out of this amazing garden design, but if putting a bit of work each year isn’t a problem for you then the results can be stunning.
5. Simple And Effective
The design of this pergola is really simple but has amazing results. It is made from an aluminum frame which is lightweight so you could move this structure around the garden if you want to change up the look of your outdoor space. There is a speared roof so the rain will cascade down each side not causing any water build-up in any areas. The roof is a sheet that fits perfectly around the metal structure. Garden location says a lot when it comes to the shape and size of your home pergola, this design has been placed on a bricked patio surface, which is great as ideally, you want a flat surface as possible. The tree cover surrounding the area adds a great amount of privacy for a cozy comfortable seating area.
6. Surrounded By Nature
There are loads of different design ideas that come with this outside space. The pergola decorating ideas come mainly from the immense greenery that surrounds the entire space, with trellis walls having plants climbing up them, and bushes that rest along the entire seating area. The structure is made from both metal and wood, combining an organic aesthetic with an industrial structured design. The beams that come across the walls have fairy lights on them, which are a great way to provide a cozy feel in those darker evenings at a cheap price. A hidden paradise that is private and cozy, giving ample space to sit or lounge around and be at one with the nature around you.
7. Small Spaces
There are lots of pergola ideas for small backyards, simple designs work better, and these structures can be both attached to your house or in their own space further down the garden. The pergola in this garden has 4 posts that provide the structure of the height so that the canopy can rest on. There isn’t much privacy given in this design but if that isn’t what you are looking for then it could be perfect for you. The natural wood works well with the four trees planters that have been placed on each corner, a simple touch but definitely brings a different element to the space. Like all outdoor wooden structures or furnishings, they need more care so that they re protected from the elements that are thrown upon them, especially the moisture that can soften and rot the wood very easily.
8. Retractable Curtains
Curtains and sliding sheets can be a great use on your pergola. They can provide privacy if your garden is in open space, shelter from sun and rain protecting yourself from the elements but still being able to enjoy your outdoor space., and even just using one side of the curtain can stop wind coming into the pergola space if you were enjoying a game of cards or a board game of any sort. Hanging lamps on the structure are used really well in this design, offering a cheap alternative large outdoor lighting units that could be fixed on. This pergola is a lightweight aluminum frame, a simple square design, but in this setting, the tree coverage on one side and the stone-paved floor looks remarkable.
9. Modern Patio With Pergola
This beautiful pergola sits on a modern patio made from natural wood. Nature is in abundance with the wild garden that covers the entire space around this outdoor seating area. Lanterns fall from the roof adding Asian influence, setting the theme of this outside space really well. There are hanging wicker sheets that fall from the roof, providing some shelter from the sun and rain, but in an organic styling. The furniture within the pergola is also really fitting with the whole atmosphere that is being created. The wicker of the chairs matches that of the screens that fall down, but the colors match perfectly with the frame of the pergola.
10. Asian Influence
This completely wooden gazebo looks like something out of a film, the pointed oversized pointed roof offers lots of shelter from the sun and rain. The actual platform that is under the shelter isn’t the largest so it would provide great space for entertaining, more of a place that you can relax and take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the usual busy working day. Not providing furniture also could indicate that this space is a meditative area, but that could be the Asian inspired design influencing that kind of relaxed thought. Tropical plants have been placed around the structure, adding different levels of privacy, as they are all different sizes.
11. Umbrella Design
This unusually designed pergola is a totally different kind of framework that you would normally encounter in these designs. The main section that holds up the canopy is centrally placed, allowing an open area and nothing to obstruct your vision when sat around the shape. This design is circular, allowing a 360 degree perspective of the greenery that is all around. Circular designs are better suited for structures not attached to your home, as they will not connect in a smooth stylistic way. The center beam offers a nice shelf area, ideal for any drinks or food items you. may want to enjoy under this umbrella-like structure.
12. Attached To The Home
Only two legs are needed to hold this amazing pergola structure in place as it is attached to the infrastructure of the house. The square design makes this connection seamless and just an extension of the kitchen design. The clever thing about this design comes with the roof, the slates open and shut allowing the sun to come through into the seating area, but also stopping any rain falling through when closed. A completely metal structure this design is very modern looking, especially with the furnishings underneath, especially the barbecue unit making this an ideal space for entertaining family and friends.
13. Aluminum Pergola
In this garden, there is a simple but classic design in the pergola that is placed there. a lightweight, sturdy structure made from aluminum has curtains surrounding each of the four legs. These curtains are great for this particular setting as there are lots of open space to the garden, so privacy cannot be obtained by the trees or surrounding walls that feature in the garden. Which makes the curtains a great way to have a more private sitting area. This design is a classic, being a square structure with a pointed roof so the rain will not collect on the top. A simple structure ut a classic because it looks so good in most garden settings.
14. White Gazebo
There are a lot of nice characteristics that come with this gazebo. It offers a more rustic design with the fenced panel designs, and the octagonal shape provides a quirky sense to the garden. In this setting, the white really sticks out but in a beautiful way. Surrounded by a lot of greenery the color really shines, matching the furniture used, and adds a clean contrast to the darker roof design. Around the entire structure are lights, in the evenings this will provide a well-illuminated space, but will also give the look of an enchanted tight up area making this an especially inviting space to be. Hanging baskets are placed on hooks indicating which side the interface is placed, providing a practical use for these beautiful flowers.
15. Wooden Decked Garden Area
A lot of gardens use wooden patio surfaces to provide a break from grass areas, and a place to sit, eat, drink, and enjoy. This garden brings both natural sides to the constructed layers of the patio. Trees hadn’t been cut down to make space, but have been built around, adding a lot more character to the garden. On this patio, there isn’t much privacy given as the pergola has been centered in the middle. The use of curtains is great, adding privacy in different areas, or even just ways to avoid the sunlight if you want an escape. The colors used are great as they match with the trees that are on either side of the pergola, there is also a stone structure which could be decorative o a place for cooking, a great way to hid appliances giving them a natural spin.
16. Pergola Paradise
A beautiful setting is all around this pergola, with stunning views and large green trees all the way around the garden, there is no wonder there is a pergola placed outside to enjoy the beautiful sights that are all around. The full wooden square design is perfect in this garden, it has a small plastic sheet on the roof which is great for the rain, helping you enjoy being outside even in weathers that arent the best. This kind of wood has been treated with a covering in order to preserve it and make it more durable to the weather. The stone patio platform that the pergola rests on has comfortable furniture and a coffee table, bringing your indoor living space outdoors. On half of the structure, there are also curtains that can be pulled across giving a secluded setting to this stunning environment.
17. Lovely Outdoor Deck
This backyard pergola is an extension of the house and connects seamlessly. the window and door framing are completely white on the entire house, and this color is matched with the pergola, adding that complete continuity. The square shape also adds to this, combining with the side of the house perfectly. There is also a fully covered area on the house which provides coverage from the rain, so the design on this pergola allows sunlight to come through, amazing for those summer days.
18. Evening Pergola
This garden isn’t the biggest, but still offers a good amount of space to enjoy warm evenings sitting out in the garden, enjoying the summer air. This wooden pergola is simply stunning, it has been painted with a stained darker color to bring the wood to life. It is large in shape and seamlessly comes from the structure of the house. The large lighting that is central to the design really shines when it comes to the evening time, creating a cozy and comfortable environment that will make you want to sit and enjoy for hours on end.
19. Large Extention
The pergola in this garden is an amazing size, rather than the usual square or rectangular shape, there is an extension that gives an ‘L’ shaped design. this extension just gives more covered space to enjoy your garden area. A perfect place for entertaining family and friends. The colors from the patio to the pergola all match perfectly and have been thought about in great detail, even to the little pool that is attached to the patio but just falls outside of the pergola’s ‘L’ shaped design. there are a few moveable spotlights in the center of the pergola which is great so you can illuminate areas that you are using and change them each time you are enjoying your garden space.
20. Poolside Pergola Designs For Patios
This concrete pillared pergola is a real stunner. For a summer home with a pool, it works amazing, having a covered sheet over the top providing rest bite from the sun, after you’ve been in the pool. Something a little different to the other options in our list, but for a summer home, this would be an ideal way to not have to get out the umbrella every time you wanted to break away from the hot sun. A lot of open space, so there isn’t much privacy given, but for time spent around the pool that isn’t needed as much, especially when there is a wall connected to the back of the structure.
Outdoor pergolas come in different shapes and sizes and can provide different solutions to meet specific needs. Using trellis or tree coverage can provide a natural bt of privacy, but in open spaces, a curtain that pulls across can do the same job. Not only do these structures look amazing, but they can add value to your property, whether that’s the monetary side of things or the wealth of memories you can create enjoying your time under them.
