- What is a Pergola?<\/a><\/li>
- 9 Cool Ways to Use Pergolas Around Your Home<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Pergolas<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is a Pergola?<\/h2>
Long and narrow, a pergola\u2019s pillars and open ceiling of trellis-like latticework bring beauty, shade, and ambiance to your outdoor living space. The pergola design ideas can be as complex and intricate or as simple as you want.<\/p>
Wrap fabric through the top beams of your pergola for a splash of color or focal point in your backyard. Plant some climbing or flowering vines to give your pergola a Mediterranean feel. <\/p>
Where to put your pergola in your landscaping plans? That\u2019s the first question. Then it\u2019s all up to you to figure out how best to use the pergola once it\u2019s standing. Here are nine pergola ideas you can try out in landscaping your yard.<\/p>
9 Cool Ways to Use Pergolas Around Your Home<\/h2>
1. Install a Poolside Pergola<\/h3>
![\"wooden,](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-60-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: David H. Seymour<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Create a shady spot on your pool deck with a freestanding pergola \u2014 it\u2019s perfect for lounging, cocktail, and book in hand, in between swims. For extra protection from the sun, hang curtains down the sides or install a retractable cover.<\/p>
Besides shading a large area, a pergola can add visual interest by acting as a focal point and boosting the overall beauty of the surrounding environment.<\/p>
Plus, the open beams allow air to circulate for added cooling.<\/p>
Customize your pergola to match the architectural design of your home, or keep things simple with a DIY pergola kit<\/a>.<\/p>
2. Build an Entertainment HQ<\/h3>
![\"brown](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-61-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: PickPik<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Transform a lackluster backyard patio<\/a> into your own, private entertainment venue. Ideal as a seating area for family game nights or for outdoor dining with friends, a patio pergola can designate a portion of your backyard as a party space.<\/p>
Level up the ambiance of this al fresco living room with string lights (the solar option means no worries about access to outlets), a chandelier, potted plants, or speakers for music. Ceiling fans hung from the overhead slats will help keep things cool on summer nights, while a fire pit<\/a> can warm things up in fall and winter.<\/p>
3. Embrace Mediterranean Vibes<\/h3>
![\"wooden](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-62-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: debannja<\/a> \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure> Especially functional for a small backyard (or if you have no backyard at all), a pergola is a great way to extend your outdoor space and take advantage of vertical gardening.<\/p>
Here\u2019s how: Attach one to an exterior wall of your home to grow climbing plants or flowering vines<\/a>, as they do in Italy, such as clematis, wisteria, ivy, or roses. In fact, as early as the ancient times of Rome and Egypt, people used pergolas for this very purpose.<\/p>
Or, if securing to a balcony area or incorporating a freestanding one into your deck design, consider hanging baskets from the slats. Using the \u201cthriller, filler, and spiller<\/a>\u201d method, plant a mix of climbing and clumping plants, including geraniums, heliotrope, petunias, ivy, and ornamental grasses.<\/p>
4. Provide Privacy for Your Hot Tub<\/h3>
![\"dark](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-63-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brian Bondoc<\/a><\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> By covering the open sides and top with panels or retractable shades, you can soak the day\u2019s stress away in your hot tub \u2014 without the worry of prying eyes.<\/p>
Not only will privacy screens create a sense of tranquil seclusion from the outside world, but they\u2019ll also block the sun\u2019s rays, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors a little longer.<\/p>
Another way to establish privacy<\/a> is to attach trellises to cover the pergola\u2019s open spaces. Along these trellises, you can train vining plants to grow, giving you living walls that also enhance your view, increase your property value, boost your mood, and provide shade.<\/p>
5. Introduce Color and Contrast<\/h3>
![\"white,](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-64-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Javani LLC<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Mostly made of wood \u2014 think cedar or redwood \u2014 other materials to choose from for your pergola design include brick, fiberglass, and vinyl.<\/p>
While each pergola material<\/a> brings its own textural addition to a space, fiberglass is the easiest to customize with color (it\u2019s also the most expensive choice).<\/p>
Brick and wood pergolas also can be painted, like the white pergola pictured above, while vinyl is limited to the color it comes in.<\/p>
However, if you\u2019re simply looking for a low-maintenance pergola option, vinyl is your best bet. You\u2019ll never have to worry about repainting or staining and vinyl can never be infested with termites.<\/p>
6. Swing into Relaxation<\/h3>
![\"white,](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-65-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Deutschlandreform<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Upgrade your porch with a pergola swing. What better way to take in your property\u2019s views than by swaying back and forth as the breeze blows by and the sun filters through the slats?<\/p>
Taking time to relish nature in this way also helps lessen stress and anxiety and improve your overall mood. Commit to further relaxation by allowing the swinging motion to gently rock you to sleep.<\/p>
7. Designate a Napping Nook<\/h3>
![\"white,](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-66-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Theresa Martinez<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> If you\u2019d rather not risk a nap on the front porch in open view of the neighbors, you can set up an outdoor area specifically for sleeping. Attach your pergola along your fence line for privacy or build a freestanding napping space, hanging the hammocks from your pergola\u2019s beams or posts. <\/p>
Better than an outdoor bedroom setup with an actual bed, hammocks<\/a> have been shown to help people fall asleep faster and sleep deeper, thanks to the rocking motion they provide.<\/p>
8. Create a Kids-Only Place<\/h3>
![\"girl](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-67-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: aRTI01<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Not enough square footage indoors for a playroom? Take the toys \u2014 and the kids who love them \u2014 to a pergola clubhouse. Or, give your older ones a place to escape for quiet studying or movie watching on their laptops.<\/p>
A pergola can be situated atop a child-friendly hardscape, such as soft, shock-absorbing patio tiles, and enclosed with colorful curtains and a retractable pergola roof cover. These add-ons will lend brightness to the space, and they\u2019ll also protect your mini-me\u2019s from wind, rain, and excess sun.<\/p>
9. Shelter Your Outdoor Kitchen<\/h3>
![\"wooden](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-68-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Rustico Tile and Stone<\/a><\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Make your bar the focal point by installing a small pergola specifically over it; or, keep your cool as you cook by shading the grill area with one.<\/p>
Come winter, hang curtains and put in a retractable cover so you can protect your costly outdoor kitchen<\/a> appliances from the elements \u2014 and make your dreams of grilling in the snow a reality.<\/p>
Adding an outdoor kitchen to your home might increase your home’s resale value<\/a>.<\/p>
FAQ About Pergolas<\/h2>
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Pergola?<\/strong>If the custom-built option is the way you\u2019d like to go, and you\u2019re not well-versed in building, well, anything yourself, hiring a contractor might be your best option.
What is the Point of Having a Pergola?<\/strong>Besides adding beauty to an outdoor space, other benefits include:
What can Replace a Pergola?<\/strong>If you’re looking for design ideas to replace your outdoor pergola, consider adding a gazebo<\/a>, awning, or shade sail in its place.\u00a0
Do Pergolas Require Planning Permission?<\/strong>The simple answer is yes, depending on where you live. Permits area written form that says an area is safe and stable for construction.
When to Call in the Landscaping Pros<\/h2>
For those of you always up for a DIY project, building a pergola may be a perfect fit. If you\u2019re a homeowner who\u2019d rather leave the heavy lifting to someone else, it\u2019s time to call in the pros.<\/p>
A local professional landscaper<\/a> can help you choose a location for your pergola, as well as assist with material selection and appropriate sizing. Then, a general contractor<\/a> can come out to do the actual construction.<\/p>
Either way, you\u2019ll have the same end result \u2014 a spruced-up space you can\u2019t wait to enjoy.<\/p>
Main Photo Credit: <\/a>Randy Fath<\/a> \/ Unsplash<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A poolside retreat, a shelter for an outdoor entertainment center, a place to nap or swing, a bit of privacy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":58835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[179,25],"class_list":["post-22876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landscaping","tag-hardscapes","tag-landscaping-2"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/image-59-1.jpeg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Andr\u00e9a Butler","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/andrea-butler\/"},"yoast_head":"\n
9 Pergola Ideas to Add Shelter and Style in Your Yard<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You want to add shelter and style to your yard, but don\u2019t know how. Here, we\u2019ll show you the nine best pergola ideas to spice up your yard.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/pergola-ideas\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"9 Pergola Ideas to Add Shelter and Style in Your Yard\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You want to add shelter and style to your yard, but don\u2019t know how. 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She especially enjoys sharing her knowledge of landscaping and pest management to help others create the outdoor spaces of their dreams.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/andrea-butler\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242039254\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242039254\",\"name\":\"How Much Does it Cost to Build a Pergola?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If the custom-built option is the way you\u2019d like to go, and you\u2019re not well-versed in building, well, anything yourself, hiring a contractor might be your best option.<br\\\/><br\\\/>The national <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/guide-to-pergolas-types-uses-costs\\\/#31-cost-of-a-pergola-\\\">average cost of a pergola<\\\/a> by size:<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 10 feet x 10 feet: $3,000 - $6,000<br\\\/>\u2022 11 feet x 11 feet: $3,630 - $7,260<br\\\/>\u2022 12 feet x 12 feet: $4,320 - $8,640<br\\\/>\u2022 10 feet x 14 feet: $4,200 - $8,400<br\\\/>\u2022 12 feet x 18 feet: $6,480 - $12,960<br\\\/>\u2022 10 feet x 20 feet: $6,000 - $12,000<br\\\/><br\\\/>If you intend to hire a contractor, add an additional $20 to $60 per hour for manual labor. Don\u2019t let the prices deter you.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242059168\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242059168\",\"name\":\"What is the Point of Having a Pergola?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Besides adding beauty to an outdoor space, other benefits include:<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 Enabling vertical gardening<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 Providing protection from the sun and other elements<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 Acting as a privacy screen<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 Extending living rooms from the inside, out\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242075826\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/pergola-ideas\\\/#faq-question-1663242075826\",\"name\":\"What can Replace a Pergola?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If you're looking for design ideas to replace your outdoor pergola, consider adding a <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/gazebo-ideas-for-yard\\\/\\\">gazebo<\\\/a>, awning, or shade sail in its place.\u00a0<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u2022<\\\/strong> Maybe your wooden pergola that covered your outdoor dining area is getting old and you want to try something new. Adding an awning can offer you that same shade while also giving you something different for your outdoor room.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 A gazebo is also a good option, if not a little <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/gazebo-price\\\/\\\">expensive<\\\/a>. Gazebos can grant a lovely section in your yard shade and comfort away from prying eyes.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 For a cheaper alternative, go with a shade sail or two. 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Don\u2019t let the prices deter you.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/pergola-ideas\/#faq-question-1663242059168","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/pergola-ideas\/#faq-question-1663242059168","name":"What is the Point of Having a Pergola?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Besides adding beauty to an outdoor space, other benefits include:<br\/><br\/>\u2022 Enabling vertical gardening<br\/><br\/>\u2022 Providing protection from the sun and other elements<br\/><br\/>\u2022 Acting as a privacy screen<br\/><br\/>\u2022 Extending living rooms from the inside, out","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/pergola-ideas\/#faq-question-1663242075826","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/pergola-ideas\/#faq-question-1663242075826","name":"What can Replace a Pergola?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you're looking for design ideas to replace your outdoor pergola, consider adding a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/gazebo-ideas-for-yard\/\">gazebo<\/a>, awning, or shade sail in its place.\u00a0<br\/><br\/><strong>\u2022<\/strong> Maybe your wooden pergola that covered your outdoor dining area is getting old and you want to try something new. 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