Looking for a way to give your landscape more definition this summer? You can’t go wrong with outdoor structures such as arbors, gazebos, and pergolas, which can provide shelter, break up expanses of landscaping, provide subtle privacy, shield you from the elements, allow you to wire for sound or hang decorative objects, and more.
All of these structures come in a variety of styles to suit your tastes. When purchasing or building these yard essentials, look to your home for inspiration. Keep your outdoor structure architecturally similar to your home, and stick to the same color and material palette so they blend seamlessly—you want your outdoor structure to look like it’s always been there, not like an afterthought. For example, a rustic-look pergola made of tree limbs will look out of place behind a classic Colonial home. But a more traditional post-and-beam version that’s painted white will look right at home.
Outdoor structures run the gamut from decks and patios to sheds and greenhouses. But today, I’m focusing on arbors, gazebos, and pergolas.
Arbors are tall portal-like structures that can be used to formally announce an entrance or to distinguish a transition between two distinct areas of your yard. These passageways look great standing alone, but you can also attach them to a fence, too. For a classic look, cover your arbor with climbing vines such as clematis, grape, morning glory, or wisteria. Just be sure the structure can support the weight of the vines. Want to build your own arbor? Check out these plans courtesy of Be Jane or Lowe’s. Or if Mediterranean style is more your thing, head on over to this HGTV site.
Pergolas are open-framework, typically freestanding structures that instantly create outdoor rooms—use one to frame an intimate dining area, or even just to define a seating area. And even though they provide little—if any—protection from the elements, they create a sense of structure without feeling overly enclosed. Assemble your own pergola with these instructions from Popular Mechanics.
Gazebos are covered structures without solid walls that are perfect for outdoor entertaining or simply enjoying a garden view (they provide better shelter than a pergola). Though gazebos are typically freestanding structures—allowing you to place them wherever you want to capture a great view—you can also build them into a porch, deck, or pool surround too. HGTV shows how to build a gazebo. If you’re a DIYer, you can also assemble a gazebo from a prefab kit. Or you can always hire a contractor to build one for you. Read up on the pros and cons of common gazebo materials.
And what about structures such as trellises, lattice, and fencing, you might ask? I haven’t forgotten—you can expect a post on structures that increase privacy soon.
Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All
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