Pergolas: What They Are, Plus Ideas For Using Them In Your Yard

Everyone needs a retreat from daily life sometimes. Unfortunately, most of us can’t jet off to paradise every day after work. The next best option is to create a space to get away right outside your back door. A pergola might be just the home improvement addition you need to bring your at-home getaway to life.

A pergola is an open structure that typically consists of four main support beams with cross beams or a lattice design as the “roof.”

Pergolas are commonly mistaken for arbors, which have a lattice structure similar to the pergola. The main difference between the two is that the lattice design typically runs across the entire structure of an arbor, while pergolas only have the lattice up top. Another way to differentiate the two is by their overall shape. Arbors are typically arched while pergolas have a square or rectangular design.

Pergolas can also be confused with gazebos. While they’re quite close in design, gazebos have a solid roof while pergolas have open concept cross beams. Gazebos are also typically round or shaped like an octagon while the pergola is square or rectangular.

However different these structures may be, you’ll be happy to know any one of them will work for re-creating the gazebo scene in “The Sound of Music.” If you’re older than 16 going on 17, no worries. We won’t tell.

The most common pergolas are built with thick wooden beams and feature a trellis on top, but there are plenty of ways to customize yours. Mark Cutler, listed by Robb Report as one of the top 40 interior designers in the U.S., suggests designing your pergola space to complement the preexisting design of your home. 

“You want to consider the style of your garden,” he says. “Pergolas can vary in style from quaint rustic cottage to slick modern versions, so try to find something that works off of the architecture of your home and garden. If you are building custom, maybe mimic some of the details of your home so that it is a seamless transition.”

Here are some options to consider:

Vinyl

Vinyl pergolas are maintenance-free and come in a variety of colors to perfectly match your space. They don’t need to be stained or painted, and they won’t rust like metal pergolas would.

Wood

There’s no doubt about it. Wooden pergolas require more maintenance than vinyl pergolas. But if the rustic look is what you’re going for, wood is a great choice to bring a more natural feel to the space.

Open-Top

Open-top pergolas are useful if you’d like to drape some cloth over the top to have a little more coverage from the sun without having a full-on roof.

Steel

If you’re looking to stick to urban design, steel is the best choice of material for your pergola. While steel will eventually rust, this can add character to the structure and offer a more industrial feel to your space.

Sail

Attach cloth sails to your pergola to offer more shade to your seating area and protect from UV rays. You can opt for brightly colored sails to add a pop of color or create a certain ambiance, or you can choose muted neutrals and stick to a natural theme.

Gable or Pitch

Gabled or pitched pergolas are the same concept as a regular pergola with the addition of a pointed roof. These are great if you prefer higher ceilings in your outdoor structure.

Freestanding vs Attached

Freestanding

Freestanding pergolas are separate from any other structure and stand alone.

Attached

Attached pergolas partially rely on another structure like the side of a house for support. They’re similar to an awning with an open roof.

Odds are, you already have a vision for where exactly your pergola could go, but what will you do with it once it’s there? Incorporating your pergola into your yard could look completely different for each person depending on the type of space you’re looking to create. Here are a couple of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Shaded Seating Area

The most popular choice, and a solid one too. You can’t beat kicking your feet up and relaxing in a partially shaded back yard paradise.

Hot Tub

Pergolas allow just enough shade to keep an area cool and out of direct sunlight. It’s for this reason that they pair well with hot tubs. If we’re being honest, any excuse to get a hot tub is valid.

Fire Pits

This is a great option for those who want to get use out of their pergola space in the evening and year-round. The whole family can cozy up around the fire pit or the outdoor fireplace in the colder months, share stories, and maybe even roast a marshmallow or two.

Built-In BBQ

If you find yourself entertaining often in the summertime and you love to cook out, consider incorporating a barbeque grill along with seating into your pergola area. With the guests seated so close, the cook can continue to mingle without having to step away to tend to the food.

Workout Space

A less common way to use a pergola is for outdoor home workouts. The partial shade breaks up the direct sunlight and the open concept leaves plenty of space for a breeze to come through, cooling you during your workout.

Rocking Bed Pergola

Sleeping under the stars has never been more enticing. If you have a small yard and you’re looking for a unique piece to really help your space stand out, a rocking bed under your pergola could be just the thing.

Poolside Pergola

You can drape white linens over top for extra shade and place a couple of lounge chairs underneath for relaxed seating. With the linens blowing in the breeze and the sun peeking through, you’ll feel as if you’re beachfront in the French Riviera rather than poolside in your backyard. Glass of champagne optional.

Where Can I Buy A Pergola? You can buy a pergola at most home improvement stores. Walmart even has a low-cost pergola you can order online.

Will A Pergola Increase My Home’s Value? As mentioned before, pergolas do add value to your home. An estimate for your return on investment is about 50 – 80% of what you spent on the project. But if you’re adding a pergola to your property, don’t do it solely to add property value to your home – be sure to actually get some use out of it.

Can I Build A Pergola Myself? Building a pergola can be very simple or very difficult depending on which building plan you pick. However, most pergolas are simple structures that anyone with a basic knowledge of building large structures can tackle with ease. There are a variety of DIY pergola building blueprints and tutorials on sites like Pinterest and YouTube. The key is to know your skill set and know when it’s time to ask for help from a professional.

Will I Need A Permit To Build My Pergola? Most cities don’t require a building permit to build a pergola, especially smaller ones that aren’t attached to your house. Make sure to double-check with your local municipality, as these laws vary by location.