Inspiring Ideas for Perfect Pergolas
Pretty-up your pergola and position it to best effect with these inspiring ideas, guaranteed to give your garden style and structure
A simple structure of vertical and horizontal posts, a pergola can provide shade and shape in a garden, creating a focal point and a sheltered spot in which to eat, read or doze. Contemporary designs tend to be simple and crisp-looking, with unashamedly strong lines that create a contrast with softer planting, while more traditional pergolas can be ornate and shapely.
Pergolas are sometimes connected to a house, but often stand alone, which can create a challenge. How do you make sure your pergola looks perfectly positioned, so it’s integral to your exterior space, and not simply plonked in place? Simple. Check out these beautiful gardens and terraces, which point the way to pergola perfection.
Pergolas are sometimes connected to a house, but often stand alone, which can create a challenge. How do you make sure your pergola looks perfectly positioned, so it’s integral to your exterior space, and not simply plonked in place? Simple. Check out these beautiful gardens and terraces, which point the way to pergola perfection.
Team with tall plants
Growing plants up the pergola itself will, of course, obscure its shape. If you don’t want to lose sight of its clean lines, but want to help integrate it into the garden, try planting tall grasses and plants alongside. Feathery grasses and sculptural plants, such as Verbena bonariensis, will do the job nicely.
Discover ways to make the most of a tiny garden or pocket patio
Growing plants up the pergola itself will, of course, obscure its shape. If you don’t want to lose sight of its clean lines, but want to help integrate it into the garden, try planting tall grasses and plants alongside. Feathery grasses and sculptural plants, such as Verbena bonariensis, will do the job nicely.
Discover ways to make the most of a tiny garden or pocket patio
Make some shade
The beams that form the ‘roof’ of the pergola can easily be modified to offer shade on hot days: simply stretch fabric across them to filter or block the sun. This is also a good way to create some privacy in a city garden overlooked by tall buildings.
The beams that form the ‘roof’ of the pergola can easily be modified to offer shade on hot days: simply stretch fabric across them to filter or block the sun. This is also a good way to create some privacy in a city garden overlooked by tall buildings.
String up a hammock
Shady and sheltered, pergolas are a perfect place in which to relax, but rather than choose seating that eats into the floor space, why not string up a hammock instead? It will swing lazily above the ground (or pool, if you are very fortunate!) and can be unhooked and easily packed away when it’s not needed.
Shady and sheltered, pergolas are a perfect place in which to relax, but rather than choose seating that eats into the floor space, why not string up a hammock instead? It will swing lazily above the ground (or pool, if you are very fortunate!) and can be unhooked and easily packed away when it’s not needed.
Grow up
Climbing plants, such as honeysuckle, clematis, wisteria and certain hydrangeas, will happily romp up the vertical posts of your pergola, softening its hard lines and creating lush visual interest. Train them over the top for dappled shade, too.
Climbing plants, such as honeysuckle, clematis, wisteria and certain hydrangeas, will happily romp up the vertical posts of your pergola, softening its hard lines and creating lush visual interest. Train them over the top for dappled shade, too.
Plant a mini vineyard
Create a Mediterranean vibe by planting a grape vine to grow up your pergola. The grapes may not be good enough to make your own wine, but the distinctive, abundant leaves and dangling fruit will transport you straight to sunny holidays in the Med.
Create a Mediterranean vibe by planting a grape vine to grow up your pergola. The grapes may not be good enough to make your own wine, but the distinctive, abundant leaves and dangling fruit will transport you straight to sunny holidays in the Med.
Integrate with the property
To help your pergola feel part of your home, rather than randomly plonked in your outside space, try to make it part of the architecture. Connect vertical and horizontal posts with the house and garden walls for an always-been-there feel.
Find more ideas for brilliant alfresco seating areas
To help your pergola feel part of your home, rather than randomly plonked in your outside space, try to make it part of the architecture. Connect vertical and horizontal posts with the house and garden walls for an always-been-there feel.
Find more ideas for brilliant alfresco seating areas
Perk up with paint
Give your pergola a different personality simply by painting it. This white design stands out against the green planting and acts as a crisp contrast to the bleached wood of the deck.
Give your pergola a different personality simply by painting it. This white design stands out against the green planting and acts as a crisp contrast to the bleached wood of the deck.
Decorate the space
Approach designing your pergola as you would designing a space inside your house. Add stylish lighting (this chandelier is specifically for outdoor use), accessories and artwork – in this case, a vintage sign.
Approach designing your pergola as you would designing a space inside your house. Add stylish lighting (this chandelier is specifically for outdoor use), accessories and artwork – in this case, a vintage sign.
Celebrate the ornate
Pergolas haven’t always been a straight up and down affair. In gardens a century or so ago, they were just as likely to be ornate, with curling lines and finials. So feel free to have fun with your pergola and pick a design that adds plenty of pleasing shape and detail to your outside space.
TELL US…
Do you have a pergola in your garden? We’d love to hear what you’ve done with it and see photos in the Comments below.
Pergolas haven’t always been a straight up and down affair. In gardens a century or so ago, they were just as likely to be ornate, with curling lines and finials. So feel free to have fun with your pergola and pick a design that adds plenty of pleasing shape and detail to your outside space.
TELL US…
Do you have a pergola in your garden? We’d love to hear what you’ve done with it and see photos in the Comments below.
String up some outdoor lights to make your pergola the perfect location for evening dinners alfresco, or simply hang up a couple of paper lampshades. They don’t need to contain a light to bring shape and colour to the space, day and night.