Pergola ideas: advice on building a pergola in your garden (2024)

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What is a pergola?

Pergolas are constructions made of wood or stone without a closed roof, providing dappled shade to a terrace or patio. Climbing plants – often, but not always, vines – are grown up the pergola, creating an attractive, shady, productive or fragrant space.

Pergola, gazebo or carport: what is the difference?

At first glance, a pergola may look like a gazebo or carport covered with plants. However, there are clear differences:

Pergola

Traditionally pergolas were connected, at least on one side, to a building such as a house or garage. They were usually square or rectangular, and consisted of columns supporting a roof of beams, on which climbing plants grew. They were left bare at the sides to allow a breeze to pass through the structure. However, nowadays they can be freestanding and include beams laid across one or more sides so plants can be grown to create shelter from wind if necessary. The basic structure remains, however, which is a square or rectangular frame made using posts and beams that support plants.

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Gazebo

A gazebo is either a freestanding, light structure that's open on all sides, or an addition to a house that stands out from the rest of the building with a dome-shaped, closed roof. Usually circular or octagonal in shape, a gazebo can either stand on a concrete foundation at ground level, or it can be placed on a pedestal-like structure, in which case it can be accessed by steps (similar to a band stand). Like the pergola, a gazebo can also be decorated with climbing plants, although the sides are often left free so that the gazebo can be entered through them. Classic gazebo plants are roses.

Carport

A carport is a protective parking space for cars, similar to a pergola but usually with a rain-proof roof. Its columns provide vertical climbing support for plants, while wires can be stretched between the posts to provide 'walls' of foliage and flowers.

Does a pergola require planning permission?

Most pergolas don't need planning permission, as long as they're built within the following rules:

  • They must be no taller than 2.5m if they are within 2m of a boundary. If more than 3m from the boundary they can be 3m in height
  • A pitched-roof can be up to 4m high
  • Your pergola mustn't cover more than half of your garden
  • You will need planning permission to build a pergola at the front of your house
  • You will need planning permission if your house is listed
  • You may need planning permission if you live in a conservation area

If in doubt, it's a good idea to check with your local authority before planning your new pergola.

How can I design a pergola?

Pergolas can be made of wood, stone, concrete, metal or several materials combined. You can also use wire to fashion a low budget pergola above a balcony or patio.

To make the most attractive display, always use climbing plants that have flowers, colourful autumn leaves or scented foliage.

Under a garden pergola you can easily create a barbecue corner or a spot for a large dining table. For romantic summer nights or garden parties, why not decorate your pergola with lights?

Best plants for a pergola

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Traditionally grapevines were grown up pergolas, and the developing grapes would hang from the roof beams, making them easy to prune and harvest. However, there are plenty of plants that can be used to climb up pergolas, both with additional support or left to scramble up a simple support frame.

  • Honeysuckle is an attractive climber with fragrant summer flowers. It will need tying into a support frame
  • Passion flowers can give pergolas an exotic look. They are self-clinging but will need a trellis or wire frame to climb up
  • Clematis are popular climbers to grow up a pergola. There is a huge variety of clematis to choose from, although Group 3 clematis need annual pruning back to ground level, so choose clematis from Groups 1 or Group 2 instead. Most will need tying into a frame
  • Climbing and rambling roses can smother a pergola with fragrant, summer flowers, and repeat-flowering types provide fragrance and beauty for several weeks. Tie them to a support frame and prune them annually for the best results
  • Wisteria is a popular climber for a pergola. It needs training into support and pruning twice a year

For more pergola ideas visit our page best plants for a pergola.

Can you have a pergola without plants?

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A pergola without plants is an option if you'd rather keep it low maintenance. To create shade, you can simply attach a sun awning to the underside of the roof frame.

How to erect a pergola

No matter what type of pergola you choose, you must make sure it withstands wind and other weather conditions. Most need a concrete foundation, which you sink the posts into to make the whole structure sturdy.

Which wood is suitable?

For a classic wooden pergola, the best woods to use are spruce, Douglas fir or larch. You can also buy ready-to-make pergola kits from DIY stores, where the type of wood isn't always specified. Some suppliers offer softwood as either 'rough sawn' or 'planed and chamfered', depending on the look you have in mind.

For a pergola between 2.2 and 2.5m high you will need posts and beams to support the weight of the plants and any snow that falls in winter – a diameter of 12cm per beam is ideal. The distances between the beams varies depending on the pergola's overall size and height. In general, the cross beams for the roof should be 1.5-3m apart. The longitudinal beams are mounted onto these. On to them, you can then attach lattice trellises with meshes between 30cm and 50cm to provide further support and help the plants to stay on the line you want.

Can I build a pergola myself?

In principle, it is possible to build your own pergola. Look online for good instructions that match your DIY skill level or buy a ready-made pergola kit, where all the measurements are done for you and you will be provided with step-by-step assembly instructions.

Pergola ideas for the home garden

Walled pergola

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Use wooden beams to create a simple structure under which you can add a seating area for al fresco dining. This particular design has walls on three sides to provide additional shelter from wind, and has potted plants inside and a hanging basket hanging from a beam. For a greener look, try growing honeysuckle up one of the posts, which will create a fragrant side wall and roof around your dining area.

Outdoor room pergola

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Bring the inside out with a pergola that feels like another room in your house, by adding plants, ornaments and patterned cushions and rugs. This stylish design features bamboo pergola beams as well as bamboo furniture, red metal support walls and large-leaved plants for a tropical look. But you could add whatever feels right for your home and garden.

Sturdy, modern pergola

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A simple framework using metal beams can add a modern twist to the traditional pergola design. Here, grapevines and summer jasmine grow up the supporting posts and hang down from the metal support beams above.

Statement pergola

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This statement yellow pergola draws other yellows out of the garden, making a garden-wide design spectacle. Choose a colour you like, use it to paint some or all of your pergola, and then grow flowering plants around it to settle it into the garden. Choosing furniture in the same colour will further enhance your look.

Relaxing pergola

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A comfortable seating area or 'day bed' makes the most of this space, which also features a small fish pond for maximum relaxation. This bespoke design uses the same wood for the beams and posts as the furniture, but you could add your own design touch by mixing styles and colours to suit you.

Wildlife-friendly pergola

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What's better for a wildlife lover than relaxing in your pergola as birds and bees feed around you? Cover your walls in flowering plants and make sure there's plenty of space for nesting birds, and then hang bird feeders, bee hotels and other wildlife habitats from the beams. The wildlife will flock to the space, where you'll get a great view of all the action.

Ornate pergola

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Looking for something more ornate? Try using pillars to support your pergola frame, rather than posts. Any combination of materials and styles can work in this situation, just make sure the posts are securely fitted and can safely support the weight of the beams, with and without plants.

Water feature pergola

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A pergola needn't have a seating area if you don't want it to. This design features a rill running through it, drawing the eye to a central body of water, while wisteria and clematis grow up the outer posts and over the roof. For a smaller version you could add a small container pond, and there's no reason why you couldn't also add a dining or seating area.

Rose arch pergola

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For rose lovers, a pergola offers the opportunity to expand your growing space. Forego the traditional design and use a series of arches, with a seating area in the middle. Imagine the fragrance surrounding you as you dine on summer evenings – a spectacular focal point for the garden.

Rustic pergola

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While we don't always have an amazing view like this one, there's a lot to be said for a plain, traditional design. Use plain wooden beams and furniture to make the most of whatever setting you have. Train grapevines as single stems to keep the posts clear, and let your pergola blend seamlessly into your garden environment.

Pergola ideas: advice on building a pergola in your garden (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to know before building a pergola? ›

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUILDING A PERGOLA
  1. THE SIZE OF YOUR PERGOLA. The size of your backyard will really determine the size of the structure you should build. ...
  2. THE PURPOSE OF YOUR PERGOLA. ...
  3. THE POSITION OF YOUR PERGOLA. ...
  4. CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT DESIGN.

Can you put a pergola over a garden? ›

Adding a pergola to your garden is a great way to add some structure and shade to your garden. The posts and open roof are perfect for climbing plants to take over and can create the perfect space to shelter from the sun during the summer.

What should I put under my pergola? ›

Wooden Deck: Classic option

A superficially one-dimensional outdoor flooring option but in actuality the most versatile in appearance, a wooden deck can give your pergola flooring a classic, rustic feel. It can go great alongside a pool deck.

Do pergolas need to be bolted down? ›

Primary among them is safety. A poorly anchored pergola can be moved by high winds if there is a canopy or cover on it as this adds to the wind load the pergola could see in a storm or high winds. Secondary is to ensure long term stability to keep the pergolas shape.

What is the point of a pergola without roof? ›

Opting for an open pergola will allow for better air circulation and let in more sunlight, which is both great for your plants. Also, if you have amazing weather where you live, the open roof design will let you enjoy the natural surroundings a lot more.

What is proper pergola height? ›

Most pergolas tend to stand at 8 to 12 feet tall, though this doesn't have to be the case for every project. At this height range, the pergola is the perfect distance from the ground to optimize the shade footprint it will cast.

What direction should a pergola face in the shade? ›

For maximum shade, consider having an open-roof pergola and place it in a way that its rafters orient both north and south. So as the sun's direction changes, the rafter can cast wide shade under the structure.

How deep should pergola posts be in the ground? ›

The correct depth can be determined by checking with your local building code department or online resource. In warmer climates you may be able to use 10′ posts, which would be buried 2′ in the ground, and colder climates will most likely use 12′ posts which would be buried 3-4′ in the ground.

Should pergola posts be set in concrete? ›

Typically when you dig a hole for a pier, the pergolas will need to be supported by that piece of concrete. You need to make sure you go below the frost line for your area. You don't want the ground to heave and destroy your structure.

Can a pergola sit on pavers? ›

In addition to concrete anchor brackets, drilling directly into the pavers is another option for anchoring your pergola. This method involves drilling holes into the pavers and inserting concrete anchor bolts or masonry screws, which are then secured with nuts and washers.

Can pergola go on grass? ›

Installing a pergola on grass is indeed possible with the right preparation and expertise. While grass may not be the most ideal base for a pergola, it can be made suitable with proper steps.

What is the difference between a pergola and a pergoda? ›

The pergola and pergoda are very similar concepts. Both are structures designed to provide shading in outdoor areas. The main difference is that pergodas feature a solid roof made up of slats, whereas pergolas feature a sliding or louvred roof for greater versatility.

How do you secure a pergola to the ground? ›

First, after adding the pergola's post footings on the ground, you'll need to drill into the pavers to secure these posts. Next, brackets are added to secure each post. Finally, concrete is plastered around each post's base as an added measure of stability. This is the most common way of anchoring your pergola.

Do you pour concrete before or after pergola? ›

It should be said from the outset that a pergola must be fitted on a solid surface. Beneath the finished surface should be something that the pergola can be secured to, for example, a concrete pad.

Do you need a concrete slab for a pergola? ›

Other types of footing can be used depending on the pergola material. You need no concrete if the pergola is made from light materials, like aluminium or wood, and on a levelled surface. However, a pergola made from heavy materials or installed on an unlevelled surface needs a concrete footing.

Does pergola add value to house? ›

While there are many caveats, in short, the answer is yes. A pergola has the potential to add value to your home, with many estimates putting the return on investment at somewhere around 50% to 80%. That makes pergolas one of the more valuable additions homeowners can put on their homes.

Does a pergola need concrete footings? ›

Typically when you dig a hole for a pier, the pergolas will need to be supported by that piece of concrete. You need to make sure you go below the frost line for your area. You don't want the ground to heave and destroy your structure.

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