Add a gazebo to your backyard and make it more like home with these useful structures that provide shade, provide designated places, and can even act as the perfect backdrop for creative home decorations!
Customize your pergola in many different ways to make it your ideal outdoor living space, whether that means adding some elegance, creating a cozy retreat space or just improving it overall. In this article we’ll look at 13 strategies for decorating a gazebo to maximize its potential and get maximum enjoyment out of it.
1. Paint it a New Color
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most noticeable ways to make a gazebo look new again. Changing the color of the building can make it look and feel different, so it can either fit in with the outside of your house or stand out as a bold statement.
Think about how the outdoor area is designed as a whole when picking a paint color. Choose natural wood tones, tans, or earthy colors for a classic look. If you want a more modern look, use bright colors or whites that stand out against the background.
If you do decide to paint your gazebo, use acrylic paint because it lasts a long time and doesn’t get damaged by the weather.
Use high-quality acrylic outdoor paint for optimal results. This type of paint lasts longer and resists weather damage better, making it more suitable for withstanding adverse conditions. Once this step is completed, follow these steps:
- Install a water-based finish to protect and enhance the paint finish and preserve its shine.
- Whenever planning to paint, choose a season with low humidity for optimal results.
- Instead of applying one thick layer, try layering multiple thinner ones.
- Allow each coat of paint time to fully dry before moving on to the next.
2. Install a Swing
Add a swing to your gazebo for hours of relaxing leisure. It provides a space where anyone can unwind and unwind safely. Here is how you can safely add one:
- If you need to, strengthen the frame of the pergola.
- Pick a swing that fits the size and weight limit of the trellis.
- Use heavy-duty hardware to securely connect the swing to the pergola’s beams.
- Before using your swing, ensure it is stable.
Porch swings offer great opportunities for reading, talking with others or simply taking in the fresh air.
3. Add More Shade with a Cover
Pergolas naturally offer some shade, but having a cover can make it much more comfortable and useful. A pergola cover not only protects you from the sun and rain, but it also makes the building look better and gives it more personality.
Covers for pergolas come in a number of styles:
- Covers of fabric: It is cheap and simple to put in or take out as needed.
- Awnings that roll up: They allow users to control the amount of sunlight that gets through with complete control.
- Roof sheets that are solid: give excellent weather protection.
Considering your local weather conditions is vital before choosing a pergola cover. Outdoor curtains mounted onto poles allow greater flexibility by closing or opening them as required for greater protection and security.
4. Add String Lights
String lights are an easy and effective way to make your outdoor place feel magical. If you plan to use your gazebo at night, look for strong outdoor string lights that can give you light and make the space feel magical.
To find the right amount of lighting, you should measure the trellis, choose outdoor-rated lights, and plan the layout so that the lights are spread out evenly. For a fun look, string lights can be wound through the beams of the pergola or hung in swooping designs.
5. Make it Green with Potted Plants
Incorporating plants into pergola designs will add dimension and depth to your area, giving the appearance of natural which makes you feel as if that you’re outside. There are many ways to plant potted plants, making it easy and practical to make modifications.
Consider these factors when selecting trees for a pergola:
- Not required for light: Select plants that will thrive in your pergola’s light conditions, which may remain partially shaded throughout most of the day.
- Watering Needs: Keep in mind that plants under a trellis may receive less rain from above.
- How they grow: Climbing plants can cover the frame of the pergola, and hanging plants can make it look like the plants are falling down.
Climbing roses or jasmine are popular choices for their scent and beauty. Ivy or clematis can cover quickly, and succulents or herbs are good choices for low-maintenance plants.
6. Create an Outdoor Dining Room
By turning a gazebo into an outdoor dining room, you can make your living space bigger and have a beautiful place to eat and have people over. To make the eating area look nice:
- For mood, hang a chandelier or hanging lights.
- Set up an eating table and chairs that can stand up to the weather.
- Add an outdoor rug to make the area look nicer.
- A table or bar cart will make it easy to store things and serve drinks.
If you enjoy entertaining outdoors, adding a small wet bar or covered grill to make outdoor eating even more enjoyable can add an extra special touch.
7. Hang a Hammock
In the summer heat, hammocks are the perfect spot to sit and read, relax or simply enjoy the outdoors. For putting up the hammock:
- Check if the gazebo can support the load of the hammock.
- Choose a hammock style that complements the style that the pergola.
- Use the correct equipment to secure the hammock to the two side of your pergola.
For more relaxation, put in some pillows for the outside as well as a soft blanket to create a comfortable place.
8. Build Some Planters
You can also improve the mood of your pergola by putting beautiful plants and flowers in custom-built pots. Planters can be made from a variety of materials to fit the style of the pergola. For example, stone for a natural look, concrete blocks for a modern look, or wood for a rustic look.
Planters can be used for many things:
- Build walls for privacy
- Set the limits of the structure.
- Put together a vegetable garden that is easy to get to when you’re cooking outside.
9. Suspend Plant Hangers
Hanging plants from your pergola is an efficient and cost-effective way to add depth while saving space on the ground. This method works equally well for flowering as well as leafy plants, creating the illusion of an airy garden above.
Add an unexpected flair by hanging some from old bottles or mason jars – this adds flair and personalizes the area! For optimal plant hanging results:
- On pergola beams place strong hooks or pegs to support hanging plants.
- Select plants that thrive in hanging pots and provide some shade.
- For depth, use a range of plant types and hanging heights.
10. Build a Fire Pit
With a fire pit, a gazebo can be a cozy place to go all year. It keeps you warm on cool nights and gives you and your family a natural place to hang out, where you can roast marshmallows, tell stories, or just enjoy the beautiful flames. If you’re adding a fire feature, safety should always come first. Do these things first:
- To keep carbon monoxide from building up, make sure there is good airflow.
- Check your neighborhood rules about using a fire pit.
- Place the fire pit away from the frame of the pergola and any plants that hang over it.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher close by.
11. Hang Paper Lanterns
If you put paper lanterns under a pergola, they give it a soft, sweet glow. You can make them fit your style because they come in different sizes, colors, and patterns. To pick out lanterns made of paper:
- Find outdoor-friendly options that can stand up to the weather.
- Hang lights at different heights.
- For easy lighting, think about lights that run on batteries or the sun.
To make the room look more put-together, match the colors of the lanterns to other decorative items like pillows or plants.
12. Create a Boho Vibe
A bohemian-style pergola makes a cool, eclectic space that’s great for casual gatherings or quiet rest. Use rattan, wicker, and macramé, as well as throws, pillows, and rugs of different textures, to get the boho look. Pick a basic color scheme with some earthy tones that stand out.
Use string lights, lanterns, and candles to add different levels of light. A boho pergola works best when it looks like it’s been lived in and is easy and welcoming.
13. Put In Some Outdoor Lighting
Having the right lights can make your pergola more useful in the evening and give the area a glow.
- Candle lanterns for a romantic glow
- hanging lanterns or chandeliers to add light
- Wall lanterns are used to direct light.
- Floor lamps for general lighting
When shopping for outdoor lights, think about where the power will come from. Some options are:
- Fixtures that are hardwired for lasting, reliable lighting
- Solar-powered lights are easy to set up and are good for the environment.
- Battery-powered lights that can be put anywhere