Inspirational Ideas for Pergolas in Your Backyard

Poolside wood pergolas offer shade within steps of the pool. For shade, it’s larger and more effective than a patio umbrella. Plus, it doesn’t need to be folded in the rain. Anchor the corners with hanging baskets, bringing plants to eye level and off the hot pool deck.

Gardeners, take note. Use a pergola to give climbing vines a place to ramble. Some classic choices are New Dawn Rose, jasmine, mandevilla or climbing hydrangeas.

Understated materials, just metal and wood, without architectural embellishment, offer comfort, simplicity and minimalist style.

Shelter the hot tub with a pergola. Give the grownups their own space beside the pool. Set it apart with a pergola that features a privacy wall.

A spacious pergola can frame the heart of your outdoor living space. Keep your guests comfortable with cushy seating. A fireplace could anchor one side, with a grill just steps away. Fill in the space with lush container plants. Complete the look with hanging baskets.

Give your open deck some shade when you add a pergola above an outdoor table and chairs. Cedar pergolas are a top choice for outdoor construction. They naturally resist rot and pests.

You can control the amount of shade under a metal pergola with an adjustable slide canopy. Many fabric canopies are washable with mild soap and water.

Add extra seating when you hang a swing under your pergola. On sultry summer nights, you can create your own breeze.

If your patio gets harsh afternoon sun, consider a pergola to soften the light outside the house and inside. In temperate weather, just step outside to bring the party to the pergola.

A pergola can become an oasis in your backyard. With adjustable shade canopies, you can control the amount of sunlight under black pergolas. More shade means more time you can relax in this retreat.

Define the outdoor dining area under the pergola with a spacious table and seating. String lights overhead add a fun touch. A privacy screen can minimize distraction from homes nearby.

If your neighbors are close, you can use an adjustable canopy shade for privacy. It's often easier to enjoy the great outdoors without being in view of those who live nearby.

As you install your pergola, consider the views from your property. The open structure of a pergola can highlight more than one scenic vista. Maybe you’ll place a pergola to enjoy seeing both a pool and the ocean. Or perhaps it will frame views of a lake and the mountains.

Make your pergola glow with lighting from the ground up. The right lighting can add to the ambiance and allow you to entertain well into the evening.

Enhance a bare bones patio with an aluminum pergola that suits a smaller space. A repurposed screen can add a focal point, while abundant containers of annuals act as colorful accents.

When your pergola shades your outdoor living room, it opens up new possibilities for entertaining. Create the ultimate outdoor experience with a grilling station and dining area.

A pergola doesn’t have to be oversized to add interest to your backyard. You can cool off in style with a 10 foot by 10 foot arched pergola with slide canopy. 10X10 foot pergolas offer all the space you need for a patio set and a few decorative planters.

Consider the view of the pergola from inside your home or from a deck. If you’re looking down from a second floor, or maybe even higher, seek out an architecturally interesting pergola to heighten the view from the house.

Keep the beach vibe going with a poolside pergola paired lounge chairs and an in-ground hot tub. Vinyl pergolas are easy to clean. They typically only need to be rinsed off with a garden hose.

Extend your gardening space with a pergola. Use your pergola as a place to group containers of annuals and display hanging baskets.