Cool Pergolas That Will Inspire Your Outdoor Oasis
Pergolas add shade in a sunny space, give a large outdoor area some definition, bridge the gap between indoor-outdoor living, and look stylish while doing it. Check out some favorites below.
Above: Open & AiryA large yard can be a blessing, but when left open it can feel overwhelming and impersonal. In order to break up the long lot, a pergola was installed over an outdoor dining and entertaining space. The stone support pillars are actually rectangular and were turned sideways to elongate the sight lines. Virginia Macdonald
Understated EleganceOn this rooftop terrace, a pergola adds a sense of enclosure while still providing plenty of sun. A massive outdoor sofa set atop lush AstroTurf creates the ideal spot for sunbathing — for both humans and canines alike! Virginia Macdonald
Country Meets CityA canopied pergola provides more flexibility than a porch, but matches the shade coverage. Manually operated, the sailcloth awnings are a fun nautical twist and their softness counterbalances the strong wood pillars and geometric fence. Brandon Barré
French CountryAt French Country shop owner Vi Jull’s Prince Edward County weekend retreat, the back porch looks like something from the south of France. A sparse bistro set and a low-slung wall keeps things minimal and lets the garden be the focal point. Donna Griffith
Classic CottageThis Muskoka cottage uses pergolas to bridge the divide between indoors and out. At the front, a pergola frames the entrance while trellised retaining walls extend the house outwards. Ted Yarwood
Modern & SereneFor a more modern take, angular lines and clean edges provide a graphic punch against minimalist plantings of cedar and yucca. This arbor made of elegant red cedar is a welcome pop of rich color, which will only get better with age. Kim Christie
Suburban SophisticationA pergola separates this city driveway from the classically appointed backyard. The Chippendale-style gate riffs on the trellis detail and leads the eye onwards to the Mansard-roof topped garden shed. Ted Yarwood
Modern CountryA cedar pergola was painted a crisp white and paired with big palm leaf plantings to channel the majestic feel of the gardens of Charleston, South Carolina. The center structure is fully equipped with a TV and sound system for the ultimate entertaining oasis. Donna Griffith
Vineyard ChicAt this historical house on the Niagara, Ontario, escarpment, the pool was a new upgrade but blends in seamlessly with the old architecture. The 50-foot saltwater lap pool is flanked by an open pergola for a Mediterranean feel. Ted Yarwood
Old World CharmOn a country estate in Erin, Ontario, the overgrown ruins of an old barn was transformed into a courtyard terrace and pool. Here, the pergola, built into the old barn walls, was fashioned out of the original barn beams, where wisteria vines will eventually provide a ceiling. Virginia Macdonald
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