Take your outdoor space up a notch with a showstopping pergola – ideal for shade, protection from wind and rain, supporting your favourite climber or even creating your very own luxury garden room.
What is a pergola?
Put simply, a pergola is an outdoor structure with posts that support a roofing grid of beams and rafters. That’s a very basic description for something that offers a wealth of possibilities and is guaranteed to make a stunning statement in your garden, whether draped with plants or used to create a decadent outdoor room.
Traditionally, pergolas were always made from wood but more modern, versatile options now boast sleek designs in aluminium with adjustable louvres or fully retractable roofs. For even more flexibility, you can opt for a freestanding pergola or attach it to the house to provide a covered terrace and seamless flow from inside to out.
Why should I get a pergola – what can it do for my garden?
Depending on the space you have, and the type of model you have in mind, there are so many creative ways you can utilise a pergola in your garden.
- The ultimate outdoor dining room – take entertaining up a notch with a pergola-covered outdoor dining area. Arrange your dining set underneath, complete with ambient lighting and accessories, and maybe even an outdoor kitchen set-up, pizza oven or barbecue for added creature comforts. Adorn a traditional wooden pergola with fragrant climbing plants for added shade and a heavenly scent. Weatherproof your dinner parties with a modern luxury pergola, complete with an adjustable roof, louvred walls and pull-down screens, helping you fend off wind, rain or hot sun.
- A zen zone for relaxation – fill your space with a comfy sofa set, loungers, or a day bed for maximum relaxation under the calm shade of your pergola. You can even throw in a hot tub for good measure! Having open or louvred walls will allow you to enjoy the gentle breeze on a hot day, whilst the pergola keeps you shielded from the scorching sun. Pull-down screens can provide privacy and a sense of peace and quiet. If you still want the option of entertaining, choose a sofa or modular set with handy features like a height-adjustable table, a daybed with a built-in side table or even a corner seat that converts to a table.
- An entertainment den – picture movie nights with a pull-down projector screen (perfect with the shade of a pergola), low-key lighting and laid-back seating, an outdoor bar or drinks trolley for refreshments, surround sound, or even a cosy space for board games on a wet day with the rain cover a modern pergola can provide. Stacking or folding seating brings greater versatility to the space, such as the stylish Panama Reclining chair, which assumes five positions, has a 3D headrest for added comfort and can be folded away when not in use. Friends will soon be knocking your door down to spend time in your entertainment hub!
Which style is right for me?
As with anything, the right pergola for you is a personal choice. You might like the rustic appearance of a traditional wooden pergola, with no frills, an open beamed roof and a living canopy of climbing plants. Alternatively, if you love the look of wood but want something more contemporary, you can easily get a beautiful aluminium pergola with a wood effect.
These options blend seamlessly into any outdoor space, whilst boasting all the benefits of a modern outdoor structure. The great thing about aluminium pergolas is that they require far less maintenance than a wooden version. The only thing you need to do to keep it looking pristine is use a little soapy water and a soft cloth to clean off dirt and dust. The durability of our garden pergolas means the finish won’t fade over time, and neither will the robustly-coated aluminium or textilene screens suffer damage from frost. This might just be the easiest room in your home to take care of!
Another bonus with LifestyleGarden premium pergolas is that you can create a custom look, selecting the size, shape and colour you want, with the added option of installing a variety of pull-down screens and louvred walls to suit your space and how you plan to use it.
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