How to Make the Most of Your Garden With a Gazebo
The summer has arrived, and after over a year of social distancing measures, you might be looking to make your garden the perfect spot to spend time with friends and family. An excellent way to transform any outdoor space is by installing a gazebo. A gazebo is great as it provides full coverage from the sun. Not only do these bring class and style to any garden, they cater to those who need the shade. Additionally, it will provide a beautiful space for you and your guests to relax in the hot summer sun.
Gazebos are highly customisable and can be used as outdoor dining spaces, a place to take refuge in the shade, or protection from the inevitable summer showers, typical of the British climate. The flexibility of these outdoor oases reinforces the importance of choosing the right option for you and for maximising the space available in your garden. Here are some tips to ensure that your garden is the envy of your neighbours this summer.
Choosing the Right Type
There are many styles of gazebos, so ensuring that these fit the feel of your home and garden is essential. Materials, size and ease of construction all play a role in the decision-making process.
A gazebo is mainly used as a free-standing structure designed to offer respite from the harsh glare of the sun. Therefore, you need to consider how you plan to use a gazebo in your garden and how the size of your garden might impact this. If you have ample outdoor space but not a lot of trees to provide shade, then a free-standing structure might be the best bet for you. A gazebo connected to the property could work better for those more pushed for room who are simply looking to add a covered outdoor dining area to their garden. It is, therefore, essential to consider how you plan on using your garden, as well as the space available to you when choosing the perfect gazebo.
Another important decision is your preferred material. Not only do these have aesthetic differences, but they can also vary in their durability. The most classical construction style of a gazebo is on brick or stone pillars, but modern ones are typically made from wood or vinyl. These materials are more affordable and easy to construct than the classic styles that emerged in the late 19th century.
Covering Your Pergola
After deciding on the size, type and material for your gazebo, the next step is to consider what sort of roof style you would look for to ensure you can still dine in style but also avoid the glare of the sun.
A common practice with these gazebos is to cover the roof with ornamental plants, providing a natural feel to your garden. The density of coverage is crucial to consider if this is the approach you decide to take, as this will affect the amount of shade in the area. Such an approach is unlikely to offer much weather resistance, however, so it could limit the use of the shelter to only the sunniest days.
Alternatively, a solid, waterproof roof might be something to consider. A solution like this could extend the period in which you can use the tent shaped structure throughout the year. Pair a solid roof with some heat lamps, and you could have an outdoor space year-round; perfectly shaded in the summer and warm and dry in the winter.
As an intermediary between these options, removable canopies and gazebo side panels are an option. Waterproof awnings can be easily removed or put on to provide shelter from the sun or rain to your heart’s content. Additionally, you can install custom gazebo sides to protect yourself from the elements. This is highly recommended in fact.
Personalising Your Space
When it comes to furnishing your gazebo, the only limit is your imagination. From swings to park benches to sun loungers, making the most of your outdoor space will be determined by how you intend to use it.
By attaching weather-resistant fairy lights to the beams on the structure’s roof, you can create a picturesque outdoor dining area, perfect for alfresco dining in the summer. Also, consider including hanging plants and soft furnishings in the space if you would like a beautiful place to relax in the sun. As previously mentioned, integrating covers and heat lamps into the gazebo can provide a year-round functional space.
If luxury is more your style, you could consider adding a hot tub under the sheltered roof to create a unique feel in your garden to help your outdoor area stand out from everyone else’s. For inspiration on personalising your garden area, it is a good idea to look at what other people have done with theirs.
A Great Way to Spruce Up Your Garden
Overall, gazebos are a brilliant way to add both style and functionality to your garden. There are many things to consider when choosing the best way to utilise the space available to you, and it is also critical to think about how you will get the best use out of a covered outdoor area. Modern materials have made gazebos like these more affordable than ever, though, and by carefully considering your options, integrating one into your garden could transform your space.
Gardening course for beginners from GardenAdvice
One day gardening courses especially created for beginners run in your own garden by the GardenAdvice expert gardeners. Available as a gift voucher for the gardener in your life.
Become a gardener with the GardenAdvice Gardening Course.
If you are new to gardening it can all seem a bit complicated at first with all the Latin names and the gardening terminology. GardenAdvice.co.uk have developed a especially designed short one day course to be able to teach you all the basic skills of gardening to get you started.
The courses in your own garden cover such basic skills as pruning, correct digging methods, growing your own shrubs and creating the perfect lawn. See some of our clients our gardening course and our MyGardenTeam service on Instagram and the client section on the GardenAdvice website.
For further information visit or gardening courses section.
