How to Plan a Pergola

If you're looking to accent your outdoor space with a natural, attractive focal point, you may want to explore how to plan a pergola.

A pergola won't provide shelter from the wind, rain or sun—but that's sort of the point. This open-roofed structure creates a great focal point or seating area in any outdoor space, and when it's accented with climbing vines or hanging plants, it can create an even more visually appealing connection to the outdoors.

Your first choice when planning a pergola is where it's going to be located. Often, pergolas serve as covers for walkways, or entrances to seating or gathering areas. So consider these uses when deciding where you're pergola will be located.

Next up, you'll need to decide if your pergola will be a DIY project, if you'll hire a professional to build it, or if you'll buy a prefabricated model from a home improvement or garden supply store. Each options has advantages and disadvantages related to cost, time and customizability. An important factor here is whether you want your pergola to match the overall style of your outdoor space and home—if so, a prefab model may be harder to find in a perfect match, and DIY or professional construction may be the answer.

However you choose to design and build your pergola, it's sure to be a visually appealing, fun and functional focal point for your backyard or outdoor living space for years to come.

See also: Deck and Patio Design Ideas