Pergolas are amazing. They can add character and beauty to a property that makes it a joy for relaxation and leisure. 

A pergola is simply an arched structure often with a trailing vine, plants or flowers climbing on it. There are all sorts of wonderful design ideas for pergolas and really the sky’s the limit when it comes to the kind of material, shape and size of the pergola you decide on. 

If you’re deciding on a pergola design there are four core principles to remember in order to end up with the perfect pergola. Here they are.

Why do you want a pergola?

If you said “because they’re spectacular,” this is an acceptable answer and would be considered correct on Jeopardy! or any other forum. However, we’d encourage you to get even deeper and think about what you’ll use your pergola for, how often, and in what kind of events.

For example, do you want it to be large and have space underneath to sit with large groups of family and friends? Do you want it to be more of a romantic space for you and your partner to sit on a swing or lounge on a comfy deck chair? Do you want it to be facing a certain direction so you can have a view or situated closer to the house or deck so you could easily have dinner outdoors?

Do you want eyebrow arbors extending out from windows or a freestanding pergola in the yard?

There is lots to think about in terms of why you want a pergola, and getting down to the main uses you’ll have for it will lead you a good idea of the kind of design you want and where you want it located on your property. 

How do you want your pergola to look?

The architectural form of your pergola is important. For one thing, your pergola will fit better on your property if you match it to the style of your home and yard. 

This is also true of the materials that your home is made from and its architectural style, color scheme and other features. Your pergola doesn’t have to be an “exact match” by any means, but if it is complementary to your home it’s going to look and feel a lot better. 

The form of the pergola and its appearance will also have a lot to do with what it’s made of and from wood and stone to steel and fiberglass, the options are endless. It’s just vital to ask questions about maintenance, style and cost when you consider what the pergola will be made of.

What features do you want your pergola to have?

Depending on what you’ll be using the pergola for and how “advanced” you want it to be there are various features you can add in. 

This includes wiring it up with electricity, installing a fan and putting in lighting and you can also go with manual or automated sun umbrella and awning systems that can roll up and down. 

The list of what you can install – from sound systems to bug zappers and heaters – is almost endless.

What’s your budget for the pergola?

Pergolas are a beautiful thing, but they do cost money. And the more high-tech, large and refined your design gets the more it’s going to cost. 

The price range really depends and you can end up spending much less than you might expect if you go with a basic pergola built with treated wood that is water resistant and don’t add in wiring and other features. 

The best option is to get a quote from a professional landscaping contractor to find out more about how much some of your pergola ideas will cost. 

When it comes to pergolas, our friendly, experienced staff at YardBlooms know their way around. We can help you achieve customized pergola perfection for much less than you think. 

Reach out and contact us today for a free estimate.