The ideal spot for your pergola: Where to put a pergola for maximum enjoyment

Why pergola location matters

Location, location, location. That’s what they say matters when you’re buying a house. And the same rings true when you’re deciding where is the best place to put a pergola.

If you’re choosing a wall-mounted pergola, your options will be limited, as you’ll need to attach your pergola to an existing building or wall – most likely the back or side of your house.

A free-standing pergola, however, can potentially be placed anywhere. Before deciding that ‘x’ marks the perfect spot, you’ll need to consider things like the layout of your garden, how you’ll use the pergola, and the path the sun takes across your garden at different times of year. Only then can you be sure your pergola placement is bang on the money.

The influence of the location of the gazebo on functionality and aesthetic appeal

Your pergola is likely to change the functionality of your garden. You could place it near your house and use it to dine under, or as a play area for children. Or you could position it further away and use it for a hot tub or as a cosy nook in which to read.

Most people agree that a pergola boosts the aesthetic appeal of a property. And if you choose the right size pergola in the right location, a pergola can complement the look of your house and garden.

For example, a wooden or wood-effect aluminium pergola will look stunning on decking or next to a house with exposed wooden beams.

But you need to think about how your pergola will fit in with your garden layout. Will a tree need chopping back or a pathway redirecting? Will you be able to see and hear your prized water feature or will that need moving as well?

Surrounding landscape and the specifics of the pergola location

Unless you’ve just moved into a house and are designing your garden from scratch, you’ll likely want your pergola to blend in with the features already present in your outdoor space. Here are a few things to consider when asking where can I put a gazebo?

• Trees: Leaves, twigs and potentially bird droppings are likely to fall on the roof of a gazebo that’s located close to trees, requiring extra cleaning. 
• Plants & Flowers: Those beloved roses you grow rely on sunlight to look their blooming best. Will your pergola cast shade on a once sunny flowerbed?  
• Pools: Lucky enough to have an outdoor pool or hot-tub? Your pergola, if placed close to the water, could provide an ideal changing facility instead of having to go back into the house.
• Sunlight: Think about whether you want your pergola in a sunny or shady spot in the summer, or somewhere that gives you the best chance of enjoying precious winter brightness.

Wind and weather: Aluminium pergolas are especially wind and weather resistant. But you won’t want to put any kind of pergola in the firing line if you get strong prevailing winds howling through your garden. Try and choose a spot that offers the best protection from extreme elements when deciding where should gazebo be placed?

Where to put a pergola: ideal locations

Near the garden for a scenic view

If you love your garden just how it is and are getting a pergola so you can spend more time outside, where is the best place to put a pergola will depend on the quality of the views. You’ll want to be able to position your recliners so that you can easily see your pond or that winding path through the flowerbeds.

Close to the house for easy access

Using a pergola for entertaining will likely mean you’ll want to position it near your house. That will give you less distance to carry food and plates. Locating your pergola close to your house will also make it easier to access sources of electricity for your sound system and even an outdoor TV screen.

In the corner of your yard for privacy

A pergola makes for an excellent hideaway if placed in an area away from prying eyes. Perhaps you plan to let plants grow up and around the structure, or you’re going to have dropscreens around the side to create an enclosed room-like space. 

In a shady spot for comfort and coolness

If you’re seeking somewhere cool and shady during the increasingly hotter British summer months, knowing where the sun moves from June to September will help you decide where to put a gazebo. 

Near a pool or water feature

A pergola overlooking a pool or water feature is a recipe for true luxurious relaxation in your garden. It’ll give you somewhere shady to retreat to after taking a dip. Just make sure it’s far enough away that you don’t get splashed while you’re on your recliner.

Things to consider when choosing the right place for a gazebo

Sun and shade: How the positioning affects light

A pergola will cast new shade across your garden, in different directions and amounts depending on the time of year. Bear in mind the impact this could have on the sunlight that gets into your house and on your flowerbeds.

Wind and weather: Protecting your outdoor space

Pergolas are built to handle the worst of the weather, but it still makes sense not to expose yours to high winds when you decide where to place a gazebo. 

Accessibility: Easy movement and flow

Its height and size will affect where you place a gazebo. If you need it to form an entrance to your garden or as a structure over a section of pathway, you’ll want to make sure it’s wide enough for people to pass through, and high enough for people to walk under freely.

Common pergola placement mistakes to avoid

• Slopes: Place your pergola on flat ground. Not only will it look odd at an angle, it will also lack sturdiness.
• Neighbours: Local regulations may prevent you from installing an outdoor structure over a certain height close to a neighbour’s property. Pergolas from Close The Deal are all 2.5m high, which is the maximum height you can build them without needing planning permission. Stricter rules apply if you want your pergola at the front of your house.
• Lawns and decks: When deciding where to place a pergola, you might be tempted to install it on your lawn or decking for aesthetic reasons. But if your foundations aren’t strong enough, you and your pergola could soon get that sinking feeling.

Expert advice: Where is the best place to put a gazebo?

• A location as far away from your house as possible is the best place for pergola perfection according to many experts, but only if you are looking for a brand new space and a quiet oasis of calm away from your house.
• Always trace the path sunlight takes in your garden when deciding where to put a pergola in the garden.
• Take into account the existing features of your garden and ensure your pergola fits in rather than stands out.