Choosing the Right Structural Addition for Your Garden

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Outdoor garden structures can provide you with seating, shade and even a bit of shelter from the rain, depending on which type you choose. Although these structures serve a practical purpose, they’re available in a wide range of decorative styles and designs that can enhance your garden’s appearance. How do you know which type would work best for your property? Keep the following in mind when deciding on an outdoor garden structure.

Arbor 

Arbors act as entrances between different garden areas or entrances to your garden from your yard. These structures typically have an arch at the top and trellis walls that vines can grow on. While they have a relatively simple design compared to other garden structures, you can make them more elaborate with an intricate design, flowering vines or seating areas. In fact, you can set up a vertical garden with trumpet vines or other vines using your arbor. 

An arbor is an ideal option if you just want to set up a small structure with seating or if you want to highlight entrances to your garden or to different garden areas. 

Gazebo

Gazebos offer more space and shelter than arbors. Since they’re larger, these structures work well in between garden areas if enough room is available. They can also be placed closer to the edge of your garden or just outside of it, so that you still have a good view of your flowers, plants and trees. 

A gazebo typically has a roof, a floor, open sides and seating in a polygon or rounded shape. You can have built-in benches placed along the inner sides of your gazebo, or place your own luxurious chairs inside it for seating. Gazebos are a good option if you need a structure that holds more people and provides some shelter from rain overhead. 

Pergola 

Pergolas are outdoor garden structures that can be freestanding or built onto the side of your home, depending on the layout of your yard. These structures don’t have a roof, but they do have a series of beams that provide shade. Pergolas are known for having ornamental designs or cuts on the roof beams and on the columns that hold these structures in place. You can also add grapevines or other plants to the beams for decorative purposes and to add more shade.

With a larger pergola, you can add a table and chairs for dining, or have a porch swing and other seating installed. Pergolas are suitable options when you want a spacious and more open structure that still offers shade.