A charming backyard in Madison, WI, featuring a pergola with a transparent roof, decorated with hanging flower baskets. Supported by stone pillars, the pergola sits beside a newly completed exterior renovation: a house with blue siding accessed by wooden stairs. A black metal bench sits nearby.

We love pergolas!

A pergola is a simple structure that can transform your backyard and turn it into an outdoor living space that you love. Those are the easy reasons but there are many other reasons and one big reason for me is they provide interesting shade and a place to hang plants and bird feeders. Especially Hummingbird feeders.

To some people, pergolas may look like uncomplicated structures as they are typically built with roof beams and vertical beams without a solid roof or walls. But they come with benefits and can help change the entire look of your outdoor space. Plus everyone loves sitting under them. They’re cool and add a strong element of class to your outdoor living space and the shadows they cast on the floor below are interesting and cooling.

You can make a pergola out of many different materials and make them as ornate or as simple as you want. It’s wood so if you’re trying this yourself you can’t really mess it up too badly.

Pergolas have a requirement – They need a patio or deck below them.

The first thing you need to do, however, is to have a deck or a patio to put the pergola over. Don’t just build a pergola on the grass and expect it to have the same impact. They need to be over a patio or deck to make them cool. The bigger the patio the bigger the pergola. Some people put the pergola over half the patio and leave the other half open to the sun. I have to question this design as I’ve never seen that look done well. It always looks half finished to me.

Pergolas create a defined living space: A pergola can add definition and interest to your backyard. You can create an entertainment lounge or a dining area, which is profound,

If you want a definite purpose in your outdoor area, a pergola is a perfect solution.

You get privacy: But not really. You get the illusion of privacy. Although it is an open structure, you can create privacy by adding latticework, or screens to one side of the pergola. However, the lattice is great for growing an ivy that will give you the privacy you want. When it comes to your lawn you can contact experts from KingGREEN to get your front yard beautified.

They create additional space for plants: You can add additional garden space in your outdoor area with a pergola. You can hang plants from the boards and create a gorgeous garden in the air.

A pergola is also appropriate for plants like clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, wisteria, and grape vines as they grow from the ground up and can create a beautiful natural ceiling as they intertwine themselves in the boards or posts. This is one of my favorite looks of pergolas. They give your pergola a European feel and are romantic.

They give protection and shade from the elements: A pergola can give you a beautiful shaded area where you can enjoy the summer day without worrying about sunburn. If you have a natural roof made of climbing flowers, you instantly get an outdoor lounge where you can relax. There are also pergolas that have an optional canopy that you can open and close as needed.

They have kits for Pergolas but most people just hire us to build them for you. What I love about pergolas are all the things you can add to them and, you don’t have to add things all at once. Take your time and add lights climbing up the posts. In the winter and during the holidays it extends your holiday spirit to the outdoors. This is where an outdoor fireplace can be built or a pond can be installed. The whole idea is to get outside and enjoy the elements.

So, if you’re looking to add some interest to your outdoor living space, think about a pergola.