Pergola Kits and Outdoor Living Ideas Pergola Depot Blog

Modern Pergola Kits

Outdoor living designs often show off one specific feature of your backyard. If you’d like the main event in your design to be a pergola, we’ve got a few ideas to help you make yours a reality. First, think about how you envision the end result to be. Do you want to completely cover a dining area and have lots of space to spare? Or are you creating a semi-open roof for a patio in a metropolitan setting? Maybe you’re building an outdoor room that could be a kitchen area, or sitting area with outdoor fireplace. Maybe you're looking to build that spot for quiet reflection after a long day of work. No matter what your vision is, many common designs today offer a modern flair that often centers around a...

Outdoor Pergola Kitchen Ideas

Attention foodies that love fresh air! Quality bonding with friends and family is oftentimes centered around food. Something that makes those experiences even better is cooking outside. Have you decided that it’s time to create that outdoor kitchen pergola you’ve been designing in your mind? One way to begin making your outdoor kitchen dream a reality is to make a checklist. This article provides direction with FAQ and outdoor pergola kitchen ideas to help you get started. What are some of the top features of an outdoor kitchen? Do you envision a large dining table for friends and family to gather for special times? Or do you prefer a cozy intimate setting with a quality grill or cooking station? Whether you go big or small, one thing’s for sure – a...

Unique Pergola Designs for Outdoor Living

If you’re looking for something unique to improve your outdoor living space, consider these prefab pergola designs to make your space usable year-round. Pergolas add a design element that can expand your existing backyard area by virtually creating an extra room. Some of the newest pergola designs can be used to create an outdoor kitchen, expand your entertaining area, or make a simple secluded spot to relax. Whether you’re an old pro at planning and designing or a newbie on the DIY scene, we recommend starting with these 3 questions to get the ball rolling. How Will Your Outdoor Living Space Be Used? Are you trying to expand your usable backyard space by building an outdoor living room? Or simply just looking for a patio cover? One of our standard pergola designs...

Several of the Best Backyard Shade Ideas & Solutions

Looking for backyard shade ideas you can add to your outdoor space for maximum protection from the elements? Is your patio sitting empty for many of the hot summer months because there's not enough shade? There are many types of structures you can add to cover your patio ranging from umbrellas to retractable awnings to pergola roof kits. But if you're looking for a more permanent structure that can withstand extreme weather conditions and create an inviting space, consider adding a wood pergola. Pergolas provide shade and can transform an exposed, sun drenched outdoor space into a cool, relaxing retreat. Where do you start? If you're a DIYer and would like to tackle the project yourself, start by figuring out the best size for your space. If you'd rather have someone...

Top 5 Uses for a Pergola

The list of uses for a pergola is endless! Carport, patio cover, garden feature, patio shade. Are you trying to make your outdoor space usable year-round? Have you heard people talking about pergolas and gazebos and thinking this could be the answer? What is a pergola and what is a pergola used for? If you're new to the term "pergola", it's synonymous with the word "retreat" or "arbor" but can also be much more than that. They can transform a backyard in a new outdoor room. Pergola kits can create a lifestyle. In today's landscape design, pergolas have many purposes. They add function and style to backyards of any size, and are one of the easiest ways to build an outdoor retreat. If you're still wondering if this a possible solution...

3 Time-tested Elements for Outdoor Living Space Design

A leading trend in outdoor room design incorporates outdoor pergola kits into the landscape. Designs have evolved over the years, but core elements that still remain to create the framework for your outdoor space include patio flooring, natural boundaries, and structures such as outdoor pergola kits, gazebos, pagodas, and similar wood structures. One of the first steps is to define the borders of your outdoor room. Measure off the area and make your wish-list for the space. Are you trying to preserve the natural aspects of your surroundings? Do you want to be sure you don't obstruct your view or are you trying to create more privacy? Are there space or building restrictions? Answers to these questions will lead you to one of your first decisions on how you'll create the...

DIY Spruce-ups for Wood Pergola Kits and Patio Pieces

Getting your outdoor furniture and structures ready for the season? Grab a paintbrush and do a quick spruce up of your front door, patio furniture, and other structures. The summer heat that will be here soon can crack and warp a wooden front door's surface over time. Repainting or staining doors, wooden benches, and furniture can help protect those wood surfaces from the elements. It also makes it look fresh and welcoming! Assess your larger outdoor wooden structures such as pergola, deck, trellis, or fence and decide if it's time to add another coat of sealant or stain to preserve the natural look of your wood. Spring is the time to clean, refresh, and get your patio furniture ready to use again, and it's also a good time to do...

How to Get Started with Your Outdoor Patio Design

If you're just getting started with a new outdoor patio design, try one of the many sample outdoor patio drawings out there. Or start from scratch by creating your own rough sketch of your yard and some of the basic features you'd like to add. Your local landscaper could help you out or do your own quick drawing with pencil and paper first. This can help you figure out your space, think about the elements you'd like to incorporate, and decide possible placement that'll create the landscape that best meets your needs. Maybe you're trying to create more shade, add more privacy, or make an entirely new outdoor room. Choosing plants, trees, outdoor structures, accessories, and patio or deck materials are some of the elements you'll be able to customize to really...

10 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

It's fun to flip through the home & garden fliers that show up in our mailbox this time of year, dream about the possibilities for home improvements, and make plans for the upcoming outdoor season. As I was leafing through a few recent mailers, I noticed that most of them have a handy checklist for spring home maintenance. Obviously, the one you get in your mailbox will have the best list suited to your climate. But I pulled out a top 10 list that applies to nearly every state that we ship our pergola kits to. Inspect your A/C unit. If you have central air, give the system a check and make sure it's in working order before the outside temps start rising. Or call a qualified technician and have...

Planning a Spring or Summer Garden Party?

Are you getting spring fever? Now's the time to get your patio plan in place, starting with an outdoor wood structure kit! Perhaps you'll be hosting an outdoor gathering for your high schooler's prom or spring formal. Maybe you have a graduate to honor and are looking for backyard graduation party ideas so you can host the party on your patio? Or, you could be offering your backyard for a garden wedding the happy couple has always dreamed of! Any of these events would be made even more magical with a special area for dining, relaxing, or a unique photo op complete with a gorgeous pergola. If you have an empty spot on your deck, patio or backyard, an outdoor wood structure could be the missing piece to bring it...