Outdoor Living Space Ideas

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...

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...

Pergola Depot Awarded Best of Houzz 2018

We're pleased to announce that Pergola Depot has been awarded "Best Of Customer Service" on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. This is Pergola Depot's fourth Best Of Houzz award, following on from our 2015, 2016, and 2017 awards for Customer Service. We love our customers and very much appreciate all of the pergola kit customer reviews we've received, and being recognized for the attention to quality that is so important to our team at Pergola Depot. Pergola Depot Best of Houzz Award 2018 Thank you to our customers for making this achievement possible for us! The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017....

Winter Staycation Ideas

When you think of a winter outdoor retreat or winter staycation ideas, what comes to mind? A great way to take a break from the last minute holiday shopping and excitement if you can't venture too far from home is to find a nearby trail or park, take a neighborhood stroll or bike ride, or relax and enjoy the backyard retreat you spent all that time creating this summer. If you're planning to take a First Day Hike when 2018 arrives, maybe you can do a preview hike of the location you've scoped out for January 1. For a coast-to-coast listing, Stateparks.org is a good resource showing parks from Maine to California who are hosting guided hikes on New Year's Day, or you can search your state's department of natural...

Festive Backyard Christmas Party Ideas & Holiday Decoration Tips

While you may be dreaming of a white Christmas, if you live in a spot on the map where real snowflakes won't be a reality, at least you can have a backyard holiday party to share the highlights of the year without getting frostbite! Or if you do live where the forecast calls for chilly temps and you don't mind the cold, make a plan to have your party outdoors and stock up on firewood. Just be sure to have your guests dress warm, and plan to huddle around the fireplace, or invest in some outdoor heaters to keep everyone cozy underneath your outside pergola. If you're in a warmer climate, this is the perfect time to put your new open air space to use. Lawn games and a cookout with seasonal...

Outdoor Pergola & Patio Decorations for Your Home

Looking for some simple outdoor patio decorations for the upcoming holidays? Make a fresh wreath, dust off that old toboggan and skates, and invest in some string lights for your pergola! Use what you have or find something new this year, but keep in mind that decorations can be flashy - or subtle. If you spend as much time outdoors as you do inside, make your space a warm and welcoming place to be. Design techniques can be very elaborate, or as simple as spending an afternoon out on the back deck or covered patio. Quick Install Outdoor Patio Decor If you’re limited on time for decorating this year, here are a few outdoor patio décor ideas you can install in a snap! Lean that antique sled you have tucked away in...

Most Inviting Colors for Front Door and Patio Decorations

One surefire (and easy!) way to liven up your entryway is to welcome visitors with a new splash of color on your front door! If you're getting ready to change your seasonal wreath, now might be the perfect time to pick your paint. Then you can finalize your theme for your patio decorations. Inviting Colors for Seasonal Patio Decorations Borrowing some great visuals on paint jobs for your front porch from DIY Network's 28 inviting colors to paint a front door pictures, you're sure to find a color scheme that you can tie in with your favorite wreath for the season, as well as any time during the year. Pick colors that you like for your climate, and that'll work during winter, spring, summer, or fall if you don't want to repaint...