Summertime Staycation Ideas

Sometimes all you want is to take a well-deserved vacation from the realities of everyday life, especially with summer rolling in full swing. Unfortunately, jetting off to a faraway island is something that's not always in the cards, or perhaps not a first choice. Maybe you'd like more familiar surroundings on your time off, or you simply want to stay home and enjoy the new backyard playground you've recently added to your landscape! Oftentimes, the best vacation memories are created right at home. And if you've got an outdoor oasis in your backyard, why go anywhere else? Read on for a few staycation ideas if you're spending those extra days at home sweet home. There are so many ways that you...

5 Fun Backyard Structure Ideas to Fill Empty Yard Space

It can be difficult trying to find ways to fill your whole backyard with enjoyment, but here are five different ways you can update that bare space and add functionality and fun! Back yards can either be a beautiful hangout for family and friends or an area that induces thoughts of stress due to that one area devoid of any backyard structures. Adding a pergola can create the boundaries of your outdoor oasis. Start with one of these options to really create that backyard retreat you'll look forward to at the end of a long week.

Put in a rain garden

If you live in a more urban area, rain runoff can be a problem. By adding a small depression in the ground you can allow the storm water to...

Patio Pergolas for Patio Shade

With summer right around the corner, plenty of people are looking for ways to update and upgrade their outdoor spaces that provide a little break from the sun. Our Arizona customer whose photo was chosen by our followers as our April customer of the month shows a fun and functional way to make better use of their back patio area with a patio shade kit. For those of you looking for a DIY project, our pergola kits offer an array of designs, sizes, and can be custom made to your measurements. They add interest to the eye as well as an easy space to decorate. Think hanging flowers and fun spring gardens to work in with the whole family. They also offer a safe shady area for...

How to Change up your Landscape Design

Landscape design changes can take a weekend or up to several weeks, depending on how elaborate your plans are, and if you're enlisting the help of a contractor. With so many options for design and decor, try working with what you already have, and then work in a few new features gradually to achieve your desired look. Here are a couple ways to change up your backyard's landscaping and still try out trendy new designs. Transplant or plant new. Many people think that once a plant is in the ground it's there until the bitter end. This isn't always true, so do a little research to see what you can transplant. Some varieties can be moved very easily trees and shrubs being the most impactful on your backyard. There are...

Backyard Games for Summer Gatherings

If you're setting up for an outdoor party, try out a few of these backyard games and grill recipes for Father's Day or any summer gathering. Check out these easy set-up outdoor games on Pinterest, including a few that could be moved indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate! Give the lawn a quick cut as a Father's Day gift and then let the games begin! If he'd rather spend the afternoon inside, serve up his favorite snacks while you're getting dinner ready on the grill! Looking for some new recipes? Give one of these Father's Day recipes from Food Network a try and enjoy the day!

Have a Favorite Pergola Photo to Share?

From time to time, customers submit favorite pergola photos of backyard patio projects including Pergola Depot pine or cedar pergola kits, and enter our Pergola of the Month customer contest by email or via Facebook. Pergola Depot customers submit their photos of the pergola they've assembled, and our followers choose their favorite. It's a great place to find new ideas for your own patio project! Results are posted on our BlogFacebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Customers can submit photos of their Pergola Depot pergolas any time. Here are results from a few past pergola photo entries.

April 2017 Customer of the Month

The Big Kahuna freestanding pine pergola

March 2017 Customer of the Month

The Big Kahuna freestanding pergola

February 2017 Customer of the Month

The...

5 Super Tips for Backyard Graduation Party

Your backyard graduation party might be fast approaching, but there's still plenty of time to get your space shaped up for your guests! There are piles of blogs and articles dedicated solely to graduations, whether it's for kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college. Here are few that can help you with your planning. We grabbed a few simple top 5 super tips for your backyard graduation party that were gleaned from many resources like these ideas from The Cottage Market for everything from centerpieces to photo collages that will spiff up your party spot. Yard games and creative decorating tips in HGTV's article, and fun games, decorating, and food ideas including: Clothesline photo collages or balloon chandelier with photo anchors Yard games to delight any age Custom cakes and...

Top Improvements to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

If you're getting your home ready to list on the Spring market, consider simple outdoor living area improvements. There are many cost effective ways to upgrade your livable space before the first potential buyer walks through your front door. When shopping for a new home, most buyers view the outdoor living area as one of their top priorities, and have certain requirements for that part of the property. Patios and decks connect us to the outdoors and add value to the house. One of the top outdoor home renovation projects under $5k is adding a wood deck. Why not add a pergola too? You may already have a deck, or this is a feature you can envision being a quick add. Either way, if you want to stand out from the...

Creating DIY Patio Shade

When creating DIY patio shade you can sometimes run into difficulty in finding plants that can thrive. In some cases, they can either take over the space or simply die from lack of sunlight. There are a few plants, however, that look beautiful and seem to enjoy living in a more shaded area. Depending on your planting zone, ferns and hostas are a great place to start. They thrive in the shade and add the laid-back feeling of a tranquil forest to any area. They are easy to care for and look good with any landscaping scheme you have within your pre-existing yard. Daffodils are also a beautiful flower that work well in the shade and could ultimately look amazing next to a few well-placed ferns. If you are looking for more...

Outdoor Kitchen Designs to Consider

Are you wading through a sea of outdoor kitchen designs? There are so many places to find inspiration! You'll want to take into consideration how your outdoor space is set up, budget, and climate before even getting started. Once you have these things down pat, then you just have to decide what your style is and start browsing design options.

Planning Outdoor Pergola Kitchen Designs

Oftentimes, your local contractor, landscaper, or handyman might have ideas that can be completed within your existing space and timeline. If you're a DIYer, how-to articles like this one from This Old House can be a good guide to get your project underway. Your local hardware store, nursery/landscaping suppliers, or larger big-box stores like Home Depot can provide reference materials as well as some of the...