It was a beautiful summer day in the garden and the perfect time to decorate the pergola. As I stood there admiring the structure, I knew this would be a fun project. I had so many ideas on how to make this pergola look fantastic, and already I could envision the transformation that was about to take place. With a bit of creativity and a few simple supplies, I was confident that this pergola would turn into a beautiful outdoor oasis.
When done right, a pergola can be a great asset to any backyard. But if you haven’t found the time to decorate yours yet and the look of your empty pergola puts you in an artistic block, you could probably use some ideas. In case you’re still wondering why having a pergola is a good idea in the first place, you should know that it can be a cheap idea for a small yard that will make it feel bigger and look nicer. It can also make some bigger yards look more well-organized. Still, you should be careful. A poorly decorated pergola can make your backyard look disconnected and ugly. To help you, we will give you some great pergola decorating ideas for your backyard.
1. Follow your pergola’s design
Depending on what wood you use and how you decorate and assemble it, your decorating options can vary wildly. If you still don’t have one and have recently decided to build it, you should keep this rule in mind.
Here’s one way to understand this:
If you are building a sizable poolside pergola, you can already count on the majority of your decoration being outdoor lounge chairs and poolside furniture.
Another example would be that if you want to use your pergola as a gardening spot for flowers and maybe some herbs, you should probably have exposed natural (possibly lacquered) wood as the material. This will create a more natural feel.
While construction is going on, you should find a space to put away any furniture or decorations you already have in your garden. The reason for this is that they can get damaged or dirty. You can move everything into your home, but experts from Zapt Movers advise against this. Since the pergola is going into your backyard, you and the handymen setting it up will probably be walking through the home during the day. This already calls for covering everything you can in your house, and adding the stuff that was outside is just more work. A good option would be to either use a shed if you have one or rent a storage unit short-term.
2. Use a theme, but don’t overuse it
While it is a good idea to follow along with any design theme your pergola has, it is essential not to go overboard. Pairing a clean Japanese-themed pergola with a pondless waterfall water feature is an excellent example of lovely pergola theming. Add some stone features and appropriate chairs, and you have a serene, peaceful place to relax in your backyard.
These themes are sure to win the heart of anyone who sees them:
- Elegant country
- Rustic
- Oriental
- Industrial edge
- Minimalist
- Nature
- Nautical
- Retro time-capsule.
Choosing a theme that makes no sense or going overboard with one that does will never turn out well. An example of this would be a deep-sea theme. While an aquarium might be a wonderful addition to a poolside pergola, some things won’t work. For instance, painting the beams of your pergola blue and sticking plastic seahorses to them isn’t a good look, no matter how on-theme it is.
3. Use universal decorations and furniture
Some relatively universal decorations which will work with most pergolas are:
- plants
- stone features
- small water fountains
- fireplaces
- salt-rock lamps
- hanging lanterns
- string lights
- bird fountains
- hammocks
Choosing outdoor furniture comes with many specifics and issues that you must take into account, but our main advice is to consider maintenance. For example, if you live in a particularly rainy area, you would probably benefit from not choosing wooden furniture you have to cover up every time the rain falls, especially if your pergola doesn’t have a covered roof. If you’re not keen on cleaning your outdoor furniture often, we recommend skipping textiles like blankets or pillows.
Most people opt for a functional furniture-filled pergola or a statement piece decoration-filled pergola. Whichever one you choose, always keep in mind that some things universally work and some don’t.
A big part of deciding between furniture and decoration is knowing what you will use it for. If you intend to utilize it with your family as a place to have lunch and cook outside, your focus should be on finding appropriate furniture. However, decorations are your friend if your goal is to make your pergola a beautiful backyard feature that is nice to look at.
Of course, you can always opt for a healthy mix of the two. Decorate your entire pergola with plants and a fireplace, and add two comfortable chairs in the mix for a gorgeous lounge area.
4. Add some personality
Adding personal pictures or beloved art pieces can make your pergola feel like it’s 100% you. After all, this is your backyard, and it should feel like part of the home.
The best way to do this is to add personal details rather than big statements. A vase with a graphic of your motto can be a cute decoration with a small detail that makes it yours. Souvenirs from trips and family memorabilia can also be used for this purpose. As long as it is authentically yours, it is sure to work.
5. Ask the people close to you if they have any pergola decorating ideas for your backyard
If you don’t live alone and cannot come up with any pergola decorating ideas for your backyard, you can always turn to your loved ones for inspiration. If you have little ones, it can be a fun and exciting opportunity for them to participate in planning the decoration of your pergola. After all, it is your shared living space, and everyone should be enjoying it equally.
You can always turn to your friends if this isn’t the case. The people who inspire you in other ways every day are sure to be able to do it again in this situation. And just like with children, it can be an opportunity for a fun activity to do together.
Conclusion
Whether you make it the focal point of your backyard or simply a gathering and relaxing area for your family and guests, a pergola can make your backyard special. While we hope this was informative, we still believe it should only serve as inspiration for you to come up with your own ideas for your backyard.
If you are getting professionals to build a new pergola, our last advice is to ask them if they have any pergola decorating ideas for your backyard. If they are experienced professionals, they have most likely seen a lot of different approaches to pergola decoration.
Happy decorating!
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.