The dreary, dark days of winter may be upon us now, but spring and its warmer weather are right around the corner. If you’re thinking about revamping your outdoor space, consider constructing a pergola. What is a pergola? It’s a rustic, pavilionlike structure supported by beams and typically topped with an open lattice roof to provide shade for your warm-weather picnics and strolls, as well as a structure for vines like wisteria and bougainvillea to run wild. They’re also the perfect addition to gardens both large and small for a touch of elegance and to maximize your time spent outdoors. To kick-start some inspiration, we’ve rounded up the best pergola ideas to inspire your garden plans. Whether a respite from the sunshine or a covering for the dining area, the inspiring spaces of the likes of Ina Garten, Reese Witherspoon, and 14 others have you covered—literally!
1
Complementary Cover
In interior designer Cliff Fong’s midcentury ranch, a distressed pergola covers a lush dining area above his backyard’s nearly 400 orchids. Simple furniture ensures the surrounding nature is still the star of the show.
2
Small but Mighty
An extension of fabric designer Natasha Baradaran’s Los Angeles home, a narrow pergola blends in with the rest of the home’s exterior. Painted all white, the structure casts shade over the seating area without feeling too closed in.
3
Wild Wisteria
To coordinate with the rest of this Southampton, New York, home’s rustic nature, a wooden pergola is covered with vines of white wisteria. Not only does the flowing plant provide more shade, but it also creates a natural transition to the rest of the outdoor space.
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4
Contrast with Accessories
In model Eugenia Silva’s outdoor space, a sparse pergola offers a shady respite from the Portuguese sun. The stark white creates contrast against Silva’s colorful upholstery and cushions.
5
Fully Shaded
Featuring a fully thatched roof as opposed to wide, open beams, this pergola in Greece shades those underneath completely. Built out of laminated bamboo, the covering encompasses a poolside dining area and lounge chairs.
6
Let the Plants Take Over
On Reese Witherspoon’s Los Angeles terrace, vintage dining furniture sits beneath an abundance of vining greenery. Not only does the covered pergola offer a romantic feel, but it also negates the need for constant maintenance.
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7
A Simple Setting
Rather than a large pergola to cover an entire porch or terrace, chef Ina Garten’s version covers just a garden bench, carving out a shady spot in her otherwise sun-soaked yard.
8
Bridge the Interior with the Exterior
Attached to the pool house on this Bridgehampton, New York, property, an understated pergola offers poolgoers some respite without having to venture all the way indoors.
9
In Disguise
Over in Puglia, Italy, this wooden pergola is swathed in matching greenery to sneakily blend it in with the surrounding landscape.
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10
Blend Natural Textures
For an extra-shady exterior, this beachfront home in Uruguay uses thin eucalyptus beams that are placed close together. The timber slats mirror the natural landscape while providing an escape from the sunshine.
11
Closed Off
Designed for relaxation and wellness, this stone and wood pergola creates a designated place of solitude within a busy Santa Monica, California, home.
12
Mix and Match
At interior designer Nate Berkus’s Montauk, New York, retreat, the outdoor dining area is covered with a wooden pergola with rope-wrapped beams to coordinate with the rest of the space’s furniture.
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13
Rural and Rustic
Everything about this rural Virginia property charmed A-List designer Darryl Carter, especially the 140-foot-long pergola. He snapped up the property and quickly transformed it into a perfectly rustic retreat. Here, he let the wisteria run wild and positioned two adorable piglet statuettes among the greenery.
14
Bold Shades
Fashion designer Betsy Johnson’s escape in Malibu, California, is decked out in bright and bold colors, and the pergola area is no exception. The lattice covering casts shade over a slew of patterned upholstery and throw pillows.
15
Raise It Up
Pergolas aren’t just for country estates and suburban gardens. This home in Chicago’s Lincoln Park proves that a chic covering can be done almost anywhere—including on the roof.
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16
The More the Merrier
To best enjoy the mild Los Angeles climate, a series of matching pergolas were placed on the porches of this Spanish-style home. Some cover a cozy dining area, while some simply act as a walkway to the nearby pool.
Kate McGregor
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
