Pergolas are a wonderful addition to an outdoor living space. They offer shade from the blazing sun as well as a touch of sophistication. Sometimes, though, they stick out and don’t seem to be quite as integrated into the space as they could be. To help a wooden pergola fit in visually, here are three materials to pair with it in the Deer Park and Old Westbury, NY, areas.
A pergola is usually meant to be a focal point, but it doesn’t have to be an isolated one. If everything else in the backyard harmonizes but the pergola isn’t balanced by other elements, it could look out of place.
Creating balance could mean adding more wooden elements to complement the pergola’s materials or other larger elements to balance its visual weight. Another option is to work with color to better integrate the pergola into the space.
Related: HOW MASONRY CAN BE USED TO ACCENTUATE A PERGOLA ON LONG ISLAND, NY
1. Incorporate Other Wooden Elements
If your patio is in need of overflow seating, adding teak benches along the perimeter could be a stylish solution. These benches could be freestanding or built to rest between masonry pillars.
Trellises offer privacy and block the wind, so they are both useful and decorative additions to an outdoor living space. Wood stained material to complement the pergola could lead to a finished look. If the pergola has any decorative touches, these could be echoed in the trellis. A trellis could be attached to one or two sides of the pergola, which will give the pergola a cozier feel than if all four walls were open.
Privacy fencing matching the style of the pergola is another way to introduce more wood into the backyard and balance the visual weight of the pergola. Other ideas include wooden planters that add color and interest to the patio or wooden furniture, such as a teak dining set, for a chic addition.
2. Masonry
Many pergolas are anchored directly into the patio. For a more substantial and permanent look, you could anchor the pergola into the patio by setting it on top of stone pillars. These pillars could offer an opportunity to beautifully disguise landscape lighting and functional elements like electrical outlets.
The height of these pillars is up to you: a sturdy base of just a few feet could balance the visual heft of the pergola roof. Taller bar-height pillars, with a generous cap stone, could be an ideal solution for entertaining as they are just the spot to rest your drink. Both styles maintain the airy feel of a pergola and showcase its wooden pillars.
To balance the visual weight of a pergola, you could add an outdoor fireplace. The fireplace could be part of the pergola itself—essentially creating a cozy outdoor living room—or it could be positioned in another part of the patio. Some homeowners use pergolas to shade their outdoor kitchens if they prefer an alfresco dining and seating experience. In this case, the fireplace could be positioned separately from the pergola, as a way to achieve a good visual balance between two large elements.
3. Outdoor Fabric
Pergolas don’t typically offer protection from the rain, but a retractable canopy adds stylish weather protection. Outdoor curtains can also add privacy and more protection from the sun and wind. Consider choosing colors that harmonize with the pergola stain, and echo the canopy and curtain colors in cushions and pillows.
Related: HOW AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE CAN BE INCLUDED IN AN ISLAND-STYLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN NORTHPORT, NY
