DIY, How to, outdoor living, pergolas

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10 Creative Pergola Design Ideas for Your Backyard

10 Stunning Pergola Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Space

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Looking to transform your garden or patio? A pergola is one of the most stylish and versatile additions you can make to your outdoor space. Whether you’re creating a cozy backyard escape, a shaded dining area, or an eye-catching walkway, there’s a pergola design for every space and style.

Here are 10 creative pergola ideas to inspire your next outdoor project — from rooftop retreats to poolside lounges.

🌿 1. Attached Pergolas

Attached pergolas connect directly to your home, extending your living space into the outdoors. Mount one outside your French doors or patio entrance to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, complete with natural ventilation and filtered sunlight.

Check out our attached cedar pergola kits for easy-to-install options.

🪴 2. Two-Tier Pergolas

A two-tier design adds height and elegance to your pergola. Layering the roof structure creates visual interest while allowing airflow and room for hanging plants or climbing vines. It’s a great way to make your garden structure feel grand and luxurious.

🌙 3. Curved Pergolas

Curved pergolas offer a softer, more intimate look than traditional straight-beam styles. Popular with basket-weave or deep-V lattice tops, these designs are ideal for gardens or patios where you want to balance openness with cozy seating areas.

🧱 4. Disconnected Pergolas

For expansive backyards, try placing disconnected pergolas along stone or gravel pathways. This creates charming outdoor zones — perfect for dining, lounging, or enjoying your garden in sections.

🪟 5. Over-the-Door or Window Pergolas

Small pergolas installed above windows or doors add architectural charm and provide space for flowering vines. Extend one over a large window and pair it with a bench or bistro set to create a cozy garden nook.

🛋 6. Extra-Large Pergolas

Have a large backyard? Consider an oversized pergola that functions as a full outdoor living room. Add a fire pit, furniture, string lights, and even an outdoor kitchen for a four-season gathering space.

🏊 7. Poolside Pergolas

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A pergola near the pool offers shade and luxury. Combine a pergola with a pool house design by incorporating tiled floors, outdoor showers, lounge seating, and storage. Cedar is ideal for humid environments and looks stunning beside water features.

Browse gazebos and pergola combos that elevate your pool area.

🏡 8. Pergola Walkways & Entryways

A pergola-covered path from your gate to your front door offers charm, shade, and structure. It’s a smart way to use lawn space when the backyard is limited — and creates a memorable first impression for guests.

🌇 9. Rooftop Garden Pergolas

No backyard? No problem. Lightweight pergolas can be installed on your rooftop or terrace. While aluminum and steel are common, eco-friendly options like bamboo or raffia are also available for a softer, more natural vibe.

🖤 10. Contemporary Pergolas

Modern pergolas go beyond wood beams. Popular contemporary pergola kits feature aluminum frames, vinyl-mesh panels, and retractable canopies. They’re low-maintenance, stylish, and come in a variety of sizes and finishes to suit your home.

Bring Your Vision to Life

Whether you’re drawn to classic cedar craftsmanship or sleek modern styles, pergolas offer the flexibility to match any outdoor aesthetic. At Outdoor Living Today, we offer a wide variety of Western Red Cedar Pergola Kits that are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and ready to assemble.

Explore more ideas in our Decorating Ideas hub or get support with setup via our Assembly Manuals.

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DIY, How to, outdoor living

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How to Winterize Your Backyard for Winter

How to Winterize Your Backyard: Tips for Protection & Seasonal Maintenance

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As the seasons shift and summer fades, it’s time to start thinking about how to winterize your backyard. From patio furniture to garden tools, taking steps now will not only protect your outdoor space during the colder months but also make reopening it in the spring much easier.

Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or simply want to maintain your investment in outdoor living products, here’s a comprehensive guide to preparing your yard for winter.

🛠️ 1. Protect Your Grill & BBQ Station

If you use a portable grill or barbecue, bring it indoors to a garage, shed, or storage unit. Avoid storing propane tanks inside — keep them outdoors in an upright position, covered with a tarp or plastic bag to shield them from snow and moisture.

Need a place to store gear? Explore our Western Red Cedar Sheds — functional and built to last.

🌾 2. Store and Maintain Garden Tools

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Clean, sharpen, and store your hand tools to keep them rust-free:

  • Dip tools like spades or shears in sand mixed with motor oil to clean and lubricate them before storage.

  • Store in a dry place like your garage or cedar storage shed.

💧 3. Drain and Store Garden Hoses

Leaving hoses outdoors can shorten their lifespan. Even if drained, the cold can make hoses brittle and crack-prone.

  • Disconnect from spigots.

  • Drain all water.

  • Coil and store indoors — a shed is perfect for this.

🚜 4. Prep Your Lawn Mower for Storage

Avoid the spring rush by tuning up your mower at the end of the season:

  • Add a gasoline stabilizer to any remaining fuel.

  • Clean off grass and debris.

  • Store it in a dry, covered space.

🌱 5. Retire Potted Plants for the Season

Sadly, potted annuals won’t survive the freeze. Before the first frost:

  • Pull up and discard spent plants.

  • Empty soil to prevent freezing expansion.

  • Store terracotta and plastic pots in a shed, garage, or basement to prevent cracking.

🪑 6. Cover or Store Lawn Furniture

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Here’s how to protect your patio and lawn furniture:

  • Plastic furniture: stack and store in a garage or shed.

  • Wrought iron or metal: OK to leave outdoors, but cover with vinyl covers or heavy-duty tarps.

  • Cushions: store indoors and wash them before storage to avoid staining and insects.

Want to elevate your outdoor furniture storage? Check out our accessories collection for smart solutions.

🏊 7. Winterize Your Swimming Pool

Proper winterization helps preserve equipment and keeps the pool clean for spring:

  • Balance water chemistry:
    • pH: 7.2–7.6
    • Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
    • Calcium hardness: 180–220 ppm

  • Remove ladders, fittings, and accessories — store them in a shed.

  • Drain filters, chlorinators, and pumps.

  • Ensure chlorine is below 3.0 ppm before covering the pool tightly with a winter cover.

🐟 8. Prepare Garden Ponds

Winterizing a garden pond (especially with fish) requires care:

  • Turn off and remove pumps or filters exposed to freezing air.

  • Trim plants back to their root ball and remove from the pond.

  • Keep a small hole in the ice open using a pond heater or air pump — this allows oxygen in and harmful gases out.

Ready to Get Started?

A little time spent now can save you money and effort later. For the ultimate in storage, durability, and protection, explore our full line of Western Red Cedar Sheds — the perfect solution for storing tools, gear, and seasonal accessories.

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