Pergolas: 30+ beautiful inspirations to make your home more charming

An item of decoration and protection element, the pergola is a structure normally made of wood, and is used with a functional role, such as the cover of a garage, or just decorative, leaving eternal and leisure areas even more beautiful.

Constant presence in gardens and patios, they can be covered or not, and their function will define this issue. According to the architect Aline Plácido, from the Up na Casa office, there is a variety of shapes and materials available. “The most traditional ones are made of wood, but they can also be made of steel, concrete or stone in the form of porticos, bricks and bamboo”.

Also according to the professional, the most common roofing material is polycarbonate, which allows natural light to pass through, but protects against rain and direct sunlight. She also reveals that in very hot places, linings of natural materials can be used under polycarbonate.

”They are easy to assemble, as the parts come ready-made according to the elaborate project. The most practical ones are wooden and metallic ones, but it is worth remembering that a previous foundation structure needs to be assembled to support the weight of the pergola. The metallic type has the advantage of being lighter and allows for more varied shapes, but like wood, it requires constant maintenance”, he teaches.

6 ideas for using the pergola in your home

There are numerous possibilities for using this item. Among them, Aline highlights the use on the roof of garages, balconies or gourmet spaces. There is still the possibility of implementing it in the garden space creating an atmosphere of relaxation and rest, or even in areas with plants to create protected circulations”, he suggests.

Check out the architect’s tips for using the pergola in different situations:

Pergola with flowers and plants

The professional indicates the use of flowers and plants in the structure of the pergola, seeking to create an atmosphere of rest and relaxation, giving the space a bucolic air. “Plants are very interesting, as they can make the place more cozy and bring life even to the driest environments”, she teaches.

covered pergola

“This type should be used in areas where activities will be carried out that can be made unfeasible by the occurrence of rain or intense sunlight”, highlights the professional. However, it is worth remembering that the use of cover does not prevent the use of decorative elements, such as plants for example.

The cover will depend on the function of the space, as it can have a total seal like those produced with polycarbonate or just reduce the solar incidence, like the covers made with the very pieces of wood aligned very close to each other.

Pergola with recreation / rest area

“This model is widely used in gardens and areas close to swimming pools or the sea. It is important to use some type of cover so as not to make it impossible to use the equipment in the hottest hours of the day”, emphasizes Aline.

pergola with garage

In this case, despite its strongly functional characteristic, the architect emphasizes that the pergola does not need to lose its decorative air. “Ideally, it has a cover to protect the vehicle from the rain, but that does not prevent it from being decorated with plants or natural lining, which in addition to being beautiful, serves the function of reducing sunlight, without completely blocking natural light”, he guides. Is it over there.

pergola with barbecue

To use the pergola in these conditions, it is essential that it has coverage, allowing the use of the area in any season of the year. “There are mobile roofs, more common in steel structures, which allow opening or closing according to changes in the climate. An interesting tip is to use a lining made of natural materials or with the wood itself in thinner pieces to reduce direct sunlight if the cover is in polycarbonate, so the environment will be pleasant also on the hottest days”, teaches the professional.

pergola with curtains

”Curtains can sometimes appear as mere decorative elements, but the ideal is that they are used considering the solar incidence on the equipment throughout the year. They can be present both on the ceiling, protecting from the direct incidence of sunlight, and between the pillars of the structure, being activated when necessary”, informs the architect.

Beautiful pergolas inspirations for your home

Do you want to know more options for using this charming decorative element? So check out the following inspirations, and choose your favorite:

Whether as a structure with functional paper or just a decorative element, the pergola has the ability to make your outdoor area more beautiful and elegant. Bet on this item and add more beauty to your home.