A Simple Outdoor Gazebo Can Be the Centerpiece of Your Backyard
With the right furniture and decorations, a simple outdoor gazebo can be the centerpiece of your backyard. This wooden gazebo allows the surrounding wisteria to take center stage while providing seating for al fresco dining and entertaining.
This gazebo blends into its rustic setting with unpainted posts and roof shingles that echo the bark of nearby trees. It also offers a view of the lake without blocking water and sky views.
A Place to Relax
Simple outdoor gazebos provide a focal point in a garden. They’re also a perfect spot for relaxing and taking in the surrounding scenery. Choose a location with a calm setting and make the area comfy with chairs, a table and even a hammock. Add throws and cushions for extra comfort. Lighting is essential to set the mood; lanterns, fairy lights and solar lights will brighten up your space for evening relaxation.
Gazebos are often associated with a specific style but they can be used to complement a variety of landscapes. Minimalist metal structures create a sleek center stage for your front yard while steel and glass gazebos offer modern character. This geometric pergola gazebo blends into this contemporary outdoor environment and maximizes sunlight for the adjacent pool and patio.
For a more traditional look, choose a wood gazebo. Stain or paint your gazebo to match your house and garden color palette for a cohesive design. For a more decorative look, incorporate elements from historic outbuildings or architecture into your gazebo design. This slender gazebo’s tapered roofline takes cues from European follies, which were designed for ornamental rather than practical purposes.
If you plan to use your gazebo for dining, include an outdoor bar or grill island to keep the cooking and serving areas protected from the sun and bugs. Hanging curtains from the gazebo’s sides adds privacy and can be closed to block out the view without fully closing the structure.
A Place to Entertaining
A gazebo is a great place to entertain family and friends. You can use a gazebo for dining al fresco or you can set up a s’mores station in the fall and enjoy a cozy campfire. Add gaming tables like billiards, air hockey and ping pong to the mix and Simple outdoor gazebo you have an entertainment area that will have everyone’s kids begging to be outside.
A full outdoor bar can be built under a gazebo to make it the ultimate backyard lounge. Add a ceiling fan and string lighting to take this backyard spot from day to night, and you’ll have the perfect party space.
Rectangular gazebos fit in well with any landscape design and can be used for many different purposes. This one is clad in white brick for a cohesive look that blends with the house and brings warmth to the yard. The shingled roof is also a classic option for a timeless appearance that works with any style home.
For a simple gazebo with a more elegant feel, consider draping it in rich fabrics for a luxurious retreat. Blogger Liz Marie outfitted this gazebo for fall with neutral tones and natural elements, from the jute rug to the farmhouse dining table and jumble of seasonal pumpkins. She hung a wood bead chandelier and added a small white buffet, vintage-style sign and other decorative touches to turn this gazebo into the focal point of her garden.
A Place to Read
Gazebos offer filtered shade, which is perfect for reading on a sunny afternoon. You could even turn your gazebo into a makeshift library, equipped with comfy patio retractable roof pergola chairs and a selection of summer reads. A gazebo also shelters you from the rain, so al fresco meals and outdoor activities won’t be forced indoors if the weather turns unpleasant.
Enclosed gazebos with side panels or curtains are great for privacy and UV protection. These options are available in a range of colors and patterns, and you can use them to soften the harsh sunlight of late afternoon. A screened gazebo can be the ideal setting for relaxing with a good book, or a great place to host an outdoor party with a projector and some movie snacks.
A gazebo is also an excellent choice for a viewing platform for a scenic garden or mountain view. If you’re building a gazebo with a view in mind, consider planting flowers and shrubs around the structure to frame it. This will draw the eye and complement the beauty of your backyard gazebo.
You can also use a gazebo as a stage for your backyard garden or a special event. Many gazebos in public areas serve as stages for musical performances and political rallies. In your own backyard, you can use a gazebo as a place to practice yoga and meditation, or host a flower arranging workshop with friends.
A Place to Watch Movies
Gazebos have a long history as entertaining centers. They’re even mentioned in Egyptian tomb drawings from over 5,000 years ago, and they’ve been used since to provide shade and privacy for guests in gardens throughout the world. To take your backyard entertainment to the next level, consider adding a gazebo equipped with a TV and surround sound system. This will allow you to enjoy your favorite shows or movies under the stars and in the comfort of your own back yard.
Some gazebos already feature a flat screen built into the structure, but you can also install a wall-mounted television in any size or shape gazebo to create an outdoor entertainment center. Add a mini bar with a fridge and plenty of storage to keep drinks and snacks on hand for movie nights, and you’ll have an easy-to-set-up and enjoyable space that can accommodate a large crowd.
For a more romantic look, add semi-sheer curtains to the gazebo as shown by blogger @homebodywithforlisa to block out bugs without blocking out the view. These swagged curtains also soften the look of metal gazebos and make them look more like a pergola or a traditional wooden patio.
A gazebo with a flat screen is the perfect place to host a family movie night or an intimate gathering of friends. To keep everyone happy, set up a snack station with popcorn, candy, and cold beverages. You can rent a movie theater-style popcorn machine, or pre-pop corn in the kitchen before the show starts.
