How to Create a Backyard Oasis Around your Pergola or Gazebo
In a post-war world, the backyard became a safe haven for millions of Americans. Rather than just a plain patch of land at the rear of the property, the backyard blossomed into a family-orientated space of recreation and relaxation - a form of oasis. Since then, Americans have chosen to invest their disposable income into creating impressive backyard spaces, complete with pools, decks, pergolas and gazebos.
As experts in creating your beautiful ‘backyardland’, as well as knowledgeable crafters of both pergolas and gazebos, we take a look at how you can create your very own oasis around your Backyard Discovery pergola or gazebo.
What’s the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?
Pergolas and gazebos are both outdoor features designed for gardens and backyard spaces. The main difference between the two is that a gazebo offers more protection from the elements thanks to a fixed roof and, occasionally, fixed sides too. A pergola on the other hand, is usually a more simple structure with a slatted open roof, designed to create shade.
You can explore our luxury gazebos and pergolas to see which style best suits your needs.
What is an oasis, exactly?
By strict definition, an oasis is ‘a fertile spot in the desert where water can be found’ or alternatively, something that ‘provides refuge, relief or pleasant contrast.’ Thanks to these definitions, we’ve come to associate an oasis with open, green spaces alive with plants and water, or simply somewhere that makes us feel calm.
It’s not surprising, then, that many of us want to create an oasis in our very own backyards, so that we have a serene spot to visit whenever we please.
Creating your backyard oasis designed around your pergola or gazebo
You’ve got your garden structure, and now you’re ready to create your very own slice of paradise.
Follow these simple steps to discover the outdoor space of your dreams:
1. Plan it out
You wouldn’t build a house without blueprints, so don’t go about trying to create your backyardland without first getting some ideas down on paper.
By planning out your design with sketches, lists and drawings, you can identify any obstacles before they actually happen. Things to watch out for include drainage issues, proximity to power, the position of the sunlight during the day and access into your house.
2. Add plants
After you’ve planned to perfection, it’s time to go about making your outdoor space glorious and green. Plants are great for creating shade, privacy and adding color to your outdoor area, which would work well alongside any of our gazebos or pergolas.
For those of you who don’t want to attach anything to the pergola itself, you could opt for planting beds with an upright trellis around the border of the pergola. You can then add climbing plants to beds instead. This will give you the same effect and provide some much-needed shade during the summer months.
Alternatively, you could just add plenty of potted plants beneath your pergola or gazebo, choosing palms and hostas for an exotic effect, or grasses and florals for a more romantic mood. Be sure to check the best conditions for your chosen plants, as some are likely to prefer shade over sun and vice-versa.
3. Install a water feature
No oasis would be complete without a glistening pool or trickling fountain. Adding water to your pergola or gazebo doesn’t have to be as extensive as you think - a calming water soundtrack could even come from a speaker set-up within your Arlington Gazebo, made effortlessly easy thanks to the integrated powerport system.
You could even use the easy electrics of our luxury gazebos to power a water fountain for a more authentic experience.
If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, a gazebo or pergola is essential for adding a shaded space to get some protection from the sun.
The Backyard Discovery Hawthorne Traditional Steel Pergola
4. Make it a space for socializing
Many of life’s great moments happen in the backyard. Whether it’s your baby's first steps, the first place you let your puppy run loose, or simply a heartfelt moment with a loved one, creating your very own oasis will make those moments all the more special.
Gazebos and pergolas are ideal structures to create your home from home. Make it cosy by adding comfortable furniture, a firepit and other downtime essentials such as hammocks and ambient lighting.
