A backyard gazebo or pergola can serve many purposes. The shade may be ideal for outdoor entertaining, but it can also support certain plants and flowers. Your structure might become a place to relax alone in your hammock or cuddle up with your sweetheart to watch a film on your outdoor TV.
An outdoor gazebo also serves as a welcoming place to sit in a large yard, and a pergola can make a great roof for a more central outdoor gathering space over a patio or deck. Both can serve well as structures from which to hang outdoor string lighting for nighttime gatherings. Keep in mind that, if you are including a fire pit in your outdoor space, you may not be able to house it under a roof..
If you have a particularly exposed yard, you may also want to create additional shade with patio umbrellas or canopies. When you are choosing a pergola or gazebo, you will also want to coordinate it with the furniture you will be using inside it. Consider the big picture when choosing the best outdoor furniture for your space.
