There’s something incredibly romantic about a pergola in your backyard. Maybe it’s because it conjures images of moonlit nights in the warm Calgary summer, and maybe it’s because it creates a visual space in your yard that’s truly unique. For whatever reason, you can craft a dreamy outdoor retreat with a pergola in less time and for cheaper than you think with a DIY pergola kit.
What Is A DIY Pergola Kit?
Just like any other outdoor structure in your yard, you can spend a small fortune on your pergola project to get someone to come and do the work for you, from designing and measuring to building and finishing. However, the more outside help you need, the more you’ll end up paying, which is why a DIY pergola kit is a great option for those on a budget. A DIY pergola kit gives you all the materials you need as well as the directions to complete the project yourself. It’s cheaper as they’re often mass produced by DIY pergola kit makers, and you’ll have a limited number of options for your new pergola space.
Make It Dreamy
One of the biggest pros of choosing a DIY pergola project is that you can get started straight away. While a contractor will help you custom build your pergola and will make sure the job is done right, a DIY pergola kit puts you at the front of the line, and it’s one of the easiest jobs to do since we use strong, long-lasting aluminum rather than wood for the structure. Once it’s built, you’ll want to find some ways to make it a dreamy outdoor retreat:
- Go soft – as you’re planning out your pergola furniture, think soft. This is easy to do if you’re planning on making it into an outdoor living room, as you just need to make sure your cushions and pillows have that dreamy soft luxury. However, you can still get that same feeling in a dining room by choosing chairs and tables with rounded edges, and you can still find seat cushions that will feel soft and comfortable for you and your guests.
- Add drapes – a pergola is by its very design an open sided structure. For some, this is the whole point as you can get great views out over your garden. For others, you might want to consider adding drapes or curtains to the sides to create more of an intimate atmosphere. Just make sure to remember the ties so you can get the best of both worlds.
- Overhead lighting – finally, when you picture a romantic, dreamy pergola in your backyard, the lighting will play a large part. The lattice structure of the pergola roof means it’s perfect for hanging string lights to provide a soft and romantic lighting. You can add more light and a more dramatic effect by winding string lights up each of the posts to make your pergola the true centrepiece of your garden.
