Useful Tips for Choosing the Right Gazebo

Adding a gazebo to your garden can add an element of style to it, whilst also being functional!

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However, there are so many things to consider before you get round to actually purchasing one. This includes the size, where it will be positioned, what it will be used for, the material it’s made of and its design. You need to get each aspect right if you want to find the gazebo that’s right for you, your loved ones and your garden as well. If you’re looking to seriously invest in a gazebo then we have some useful tips to help you make your decision.

Usage

The first thing you need to consider is why you want a gazebo. This will affect what you buy because your reasons will affect the material and size, amongst other things to consider. There are some informative guides available that you should read to help you. For instance, if you only want to use for special occasions, then a temporary one will not only be better for you, but cost-effective and will not permanently take up space. With Wi-Fi and technology constantly advancing, it opens up what more you can do in your gazebo. You could use it work in, or even to enjoy watching a film on date night without interruptions or noise from other members of your household. So if you’re planning to use it daily, perhaps to work in or as a wellbeing space, then you may want a more permanent gazebo structure. Some even have unique features based on your needs, so you need to be clear what you want from the outset.

You’ll also want it to consider a design that will fit into your current garden. Or if you’re overhauling its design, how a new one will compliment your ideas. Looking for unique outdoor furniture will tie in your gazebo. Your garden is, in effect, an outdoor room of your home, with your gazebo providing the contrast in it, so if everything looks as if it belongs, your garden will look amazing and nothing will be out of place.

Size

Bigger is not always better, and with gazebos this also rings true. It firstly has to be in proportion to your garden – it’s not there to take all the space, but some of it for a specific need. A large gazebo in a small garden will destroy your outside space and be an expensive way to do so. Yet, at the same time, you don’t want to invest in a gazebo that won’t significantly expand upon your current living space.

As a general guide, consider the following

• If you’re intending to use your gazebo for intimate time with your partner or privacy to unwind, consider getting one around the same size as your bedroom.
• If it’s intended for social gatherings then consider how many people, on average, will be coming to your house to party at any one time. Typically, 18 feet by 18 feet will comfortably house 20 guests.
• If there’s going to be a smaller gathering, perhaps between 12 – 15 adults, a gazebo around fourteen feet by fourteen feet will suffice.
• If it’s going to be just you and your immediate family relaxing in your gazebo after dinner on a summer’s evening, then an 8-foot by 8-foot gazebo will be a good choice.

Space 

Your gazebo will be going in your garden, so you’ll need to consider where you want to position it. It would be good for you to consider how your garden is used and likely to be used in the foreseeable future. It would be a bad choice to put your gazebo in the middle of the garden if that’s the only place you get prolonged sun. The bottom line is, if your garden has multiple uses, you don’t want your gazebo to suddenly take up the majority of room. You want it to compliment your garden and not make it look cluttered, whilst balancing what it’s being used for. For example, if you’re going to be using it for work or relaxation, then you may want it situated away from your main home, perhaps nestled behind some bushes or a tree. Alternatively, if you’re using it for socializing, then having it somewhere central in your garden will be ideal.

Structures

Pop Up

These are the quickest gazebos to construct and deconstruct, most of them taking only minutes to do so. They’ll often have a bag to be kept in, with a prebuilt frame and mesh wall panels. Although they’ll be made of fire retardant materials, the fabric used for them are not meant for use for all year round. But they’re ideal if you like a bit more room when sleeping outdoors and are the cheapest of all three structures featured in this article.

Soft-Top

These are also a temporary solution, which is ideal if you’re limited on space and only want to use a gazebo for special occasions because of this. Like pop-up gazebos, soft-tops are also easy to assemble and are fairly light-weighted, their frames are easy to fold and store, with mesh walls to keep the mosquitos out. If you rent your home, then this type of structure is a good choice for you as it can be dismantled and taken elsewhere.

Hard-Top

These are the most expensive of the three because they are often permanent structures. The material you opt for will need to be able to keep you relatively warm in colder seasons and cool in warmer ones, whilst also letting in a decent amount of light. It’ll need to be looked after, so you can use it for several years, with some even able to house fire pits and BBQs, hard-top gazebos can truly become an extension of your home all year around.

Gazebos are an investment and can add to the value of your property, if you select the right one. You need to balance your needs with the space you have to get one the right size. It’s worthwhile following our tips to get a gazebo that compliments your garden and is within your budget. Making a bad purchase will not only be a waste of money but will more than likely mean your gazebo will not get used as it was intended.