Pergola & Gazebo Ideas | Wood Naturally

The same qualities that make wood the ideal choice for decking are what make wood a great fit for a variety of outdoor structures of all sizes, including pergolas and gazebos.

Since the purpose of these structures is to provide a shaded place to enjoy the outdoors, wood is an excellent choice. Not only do they provide shade, these freestanding structures put the heat diffusing qualities of wood to work overhead, offering a cool place to relax and enjoy your yard even on the sunniest day.

A pergola can be a perfect addition to a backyard to create a shaded, welcoming atmosphere for entertaining guests, a spot for dining and conversation, or a space for kids to play.

Place a couple chairs inside a gazebo and you just might find it’s your new favorite place to spend time. It’s like an outdoor room, inviting you and your guests to spend time simply relaxing.

Whatever design direction you go, you’re bound to find inspiration with the ideas we have here.

Western Red Cedar Pergola With Shade

Western Red Cedar Pergola With Shade

A pergola made from softwood lumber is a beautiful project idea that can really add a dramatic focal point to your outdoor space.

Redwood Shade Structure

Redwood Shade Structure

Real wood arbors are a great addition to any deck or backyard. This redwood arbor provides shade for the table underneath. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Classic Cedar Garden Arbor

Classic Cedar Garden Arbor

This arch structure enhances the visual appeal of this backyard garden. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Cedar Garden Arch

Cedar Garden Arch

This long stretch of arches establishes an area for vine-like plants to grow. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Pressure-Treated Arbor

Pressure-Treated Arbor

Create a pressure-treated wood arbor, painted white, to add an attractive addition to your backyard Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

Pressure-Treated Arbor Detail

Pressure-Treated Arbor Detail

Close-up view of the construction elements of a pressure-treated arbor. Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

Classic Cedar Pergola

Classic Cedar Pergola

This cedar pergola – complete with privacy shades – creates a shaded escape from the sun. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Charming Redwood Shade Structure

Charming Redwood Shade Structure

This redwood shade structure completes this charming backyard hangout. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Freestanding Redwood Pergola

Freestanding Redwood Pergola

A redwood shade structure provides a place to cool off on a warm day. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Freestanding Redwood Pergola Detail

Freestanding Redwood Pergola Detail

Close-up view of the construction detail on a redwood shade structure. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Cedar Pergola with Stone Detailing

Cedar Pergola with Stone Detailing

This inspiring design consists of a cedar shade structure with stone detailing around the base of each post. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Windsor Redwood Shade Shelter

Windsor Redwood Shade Shelter

This freestanding redwood shade shelter provides a cool place to relax in the garden or yard. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Freestanding Cedar Pergola

Freestanding Cedar Pergola

Create a shaded escape from the sun and a welcoming atmosphere for entertaining guests. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Redwood Shade Structure

Redwood Shade Structure

Imagine an outdoor picnic with family and friends, protected from the sun by this lovely redwood shade structure. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Redwood Shade Structure

Redwood Shade Structure

The posts of this redwood shade structure look charming with vines creeping up from the surrounding garden. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Modern Redwood Garden Arbor

Modern Redwood Garden Arbor

Create a personal oasis with modern redwood garden arbors, complete with privacy curtains. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Elevated Cedar Shade Structure

Elevated Cedar Shade Structure

Extend your home’s living space with the addition of an elevated freestanding cedar shade structure. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Grand Cedar Shade Structure

Grand Cedar Shade Structure

This grand cedar shade structure makes this hammock an escape from the sun on a hot day. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Cedar BBQ Cover

Cedar BBQ Cover

Who says BBQing is only for summer? With this cedar BBQ cover, you can grill in the great outdoors all year round. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Modern Cedar Shade Structure

Modern Cedar Shade Structure

This modern take on the classic outdoor cedar shade structure offers a cool place to relax and enjoy your yard even on the sunniest day. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Southern Pine Gazebo

Southern Pine Gazebo

Enchanting wood gazebos are a fantastic addition to any outdoor property. Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

This picturesque cedar gazebo was built over a body of water. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

An enchanting gazebo built amongst the trees looks like a scene from a fairy tale. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Lakeside Cedar Gazebo

Lakeside Cedar Gazebo

Gazebos can be as functional as they are visually pleasing, like this lakeside cedar gazebo used to store water equipment. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Place a couple chairs inside a gazebo and you just might find it’s your new favorite place to spend time. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

A gazebo is a great place for a picnic. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Contemporary Cedar Pergola

Contemporary Cedar Pergola

Perfect for outdoor entertaining, this cedar pergola will be the envy of all your neighbors. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

This beautiful wood pergola will instantly define and enhance your outdoor living space.

Cedar Shade Shelter

Cedar Shade Shelter

This cedar wood shelter built next to your home will keep the whole house cooler by shielding windows, walls and sliding glass doors from the sun. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Cedar Shade Shelter

Cedar Shade Shelter

This cedar wood shelter built next to your home will keep the whole house cooler by shielding windows, walls and sliding glass doors from the sun. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Sturdy Cedar Shade Structure

Sturdy Cedar Shade Structure

A cedar shade structure provides shade on a hot day, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for entertaining guests. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Beautiful Cedar Pergola

Beautiful Cedar Pergola

Complete with comfortable seating, this cedar pergola will instantly define and enhance your outdoor living space. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Contemporary Cedar Shade Structure

Contemporary Cedar Shade Structure

This modern cedar shade structure provides space to enjoy beautiful weather. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Wood Patio Covers

Wood Patio Covers

Since the purpose of these structures is to provide a shaded place to enjoy the outdoors, wood is an excellent choice.

Open-Air Cedar Pergola

Open-Air Cedar Pergola

A freestanding cedar pergola provides an open-air retreat for relaxing outdoors. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Gothic Cedar Pergola

Gothic Cedar Pergola

With its simple, yet detailed, design, this gothic cedar pergola, complete with raised garden boxes, adds traditional charm to your backyard. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Wood Pergola with Privacy Screen

Wood Pergola with Privacy Screen

A freestanding shade shelter provides privacy and a cool place to relax in your own backyard.

Wood Pergola Detail

Wood Pergola Detail

Wood pergolas are a perfect blend of big timbers and some pretty neat carpentry.

All-In-One Design

All-In-One Design

This all-in-one design is a perfect solution for homeowners with limited outdoor space. It’s also great for defining activity areas within bigger backyards.

Heat-Diffusing Redwood Shade Structure

Heat-Diffusing Redwood Shade Structure

The lumber on this redwood shade structure puts the heat-diffusing qualities to work overhead, offering a cool place to relax and enjoy your yard on the sunniest days. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Charming Redwood Shade Structure

Charming Redwood Shade Structure

This redwood shade structure completes this charming backyard hangout. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Stunning Cedar Pergola

Stunning Cedar Pergola

This simple, yet stunning cedar pergola offers a pleasant outdoor retreat for social gatherings or soothing private reflection. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Wood Shade Structures

Wood Shade Structures

These freestanding structures put the heat diffusing qualities of wood to work overhead, offering a cool place to relax and enjoy your yard even on the sunniest day.

Eye-Catching Redwood Shade Structure

Eye-Catching Redwood Shade Structure

Slim wood slats help round out the look of the eye-catching shade structure. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Wood Shade Structures

Wood Shade Structures

These freestanding structures put the heat diffusing qualities of wood to work overhead, offering a cool place to relax and enjoy your yard even on the sunniest day.

Contemporary Designed Cedar Shade Structure

Contemporary Designed Cedar Shade Structure

This cedar shade structure combines contemporary design with classically beautiful wood. Photo Credit: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Eastern White Pine Shade Structure

Eastern White Pine Shade Structure

The simple combination of Eastern White Pine posts and open rafters is ideal for highlighting entrances, masking storage areas, providing privacy and especially creating some shade. Photo Credit: Northeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

Outdoor Living Redwood Trellis

Outdoor Living Redwood Trellis

This beautiful redwood trellis can provide privacy as well as define special areas for outdoor living. It’s also handy for displaying flowers, vines and shrubs. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

A classic arch can instantly define an area in your garden or create a warm and welcoming entryway on your property.

Redwood Garden Arbor

Redwood Garden Arbor

A redwood arbor paired with a low gate and wood planter boxes creates a grand entryway. Photo Credit: California Redwood Association

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Create a pressure-treated wood arbor, painted white, to add an attractive addition to your backyard. Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Use unique design elements for your pressure-treated arbor. Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Pressure Treated Garden Arbor

Use unique design elements for your pressure-treated arbor. Photo Credit: Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association