The Best Pergolas and Gazebos for Every Backyard

Create a shady outdoor oasis with these stylish pergolas and gazebos.

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Updated on July 16, 2024

Alfresco dining and outdoor lounging are two of life’s sweetest, simplest pleasures. Until, of course, you find yourself battling pesky flying insects zooming past your dinner plate or end your day applying aloe vera after a late-afternoon patio snooze. Our advice? Invest in an outdoor structure that ensures you avoid the (literal) sting of sunburn and mosquito bites altogether.

Pergolas and gazebos are mainstays in outdoor and garden designs everywhere and for good reason. These structures diffuse sunlight, support climbing blooms and create a haven from harsh elements while simultaneously adding style to your backyard. That said, pergolas and gazebos have distinct differences, and one may benefit your home more than the other. Get the scoop on each structure to find out which works best for you, then shop our favorite designs in the links below.

Pergolas

Pergolas are elegant outdoor structures often used to reprieve patios from the harsh afternoon sun or support climbing blooms in backyard gardens. The stately structures are defined by vertical pillars that support a series of open cross-beams, frameworks or canopy coverings overhead. Pergolas differ from gazebos in that they lack traditional, solid roofs and feature an open, airy construction that welcomes diffused sunlight and rouge summer winds into the structure.

Elevate your outdoor space with a pergola of your own. Add a pergola to your paved patio to create an alfresco dining space complete with twinkling bistro lights woven through the open cross-beams overhead. Another idea? Use a pergola to extend your interior living space and create an outdoor lounge decked out with all the bells and whistles. Think all-weather furniture, a punchy area rug, glowing lanterns, citronella candles, potted posies and a spirited beverage cart in the corner.

$749.95 $579.99
Wayfair

Brighten your deck or patio with this classic, white pergola. The eye-catching structure is crafted from rot, weather, warp and UV-resistant vinyl coated in a fresh, white finish to withstand years of enjoyment in your outdoor space. Each pergola comes with an included arch kit, as well as an anchor/mounting kit that enables you to secure the structure to the ground with ease.

$639 $543.15
Sunjoy

Share spirited cocktails and breezy conversations with loved ones beneath this modern steel pergola. The freestanding frame is crafted from durable powder-coated steel that holds its own against rain, wind and shine. Best part? The pergola boasts a retractable weather-resistant canopy made from beige fabric that offers an escape from the sun’s hottest rays and shelter from sudden rain showers.

$2,154.99
Wayfair

Create an outdoor space fit for alfresco entertaining with this stunning, solid cedar pergola. The substantial design boasts open-beam ceilings and expands 14 feet wide to offer ample space for an outdoor lounge set or expansive dining table. The pergola features attractive slat details along each corner and comes equipped with a removable water-wicking fabric canopy to block out the unwanted sun or summer sprinkles. The pergola’s piece de résistance? The built-in bar and shelf provide a spot to snack and sip all summer.

$299.99
Wayfair

Sleek and simple, this pergola is a failproof addition to any contemporary outdoor space. The freestanding steel frame anchors with ease on the ground, and the minimalist silhouette ensures the structure enhances its environment rather than creating an overpowering presence in the outdoor space. A retractable canopy adds softness to the streamlined design and offers a spot to cool off while working in the backyard or splashing around in the pool.

$2,999
Lowe's

Create a shady corner to enjoy poolside cocktails with this cabana-style pergola and conversation seating set. The luxurious set comes with a unique, two-sided pergola with privacy slat walls, a built-in patio table and two steel-framed conversation seats. Gray, weather-resistant Sunbrella cushions add modern flair to the design and bring comfort to the nook. Each pergola is crafted from 100 percent steel, and the high-traffic table is made from durable reinforced galvanized steel.

$2,599 $1,803.67
Wayfair

On the hunt for a pergola that coordinates with your current wood deck? Invest in this unstained solid wood pergola and stain it in the same shade to ensure a perfect match. The pergola is crafted from solid pine and features dreamy design details, including curved post supports and decorative post skirts.

Gazebos

Gazebos are outdoor structures with solid roofs, open walls that offer views of the surroundings and a circular, turret or octagonal silhouette. The solid roof creates a haven to escape from harsh elements and a shady space to cool off during sweltering summer afternoons.

Gazebos exude sophistication and have a permanence that makes them ideal additions to paved patios, poolside decks and formal gardens. There are endless styles and materials to sift through when selecting a gazebo for your outdoor space. Our tip? Use your exterior architecture and color palette as your cues to find a gazebo that feels organic in the setting.

$1,999.95
Wayfair

Add function and flair to your deck or patio with this modern farmhouse-style gazebo. The stunning design features a solid cedar frame topped with a contrasting, weather-resistant aluminum roof. The handsome gazebo is approved for ground, cement patios and second-story deck installation.

$724 $599.99
Wayfair

Bring Old Hollywood glamour to your poolside patio with this stunning steel-framed gazebo. The sturdy, rust-resistant frame and weather-resistant canopy create a chic haven to enjoy lunch and lounging out of the sun. A smoky, scalloped valance infuses playful, modern style into your outdoor design, and the gazebo’s four tailored privacy curtains allow you to block additional sunlight while in use.

$1,199
The Home Depot

Let your penchant for drama shine in your outdoor space with this galvanized steel gazebo. The striking structure boasts a durable steel frame and is topped with a modern, pagoda-style roof equipped to withstand the elements all year round. Each gazebo comes with zippered mosquito netting to keep out pesky bugs and an air vent for enhanced airflow.

$2,706 $2,569.99
Wayfair

Make your patio your favorite place to unwind at the end of the day with a little help from this solid cedar gazebo. The honey-tone cedar frame is topped by a sable, steel gable roof that allows ample airflow while still protecting the space below from harsh elements. Take advantage of the included ceiling hook and suspend a statement-making lantern or chandelier from the ceiling to enjoy the alfresco lounge after hours.

$1,699.99 $1,430
Wayfair

Bring resort style to your back deck or patio with this hardtop gazebo. The fashionable structure is built with durable, non-rusting aluminum that promises to last a lifetime. A curved, double roof sets this gazebo apart from traditional designs and adds to the structure's stylistic appeal. Each gazebo comes equipped with everything necessary to install, as well as side curtains and screens to shield you from the sun, insects and curious neighbors while in use.

$1,495.92
Wayfair

Durable construction marries timeless design with this aluminum patio gazebo. The sturdy structure boasts a durable galvanized steel roof and steel frame built to withstand harsh elements all year long. That’s right – this stunner is built to hold up against the blazing-hot sun and a heavy snow load. Bonus: The gazebo comes with mesh mosquito-netting curtain panels to keep pests far away from your alfresco dinner spread.

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