News and Events
April 17, 2007
Make a Gazebo the Jewel in Your Backyard
Make
a Gazebo the
Jewel
in Your Backyard
One of best ways to extend your
outdoor living space is by adding a gazebo. These pretty outdoor structures
were originally used in Victorian times to shade fashionably pale ladies from
the sun. Now they’re being turned into everything from cozy eating areas to
kid’s playhouses, and getaway spaces to meditate.
But why is it that some gazebos
blend so naturally into the backyard like they’ve been there forever, while
others look stiff, awkward and stick out like a sore thumb?
The secret is in the placement!
Positioned correctly, your gazebo will add dimension to your landscape.
Positioned incorrectly, your gazebo will make your backyard look disjointed and
junky.
Here are some do’s and don’t to help
you get it right!
Gazebos look wonderful and
mysterious as a termination point at the end of a garden path. Visitors get the
wonderful feeling that they are being drawn into the backyard and that makes it
feel inviting and cozy.
2. Do Choose a Spot Close to Water
If your home is on a lake or pond,
take advantage of it. Position your outdoor gazebo on the point that overlooks
the water.
You could also try placing your
gazebo near a backyard waterfall or a trickling fountain and enjoy watching the
birds splash about. Or how about by your pool?
One family I know built a patio
gazebo at the deep end of their rock waterfall swimming pool. It was designed
so that you could easily remove the railing on the pool side and dive right off
the gazebo into the water.
3. Don’t place a garden gazebo in the middle of your Yard unless you
have a very large backyard.
A gazebo in the middle of a tiny
yard will look like it’s been dropped from outer space and will overpower the
yard, but as the centerpiece of a grand estate, it can anchor and unite the
space quite beautifully. It’s all a matter of balance.
4. Do Take Advantage of a Raised Area
To enjoy picture postcard vistas
like a beautiful sunset or bird’s eye garden view, take advantage of any raised
area in your yard.
One couple I know built an outdoor
gazebo high on a terrace overlooking their jungle-like backyard and used it,
not only for dining, but for dancing in the moonlight.
If you are looking for a little
shelter, then a patio gazebo nestled in one corner of your deck can complement
it beautifully. It can also help to break up what can be a long, boring space.
One backyard I toured had a gazebo
on the deck that was used for dining. The ceiling of the gazebo was decorated
with dozens of miniature white Christmas tree lights for a starry sky effect at
night.
6. Don’t Place your Outdoor Gazebo too far to one side of the House
If your beautiful garden gazebo is
not even part of your view, then why bother to spend all that money to build
it? Also, too far to one side can make the yard look lopsided if you don’t
balance the rest of the yard with some landscaping or other structures.
Off to one side will work o.k. if
your gazebo is still partly in sight and there is a good reason for it to be
there. For example, if the gazebo is placed nearby a tennis or bocce ball
court, it can be a place to sit and watch the game. It can also hide something
unattractive that you really don’t want to look at like
7. Do make it the Jewel in Your Garden
Another great place for your outdoor
gazebo is smack dab in the middle of your garden where you can turn it into a
quaint tea room or cozy reading spot. Not only will you able to enjoy looking
out at all your magnificent flowers, but you’ll be able to enjoy their
beautiful aroma too.
So remember: For perfect deck and
garden gazebo placement, plan ahead. Know the reason for placing your gazebo
where you want to put it. When things make sense your garden design will flow
beautifully.
by: Deborah Boland
Articlecity.com
