by Ellen Mallernee Barnes
Pergolas are decorative by nature. Though they help define and add height to an outdoor space, they don’t offer a whole lot of function, unless you’re one of those green thumbs who can successfully coax climbing plants into shading your patio. But, dear Lord, don’t pergolas just look fabulous? Don’t they just make you want to sit and stay awhile? “Mini-pergolas” take the pergola’s uselessness to another level (and we mean that in the kindest way possible because we love all things pergola), as they are 100 percent ornamental. Small pergolas offer the perfect solution for lots of spaces that just seem blah, lacking any kind of architectural detail of note. A shallow little pergola can go a long way to deepen the impact of your home. Allow us to demonstrate:
A pergola over a fence or privacy wall
A pergola over an outdoor kitchen
A pergola over a swing
A pergola over a fire pit
A pergola over french doors
A pergola over a garage door
A pergola over windows
All photos sourced from Houzz.com and Better Homes and Garden
See photos of pergolas we’ve built here in Nashville.
