Home Improvement Ideas Porches & Outdoor Rooms Outdoor Rooms 33 Gazebo Design Ideas for a Relaxing Backyard Escape This classic garden structure comes in every shape, size, and design style to easily accommodate all your outdoor needs. By Abby Wolner Abby Wolner Abby Wolner is a freelance writer trained in journalism through Drake University. She is a former food writer and contributor to Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 4, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Bob Stefko A gazebo creates a backyard destination where you can relax in the shade and in style. Often constructed in a round or octagonal shape, gazebos are designed to afford 360 views of the surrounding area with protection from rain and sun. There are enough gazebo design ideas to match just about every budget and architectural style, so you can build one that works for your lifestyle. Extend the enjoyment of your outdoor area with these gazebo ideas that easily accommodate all your backyard activities. 17 Enclosed Garden Structures for a Cozy Backyard Retreat 01 of 33 Attached Gazebo This corner gazebo stretches into the side yard to magnify the front porch's utility and bring vintage flair to a newly constructed home. An outdoor ceiling fan (complete with a light fixture) keeps the mood chill and surfaces bright. Lush hanging baskets contribute pleasing colors and create a privacy screen of sorts. 13 Ideas to Make Your Small Backyard Better 02 of 33 Small Gazebo Bench Jay Wilde A three-seat garden bench forms the footprint for this micro gazebo, which offers some shelter from the elements without taking up much space. Lattice, simply routed pieces of wood, and complementary paint colors decorate the petite oasis. The 17 Best Garden Benches of 2024 to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space 03 of 33 Gazebo Made with Old Windows Robert Brinson A collection of antique windows and doors provide the “walls” for this gazebo, blocking none of the views, but much of the rain and wind. The rustic look continues with the corrugated steel roof and simple post and beam construction. 04 of 33 Build a Gazebo Kit Marty Baldwin Gazebo design ideas don't have to be from scratch. This built-from-a-kit gazebo nestles nicely into its setting, thanks to its stained wood exterior, lush window boxes, and surrounding perennial beds. A distinctive double cupola, fretwork details, and modified arched openings give the newly constructed gazebo vintage appeal and a pagoda-like appearance. DIY Gazebos do require quite a bit of building know-how, but they can be less expensive than hiring it out. 24 Budget-Friendly Backyard Ideas 05 of 33 Gazebo Furniture Ideas Dustin Peck Once you have your gazebo structure, choose outdoor furniture that supports what you'll use the gazebo for. Add cozy lounge chairs for reading and relaxing, or a small table for entertaining. Here, a bar-height table and chairs feels fresh, contemporary, and casual under the simple four-post gazebo. The 6 Best Patio Furniture Pieces of 2024 to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space This Summer, Tested by Us 06 of 33 Gazebo Entertaining Area Stephen Cridland This gazebo is the architectural anchor of a large backyard entertainment area where guests can enjoy the shade and seclusion provided by the large trees. An adjoining brick patio is a great space for entertaining large groups. Dining tables can be set up, or the patio can serve as a dance floor. 07 of 33 Patio Gazebo Michael Garland House-like in its architecture, this gazebo always draws a crowd. A central entry gable and a noteworthy light fixture draw attention to the gazebo, which connects to an adjacent patio. Cushy upholstered banquettes supply sofa-style seating along the perimeter; a commodious ottoman props up multiple feet. 17 Outdoor Living Spaces to Inspire Patio, Deck, or Yard Updates 08 of 33 Garden Gazebo Lorn Manthey The placement of this rustic gazebo ensures every journey from house to far-off gardens is always pleasurable. A simple gabled roof and an arched entry work hand-in-hand with a ruddy exterior and eye-catching architectural details to make this gazebo a garden focal point. A circular concrete patio that creates a fine and notable foundation that acts as a geometric counterweight to the rectangular gazebo's shape and airy appearance. 09 of 33 Gazebo with Cupola Roof Bob Stefko Gazebos are often built for leisure, so you can and should have fun with the design. A vented cupola with cedar shakes tops this screened-in gazebo and enhances its decorative feel. What Is a Cupola and Does It Actually Have a Purpose? 10 of 33 Classic Gazebo Design Ginny Weiler A bright spot in a shady grove, this gracefully proportioned gazebo advances into view thanks to its light gray roof, white-painted finish, and distinctive railing treatment. Custom roofing, such as this bell-shaped roof with corbel trim, costs more but adds individual style to a backyard gazebo. The hexagon gazebo plays off elements in the landscape. Its white exterior mirrors the color of hydrangea blooms and variegated plantings. The wood floor stays in tune with the darker tones of a brick walkway. 11 of 33 Victorian-Style Gazebo Andre' Baranowski Decorative woodwork and cedar shake roofing give this gazebo a dreamy 19th century look. The space fits a round table in the center, making it the perfect place for shaded outdoor meals. 12 of 33 Lattice Gazebo Mark Lohman A dainty lattice structure forms the center of this classical garden. While lattice is mostly used as a privacy screen today, its original use was far more decorative, making it surprisingly ideal for more formal gardens and gazebo designs. How to Build a Lattice Privacy Screen for Your Deck 13 of 33 Poolside Gazebo Werner Straube A clay-tile roof and rough-brick walls ensure this gazebo takes center stage on a poolside patio. Cued by country French architecture, this spacious gazebo satisfies modern needs. It houses lift-up-bench storage for pool gear and a dining table and chairs that accommodate casual gatherings, cocktail parties, and family game nights no matter the weather. 14 of 33 Screened-In Gazebo Andreas Trauttmansdorff A screened-in gazebo may get more use, as it offers the outdoor experience with fewer bugs. Plus, it's less expensive than adding a screened-in porch to your home. Large cutouts form windows and ensure no views are missed. How to Clean Porch Screens for Spotless Views 15 of 33 Natural Wood Gazebo Kritsada Panichgul The combination of delicate woodwork in a natural finish reflects the simple perfection of nature surrounding this screened-in gazebo. A pair of double doors with an arched detail welcome weary sitters into this garden escape. 16 of 33 Tall Gazebo Edmund Barr Simple in its design, the most striking part of this square-shaped gazebo is its height. The grand scale allows breezes to flow freely and plenty of room for a variety of garden furniture to relax upon underneath. For extra privacy, add patio curtains to one side. The 12 Best Outdoor Curtains of 2024 For Added Privacy, Shade, and Style 17 of 33 DIY Gazebo Design Frances Litman The owners of this stick-built gazebo come outside to relax in a pair of easy chairs and revel in the sights and sounds of burbling water, chirping birds, and passing-through butterflies. Rising from a two-tiered platform seemingly cantilevered from the adjacent stepped-up patio, the structure sports an open-air design, which optimizes sunlight and breezes that are sometimes blocked by neighboring trees. 18 of 33 Folly-Style Gazebo Matthew Benson This slender gazebo with an unusual tapered roofline takes after European follies, which were buildings designed mostly for decoration, rather than practical use. Researching historic outbuildings or architecture may give you unique ideas for your gazebo design. 19 of 33 Gazebo with Privacy Curtains Jacob Fox A gazebo lit with string lights and hanging langerns is even cozier against a curtain backdrop that adds privacy and blocks direct afternoon sun. Shop for curtains in a performance or outdoor fabric to ensure long-lasting quality. 20 of 33 Guardhouse-Inspired Gazebo Gordon Beall This small structure at the entrance of the home is modeled after 18th century guardhouses, which stood at the gates of large estates. The modern guardhouse design makes a perfect backyard playhouse or enclosed gazebo. 21 of 33 Simple Wood Gazebo Allen Rokach For a natural-looking gazebo that becomes one with the garden, seal the wood of your gazebo, but don’t stain it. The wood will age naturally and will slowly blend into the surroundings. This allows your flowerbeds to be the main focus of your outdoor space. 22 of 33 Carved Wood Gazebo Jon Jensen Increase the enchantment factor of your gazebo design with decorative details, such as the curvy fascia used here. This version also features a cedar shake roof and a copper finial, proving that more is more when it comes to details. 23 of 33 Farmhouse Gazebo Greg Scheidemann The most successful gazebo designs suit the settings and stay in tune with the architecture of the homes they serve. This screened gazebo takes on the form of a tiny farmhouse with its board-and-batten siding and tin roof that mirror elements on the main house. Thanks to the screened windows and door, this enclosed gazebo expands the usage of the patio. Our Favorite Farmhouse Exteriors 24 of 33 Gazebo with Open Sides Emily J Followill A mostly open-sided gazebo focuses on the enchantment of a steeply pitched roof and reclaimed posts and beams. Low garden benches around the outside support the structure and add extra seating. 25 of 33 Open-Sided Gazebo Edmund Barr This light and airy gazebo design is open on all four sides, making it feel like a natural part of your outdoor space. The open sides will help you avoid a closed-off feeling, while the full roof shields you from the hot sun or an afternoon rain shower. For added privacy, consider hanging a few panels of curtains that can be tied open or left shut. Garden Privacy Ideas 26 of 33 Connected Gazebo Ideas Lynn Karlin Operating much like an open-air screen porch, this attached gazebo works in tandem with a covered patio to entice guests into the landscape and maximize indoor-outdoor gatherings. Shingle siding visually links the home and the gazebo. Arched openings and simple railings lend definition to the structure without blocking sea and sky vistas. 27 of 33 Gazebo Built Around an Existing Tree If you can't bear to cut down a backyard tree, build around it. That's what this homeowner did when adding a backyard gazebo. The simple structure incorporates a tilting tree into its design. A brick-and-mortar base and shake shingles are common materials for traditional gazebos. 28 of 33 Mini Gazebo Michael Partenio Memorable designs result from attention to detail. This fairy-tale cottage gazebo illustrates how to dress for success. Twin gables, a metal roof, skylights, shapely cedar shingles, glass windows, and a glass-pane door combine for a striking, weatherproof structure that brings interest and shelter to a simply planted yard. Ideas for a Backyard Kids Shed 29 of 33 Period Style Gazebo John Bessler An air of the Victorian emanates from this charming octagonal gazebo, which features spandrel details, wide corbel supports, and a vented cupola. Doubling as a conservatory, this gazebo sports one walled section where a mirror hangs and a potting bench showcases an orchid collection. Built-in benches softened with cushions and pillows invite lingering. 30 of 33 Screened-In Gazebo Gordon Morioka Supplying at least three seasons worth of entertaining and relaxation space, this gazebo presents a period Victorian profile but performs like a modern screen porch. A finely fashioned breezeway provides protected passage between house and gazebo also contributes extra floor space for setting up tables and chairs when a party is on tap. 31 of 33 Natural Knockout Ed Gohlich This garden-folly-style gazebo boasts a generous supply of panache. The roof's fetching finial, shapely wood shingles, and broad steeple shape demand attention, as does the interplay of solid and lattice walls forming its base. Note how this gazebo has no man-made floor; the structure sits atop landscaping stone and a mulched foundation for at-one-with-the-environment appeal. 32 of 33 Simple Backyard Gazebo Emily Followill A wood-shake roof and a framework built from reclaimed lumber and beams combine to shape a gazebo that brings rustic charm to a garden corner. Furnished with a table and chairs beneath a candle-equipped chandelier, the gazebo stands ready to host everything from morning coffee and afternoon teas to happy hours and formal dinner parties. 14 Ideas for Creating an Outdoor Oasis 33 of 33 Gazebo with a Deck Sherry Lubic This octagon gazebo, with its double cupola, spacious footprint, and screened openings, attractively and purposefully rounded out the design of a large backyard deck. Though the deck and gazebo share the same redwood-stain color, differing architectural details (note the gazebo's turned spindles versus the deck's straight-lined railings) distinguish the two structures. 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