At any time of the year, the ideal way to spend time is to relax with friends in a beautiful gazebo, from where you can admire the tranquility of nature and the sunset. In any area, a garden gazebo will become a real decoration thanks to the large number of ideas for its design.
Wooden gazebos
This option is the most common and beloved by designers: from a closed gazebo to a simple canopy, from classics to minimalism. But the description must begin with the technical characteristics.
It is pleasant and easy to work with such a natural material as wood. By choosing such a design, you can be sure of safety. Wood, unlike modern “non-living” materials, gives a feeling of unity with nature, harmony and is able to merge with any landscape on the site. It is also a very practical material. Wood, opened with high-quality varnish, does not lose its physical properties, even after 25 years.
With the help of wood carving, a garden gazebo can be integrated into both the Russian style and the classics. The clean geometric shapes of the building will suit lovers of modern aesthetics.
The standard set for the construction of a garden gazebo includes a foundation, support beams, transverse and support logs. The typical type of gazebos can be diversified by more complex elements, which, if desired, are added to the above base.
Summer gazebos for a summer residence: what furniture to choose?
Already at the stage of viewing offers of garden gazebos, it is worth thinking about how to furnish the structure, what set of garden furniture can fit into this gazebo model? The furniture in the gazebo can be permanently fixed. Most often these are benches under walls and a centrally located table that are fixed but can be inserted freely. The second solution seems better because it is more flexible, since it is easier to empty the gazebo, for example, turn it into a summer house for children, easier to clean and organize a meeting.
The choice of shape and material from which the furniture is made is a matter of personal taste. Folding wooden furniture works best. For example, wicker or rattan models that perfectly match a wooden interior. After the season, they can be easily folded and hidden for the winter in the garage or basement.
Gazebos made of stone
A gazebo made of stone would look appropriate next to a monumental house. There are options similar to ancient buildings or small palaces. By using decorative materials in very small quantities, you can achieve a more discreet effect.
Stone is a material that will last for hundreds of years and at the same time retain its greatness. It is not afraid of inclement weather conditions, so such buildings do not require long and tedious maintenance.
Stone is an expensive material and the work will require the help of specialists. But the resulting unique look of the gazebo, which is comfortably located on the site, is worth the money and effort spent.
It is not necessary to use only stone in all main parts of the building. When creating a modern building, it can be combined with glass, metal and wood.
Construction of a steel gazebo canopy
You can also use steel to build a carport for your home. Here it will be necessary to use steel profiles of appropriate thickness or pipes that will work well with small structures. Like a wooden gazebo, a steel model will also require very good surface protection from external factors. You'll save your job by deciding to purchase a prefabricated steel shed. Its structure will be complete and resistant to destruction.
"Live" gazebos
In the old days, this type of architectural buildings was popular in noble estates. But fashion always comes back. Living gazebos are partially or entirely made of plants. They also serve as a supporting structure or roof for the building. Depending on the climate zone, weather conditions, and plant growth rate, it will take several years and a lot of effort.
For this type of gazebo, you need to choose trees and shrubs that do not grow very tall. At the first stages of plant growth and the formation of their crowns, metal frames are used. This method can be used to decorate wooden and stone gazebos.
Materials for the construction of summerhouses
Wooden gazebos
The most environmentally friendly and affordable material is wood beams. Due to its heat-retaining qualities and ease of processing, it is chosen for the construction of residential buildings. The rustic style leaves no choice at all for the material used - only wood. They can be used to treat not only country houses, but also the entire site. Wood is very easy to process yourself, so you can achieve any desired shape.
The material of a wooden gazebo requires mandatory treatment with impregnations and water-repellent emulsions. A wooden structure is susceptible to the influence of atmospheric moisture and the activity of bacteria and microorganisms, and timber made of larch resistant to these factors is not cheap. It is advisable to combine materials and build a roof, for example, from polycarbonate sheets. Other options are also possible.
Choice: stone or brick
Natural stone and hardened brick are excellent choices for a BBQ gazebo, as two non-flammable materials. You can stop at them regardless of whether you are going to build open or closed structures. The first option may lose its lightness and delicacy; in this case, only small partitions between load-bearing pillars can be made with stone. In both cases, as with the closed type of gazebo, bricks and stone are used as options for the foundation or base for supports for canopies.
To build a gazebo, it is quite important to use both stone and bricks. Even if you want to make a wooden gazebo, a stone floor will be a practical option for placing a barbecue. You can even make a full-fledged outdoor fireplace out of brick.
Metal frames for gazebos and forging
The metal frame is convenient as a base for light climbing plants. Also consider forged decoration elements, which are sold ready-made. If your summer cottage lacks some monumentality, this is what you need. Remember that the use of forged metal elements in a closed gazebo has its own subtleties: the material heats up quickly and strongly, and it will not be possible to hide from the summer heat.
Fabric surfaces
Country fairs and sales offer different options for fabrics that are convenient specifically for summer cottages and outdoor recreation. The most popular are tarpaulins, as they do not allow water to pass through, and finely woven synthetic fabrics with impregnations.
Open options for relaxation gazebos are conveniently complemented by mosquito nets. This solves the problem of mosquitoes and falling leaves.
If you buy a couple of tens of meters of fabric with one pattern at once, then the gazebo, the upholstery of outdoor furniture, the swing, and the canopy will all be made in the same style. This approach will always look very stylish. See what the gazebo looks like when finished. Fabric surfaces, despite their simplicity, are very practical.
Romantic options
The gazebo itself is a very romantic place. Here you forget everyday problems, and in a peaceful state you can enjoy nature. Forged metal models look the most aesthetically pleasing. They won’t provide much protection from bad weather and rain, but being in such a place immediately improves your mood. Such a gazebo looks very beautiful surrounded by roses entwining the structure.
All kinds of weaving flowers can create a romantic atmosphere. Air curtains will transform any gazebo. Without creating a closed space, they provide shelter from prying eyes and from the sun.
Such a gazebo can be decorated with candles, garlands, and dimmed lamps can be installed, which, in addition to creating a romantic atmosphere in the evening, will serve as a source of artificial lighting.
Do-it-yourself summer gazebos for a summer residence or to order
Ultimately, it's time to decide: do you build it yourself (often the cheapest option), hire a crew, or buy a pre-made gazebo? The last option seems to be the best. The choice of ready-made gazebos is so large that everyone will find something for themselves. Knowing the price from the start also ensures that there will be no additional costs. If you start self-construction, the final costs are usually much higher than the initial estimate.
When choosing a ready-made gazebo, you need to compare the total costs. The biggest differences can be related to transportation, assembly, and the cost of the floor. Some gazebos have very attractive prices, but they do not take into account the costs of assembly and transportation. And a floor is needed in a gazebo, because without it, the grass inside will very quickly turn into dirt. It is mainly made of wood, but can also be made of stone, it is important that it is stable. From a practical point of view, a more convenient solution is a stone floor, bricks or even concrete flooring covered with gravel - it is easier to maintain cleanliness, and small animals do not grow under such material.
Japanese style gazebos
A place is allocated for the gazebo on the site, which is located on a hill and is the most picturesque. An oriental-style building should be surrounded by a garden. The architectural details, as well as the plants, are Japanese.
A Japanese-style gazebo goes well with all laconic and modern styles, especially with minimalism, which came from the land of the rising sun.
Stone and hardwood are used to decorate the building. Unfortunately, traditional bamboo does not take root in the Russian climate.
The roofs for the gazebo are the following - hipped, gabled, or roof with gables. The Japanese style of construction can be identified precisely by this part. It is difficult to build even the simplest version of an oriental gazebo on your own.
Foreign, non-standard
A lot of amazing gazebos can be seen in other countries. I am not strong in the culture of different countries, and I do not know the attitude of people towards gazebos, however, the photographs speak for themselves.
You need to be aware that with the Russian climate, not all buildings will last more than one season, but it’s still worth seeing these masterpieces.
Open gazebo with columns and wooden canopy
Most gazebos are open, which indicates a warm climate and the absence of unpleasant winds and precipitation. I noticed that in foreign versions there are often not only chairs and benches, but also armchairs and even beds.
I don’t know how beautiful it will look in our style, but in the photographs everything looks very harmonious.
I paid special attention to the Italian gazebos; they stand out from the majority. It seems that they have vast expanses there, and they make these buildings too large. Either we just came across such photos, or that’s how it is. Maybe someone has been to foreign countries and can share their experience in this matter?
Bungalow style gazebos
This building, which comes from tropical countries, although small in size, is able to accommodate all the elements necessary for relaxation. A bungalow-style gazebo has collected some of the stylistic features of such a building.
To build an exotic structure on the site, the most picturesque place is chosen. A densely planted garden is best.
The main difference between a bungalow is its straight roof, which is generally more massive than the base and is most often made of straw. Wood is used as support beams during construction. Construction should be kept simple. Inside it there are sun loungers, and it is decorated with curtains.
Style directions
Classic performance
Options for gazebos made in a classic design look laconic and simple, have a regular symmetrical shape and a minimum of decor. In summer cottages these are the options most often found. They are a good basis for further decoration; individual areas of the building can be decorated little by little, changing its style.
Eastern oriental style
The most daring style of execution is oriental. Pagodas, carved pillars, multi-tiered canopies, and bright tiles with patterns look light and fresh. The most organic materials are stone, wood, fabrics, bamboo.
Forest style
The “forest” gazebo gives you an immersion in a wilder natural atmosphere. Rough processing, climbing plants, living vines, and surroundings appropriate to the style are assumed.
Wood is the most natural and harmonious material in this case. Moreover, the finished timber will give way to untreated trunks and driftwood polished with water. Wooden pieces of furniture will only support the overall picture. A forest gazebo is not built right away; it takes a long time to add thematic items.
The load-bearing pillars will be roughly processed trees, and the canopy will be of a lattice structure to allow some rays of the sun to pass through.
Pastoral or rustic style
The rustic style almost does not limit the options for gazebos. The only thing is that wood is still assumed to be the main material. The designs may resemble a house made of matches, Baba Yaga's hut, or the memorable house of a village grandmother. The stove will fit in original and harmoniously. The builder stylizes, for example, a barbecue to match it. A pastoral-type structure will require more thought in detail and greater care.
Therefore, careful processing of wood is more harmonious in this style of gazebo.
How to arrange a gazebo for your summer cottage is a matter of your taste, interests and expected functionality. It is not at all difficult to build it yourself.
Gazebos with barbecue and stove
A favorite pastime for many while relaxing in the country is cooking food over a fire. There are times when a whole group of people gather here, take the grill outside, set up a table and chairs, the barbecue is already being fried, everyone is waiting for the feast... But it started to rain. Vanity, everything is brought back into the house.
You can make some kind of canopy. But if you already spend effort, then it is better to make a garden gazebo in which you can comfortably cook food. The building must be semi-closed or open. When setting up a barbecue, grill or barbecue, first of all you need to take care of fire safety, as well as arranging a place to store firewood, coals, dishes, and install a cutting table.
Types of street structures
Main options:
- open;
- closed;
- green plan;
- for barbecue.
When choosing a gazebo for your dacha, study these main types, how and how they differ from each other.
Open version of the gazebo
This is usually the type of gazebo we imagine, and it is the most popular. This structure consists of load-bearing supports, with a canopy on top. The size of the components varies, but often such a structure has small dimensions. Due to this, it looks light and simple, harmonious and fits very beautifully into the surrounding greenery.
The photos we selected show how delicate and interesting such designs are. For ease of use and additional strength in open-type gazebos, the load-bearing supports are connected by crossbars.
Let's consider what amenities an open gazebo offers us:
- It’s not difficult to make a design; design and installation are easy to figure out on your own.
- The canopy is enough to provide shelter from heavy rain and provide shade on hot summer days.
- This is the most natural version of gazebos, open to air movement, wind noise, birdsong and the chirping of insects.
But such gazebos also have not the most convenient qualities:
- the open option does not protect from the wind at all; the situation can be compensated by a good location near a fence or dense bushes;
- a structure without walls cannot be heated;
- mosquitoes and midges will be able to show you who is boss in the gazebo.
Closed type gazebos
These are rather compact houses or even small pavilions. The presence of walls adds the following advantages:
- year-round use possible;
- wind and mosquitoes will not be scary.
And this is the reason for the shortcomings:
- the feeling that you are relaxing in nature disappears; a closed room allows little sound to pass through.
- It will not be possible to cook meat on coals inside until a smoke exhaust system is installed.
Living or green options for gazebos
Such structures require almost no purchase of building materials, they only require time and maintenance. They are not only created, but also grown, attracting imagination. The end result will most likely not be as planned. Initially, only a light frame for creeping plants is installed, topped with a canopy, and they climb up at their own discretion. It is unlikely that it will be possible to install an exemplary green gazebo at your dacha in one season.
A special natural microclimate with certain humidity and aromas is created inside. The openness depends on the choice of plants: the more sparse the foliage, the more airy the appearance.
Barbecue type
The center of the barbecue gazebos is a barbecue. By type of construction they resemble open ones. But they can also be closed, if the smoke exhaust system is carefully equipped. Everything here is adapted for grilling meat and vegetables: in addition to the grill, there are small work surfaces, a large dining table and, of course, running water. The closed type justifies itself in winter and in bad weather, but an open barbecue is a very good option in terms of ease of construction and cost.
How to care for a garden gazebo?
Wooden elements must be pre-impregnated by the manufacturer to protect against moisture, mold and animals. Then, every year you should refresh the structure, paying special attention to the north side and all those places where the sun does not reach. This is where the wood usually starts to deteriorate. Do not forget about wood impregnation, because a regularly maintained gazebo will last for many years to be used by several generations.
Choose summer gazebo designs to suit every taste. Interesting models will definitely decorate your garden, providing comfortable rest and coolness in the warm season.
