Planning a pergola around how you will use the space

Would you use the space outside for breakfast, a quiet evening or having people over? Decide that before choosing a pergola from a picture. Where you sit, when you sit there and how people move around will help you work out what the space needs.

Put the furniture in the plan

Picture the table or chairs you want to use, with people actually sitting in them. Leave room to pull out a chair and walk past it. Check the route from the house too, especially if you will be carrying food outside.

Include the pergola posts in that layout. A space can look generous when empty and feel very different once the furniture and structure are in place.

Check the sun when you plan to sit outside

Look at the spot at the time you expect to use it. A place that is comfortable for breakfast may get direct sun later in the day.

Shade depends on the sun's position and the design, so an overhead structure alone may not stop low afternoon sun reaching the seats. Tell the designer where you want shade and at what time. That is more useful than copying the roof shape of another home's pergola.

Also consider the room beside it. Ask how the proposed structure will affect daylight through nearby windows or doors.

Be clear about what you expect when it rains

If you want to leave furniture outside, discuss rain protection before selecting a design. A pergola's appearance does not tell you what weather protection it provides.

Ask what the proposed roof protects against, what happens when rain comes in from the sides, and where water from the roof will go. Rain protection and drainage depend on the actual system and installation. Do not choose indoor furniture on the assumption that the space will stay dry.

Look beyond the view from your sitting room

Sit where the chairs would be and look around. Is the spot overlooked by a neighbouring balcony? Can people still get to the garden or another entrance?

Think about cleaning as well. Ask how to reach and maintain the roof and any drainage parts safely. Have the site assessed for suitable supports and fixings before work starts, particularly on a raised terrace. Do not assume an existing surface can carry a new structure.

Once you have a layout in mind, compare it with the design you like. The useful question is whether you would be comfortable spending time there, with the furniture, sun and everyday movement taken into account.

GP Aluminium lists pergolas in its product range. Call +234 916 786 0000 to discuss your outdoor space and what may suit it.