Growing Concerns: Outdoor rooms add space to a home

Robin Fruth-Dugstad, life@postbulletin.com

My husband and I recently added an arbor or small pergola to our deck. Although we have a shade tree located to the west of the deck, we decided that we needed early to mid-day shade. Garden structures like arbors and pergolas are very versatile. Adding a garden structure is a great way to upgrade the home landscape.

Although kits and plans are available, we wanted something unique to reflect our personal style, accent our home, and enhance the existing deck. Our arbor was designed by my husband.

We have a cedar home, so we used cedar with a cedar stain for building material. Other materials can be used to coordinate with the style of a home. A white painted structure is great for a cottage look. Consider using metal for a traditional or classic home. A natural wood structure with clean, simple lines leans toward an Asian feel. Non-traditional or salvaged materials can be used to create a unique arbor or pergola.

Garden structures create a sense of enclosure by providing the ceiling for an outdoor living space. Our deck was wide open and now feels cozy and intimate with a defined dining space. Our structure has the traditional open beams but by adding a canvas or a piece of metal a space to escape the rain can be created. A solid surface also creates more privacy.

Garden structures do not have to be placed over a patio or deck. Tuck an arbor into the landscape to create a peaceful getaway spot in the garden. Near a water feature or tucked into the trees would be great options.

Use garden structures to enhance an entrance, create a focal point or create a nice transition from an inside space to an outdoor room. Outdoor rooms add usable square footage to the home.

The structure can be dressed up with architectural details, curtains, bird feeders, and garden art. We added architectural details to our structure. It has a slightly curved roof with uniquely shaped beams that go through the 6-by-6 posts and are pegged in place, no bolts or screws.

Green it up with plants. Add hanging baskets and vines. A sturdy garden structure is perfect for climbing roses, wisteria, trumpet creeper or grapevine. It will take a couple years for these perennial vines to cover the structure so incorporate annual vines like cardinal vine, moon flower or hyacinth bean for the first couple of years.

Another greening option would be to train a weeping conifer or birch on the arbor. Arbors and pergolas can also be used in the vegetable garden for climbing plants. I walked through a gourd arbor at Longwood Gardens that was absolutely amazing.

Maximize growing space by creating an intimate outdoor room. Outdoor rooms add usable square footage to the home.