One of the most beloved objects of summer cottage decor was and remains a gazebo. Designs serve as a wonderful place for the rest of the whole family, and are also an original object of decoration of a garden or a personal plot. Find out what gazebos are, what they consist of, and how to use them correctly in landscape design - find out from the article.

What is a gazebo

The gazebo is a lightweight, simple architectural structure located in the garden or in the summer cottage, which is designed to protect from rain or sun, as well as to relax and conduct conversations, which gave the name to the structure. Today, the variety of country houses is so huge that it allows you to choose an object for any style and design. You can purchase a finished construction, or you can make it yourself, having at hand simple building materials.

Specialists advise choosing a garden terrace based on the size of the plot and the general style of the landscape. The described building should harmoniously fit into the concept of decorating a summer cottage, not look like an alien object in it. When buying or building a gazebo, it should be remembered that it is not only a cozy and beautiful place to relax, but also a decoration of a garden or plot.

The main functions of such a structure:

• organization of a place of rest on the site;
• protection against external factors, such as wind, rain, sun rays;
• use as a summer dining room in nature;
• decoration of a personal plot.

Outdoor summer pavilions can be very different: open and covered, wooden and brick, round and square. Their designs can be equipped with additional equipment, furniture, decor items, lighting fixtures. Such a variety of options allows for the design of the landscape to translate into reality the most creative and bold ideas of designers.

Did you know? One of the first landscape designers was Claudius Julius Caesar. He spent almost all his free time in the garden, creating a unique design. He had a special passion for roses, which he cultivated in huge volumes.

What does it consist of

The construction of a summer house is a difficult, responsible task, which requires attention and proper preparation. First of all, you should know what the described structure consists of.

The minimum equipment for the summer pavilion includes:

• walls;
• the roof;
• flooring.

Mainly for greater comfort and convenience, benches are mounted on the inner side of the walls or chairs are installed. However, such a basic “equipment” can always be supplemented. If you plan to use the house as a place for tea parties or feasts, then it is worth placing a table in the center, while its shape should correspond to the shape of the structure. A square table in a round arbor will not look very elegant, and vice versa.

On one of the sides of the building you can organize a barbecue. In this case, you will need to increase the size of the gazebo by several square meters in order to mount the brazier and provide guests with enough space.

Important! When installing the brazier, we must not forget about the construction of the chimney, which will avoid the spread of a column of smoke to people in close proximity.

Types of arbors

There are a huge number of options for summer street verandas, which differ in shape, material of manufacture, functionality and purpose, style. Each species has unique advantages and features. Which one to choose depends on the personal preferences of the person, his material capabilities and the size of the site.

Type

According to the type of construction, arbors are distinguished:

1. Open. The simplest type of structure, consisting of four steel or wooden posts that support the roof. Such pavilions are characterized by simplicity and speed of installation, minimal physical and financial costs. Open houses do not take up much space, do not block other buildings, often complemented by benches, a table and chairs.
2. Closed. Such designs resemble a separate small house, since they are closed on all sides by walls. As a material for construction use brick or wood. Sometimes the gazebo is supplied with electricity and heating appliances, complemented by a summer kitchen with an oven, barbecue or barbecue. As a rule, indoor structures are installed on large personal plots.
3. Half open. A feature of semi-open objects is that along the perimeter of the structure they mount small sides or fences made of steel or wood. Such fences do not serve to protect the building from various weather phenomena, but in order to clearly show the boundaries of the arbor itself.

   In shape

   If earlier arbors were built in most cases only square, today the shape of the structure can be any, everything will depend on the imagination of the designers.

   All summer pavilions can be divided into:

   1. Round (cylindrical or oval). They are very popular among summer residents, because they have an original, unusual shape that looks great in the landscape. The round houses include rotundas on poles and a roof.
   2. Polygonal. Similar buildings harmoniously look on any personal plot. Most often, designers prefer hexagonal or octagonal structures. The most time-consuming in the construction of polygonal houses is the organization of the rafter system.
   3. Combined. Such designs include several forms. This can be square houses with a canopy, two-story buildings or elite buildings with a polygonal base.

   The size of the gazebo, as noted above, depends on the size of the site. The most successful choice for a small family is a 3 × 3 polygonal structure. If the gazebo is planned to be used for outdoor activities, then it is better to give preference to rectangular structures of 6-12 m².

   According to the material used

   Summer pavilions can be made of various materials, among which the most popular and in demand are:

   1. Wood. Wood is an environmentally friendly, natural and aesthetically attractive material that serves as an excellent raw material for the manufacture of arbors. It is easy to process, which makes it possible to make the necessary shape. Wooden summer houses always look relevant, modern and harmonious. They can be square, oval or polygonal. In most cases, for the manufacture of structures used coniferous wood, which is pre-treated with special compounds from rotting, drying, burning.
   2. Brick. Such raw materials are characterized by high reliability, strength, efficiency. Brick arbors look more impressive, interesting and impressive, they help protect people inside from negative natural phenomena.
   3. Metal. Steel structures, despite the apparent visual fragility and unreliability, are the most durable and strong. Such structures are not susceptible to decay, they do not crumble and practically do not wear out.
   4. Polycarbonate. In recent years, the demand for polycarbonate structures has grown significantly. The material is affordable, inexpensive, easy to install, perfectly protects from sunlight and moisture, is not sensitive to temperature surges, has an attractive appearance.

   Each of the above building materials has advantages and disadvantages, and is suitable for the construction of arbors of a certain type.

   By type of foundation

   Pergolas can be installed directly on well-compacted, level ground. However, for the reliability of the structure and long service life, it is recommended to install it on a previously erected fundamental basis.

   According to the type of foundation, there are:

   • pile - A great option for gazebos that need to be installed on the slopes. Among all other fundamentals, it is the most complex, time-consuming and rarely used for traditional arbors;
   • plate - The optimal solution for small structures that are planned to be located on a flat surface;
   • columnar - the arbor built on such a basis rises a little above the ground level. The foundation is suitable for any type of soil.

   

   By style

   Interior design of summer cottages can be based on the use of various styles. At the same time, the building material, its shape, internal or external decoration can be changed or combined, however, it is very important that the overall style is not violated and does not contradict the garden landscape.

   Important! Regardless of the chosen style of the gazebo, it should be designed and positioned in such a way that an attractive view opens up before the person inside the structure: a flower garden, a pond, a garden, etc.

   The most popular are the arbors made in the style of:

   1. Classic. Such structures are characterized by the presence of strict, restrained lines, the use of rectangular, square shapes, clear shapes and the correct proportions. Various multiple decorative details and accessories are missing.
   2. East. In such facilities should be everything you need and nothing more. Here there are characteristic domed roofs, consisting of several tiers, oriental ornaments, bamboo oriental curtains, sliding door-screens. Oriental-style buildings are complemented by flowers, flower arrangements, a small table with small stools.
   3. Russian. As a rule, arbours in the Russian style imply the presence of an old hut made of wooden log cabins. The main elements of the design are the Russian stove, which can play a brazier, a large wooden table with benches, and a chest.
   4. High tech. Refers to modern styles, the features of which are the lack of forging and decorative ornaments. The main feature of the hi-tech style is laconicism and pragmatism. For the decoration of the building using polymeric materials, LED strip and lighting.
   5. Art Nouveau. One of the most unusual styles, the distinguishing feature of which is the lack of clear lines and angles. Art Nouveau gazebos retain their natural forms and are characterized by a large amount of sunlight. That is why most of the modern buildings consists of a huge number of windows.

   Landscape design application

   A competently designed gazebo is one of the central elements of landscape design. Choosing a variant of the future structure, you should decide on its size, scale, purpose. It can be a building designed for children, equipped for summer sleep or outdoor activities with friends. Of course, the design of the building must meet its purpose, including constructively. For example, if this is a place to relax, then it should be protected from the sun or rain, to give the opportunity to completely retire.

   In addition, a summer house must necessarily correspond to the general concept of a summer cottage. Near the arbor, it is advisable to lay out paths and paths, arrange flower beds or bright flower beds, make a grassy lawn. If you can’t create flower beds around the house, you can make an original blind area from pebbles, small stones or gravel. The territory around the perimeter can be decorated with flowerpots, planters, decorative pots with flowers.

   Did you know? In order to visually increase the summer cottage, designers use the so-called “Alice in Wonderland” effect, which consists in greening the space with dwarf plants and standard tree species.

   It is important not to forget that the gazebo is a rather large and dimensional object, so it should not obscure other significant elements of landscape design, for example, an artificial pond, a beautiful garden, a reservoir, small architectural forms. Quite often, the location of the summer building will be determined by its function. The building in the back of the garden, has a romance and secluded relaxation. The gazebo, which is close to home, is great for relaxing in a noisy company.

   

   On the plot, the most practical, functional and useful object is undoubtedly considered a competently designed and located gazebo. It not only complements and makes holistic cottage design, but also serves as an excellent place for relaxation. In the design of the landscape, the building should be the central building, which is why experts advise it to be chosen carefully and responsibly, so that the arbor looks harmoniously both against the background of an ordinary house and near a luxurious cottage.