Pergolas On A Budget vs. Manufactured Pergolas | DIY or Buy?

Looking to upgrade your garden space? 

To make it feel truly ready for summer, it needs a feature, and there’s one that stands out as one of the top trends for the 2022 summer season – a high-quality pergola.

What is a Pergola? 

Even if you didn’t know its name, you’ve likely seen, and probably sat underneath a pergola. 

A pergola is a garden feature that offers shade and is most often used to section off an area like a patio or seating area as it provides shelter and acts as an attractive feature.

A basic pergola structure consists of four strong posts or pillars, a frame, and several cross beams to provide shade. Some pergolas have a proper timber roof, making them perfect for covering a hot tub or outside space that you want to use all year round. 

When it comes to making a pergola a feature of your garden, there’s a lot you can do. Some people hang lights from the cross beams, some grow ivy or other plants around them to provide shade and some leave them as they are. Whatever your style, there are a ton of options at your disposal when you add one of these structures to your outside space.

Of course pergolas aren’t the only option for transforming a space in your garden, but they’re definitely a fashionable one! Pergolas are becoming increasingly popular in the UK to create luxury outdoor spaces because there are a whole range of options and sizes available at varying price points. There really is something for everyone – whether you’re creating a pergola on a budget or splashing out on some luxury.

Buying A Pergola

You can buy a pergola premade, and many do. When it comes to choosing a focal point for your space, a high-quality pergola provides good value for money and creates cosy pockets of space on decks, patios or even grassy areas.

Of course, as with any garden feature, there is a huge range to choose from in terms of both size and price point, but you don’t need to sacrifice quality to save. There are plenty of high-quality pergolas to choose from that will stand the test of time without needing to take out a loan to afford them.

Build Your Own Pergola

Of course, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, there are some DIY options that you can try to create pergolas on a budget. DIY pergola kits and raw materials are readily available and can help you to save a few extra pennies to put towards decorating the space.

High-quality timber posts, pre-cut and treated, and measured, uniform roof slats are available online now. You can order everything you need to build your own pergola and get it delivered to you, pre-cut and ready to put together.

Simplicity is key when it comes to saving on your garden makeover and it also helps you achieve a polished finish if you’re trying out some DIY.

The real upside of building your own pergola? You can tell everyone you did it all yourself when you next host in your newly upgraded garden space.