| 7 Do's and Don'ts for Positioning Deck and | | | | 4. Do Take Advantage of a Raised Area |
| Garden Gazebos | | | | |
| | | | To enjoy picture postcard vistas like a |
| One of best ways to extend your outdoor | | | | beautiful sunset or bird's eye garden view, |
| living space is by adding a gazebo. These | | | | take advantage of any raised area in your |
| pretty outdoor structures were originally | | | | yard. |
| used in Victorian times to shade fashionably | | | | |
| pale ladies from the sun. Now they're being | | | | One couple I know built an outdoor gazebo |
| turned into everything from cozy eating areas | | | | high on a terrace overlooking their |
| to kid's playhouses, and getaway spaces to | | | | jungle-like backyard and used it, not only |
| meditate. But why is it that some gazebos | | | | for dining, but for dancing in the moonlight. |
| blend so naturally into the backyard like | | | | |
| they've been there forever, while others look | | | | 5. Do Place Gazebos on Decks |
| stiff, awkward and stick out like a sore | | | | |
| thumb? | | | | If you are looking for a little shelter, then |
| | | | a patio gazebo nestled in one corner of your |
| The secret is in the placement! Positioned | | | | deck can complement it beautifully. It can |
| correctly, your gazebo will add dimension to | | | | also help to break up what can be a long, |
| your landscape. Positioned incorrectly, your | | | | boring space. |
| gazebo will make your backyard look | | | | |
| disjointed and junky. | | | | One backyard I toured had a gazebo on the |
| | | | deck that was used for dining. The ceiling of |
| Here are some do's and don't to help you get | | | | the gazebo was decorated with dozens of |
| it right! | | | | miniature white Christmas tree lights for a |
| | | | starry sky effect at night. |
| 1. Do Place Gazebos at the End of a Path | | | | |
| | | | 6. Don't Place your Outdoor Gazebo too far |
| Gazebos look wonderful and mysterious as a | | | | to one side of the House |
| termination point at the end of a garden | | | | |
| path. Visitors get the wonderful feeling that | | | | If your beautiful garden gazebo is not even |
| they are being drawn into the backyard and | | | | part of your view, then why bother to spend |
| that makes it feel inviting and cozy. | | | | all that money to build it? Also, too far to |
| | | | one side can make the yard look lopsided if |
| 2. Do Choose a Spot Close to Water | | | | you don't balance the rest of the yard with |
| | | | some landscaping or other structures. |
| If your home is on a lake or pond, take | | | | |
| advantage of it. Position your outdoor gazebo | | | | Off to one side will work o.k. if your gazebo |
| on the point that overlooks the water. | | | | is still partly in sight and there is a good |
| | | | reason for it to be there. For example, if |
| You could also try placing your gazebo near a | | | | the gazebo is placed nearby a tennis or bocce |
| backyard waterfall or a trickling fountain | | | | ball court, it can be a place to sit and |
| and enjoy watching the birds splash about. Or | | | | watch the game. It can also hide something |
| how about by your pool? | | | | unattractive that you really don't want to |
| | | | look at like |
| One family I know built a patio gazebo at the | | | | |
| deep end of their rock waterfall swimming | | | | 7. Do make it the Jewel in Your Garden |
| pool. It was designed so that you could | | | | |
| easily remove the railing on the pool side | | | | Another great place for your outdoor gazebo |
| and dive right off the gazebo into the water. | | | | is smack dab in the middle of your garden |
| | | | where you can turn it into a quaint tea room |
| 3. Don't place a garden gazebo in the middle | | | | or cozy reading spot. Not only will you able |
| of your Yard unless you have a very large | | | | to enjoy looking out at all your magnificent |
| backyard. | | | | flowers, but you'll be able to enjoy their |
| | | | beautiful aroma too. |
| A gazebo in the middle of a tiny yard will | | | | |
| look like it's been dropped from outer space | | | | So remember: For perfect deck and garden |
| and will overpower the yard, but as the | | | | gazebo placement, plan ahead. Know the reason |
| centrepiece of a grand estate, it can anchor | | | | for placing your gazebo where you want to put |
| and unite the space quite beautifully. It's | | | | it. When things make sense your garden design |
| all a matter of balance. | | | | will flow beautifully. |
| | | | |