| 7 Tips for Placing Your Garden Gazebo | | | | grand estate. If you have a sprawling property |
| One of the simplest ways to create a backyard | | | | placing the gazebo in the middle of the yard helps to |
| escape is to add a gardengazebo. These pretty | | | | anchor the area and create a focal point that unites |
| outdoor structures were originally used in Victorian | | | | the space. This type of placement works especially |
| times to shade fashionably pale ladies from the sun. | | | | well in large, formal European themed gardens. |
| Now they're being turned into everything from cozy | | | | 4. At the Side of the House |
| eating areas and kid's playhouses, to places to | | | | How you and your family plan to use the gazebo will |
| meditate. | | | | also determine placement. If you want to use the |
| Today's gazebos often come prebuilt, or as | | | | gazebo as a playhouse for the kids, then off to the |
| do-it-yourself kits, although some homeowners still | | | | side and close to the house might be best. |
| prefer to custom build so that their gazebo ties into | | | | Off to the side also works well if the gazebo is |
| the architecture of their home. They can be made of | | | | placed nearby a tennis or bocce ball court. This way |
| wood, metal or vinyl and come in all kinds of shapes | | | | it can be used as a cooling off spot, or place to sit |
| from round, square and rectangular, to octangular. | | | | and watch the game in action. |
| No matter what kind you decide on, gazebos create | | | | 5. On a Hill |
| a strong focal point and need to be positioned | | | | To enjoy picture postcard vistas like a beautiful |
| carefully. Placed right, your gazebo will add dimension | | | | sunset or bird's eye garden view, take advantage of |
| to your landscape. Placed incorrectly, your gazebo will | | | | any raised area in your yard. |
| make your backyard look disjointed and junky. | | | | One couple I know built a gazebo high on a hill |
| So what's the trick to placing your gazebo? Make | | | | overlooking their jungle-like backyard and used it, not |
| sure it doesn't look like an afterthought. Don't just | | | | only for dining, but for dancing in the moonlight. |
| plop it in somewhere. Think about what makes sense. | | | | 6. On a Deck |
| After all, gazebo means to gaze, so make sure you | | | | If you are looking for a little shelter, then a gazebo |
| have something to gaze out on. | | | | nestled in one corner of your deck can complement |
| Here are Some Examples of Great Gazebo | | | | it beautifully. It can also help to break upwhat can be |
| Placement. | | | | a long, boring space. |
| 1. At the End of a Path | | | | One backyard I toured had a gazebo on the deck |
| Gazebos look wonderful and mysterious as a | | | | that was used for dining. The ceiling of the gazebo |
| termination point at the end of a garden path. | | | | was decorated with dozens of miniature white |
| Visitors get the wonderful feeling that they are being | | | | Christmas tree lights for a starry sky effect at night. |
| drawn into the backyard . | | | | 7. In the Midst of Your Garden |
| 2. Close to Water | | | | Another great place for your gazebo is smack dab in |
| If your home is on a lake or pond, position it at the | | | | the middle of your garden where you can turn it into |
| very end of the yard on a point that overlooks the | | | | a quaint tea room or cozy reading spot. Not only will |
| water. Enjoy the view and the sound of the waves | | | | you able to enjoy looking out at all your magnificent |
| washing up on shore from your secret hideaway. | | | | flowers, but you'll be able to enjoy their beautiful |
| You could also try placing your gazebo near a | | | | aroma too. |
| backyard waterfall or a trickling fountain and enjoy | | | | So remember: For perfect gazebo placement, plan |
| watching the birds splash about. Or how about by | | | | ahead. Know the reason for placing your gazebo |
| your pool? | | | | where you want to put it. When things make sense |
| One family I know built an open air gazebo at the | | | | your garden design will flow beautifully. |
| deep end of their rock waterfall swimming pool. It | | | | Deborah Boland © 2006 All Rights Reserved |
| was designed so that you could easily remove the | | | | Deborah Boland is the host of the popular HGTV |
| railing on the pool side and dive right off the gazebo | | | | Canada TV series, Backyard Pleasures and author of |
| into the water. | | | | Backyard Pleasures: 7 Simple Steps to Transform |
| 3. In the Middle of a Big Backyard | | | | Your Ho-Hum Backyard into a Breathtaking Oasis. |
| A gazebo can also be the dramatic centrepiece of a | | | | |