If you dream of transforming your outdoor space into a luxurious outdoor retreat then a pergola patio is the perfect solution for an inviting, shady spot to relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Planning a patio makeover is a great way to spruce up your backyard space and create a garden oasis. Whether you’re looking for a traditional or modern twist, the perfect pergola patio can help you transform the look and feel of your outdoor area.

From freestanding designs to attached structures, and with a range of materials and styles available, there’s a pergola to suit any space and budget. Pergolas are a great way to bring a stylish yet functional element to your patio, they can provide shade for entertaining, or simply define a transition from one part of your garden to another.

From modern wooden structures to stone-built designs, pergola patios provide a unique and stylish atmosphere for any outdoor gathering. Below we’ll cover everything from color schemes and design materials to the types of furniture and decor you can use to create an outdoor oasis that will wow your guests. 

Whether you’re looking to create a shady spot to relax or a beautiful outdoor dining area, a pergola can be the perfect solution. Have a look below for some inspiring ideas.

Tell Us: Which one of these pergola patio ideas do you find most inspiring? Let us know in the Comments below!

1. Rustic Wood Pergola. A wood pergola structure provides shading to this inviting outdoor living space. Translucent glass helps to protect from the elements while still filtering in some natural light. A hanging swing is suspended from the wood beams. This space also features heaters, a fan, and speakers. See the rest of this spectacular home here: Dream House Tour: Modern design meets cozy farmhouse style in Utah. (via Magleby Construction)

2.  Modern Pergola. A permanent overhead shade structure fits with house angles. These are custom-fabricated steel pergolas with removable fabric fastened between the beams. The fabric comes off during the winter months. (via EVOKE Studio | Architecture)

3. Clean Pergola Style. This outdoor dining area hosts up to six guests, set adjacent to an outdoor kitchen and bar area. The 12-foot tall pergola is painted in a crisp white to unite with the home’s trim. In addition to providing shade, the structure is used to mount light fixtures, speakers, and heating units. The louver system of the pergola can be opened via a remote control, allowing more or less shade along with shelter from the rain. A lush backdrop behind the dining area features plantings of Catawba rosebay, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, Blue Maid holly, purple-leafed coral bells, and white pines. (via ZEN Associates, Inc.)

4. The Smart Pergola. This coastal modern home on Lake Minnetonka features a louvered roof from StruXure. This pivot louvered roof was engineered and designed to withstand all types of weather conditions from heavy snow to high winds. It gives homeowners the ability to adjust the shutter system as desired based on personal preference or the weather. By changing the angle of the louvers, you can allow air or light to pass through. (via Mom’s Design Build)

5. Outdoor Pizza Oven. This craftsman-style patio features a cozy dining area sheltered from the elements. An outdoor kitchen area with a pizza oven is perfect for summer entertaining. The flooring material is irregular natural cleft bluestone in the full natural range of colors (blues, grays, rusts, greens, and browns). This material typically comes out of New York and Pennsylvania. The stones do not come fitted. Each piece is saw-cut and then chiseled to fit tightly. (via Krugel Cobbles, Inc.)

6. Beach Style Patio. Located by the pool, this inviting outdoor living room of a home in Massachusetts features a massive stone fireplace and a pair of L-shaped sections, This family-friendly design features performance fabric throughout. Guests can enjoy lounging with a cold beverage while enjoying views of the ocean. The pergola structure features fans to keep guests cool on a hot summer’s day. (via Casabella Interiors)

7. Mid-Century Modern Patio. A home in San Diego, California features comfortable outdoor living spaces shaded by a metal and wood pergola and a decorative block wall for privacy and intimacy. (via DZN Partners)

8. Suburban Naturescape. This outdoor living space in the Midwest features a pergola and fireplace for enjoying bird watching. A water feature and lush landscaping help to create a zen-like feel in this backyard oasis. (via The Cleary Company)

9. Grand Backyard Pergola. An in-ground spa features therapy jets and an automatic cover that can be retracted incrementally to allow the water weir to function decoratively. Stone piers support painted wooden pergola supports, unifying stone, and carpentry. The laminated pergola beams span 24’ over the water garden. A patterned Lannonstone wall creates a private backdrop for the heated spa, featuring a sheer water weir pouring from between the wall’s mortar joints. The paving is Bluestone. (via Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractor)

10. Outdoor Dining Room. A home in Little Rock, Arkansas features a large rustic wood pergola that offers shade to an outdoor dining space. A stone table hosts seating for up to ten guests, with a chandelier above for ambiance. Lush landscaping offers a sense of intimacy to this outdoor oasis. (via Providence Design)

11. Outdoor Living Area. This backyard patio of a home in Pennsylvania features a custom-manufactured PVC pergola with retractable canopies and roll-down blinds. Low-voltage rope lighting is concealed in the rafters of the pergola to produce a warm glow. (via Hively Landscapes)

12. Alfresco Living. This outdoor dining area has a romantic and magical feel thanks to the lush landscaping and lights. A polycarbonate roof on the pergola helps to shelter this space from the elements. A budget-friendly alternative for seating, cut a fallen tree on your property to repurpose it for seating at your outdoor dining table. (via Lights4fun)

13. Dining Terrace. Part of the Kips Bay Show House in Palm Beach, Florida, this intimately scaled dining terrace features ottomans, floor cushions, and comfortable furnishings. Grounding this space is a custom hand-loomed outdoor rug from New Moon Rugs. (via Nickolas Sargent for Colette van den Thillart)

14. Inviting Pergola Structure. A pergola defines a space on this raised outdoor patio. The pergola adds architectural interest and detail to this landscape design, making it a striking focal point. (via Landscape Aesthetics, Inc)

15. Mission Style Backyard. A California bungalow features this welcoming vine-wrapped pergola. Comfortable wicker furnishings surrounding a fireplace provides an idyllic setting to gather with family and friends. Glazed pots are brimming with low-maintenance succulents. (via Style By Emily Henderson)

16. Idyllic Backyard Hideaway. An outdoor kitchen and dining table are sheltered by a pergola. A wood-burning fireplace provides a focal point to this outdoor entertaining space for warmth and ambiance. Built-in bench seating on either side of the fireplace is perfect for hosting additional guests. (via Garden Studio Design)

17. Mid-Mod Oasis in the City. This outdoor oasis includes a dining area, living area, bar, grilling station, and a pergola for shading. All of the outdoor furnishings, except the barstools and the dining chairs are from Room and Board. The fireplace table is from a company called Studio NISHO, the Pallas model. (via Lifescape Colorado)

18. California Cool Backyard. Suspended from the beams of a pergola is a collection of pendant lights from Serena & Lily. A dining table and chairs were sourced from Teak Warehouse. See the rest of this incredible home here: Inside a Newport Beach farmhouse with a cool California vibe. (via Garden Studio Design)

19. A Backyard Getaway. The pergola is a rough-sawn cedar and was custom fabricated on-site. The stain is Behr, solid black. The pergola provides screening, yet still allows light through to the bluestone patio. The actual space under the pergola is 8′ x 12′. The entire patio space you see is 12′ x 16′. (via KD Landscape)

20. Statement Fireplace. Integrating the owners’ love of hills, mountains, and water, this grand fireplace patio with a pergola is right at home in the backyard of a Colorado home. The firebox is framed with Montana stone, evoking a mountain range. The large format Bluestone pavers are inspired by the steely blue waters of the Great Lakes and mountain streams. (via Southview Design)

21. Outdoor Oasis. The sitting wall around the fire pit is constructed out of Belgard’s Stonegate Wall with a Country Manor Cap from Belgrad. All of the pavers, wall blocks, and Wall Cap materials are manufactured by Belgard. String lights hang from the pergola to add ambiance in the evening. (via Yardscapes Northwest)

22. Modern Zen. A 1-950-square-foot backyard on the West Coast features a pergola, a fountain, and a fire pit. The slate pavers are set in an ashlar pattern. The powder-coated steel pergola is custom fabricated and helps to shade the dining area while also providing a focal point in the garden. (via Tierra Madre Fine Gardens)

23. An Outdoor Kitchen. This massive pergola shades a fully loaded outdoor kitchen with a grill, pizza oven, and fireplace. Greenery is free to grow wild, winding through the wooden beams. (via Outdora)

24. Cozy Backyard Patio. This inviting backyard patio features a fire pit from Target. Grounding this space is an outdoor area rug from Walmart. Curtains help to provide an intimacy when needed along with shelter from the elements. A bar top is perfect for serving drinks along with snacks and buffet style meals. String lights bring in a magical ambiance. (via @shiplapshanty)

25. Pergola And Privacy Screen. An elegant wooden screen offers an intimate enclosure around an outdoor seating area with a custom built-in gas fire pit. The vertical face of the gas fire pit is made with a split faced granite cobblestone then capped with thermal bluestone. Dimensions are roughly 5.5 ft. square x 20″ h. The pergola wood is smooth cut cedar with a Cabot redwood stain. The furnishings are the La Jolla collection by Restoration Hardware. The vine is a climbing Hydrangea. Its an incredible plant with its peeling bark, lace cap flowers, woody structure, great fall color and slow growth. (via Rolling Landscapes)

26. DIY Pergola. This is a fabulous budget-friendly way to add a pergola to your backyard along with an outdoor dining set. Head to a timber yard for your wood supplies to build both the pergola and dining table with bench seats. The legs are from @thehairpinlegco. Get the full DIY tutorial at the provided link. (via @homeonthegrove)

27. Backyard Patio Oasis. A home in Santa Cruz, California features this stunning backyard with a horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bench and fire pit, long with artificial turf, TimberTech stairs and deck along with a metal pergola for shading. (via K & D Landscaping)

28. Breezy Outdoor Kitchen. This idyllic backyard space features a gas grill with integrated bar seating, along with a fridge and trash receptacle. An arched pergola ties into other wood structures that are on the property, while the circular bar Mimis a larger circular bluestone insert on the patio. (via Hursthouse Landscape Architects)

29. Pergola With Lights. A round concrete fire pit provides a cozy respite for lounging in the backyard. The wood pergola helps to define the space while providing shading and an anchor for hanging string lights. The flooring is comprised of two materials, texada pavers (natural) and Pennsylvania bluestone (variegated). (via Urban Oasis Design & Construction)

30. Wine Country Backyard Escape. The wood material on top of the pergola is willow and was constructed by Trainor Builders in Northern California. This casts a dappled shade over the seating area. String lights provide a magical ambiance when the sun goes down. (via Katharine Webster: Landscape Design)