How to Site a Garden Structure

Garden structures such as gazebos, pergolas and arbors can provide shade, seating or just interest and make the garden an easy, comfortable place to be. Here are some pointers for siting them most effectively.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gazebo Or Pergola And Garden Benches

1. Use the structure to create a picturesque effect. Look at landscape paintings from France, England, China and Japan and take cues from the locations of the garden follies, temples, bridges, and arbors depicted. Imitate the siting in your own garden.

2. Find or create a low rise on your property and site the structure there. It will command a slightly better view and will appear to have a position of natural importance in the garden.

3. Site the structure in order to take advantage of your site's best features: a good view, cooling summer breezes, access to a pool, seclusion from view from the house. (See "eHow to Identify the Positive Attributes of Your Property.")

4. Site the structure in a position that is appropriate to its size and style. A structure that is too large crowds the space. A structure that is too small for an important position in the garden looks silly.

5. Choose a site that can be accessed during construction of the structure you have in mind. A prefabricated gazebo is far less costly than one that is custom-built, but is less flexible as to where it can be located.