When planning a pergola in a family garden, its location can make all the difference in how you and your family enjoy the outdoor space. At Worthington Landscape & Design, we specialise in practical, tailored landscaping solutions around Loughborough and the East Midlands. Here’s our experience-based advice on where a pergola should ideally sit in a family garden.
First, consider shade and sun direction. Ideally, place your pergola where it offers a comfortable shaded area in the afternoon or early evening when your family is most likely to use it. This often means situating it facing west or southwest. If your garden is small, a pergola close to the house can also create a breeze-catching spot that stays cooler in summer.
Privacy is another key factor. Locate your pergola where it can shield you from neighbours’ sightlines or busy roads, enhancing your outdoor comfort. Using tall planting or climbing plants on the pergola's structure can add a natural screen. This is especially useful in family gardens where kids and adults alike appreciate a sense of seclusion.
Think about the views from inside the house. A pergola positioned to frame your best garden views or to be visible from kitchen or living room windows helps extend your indoor space outdoors and makes the garden feel more connected. It can also encourage more frequent use as a comfy, inviting spot.
Access is vital for practicality. Choose a site that has easy access from the house and main garden paths, especially if you plan to use the pergola for dining or entertaining. This means considering existing or planned paving. For example, an Indian sandstone patio can cost between £90 and £120 per sqm, while porcelain paving is slightly pricier (£110 to £150 per sqm), depending on the project complexity and materials chosen.
The surrounding paving and landscaping around the pergola should complement its position. Consider block paving driveways or defined pathways linking the pergola to other garden zones, priced roughly between £80 and £115 per sqm, though drainage and excavation can affect costs. Well-prepared, level ground is essential to ensure your pergola sits firmly and lasts.
Planting near your pergola can soften its structure and improve the microclimate. Climbing plants like wisteria or honeysuckle work well for shade and privacy, while adjacent beds with seasonal flowers or evergreen shrubs add year-round interest. If you want raised beds made of railway sleepers, budget between £85 and £140 per linear metre depending on design specifics.
Finally, before finalising your pergola location, consider logistical factors like garden levels, drainage, and clearance for maintenance or future growth. These can impact both cost and durability. Worthington Landscape & Design offers 3D garden design services (£150 to £450 depending on size and revisions) to help visualise the best layout for your garden and pergola placement.
If you’d like tailored advice for your garden in Loughborough or the East Midlands, or a quick quote for your pergola and hard landscaping needs, WhatsApp Aaron on 07454 978031 for a site visit or consultation. A visit helps clarify access, levels, and materials so you get the best outcome without surprises.
WhatsApp Aaron on 07454 978031 to talk through a garden project.