When planning a pergola for a family garden, location matters. As a local landscaping specialist based in Loughborough, Worthington Landscape & Design understands how important it is to balance shade, privacy, views, paving, planting and ease of access. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you decide where your pergola should sit for maximum enjoyment and practicality.
Firstly, consider shade and sun orientation. A pergola is a great way to create shelter from strong sun, especially in summer. Ideally, position it where it will provide shade during the hottest parts of the day—often the west or south-west side of the garden. Avoid placing it where it will block natural morning light into the home unless you want to create a cool, quiet space away from early sun.
Privacy is another key factor for family gardens. Pergolas can be partially screened with climbing plants or curtains to create a sense of seclusion, so think about neighbours’ views and which areas feel exposed. If your garden backs onto a busy street or neighbouring house, situate the pergola strategically to shield the seating area from view while keeping it integrated with the garden’s flow.
Next, take views from your home into account. A pergola should enhance what you see from inside, so placing it where it frames an attractive part of the garden—like a lawn, flower beds or water feature—makes sense. If your garden has a nice outlook, positioning the pergola so it doesn’t block the best views going out from your main living spaces will add value and pleasure.
Your choice of paving beneath the pergola can affect both comfort and style. Popular options include Indian sandstone patios, which typically cost between GBP 90 and GBP 120 per square metre, and porcelain patios, ranging from GBP 110 to GBP 150 per square metre. Both provide a solid, attractive surface but differ in texture and maintenance. Accessibility should also be considered, ensuring paths connect smoothly to house doors and garden areas.
Planting around the pergola can soften its structure and improve privacy. Consider climbing plants like wisteria, clematis or honeysuckle to grow up the sides and provide seasonal colour and shade. Raised beds using railway sleepers, priced between GBP 85 and GBP 140 per linear metre depending on specification, can border the pergola, combining planting and seating areas in a tidy way.
Access is equally important, especially in family gardens where ease of movement matters. Position the pergola close enough to the house to encourage everyday use but far enough to avoid overcrowding patios or pathways. Make sure there’s a clear, slip-resistant route, considering how you and your family will move between the house, pergola and other garden zones.
Finally, every garden and family is different. Factors like ground levels, drainage requirements and site clearance can influence where and how a pergola should be installed. A 3D garden design, which we offer from GBP 150 to GBP 450 depending on garden size and revisions, can help you visualise placement and materials before committing to work.
Worthington Landscape & Design provides practical, local landscaping services across Loughborough and the East Midlands. If you’re thinking about adding a pergola or any other hard landscaping features such as patios or railway sleeper raised beds, please get in touch. For a site visit or quick quote, WhatsApp Aaron on 07454 978031. We always advise a site visit to give an accurate price based on access, levels, drainage, clearance and material specifications.
WhatsApp Aaron on 07454 978031 to talk through a garden project.