How to Choose a Garden Gazebo

In short: When choosing a gazebo, start with what you’ll use it for. Consider the right location, the view from the gazebo and towards it, and its shape and material. A gazebo can be square, rectangular, round, or a six- or eight-sided structure with a roof and open sides — or an enclosed one for year-round use.

Gazebos are the perfect addition and upgrade for any garden or yard. They extend your home’s living space and greatly increase your enjoyment of outdoor living, across three or even four seasons. As well as being functional, they’re a joy to look at.

Gazebos are free-standing structures with a roof and open sides. The name altán comes from the Latin altus (high), and structures like these spread through garden parks across Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. A gazebo can be square, rectangular or round. Perhaps the most popular is the six- or eight-sided form. They can consist of nothing more than a roof and supporting posts, or they can be lower. You can add doors and windows and fix benches to the walls for permanent seating. Gazebos can also be temporary — so-called seasonal gazebos that you put up wherever you happen to need them. If you’re still weighing up whether a gazebo or a pergola suits you better, the comparison in our article on gazebo or pergola will help.

What to consider when choosing a gazebo

When choosing a gazebo, start above all with its purpose — you’ll need a different gazebo for outdoor dining beside the house than for peaceful relaxation in a secluded corner of the garden. Next, consider the shape (square, rectangular, round, six- or eight-sided), the material, how enclosed the walls should be depending on whether you want to use it in winter too, and finally the view from the gazebo and towards it. You can read about how we build our gazebos and what to bear in mind during construction in our article on building the Victoria gazebo.

What can I do with a gazebo?

The uses for an outdoor gazebo are so varied that they’re limited only by your imagination. Most often a gazebo is used as a place to rest and relax — a spot to sit in the shade, say. Depending on its dimensions, you can furnish the gazebo with garden furniture such as loungers, tables and chairs, or a garden bench, to maximise your enjoyment and comfort. This is another way to extend your living space.

A garden gazebo is a place for hosting social events — it’s ideal for barbecues or parties. A very popular use these days is gazebos for a garden wedding. Gazebos have a long tradition here, and if you’re curious about how they developed, our look at the history of gazebos reveals plenty.

Some people even use their outdoor gazebo as a gym, others as a quiet place for prayer and meditation. It’s increasingly popular to install a hot tub or a home spa in one, with plenty of privacy. For keen gardeners, a gazebo is a great place to repot flowers or do the watering, while staying out of direct, harsh sun. Simply put, the possibilities are endless.

What is important when choosing a gazebo?

The right location

How much you enjoy your gazebo depends on choosing the right spot for it. Ask yourself three questions.

What will you use the gazebo for?

This is the most important question. Its use will help you decide where to put the gazebo. If you’d like to use it for outdoor dining, it would be wise to build it closer to the house, so you’re not carrying food a long way.

Want a peaceful place to read and relax? Then place the gazebo further from the house, where you’ll have more quiet. Gazebos are also commonly built near swimming pools and outdoor kitchens, to provide shade on hot summer days.

What view would you like from your gazebo?

Decide what you want to look out at from the gazebo. If there’s a body of water nearby, place the gazebo close to it to make the most of its potential. The sound and beauty of water go wonderfully with the comfort of a gazebo. Positioning a gazebo with a view of the garden, flowers or mountains has a soothing effect on anyone who works hard and is looking to relax at home.

From the gazebo you can also look out at your house, while keeping an eye on the children playing in front of it.

What should your ideal gazebo look like?

Just as you want the best possible view from the gazebo, you also want a lovely view of your gazebo. Gazebos are structures that add to the beauty of your property.

It all comes down to your priorities and how you want to use the gazebo. Some people add a gazebo to enhance the look of their home, and so they want to position it to fill an empty space in the garden.

So if you’re planning to build a gazebo, don’t forget to answer these three important questions. They’ll help you decide on the best solution.

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Frequently asked questions

What shape of gazebo should I choose?

A gazebo can be square, rectangular, round or polygonal. Among the most popular are the six- and eight-sided forms. Choose the shape according to the space available, the number of seats and the overall character of your garden, so that the gazebo looks harmonious.

Can a gazebo be used in winter too?

Yes. If you add doors and windows and enclose the walls, you can comfortably use it in the colder months too. Open and partly open gazebos are best suited to spring, summer and autumn gatherings, while an enclosed gazebo extends its use to practically all year round.

Where should I put a gazebo in the garden?

The location depends on its purpose. For dining, build the gazebo closer to the house; for quiet relaxation, choose a more secluded corner of the garden. Always pick a spot with a nice view, plenty of privacy, and with a thought for how the gazebo will look in the overall picture of your garden.