Its the most magical time of year! Autumns crisp air, falling leaves, and colorful landscapes are a prelude to the holiday season. Its also a great time to relax outside without worrying about getting sunburned or overheated. The cool breeze and gentle warmth of the sun work in sync to make lounging outdoors a welcomed respite. If youre stumped and looking for a creative way to carve out an inviting space in your yard for gathering with friends and family or even solo, consider adding a beautiful pergola to your space. A pergola is a structure that provides shade from the suns harsh rays and, if enclosed, can keep you dry during periods of heavy rain showers too. Weve pulled together dozens of beautiful pergola ideas to give your outdoor space a refreshed look. Even the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that pergolas are a top outdoor living space trend for 2024. We know it's challenging to create a multifunctional space that can keep you both cool and warmespecially if your yard lacks shade trees to block the suns blazing heatbut thats exactly a pergolas primary purpose. Pergolas come in various designs and sizes that make them an attractive choice for any home stylefrom modern farmhouses to cozy bungalows to charming cottages. While many pergolas are easy to construct with simple kits if you want to go the DIY route, don't worry if youre hesitant to tackle a pergola project alone. Take some time to research local contractors who can build a gorgeous pergola for your home. Before you begin, be sure to find out whether or not youll need a permit for your project, and consider hiring a professional for more complex builds. Now get started building the garden retreat of your dreams without stylish pergola ideas!Get more ideas to easily upgrade your outdoor spaces: 1Create an Outdoor RoomMax Kim-BeeConsider adding a pergola to an empty courtyard or garden space, like at this California home. The tall wood pergola and inviting seating enhance this area with a wood-burning brick oven and cooking station with stone counters. The finished project is an outdoor room perfect for hosting company or savoring a book alone on a lazy fall afternoon. RELATED: Make Your Porch or Patio the Dreamiest Space Ever2Place a Pergola Over the PatioGaryAlvis//Getty ImagesMake an exposed patio more user-friendly with a pergola. Not only does this simple wood pergola provide shade, but it also creates an inviting patio space that rivals any sitting roomespecially when outfitted with pretty flowers and comfy furniture. For a more enclosed feeling, consider also adding a short wall.RELATED: The Best Outdoor Furniture at Walmart to Revamp Your PatioAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Take Walkways to New HeightsCEZARY ZAREBSKI PHOTOGRPAHY//Getty ImagesIf you have a plain path in your garden, consider elevating it into a dreamy walkway with a pergola. Then, take your shade to the next level by planting a beautiful and colorful climbing vine.RELATED: 18 Stone Walkways That Will Beautify Your Yard4Add Shade to Sunny Side PorchesEric PiaseckiPergola-covered patios (cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice are attached to the side of the home) provide the best of both worlds with a cozy area that gets just enough sunlight and just enough coverage. Here, at a home designed by the architects at Historical Concepts and interior designer Barbara Westbrook, the pergola-covered patio provides both a potting station and an alfresco dining spot. The elegant architecture helps the area seems like a genuine room.RELATED: A Designers Guide to Prepping Your PatioAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Get Crafty with Natural MaterialsDavid A. LandRather than standard wood boards, repurpose natural elements to create a rustic, organic pergola. Interior designer Hadley Wiggins and husband Daniele Marin sit at a cozy outdoor dining table nestled under a whimsical pergola made from sprawling tree branches and vines. A pea gravel patio helps define the outdoor space.TOUR THE HOUSE6Upgrade with Paper LanternsJohner Images//Getty ImagesWhen in doubt, add weatherproof outdoor paper lanterns to any pergola for an instant upgrade that transforms it into an inviting and festive space! RELATED: The Best Outdoor String Lights for a Guaranteed Patio Glow Up Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Create a Backyard Havenalabn//Getty ImagesThe addition of a fire pit nearby or under a pergola will add warmth to cool evenings and it's a wonderful space to pull up a chair around the fire for conversation with friends and a glass of wine.RELATED: 16 Best Outdoor Fire Pits to Make Your Backyard Extra Cozy8Elevate Entryways with a PergolaMint Images//Getty ImagesTake the road less traveled and add a pergola to an entry in need of some shade. Make it even more stunning with the addition of beautiful planters filled with greenery as well as furniture accents like wicker chairs. RELATED: 37 Creative Entryway Ideas for the Warmest Welcome Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Liven Up a Fireside NookVictoria Pearson//Getty ImagesIf youre one of the lucky people with an outdoor fireplace, adding comfortable seating and a complementary pergola to the area will make a cozier lounging areaall day and night! RELATED: 22 DIY Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for a Cozy Backyard 10Add Whimsical Charm with a SwingFOTOGRAFIA INC.//Getty ImagesIf youre a big kid at heart and want an excuse to put a swing in your yard, get a pergola swing! You can get a custom unit built by a local contractor or DIY swing kits are available online.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Jazz Up Multipurpose Garden AreasDavid Tsay, styling by Page MullinsWhen California homeowner Jen Curtis isnt hosting dinner parties out in her dreamy cottage garden, the pergola-shaded, 10-foot-long farm table (painted with outdoor paint for durability) becomes additional gardening work space.TOUR THE HOMERELATED: How to Plant a Fall Garden12Showcase Flowering Vinesalla_iatsun//Getty ImagesBlooming wisteria adds an air of country charm to a pergola towering over a rustic dining area. Adding pretty flowering vines to outdoor settings will elevate the look of your spaces. RELATED: 30 Best Flowering Vines to Add Vertical Color to Your Yard and GardenAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Create an Alfresco Dining SpaceNenov//Getty ImagesMaybe you want to have lunch under the midday sun? A pergola is just the answer! Consider adding an intimate outdoor dining set from Country Living's Polywood collection to a space under a pergola to enjoy a delicious meal en plein air.RELATED: 8 Stylish Outdoor Wicker Furniture Piece14Put Something Pretty on the SideGetty ImagesDo you have a door on the side or rear of your home without overhead cover? Instead of an awning, you may want to add a wood pergola to get relief from the blazing sun or upgrade the look of a plain side entrance.RELATED: 28 Evergreen Shrubs to Plant for Year-Round BeautyAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Create a Gather Round SpotCourtesy of Little White House Blog/RemodelaholicBuild the ultimate fall and winter gathering space with a DIY pergola and fire pit setup. Created by Lauren Ashworth of Little White House Blog, and featured on Remodelaholic, this unique structure is the grown-up backyard of your dreams. It includes a fire pit, a movie screen, Adirondack chairs, six porch swings, a built-in bar, and a custom pergola. RELATED: The Best Outdoor Fire Pits to Make Your Backyard Extra Cozy16Cover with Evergreen ClimbersMANUELVELASCO//Getty ImagesFast-growing bougainvillea flowers crown the top of this elegant stone and wood pergola. The addition of hardy climbers and vines like winter-flowering camellia and winter jasmine adds vibrant color, stylish flair, and shade to pergolas all year long.RELATED: The 20 Best Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Your ClimateAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Add Contemporary Flair and Cozy SeatingLivvyLandAustin, Texas, blogger, Olivia of LivvyLand built a cedar plank and polygal pergola to complete a patio renovation. The finished project includes charming string lights, an outdoor wicker furniture set, natural botanical touches, and a jute rug. RELATED: The 10 Best Outdoor Rugs for Every Style and Budget 18Hang Colorful Seasonal PlantersZhanen Mo / EyeEm//Getty ImagesPlant ladies, this ones for you! Hanging colorful flower planters bring this otherwise plain pergola to life. Discover some of our favorite fall flowers and plants for a charming fall garden.RELATED: 20 of the Best Hanging Planters and AccessoriesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Fuse a Pergola with a Trellis Finmiki Images//Getty ImagesThis option perfectly pairs a functional pergola with outdoor seating into a garden oasis with the addition of a trellis wall that's covered in lush greenery. Ready-to-assemble options are available at local garden centers or from online retailers such as Wayfair.RELATED: 33 Simple, Smart Garden Trellis Ideas for Vines20Hang Privacy CurtainsLove of Family and HomeCurtains add drama and privacy to this pergola-covered deck from Love of Family and Home that includes an outdoor living roomcomplete with a freestanding fireplace and dining area. The homeowner used sheets to fashion her curtains, but ready-made indoor-outdoor curtain panels will also work.RELATED: 12 Floating Deck Ideas to Complete Your BackyardJanece MazeJanece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When shes not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop. Sarah LyonContributing WriterSarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.