THE WEEKEND GARDEN

By Gerco & Hilly · 4Seasons4u

Our pergola began with a square patio. The space was already there, so we designed the structure to suit it. The decision about shape grew naturally out of the way our home and garden were laid out.

We have a different picture in mind for our vegetable garden: a circular pergola with the feel of a generous garden teahouse. That dream may take a while to become reality, but it has already given us a setting to imagine.

Choosing a round or square pergola starts with understanding the space you have and the atmosphere you would like to create.

A square or rectangular patio offers clear lines to work with. A pergola that follows them can sit comfortably beside the house, frame the paving and give a dining area a sense of order.

A circular space suggests a different arrangement. In the accompanying image, the pergola echoes the curve of the patio, with a round table beneath it. Repeating that shape gives the setting a pleasing sense of belonging.

Existing paving does not have to decide everything, but it is a helpful clue. Look at the approach to the pergola and the view from the house, too. A structure should feel inviting from the places where you will see and use it.

To us, a round pergola feels immediately cosy. We picture a table at its centre, with everyone gathered around it for a lingering meal or a pot of coffee.

A square design can feel simple and composed when you follow its straight lines and keep the planting restrained. Flowers, climbing plants and well-placed pots can make it feel softer and more enclosed. Shelves and flower racks add room for greenery, provided they leave comfortable access.

Both shapes can be welcoming. The furnishings and planting help you decide how relaxed or formal the finished space will feel.

The overall dimensions tell only part of the story. Ask about the usable space inside the legs and the width of the openings between them.

Picture the chairs occupied and pulled away from the table. There should be room to sit down, carry a tray through and move around comfortably. Allow for pots and for any changes to the furniture arrangement you may want later.

A favourite table is a sensible place to begin. Measure it with its chairs in use, then work outwards towards the pergola.

If you are creating a concrete slab, agree the leg positions and fixing arrangement before the concrete is poured. Fixings need suitable concrete of sufficient thickness and enough clearance from its edges; the requirements depend on the anchors and the base itself.

Separate concrete footings outside the paved area may be an option where the design and ground conditions allow. On a tiled patio, discuss the drilling method beforehand, as tiles can crack during installation.

We can help you consider the fixing options for your setting. A heavy frame still needs an anchoring arrangement suited to the site and its wind exposure.

White is our personal favourite. We love its elegance and the way it stands out against the garden. For a contemporary setting, consider how it would sit alongside the paving, walls and furniture before deciding.

Black, Anthracite and Charcoal give a quieter, sleek impression. We find black particularly adaptable across different garden styles.

Our signature Antique Rustic finish offers another direction. It is a paint technique using a black base with light brown brushed over it. The resulting effect works beautifully with greenery and helps the pergola settle into a planted setting.

Think about whether you want to notice the pergola first or discover it among the plants.

This weekend, photograph your chosen area from the house and from the garden. Sketch a circle over one copy and a square over another. Imagine the table beneath each, then see which version feels more at home.

Our teahouse idea is still on the drawing board. Yours might begin with an existing patio or a place you are seeing differently for the first time.

Explore our garden pergolas at 4Seasons4u, or share a photograph and measurements with us so we can help you consider a shape that suits your garden.