With the arrival of spring we inevitably turn our attention from inside the home to outside where we hope to enjoy the warmer months. This year when thinking of outside your home, consider a gazebo – but don’t restrict yourself to the traditional image.
There is much more to them than many people consider.
For instance, while we tend to think of them as being made of wood (such as cedar or redwood), they can also be made of stone or metal. More significantly, how we use them is almost limitless.
While they’re often used for peaceful getaways to sit and enjoy the day – the focal point of yard or garden – many people use them for entertaining and dining.
They can be much larger than we usually think, often containing tables and chairs. Gazebos are frequently wired for lights and outlets and speakers. You can have music playing in your gazebo, or use a blender for mixing drinks. It can be screened to avoid the annoyance of summer insects.
Lights can truly enhance a gazebo. They can include things like pool lights in the floor that highlight its role as the center of your garden. Exterior lights add to its usefulness in the evenings as a place to gather and entertain. In some cases, people will even install a ceiling fan to provide cool, moving air.
You can also extend a gazebo’s usefulness into cooler months with removable windows that help keep the chill out.
As is often the case with design and remodeling, the only real limit is imagination. Your gazebo can be a peaceful retreat from a busy day or it can be the heart of your family’s entertaining. It can be any number of shapes and be placed close to your house for quick access to your kitchen when dining, or it can be placed further away as a cozy retreat.
This year, when thinking about what you can do to enhance your outdoor living, give some thought to a gazebo. You’ll find it can be both beautiful, useful and the heart of your family’s summer.
