10 Patio Ideas With Pergola That Make Backyards Feel Like Outdoor Living Rooms

Idea 9: The Poolside Cabana Retreat

I still have a phantom sting on the back of my knees from the time I fell asleep on a cheap plastic lounger right next to my friend’s pool.

There was absolutely zero shade out there, and I woke up looking like a cooked lobster after just forty-five minutes.

That incredibly painful mistake taught me that if you have any type of water feature, you desperately need a shaded refuge nearby.

Positioning Near the Water

You absolutely do not need a massive, Olympic-sized setup to pull off a gorgeous backyard retreat.

Positioning a small-scale, tightly framed pergola right near the edge of a plunge pool or even a bubbling garden fountain creates an instant, magnetic destination.

The structural trick here is to anchor your footings just a few feet back from the actual splash zone.

This simple spacing keeps your wooden pergola legs from rotting out prematurely from constant water and chlorine exposure.

It also gives you enough solid ground to properly set up a couple of really comfortable, heavily cushioned lounge chairs.

Sitting under that dappled shade while listening to the water is honestly the most deeply relaxing outdoor oasis experience you can possibly create at home.

Flowing Curtains for a Resort Vibe

If you really want to elevate the space, you have to dress up those bare, structural vertical posts.

Adding flowing, floor-length outdoor curtains instantly mimics the ultra-expensive look of a luxury resort cabana.

You can easily install basic, weather-proof curtain rods right onto the inside of your top framing beams.

Just make sure you invest in weighted hems or thick tie-backs so your beautiful fabric doesn’t aggressively whip you in the face during a breezy afternoon!

Pulling those curtains closed on a hot Sunday gives you the perfect, shady little nap pod right by the water.

But what if your yard isn’t perfectly flat, and you are trying to figure out how to add shade to a massive, sprawling wooden deck instead of a basic concrete slab? If you are struggling to make sense of a huge, multi-tiered space, hit the next button below because I am going to show you exactly how to tie it all together flawlessly!