There is no better place to relax than home. However, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and the environment can sometimes be difficult to be accomplished in one’s own house. Nonetheless, this dilemma can be resolved with the use of gazebo. Finding one of these items that would suit one’s lifestyle, landscape, and budget is definitely possible with gazebos now available in in varying designs and styles.

Gazebos are believed to have been around since 5000 years. Despite the unclear etymology of the term “gazebo”, the popularity and presence of these have become more widespread with every generation. They started as towers or lanterns on the roofs of houses and are used mostly for easier views of surrounding areas for the purpose of safety and entertainment. Members of royalty were originally the only ones who can afford to have such dwellings which back then were believed to be earthly paradises. They were made of various materials depending on ones preference but mostly with colorful tents with mats on the floors, ornate, two-story structures with cupolas, marble columns, and golden seats. They also became popular in gardens of monasteries, and were used as shrines and places of meditation. They are known by various names, sometimes called a pavilion, arbour, belvedere, pagoda or summer house, or tea houses just like in Japan.

Today, gazebos are no longer exclusively used by the wealthy. Rather, most gardens today are designed with these structures. They serve as the focal point for entertaining guests. They are often designed as round or square, octagonal or rectangular, small or large, ornate or plain, and elegant or rustic. These structures are also being used today in backyards as places where one can enjoy the environment–a quiet place where they can read book or just watch nature.

Aside from being a rendezvous for guests, gazebos also serve as playhouses for children. The structure can be filled with children’s chairs, tables, and toys where kids can play for hours with their parents not worrying about the harmful rays of the sun or rain. Also, gazebos are great garden decorations. They are great complements to a landscape design and may add character to one’s yard.

However, one can’t just simply build a gazebo on his/her yard. Various factors should be considered before building one. These factors include the material to be used, the construction process, and the area where the gazebo will be placed. The materials that may be used in the construction of said structure may either be wood or treated lumber. Wood such as cedar and redwood is often preferred for its durability and resiliency while treated lumber is often elected by those who are under a budget. The construction can either be Do-It-Yourself where one may purchase kits with step-by-step guides or one can also hire landscape architects or contractors who will be able to build the structure.

Gazebos are indeed great additions to one’s garden where he/she can enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the environment. Equipped with the important factors about these structures, one can definitely be able to build and add one that would complement his/her personality as well as his/her garden design.

Jordan Stewart is an accounts analyst living in Germany. He’s favorite place is his gazebo (“Holz Gartenpavillon” as they call it in German) which he considers as his relaxation area especially after a long day of work.