When it comes to elaborate garden structures, one of the most complex but useful examples is the venerable gazebo. There is no other outdoor home structures that add so much beauty and functionality in a single package, and we’re excited to see the possibilities they present.
With a nice gazebo in your yard or garden, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors while protected from the elements in a comfortable space. Many gazebos provide both shelter and seating, in addition to being a visual anchor for the landscape. It’s one thing to enjoy your garden from the patio, resting on a bench or wicker chaise against the house, but it’s a whole new experience to relax in a proper gazebo.
These structures cover a wide range of sizes and styles, so there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for nearly any yard and garden. You might prefer one that matches the siding and roof of your home, or you might choose something that truly stands apart. Regardless, we think there are enough interesting options out there to explore together.
Let’s look at some of our favorite garden gazebo designs.
1. Ornate Roof Gazebo
With its railings and support arches done up like an ornate porch fence, this gazebo looks ready to impress. Topped with a light natural wood tile roof in three layers, with a bespoke peak at the top, it’s a subtly complex structure that stands out in stark elegance amidst a garden. A gazebo like this might be best designed to match the roof of your home.
2. Pointed Roof Gazebo
We love the ornate carving on the fence posts wrapping this gazebo, paired with the paper-cutout look of the arches between support pillars above. The pristine white paint contrasts with the earthen foundation, while the rustic wood roof adds a sense of timeless charm. It’s topped with a unique spear design that helps it stand out.
3. Intricate Wood Gazebo
The obvious standout feature on this gazebo is the intricate wood carvings appearing on each side of the octagonal structure. Placed within the side fencing and between the support beams below the roof, these gorgeous carvings offer a unique bit of artistry in an unexpected place. The sumptuous roof design, with exposed beams, adds another layer of visual intrigue.
4. Greek Pillar Gazebo
While we’re used to seeing any and all manner of wooden gazebo designs, it’s truly surprising to see one built from stone. This massive structure is wrapped in bespoke white pillars, supporting a tiered green roof over a concrete and stone base. Wrought iron fencing fills in the space between pillars, while the interior space is more than ample for a full dining party.
5. French Door Gazebo
While most gazebos have a very open design, with simple pillars or a slow-slung fence denoting the boundaries of the structure, we occasionally find one as pictured above, with a mostly closed-in design that blocks wind and rain for those inside. The French door design is mirrored by the windows mounted all around, allowing it to be completely opened up or closed for comfort.
6. Lakeside Oval Gazebo
With its rich natural wood structure and weathered, rustic styled roof tiles, this gazebo could be at home on any traditionally styled home’s property. What truly sets it apart, aside from its large, oval shaped design, is its placement near a body of water. It provides the perfect backdrop to an outdoor dinner, a relaxing day in the garden, or even a wedding.
7. Breezy Metal Gazebo
If having a thick, solid structure isn’t the most important thing to you, a thinner metal gazebo might be the perfect fit. This model features trellis-like supports designed to hang flower baskets, and can be placed virtually anywhere because of its light weight. Here we see it set atop a rich wood base, but a gazebo like this can be planted right in your garden.
8. Antebellum Gazebo
We love the grandiose, Southern heritage-inspired look of this grand gazebo. Its thin structural elements bely an elegant structure with a bold garden of red flowers wrapping its foundation. Placed at the center of an expansive brick patio, it’s a standout feature of the landscape and an obvious focal point for social gatherings. If antique style is your thing, look no further.
9. Geometric Gazebo
Similar to one of the more ornate gazebos pictured above, this gorgeous white model features intricate designs in the wood spanning between pillars. The geometric shapes give it a unique presence among other similarly built gazebo structures, while the small dome on the top of the roof adds another instance of intrigue. We love the wraparound bench seating built inside.
10. Cottage Style Gazebo
The high-peaked roof on this bespoke gazebo gives it an instant sense of charm and style, standing out among the sparse trees on this flat landscape. Built over a charming red brick foundation, wrapped in a slim garden lined with more red bricks, we see the white fencing and columns rise toward the sharply angled roof. It’s a more ostentatious gazebo, perfect for luxurious landscapes.
11. Rustic Wood Gazebo
While this gazebo flaunts its rustic charm, with rich wood tone and ornately carved columns we see it bringing a spot of warmth and brightness to the stark winter landscape. Even covered by snow, it stands out with its welcoming curves and built-in table at the center, surrounded by built-in bench seating.
12. Luxurious Brick Gazebo
Some gazebos are more substantially built than others. As the story of the three little pigs taught us, brick is the strongest. This gazebo uses layered masonry throughout its structure to complete a very holistic, closed-in look with stairs on one end and a beautiful stone path on the other. The Spanish-style tile roof adds another layer of decadence.
13. Rustic Cabin Gazebo
We’ve seen a couple rustic-styled gazebos already, but this model takes the cake. It’s got a true log-cabin construction with natural log beams supporting a richly layered wood roof, sprinkled with moss on top. A structure like this could have been built any time in the past 300 years, and its timeless style is paired with a timeless usefulness. Built-in bench seats and a thick low wall add comfort and protection from the elements.
14. Cylinder Gazebo
While the general shape of all gazebos is roughly circular, they most often appear in the shape of an octagon or hexagon. This unique model is comprised of enough smaller sections to become a de facto circle, with a conical, highly textured roof overhead adding a dose of contrast. The lattice design of the framing makes for an open and inviting appearance.
15. Ivy-Covered French Door Gazebo
This gorgeous lakeside gazebo repeats the beguiling French door design of one we’ve shown above, with glass panels revealing the interior while offering protection from the elements. The obvious defining factor here is the lush greenery draped across the entire structure, strategically placed to leave the doors room to open.
16. Stately Gazebo
Alright, let’s be honest. This gazebo isn’t exactly meant for the average home or garden. It’s an astounding piece of sculpture, a massive stone structure on intricately carved pillars, hanging over a grand marble floor design. The domed roof centers on a spike, and the entire structure is wrapped by neatly manicured bushes. It might be too rich for our blood, but it’s inspirational nonetheless.
17. Bavarian Gazebo
While there’s a large variety of gazebo styles out there, we don’t often see Bavarian inspired models. This unique structure bears all the hallmarks of its inspiration, with a two-tone design of off-white panels and dark brown beams. Additionally, the roof structure is intricately crafted, while the foundation is set into a massive stone mound.
18. Lavish Gazebo
What stands out first, the bell roof or the ornate fencing? We can’t decide, because this entire gazebo design has us transfixed. Standing atop a bespoke brick walkway, it’s an extravagant, expertly crafted piece of art that just happens to provide shelter in the outdoors. This gazebo would work wonders in the backyard of any appropriately luxurious home or estate.
19. Outdoor Kitchen Gazebo
This might be our favorite gazebo yet. It’s not only a handsome natural wood design with a subtle red roof and matching red brick foundation. This large gazebo features a large hearth and grilling station, perfect for outdoor family gatherings and cooking out. The large roof and twin bench seats provide plenty of shelter and comfort, while the large brick oven provides all the warmth and cooking possibilities you could ask for.
20. Pergola Gazebo
We love this gazebo because, despite its completely open-to-the-sides design, it’s a beautiful way to relax and enjoy sheltered space in the outdoors. The four ornate white pillars support a natural wood upper structure, hung with potted plants and canvasing a detached patio wrapped in brick. There’s plenty of room for an entire outdoor set of comfortable furniture in here.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of gazebos. With the astounding variety of style, size, and shape, we’re hoping that your eyes were opened to the possibilities inherent in this unique structure. Whether standing alone in the landscape, wrapped in flowers, or standing near your home, a gazebo can offer an unrivaled space to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
