This can be done in a variety of spaces from the home spa (also commonly known as the bathroom), gyms, hiking or an all time favorite, the back deck or pool.  It really isn’t shocking to find out that everyone has their own special place for reflection and that for many, nature can be the biggest tools for unwinding.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a blog about creating a perfect bathroom spa, and believe me, I have the designs already in place – I just need to win the lottery, so I will have to go with something that is just as great.  Designing a backyard space or more specifically, using a pergola to make that space of reflection.

Pergolas can provide the perfect area for a place of reflection and although they can be used to create a diversity of spaces, one of my favorite uses for a pergola is in this capacity since they can accommodate so many elements.

You can build a pergola to reflect the need of any space but when you are creating a private reflection space, it is suggested to keep the space and the pergola small.  Since the overall affect is different for everyone, you should only follow this as a loose guideline to creating your own reflection space.

For me personally, I prefer to have a quiet place to sit and relax; maybe a spot in the shade to read.  Since my meditation will come in the form of the written word, a perfect setting would be one with sun dappled shade and a pergola of dark wood nestled into a horseshoe flower bed filled with tall perennials.  A small pond may rest to one side but the main focal point would be the climbing roses that grace the top of the pergola itself.

Comfortable wicker chairs and a small table would complete the space under the pergola and a lush carpet of grass would grace the floor since nothing is more relaxing to me than feeling my toes sink into cool grass.  The water would be for reflection, the chairs for comfort, the flowers and gardens for nature and the pergola for the seclusion that I was looking for.  Having an extra chair or two would make it a multi functional space where a friend or loved one could curl up beside me and chat but the main point would be the calm.

And that would be my perfect reflection spot.  Of course, there could be other ways to create it with more water, such as a small stream running beside it and a Asian water garden theme.  It could be a place of meditation, completely free of any furniture except a small mat to preform yoga on.

It can be nestled into a corner of a corner or resting on the highest grade of the garden but the main theme that would shine through would be that it was a place to rest.  A spot to take a moment, inhale the fragrant garden around it while you refresh yourself from the busy schedule of meetings, grocery shopping, errand running and if you are a parent, all the things that go hand in hand with children.

So if you are looking to create a space for reflection, what better structure than a pergola could you use?

Sirena Van Schaik

Photo Credit 

Related posts:

1. Hidden Treasures
2. Add Natural Beauty to your Outdoor Space with River Rock Landscaping
3. The Principles Behind Japanese Gardens

Essential to building your arbor is thinking of it as five distinct phases. This will help you break the project down into doable goals and help you accomplish the task better. Breaking projects down into sections also aids the landscaper, as he or she will find that the task does not seem so daunting when done in bite-sized pieces. Additionally, a sense of accomplishment at the end of each stage can help the landscaper stay motivated throughout the project.

The first layer is to prepare the site for concrete placed under ground to secure the structure. In order to lay the concrete, you need to first get some things out of the way. Dig two holes where you want the posts to stand. The holes should be one inch wide and three inches deep. Put half an inch of gravel or crushed stone inside the holes. This will help water drain away, preventing cracks in the concrete. Set one post in each hole and lay a board on top of them. Use a carpenter’s level to determine whether or not your posts are standing at equal heights. Adjust, if necessary, until the level shows that your posts are equal in height. You can use scrap lumber, nailed to the posts, to form temporary stabilizers.

The second layer is anchoring your arbor posts (they should be 4×4 posts) into the concrete. Before doing this, check again for equality in height with the stabilizers in place and make your adjustments to the stabilizers to adjust the height. Next, mix your concrete using concrete mix and water from a garden hose in a wheelbarrow; a shovel stirs the concrete to mix it well. Pour the concrete to fill each of the holes and allow at least a day for the concrete to dry. You can remove the stabilizers after the concrete has hardened.

Layer three of building your arbor consists of laying two 1×6 pieces of wood along the sides at the top of the posts. These crosspieces should be perpendicular to the posts, and they will be opposite each other, one on the inner side and one on the outside. This creates a sandwiching effect for the tops of the arbor posts, as they are surrounded by the 1×6 pieces of wood. If you would like, you can cut designs into the ends of your crosspieces with a jigsaw for a piece of added flair.

The next layer, the fourth, consists of using 4×4 rafters to lie on top of your 1×6 crosspieces. These will be perpendicular to the crosspieces, and parallel to the line of the posts. There are five of them, only four inches long, so you will need to cut your 2×4s into pieces of the proper length. They should also be notched so that they fit tightly across the crosspieces. Notching can help you adjust for level differences in the rafters as well.

The final layer is the actual assembly of the arbor. Making sure that everything is properly aligned can help you as you bore the holes necessary for the arbor construction. You will need bolts that will go through the posts and the crosspieces on either side, making sure that the one bolt holds all three pieces of wood together. Additionally, you will need to secure the rafters in place and add any finishing touches you would like to add.

Different plans for simple arbors exist, with variations on different themes and looks (using similar principles it is possible to build an arbor that has four posts). Looking on the Internet for plans and instructions is very simple, and can help you find an arbor that would complement your landscape design. Once you have found that, acquiring the lumber is simply a matter of searching for a good deal in lumberyards or warehouses. It is possible to get your wood for $30 to $40, and most of the other tools needed are commonplace and usually found around the house or easily rented. Once you have your arbor, you can use it as a backdrop for intimate weddings and for entertaining. An arbor can quickly become one of the focal points of a classy landscape.

Related posts:

1. Building a Concrete Patio
2. Building a Raised Garden Bed
3. Preparing to Build Wooden Fences in the Landscape