The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Garden Pergolas

If you love spending time out in your garden or you host a lot of outdoor events, one of the most important outdoor structures you can have is a pergola.

When kitted out with motorised retractable roofs and walls, a pergola is a stylish way to offer some much-needed shelter and shade in your garden.

With their ability to provide an outdoor socialising spot all year round that protects you from the elements, the uses for a pergola are endless.

Choosing the right pergola for you can take a lot of research, which is why we’ve pulled together our ultimate guide to luxury garden pergolas. Whether you’re looking for an exceptional outdoor cooking and dining area, or a place to relax and socialise with friends and family, pergolas have got you covered.

Remember, pergolas aren’t just for domestic use. They can be used commercially for outdoor seating areas for restaurants or bars or stunning outdoor wedding areas.

What is a pergola?

Pergolas are freestanding outdoor structures with an open latticework of beams, vertical posts and rafters that help provide subtle shading. These can often be confused with verandas, which are attached to the outside of a building and tend to be partially closed, allowing fresh air to flow through.

Luxury pergolas are both unique and versatile expansions to your living space with the added bonus of driving up the value of your home (some estimations promising a return on investment at 50-80%).

The history of a pergola

Did you know that pergolas date back to Ancient Egypt, where they were crafted to create cool, shaded retreats in gardens? It’s believed that the first pergola was built around 1400 B.C. for an official in the Ancient Egyptian court, marking the beginning of these elegant structures’ journey through history.

The Romans embraced pergolas too, designing stone versions to add shade to their courtyards and walkways. Though materials have evolved—from stone and timber to our premium Reynaers aluminium—the appeal of a well-built pergola remains timeless.

More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, pergolas saw an increase in popularity as outdoor living spaces became essential to daily life. From al fresco dining spots to serene spaces for work, fitness, and relaxation, pergolas became a sought-after feature for home gardens across the UK.

For those dreaming of an outdoor wedding, it’s worth noting that UK law requires a licensed structure approved by the local authority for civil marriages. Whether you’re implementing a pergola for a wedding venue, restaurant, or your own home, a pergola from The-OI promises durability, elegance and quality.

Bringing your dreams to life with a luxury pergola

While luxury outdoor pergolas can be a significant investment, they’re well worth the cost. Not only do they add a beautiful freestanding masterpiece in your outdoor space, for all your hosting and cooking desires, but they also add value to your property. So even if you choose to move house later down the line your outdoor pergola will be well worth the investment.

Picture an outdoor cinema, a large dining and hosting area or the fully fitted outdoor kitchen. At The OI we have everything you need to create the perfect outdoor oasis. We even offer outdoor barbeques, heaters, shading accessories and fully fitted kitchens with plumbing abilities,  to ensure your luxury outdoor pergola is just the way you imagined.

We all know that the UK weather can be unpredictable and one of the biggest problems with cooking is that you tend to be separate from your guests. Well, not anymore with a luxury garden pergola. When you create a freestanding, sheltered pergola you have the freedom to add your dream kitchen and dining area so you can cook and socialise with your guests no matter the weather.

So what are you waiting for? Start designing your pergola with us today.

How to use a pergola in the winter​?

If you’re looking to use your pergola all year round there are a few things you can do to kit your pergola out for winter use:

Types of pergolas

Beyond its unique roofing style, there is much diversity among pergola designs. Shapes can include but are not limited to square, octagonal, hexagonal, and circular make-ups. There’s also the question of sizing and pergolas can be anything between grand entertainment arenas or much smaller intimate getaway nooks. Your dream pergola is limited only by the boundaries of your property and your imagination.

Here are some of the more popular designs to help spark pergola ideas of your own:

Classic pergolas

Traditional pergolas are constructed with wood, most commonly cedar, mahogany, or maple. The wooden finish provides a beautifully rustic, even bohemian, flare that blends well with natural surroundings. While these materials are strong and durable, they can be susceptible to rotting leading to them needing to be repaired or replaced.

At The OI, we don’t offer wooden pergolas, but have a range of strong and durable aluminium pergolas that aren’t susceptible to rust or rot.

Aluminium pergolas

A much desired pergola design is the contemporary aluminium style. Sleek and durable and often incorporating motorised technology, modern pergolas tend to be fully realised sophisticated living spaces. They come in a range of colours and can integrate heating systems, lighting, speakers, projectors and more for an extravagant entertainment space.

Other benefits of aluminium pergolas include:

  • They’re low maintenance, as they can easily be cleaned with warm soapy water and rarely need staining or sealing, unlike wooden pergolas.
  • They’re sustainable and can be recycled, meaning they have less of a negative impact on the planet if you decide to re-do your garden.
  • They offer great protection against all weather, rain or shine when you choose closed or retractable pergola roofs.

Enjoy your garden all year round and start creating your luxury pergola today.

Glass pergolas

Pergolas made predominantly from glass are also sought after with their delicate, Victorian appeal. Great for gardening enthusiasts, glass pergolas act as marvellous homes for plants to thrive in with plenty of opportunities for climbing vines and tall floral displays as well as all the wonderful smells and wildlife that comes with them.

If you don’t want to commit to a fully glass pergola, The OI can supply retractable glass roof ceilings where you can get the benefits of a glass pergola without needing glass walls. They utilise a motorised trailing panel system, where the panels can be altered at will for the perfect balance of ventilation and protection.

Pergola blinds​

At The OI, we are experts in the intricacies of shading solutions. Our adjustable louvered roof pergola design welcomes as much sunlight as desired on a sunny day and as much shade from the heat, wind, or rain when the weather might otherwise send us back inside. Our blades can perform 150-degree rotations with just a click of a button, prioritising your ease and comfort.

Alongside a retractable roof pergola, we also supply retractable awnings for those who value greater privacy and seclusion. To protect the pergola roof blinds, we stock canvas pergola coverings that ensure your garden furniture stays shielded.

What are the benefits of a pergola?

There are a range of benefits to implementing a luxury pergola into your garden, such as:

They create extra living space

These elegant and versatile structures create an extra dedicated zone for relaxation, outdoor cooking, dining and entertaining throughout the year. Picture a fully fitted kitchen with an outdoor BBQ or pizza oven perfect for hosting in any season.

They increase your property value

Adding a high quality luxury pergola not only adds a gorgeous new outdoor space to your home but adds value to it too. So if you look to sell your home in the future, you’re likely to fetch a higher price, giving you an excellent return on investment.

They’re flexible and protect against the weather

One of the best things about luxury pergolas is that they can adapt to the weather. If you choose to install a pergola with a retractable roof and sides you can enjoy extra weather protection against snow, rain and UV rays. Enjoy and protect your garden all year round with a luxury outdoor pergola.

Do you need planning permission for a pergola?

Another excellent benefit to pergolas is that they don’t tend to need planning permission as they’re considered as permitted development rights. However, planning permission will be required if:

  • The pergola is located on the front of the house or between the boundary wall on the side of your home.
  • The pergola covers more than 50% of the land around your home.
  • The pergola is taller than 4 metres or 3 metres if it’s placed within 2 metres of your neighbours boundary.
  • The pergola is attached to a veranda, balcony or are placed on a raised platform.
  • The pergola is being built on a listed property or a conservation area like a national park or world heritage site.

How high can a pergola be without planning permission in the UK​?

For pergolas built in the UK, they can:

  • Be a maximum height of 2.5 metres when they’re within 2 metres of a boundary.
  • Be a maximum of 3 metres high if they are further than 2 metres away from a boundary.
  • Be a maximum of 4 metres high if they have a pitched roof (A-shape).

3 things to consider to help you choose the right pergola for you

1. Think about the shape and size you require

First things first, you need to consider the size of your garden, and thus the size of the pergola. Pergolas come in a range of shapes and sizes, meaning there is sure to be a design that’s just right for you. We recommend consulting an outdoor living structures expert to help you design and build your pergola.

2. Consider the style

Pergolas come in a range of styles, including wood, aluminium and glass. You should consider what you will use your pergola for and the type of style you’re looking for to help you identify the right one.

You can also choose motorised walls and roofs to protect you from the beating sun during those hot summer days and the cold weather during the chillier months. You can even go that extra step further by adding lighting and heaters to elevate the aesthetic of your pergola.

Our Camargue Pergola offers all year round covering and is a great way to cover your patio and add some extra shelter in your garden. Transform the outdoors into a premium cooking and entertaining area with our Renson Louvered Canopy. Featuring a motorised louvered roof system, the blades can be rotated up to 150° at the touch of a button, offering different levels of cover.

3. Identify what you’re using it for

Pergolas are beloved for their aesthetics and adaptability. Whether you intend to host an army of party goers, take the family fun outside, or create a solitary retreat just for yourself, pergolas can be adapted to meet your needs.

We understand what it takes to make the most of any outdoor space, where a quality, tailored design not only transforms the look of a home but invites new life and memories to be made. Whether you’re hosting a lively barbecue on a summer evening, having a quiet morning coffee, or relaxing with friends around a fire; pergolas are the perfect location.

If you’re after a striking focal point for your garden, contact The OI to discuss the possibilities that await.

To see our professional designs up close, visit our 3,000 square foot showroom based in Solihull, Birmingham. Curated by our team of experts, our showroom exhibits luxury garden rooms, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, decking and more.