Outfitting Your Gazebo

By J. A. Young

Once you have established the essential construction of your gazebo in the garden or elsewhere in the landscape, you may begin to think of how to outfit your structure in terms of decoration and use.  A gazebo can be outfitted to suit both entertaining and gardening needs as well as provide an aesthetically appealing feature for your setting.

Once in place, you will need to consider access to the gazebo.  This might include a short pathway, steps, possibly even a ramp.  If your steps are in place, consider the installation of handrails.  A ramp is not only useful for disabled or elderly visitors to your garden, but may be convenient for a cart to roll lunch or dinner out to your gazebo.  Access to your structure can also be dramatically enhanced by installing a paving at the entrance - a small patio whereby plant stands or some other feature could serve as an attractive welcoming. 

Seating is a convenient feature for most gazebos.  A rustic structure could employ built-in bench-style seating that goes around the entire gazebo excepting the entryway.  Or, consider an elegant wrought iron table and chair set to serve a more formal or Victorian style gazebo.  Depending on the size of the gazebo, additional seating in the form of swing, glider, chaise longue, rocking chairs could certainly be used in the gazebo.

Because the gazebo can be used and enjoyed on dreary days or during evening hours, lighting is necessary to outfit your gazebo.  Consider rustic lanterns and an old oil lamp for an informal structure.  A more formal gazebo might employ a hanging fixture from the ceiling of the gazebo and install carriage lamps at the entrance.  You might even consider installing a bench that doubles as a storage unit where you keep a handy supply of candles for the perfect ambient lighting.

Gardeners love gazebos as they are yet one more space to showcase favorite plants.  As structures, gazebos can be employed as the ultimate support for vines and climbing plants.  This type of use will also keep your gazebo from looking like it was simply plopped down; instead, it will blend harmoniously with the landscape.  You might additionally install a series of trellises around the gazebo for such plants as well.

The open sections of your gazebo are ideal places for hanging baskets or containers to ornament your structure as well as provide a niche for the plants to thrive.  Similarly, window-box style containers can also be used around the gazebo for perennials or attractive foliage plants.  Large planters can be considered for either side of your entry way for topiary arrangements or mixed plantings.

For gazebos that receive too much sun, consider installing bamboo shades or beaded shades that can be pulled down or put in place during hours of intense sunlight.  Awnings can also help create more shade than the roof itself affords.  Again, vines can offer a more shaded shelter and you might also install some tree growth to frame and provide additional shade for this attraction.

Finally, you may simply want to enhance your garden structure with additional ornamentation for decorative purposes.  Mosaic designed ledges, fancy scrollwork rails, an antique weathervane to top it all off—these are a few considerations.  You might want to give your gazebo a painted lady paint job for a Victorian look.  A rustic wood model might be enhanced with some creative wood burning in a particular pattern.  The decorative touches will make the gazebo all yours and provide it with a distinctive character. 

Whether you entertain on the gazebo or use it to pot your plants or to read out of doors, it is a spectacular garden feature - and the moreso when outfitted to suit your needs.  

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