Garden Structure Ideas: Pergolas, Arbours & Outbuildings

A well-placed garden structure does more than look good — it gives a garden somewhere to shelter, dine, or simply sit out for longer in the year. Here are some of the pergolas, arbours and bespoke outbuildings we’ve built for gardens across Essex, with a look at what each one suits best.

A Few Recent Projects

Pergolas

A pergola is usually the first thing people think of for shading a patio or seating area without fully enclosing it. Ours are built in timber to match the rest of the garden, and can be finished open-slatted for dappled shade or fitted with a retractable canopy or climbing plants for more coverage. They work well positioned over a dining area, a hot tub, or simply as a defined “outdoor room” at the end of a patio.

Arbours and Slatted Screening

Smaller than a pergola, an arbour makes a nice framed feature over a bench, gate or garden entrance — somewhere to grow climbing plants through, or just a quiet spot to sit. Slatted screening does a similar job on a larger scale: it’s a good way to soften the boundary between two areas of a garden, hide a bin store or utility area, or add privacy from neighbouring gardens without the closed-off feel of a solid fence.

Garden Outbuildings and Bespoke Structures

For anything from a garden store to a fully-fitted garden room, we design and build to fit the space and the way you’ll actually use it — rather than working from a standard kit design. This is usually where garden lighting, brickwork and raised beds come into the same project, so the structure sits as part of a wider garden design rather than as an afterthought.

Choosing the Right Structure for Your Garden

The right choice usually comes down to what you want the space to do. Want shade over an existing patio without losing the open feel? A pergola. Need a quiet, framed spot for a bench or a garden entrance? An arbour. Want extra storage or a garden room you can actually use year-round? A bespoke outbuilding. We talk through all of this as part of a free site survey, so the structure fits the garden rather than the garden being built around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a garden pergola?

Most garden pergolas fall under permitted development and don’t need planning permission, though this depends on your property, its size, and how close it sits to a boundary. We’re happy to talk through your specific situation as part of a free site survey, and would always recommend checking with your local council for anything larger or close to a boundary.

How long does a pergola take to install?

A standard timber pergola is typically installed within a few days, depending on size and whether it’s a standalone structure or being built onto an existing patio or decking.

Can a pergola be added to decking or a patio we already have?

In most cases, yes — we can build a pergola onto existing decking or a patio, provided the base is sound and level. We’d check this as part of the site survey before quoting.

Do garden structures need much maintenance?

Timber structures benefit from the same occasional treatment as timber fencing or decking — an annual stain or oil keeps the wood protected and looking good. We can talk through the right finish for your structure when we install it.

Fancy something similar in your own garden? See our garden structures or get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.