4 Benefits to Adding a Pergola Over an Outdoor Kitchen in the Green Hill, TN Area

If you are considering having an outdoor kitchen built in your Green Hill, TN backyard, you may want to consider having a pergola included in the design. Here are some of the benefits of having a pergola included in your outdoor living space design.

Enjoy the Shade

While spending time in the sunshine is fun, everyone needs a break from the UV rays sometimes. You’ll want to be able to prep and cook food in comfort and out of the hot sun, and a pergola can provide dappled shade over your outdoor kitchen area. For additional comfort, a climbing vine can be installed near your pergola to climb up the columns and form a canopy over the top. Plantings naturally have a cooling effect that can make your outdoor space more comfortable. For pops of color, consider having a climbing vine installed that features blooms, such as American wisteria.

Enhanced Aesthetics

These beautiful structures provide vertical visual interest. There are also various formats in which pergolas can be designed. You could have a traditional square-shaped pergola, or you could go with something different such as a circular or half-circular-shaped pergola. You may even want to consider having narrow pergolas built over the built-in grill area to provide shade while you’re cooking but also help enhance the aesthetics. If you have something custom in mind, simply share your idea with your landscape contractor, and they can let you know if it can be built.

Pergolas can be built from various materials that will add style to your outdoor kitchen area. You can choose from natural wood, PVC, or aluminum for your pergola. For a rustic style, you could have a natural wood pergola with distressed iron hardware added for character. For a more modern look, consider a white PVC pergola or a sleek black aluminum pergola for your outdoor kitchen.

While the entire pergola can be built out of a single material, you could also choose to have the columns built out of masonry materials. For example, they could be built out of blocks or have a stone veneer.

Added Ambiance

Having strings of outdoor globe lighting hung along the pergola beams can add ambiance to your outdoor space. Consider having a pergola built over your outdoor dining room area to create a beautiful atmosphere for enjoying alfresco meals.

Another outdoor lighting method that can be employed near your pergola is downlighting. This method can create a moonlight effect with a soft glow so that the lighting isn’t too bright on the eyes.

Defined Outdoor Spaces

Pergolas can also help define the various areas of your outdoor space. For example, the pergola can help separate your outdoor kitchen area from your outdoor living area. While they help separate various areas, you can still enjoy the open-air effect.

This architectural feature is also a great way to make a smooth transition from your home to your outdoor living areas. With a portion of the pergola connected to an exterior wall of your home, it provides shade and shelter as you walk out of the home and into the outdoor area.