If you only have a small patio then the gazebo you choose will need to be fairly small.  Styles consisting of a basic metal frame with a canvas or vinyl canopy are ideal for this purpose. The bigger sized gazebos are ideal for larger patios; perfect if you are inviting friends around for a BBQ. 

Another option for a patio gazebo is the swing seat gazebo. Consisting of a gazebo frame with a canvas canopy and a built in swing seat, this style of gazebo usually has a waterproof cover. As this style is not that easy to dismantle and move around, it is better suited to those who like to use their outdoor space to relax.

Finding the right patio gazebo is easy if you go shopping with a size and a price in mind.  Shopping online can also take the hard work out of finding a gazebo, as it will be delivered to your door and can often prove to be cheaper than shopping in a store.

The style and options that come with your gazebo are as varied as your personal taste.

Do you want millionaire drapes, and gold taps and candlelight, or just a simple wooden gazebo to barbeque in when it rains?  Your dream place can become reality according to your budget and imagination.

A gazebo can be an extension of your patio, or a focal point in your garden. You can customise your gazebo and add a touch of class by choosing your own finishes and furniture. Canvas canopies that retract, or a solid tiled roof to give a permanent look to match your home – this can all be achieved.  Trailing ivy to add a romantic touch, lamps, lanterns, a gas fire, Roman blinds, and wooden floors, the options are endless. If you can dream it, you can have it.

Want to be the envy of all your friends? Homeowners enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle after their gazebo is installed and can’t imagine entertaining without it.

Best of all, this is a sure-fire way to add value and style to your home.

Gazebos come in many different shapes and sizes and are weather-resistant, comfortable and ready to use whenever you need to expand out into the garden.

In a large garden, a too-small gazebo will be dwarfed by other features, while a too-large gazebo in a small garden will swamp the space available. Decide on the measurements of the gazebo you want before you go shopping and ensure that you do not deviate from those measurements. It is very easy to get distracted by the range of gazebos available, and end up purchasing one that just will not fit. At this stage, it is also important to agree on a price range and try to remain within it. 

You should then consider whether you want the gazebo to be a permanent structure or merely a temporary one that can be put away when the weather is poor. A permanent structure will require more work than a temporary one so it is advisable to ensure that you will have some help when it comes to the construction. 

It is also important to consider what you need the garden gazebo for. If you just want it so that one or two members of the family can use it to relax in, then a smaller size will be adequate. However, if the intention is to regularly entertain guests for meals, a larger gazebo will be needed.

A wooden gazebo will serve as a permanent structure in the garden. Once you have decided exactly where it should go, it will be an extra room outdoors. It is ideal for those who enjoy spending time in the garden but who prefer not to sit in the sun. It provides a relaxing atmosphere and can be a wonderful focal point for the garden.  

As it is a permanent structure, there will be no need to dismantle it to move or store it during the winter months. A wooden gazebo should stay in place for years if it is properly cared for. The extra expense of a wooden gazebo will be worth it, as it will look very stylish and add value to the house. 

Garden gazebos with a seating area built in can save the user from purchasing extra chairs, and are ideal for those who enjoy entertaining, perhaps for an al fresco meal or for hosting parties for children. Those holding a wedding reception at home will find that a gazebo is ideal as a backdrop for the wedding photographs.

When buying a portable canvas or vinyl gazebo you may be offered the side panels as an extra. Depending upon the shape of the gazebo you may be offered three, four or more panels. These will be fully detachable, allowing more to be added later. This means that you can use them all, to give the gazebo more of a ‘tent’ feel, or just use one or two to shield the occupants from the sun or a strong breeze.  Purchasing the side panels as an optional extra gives the user far more flexibility when it comes to using their outdoor space.

When considering a permanent gazebo structure, you may be offered curtains to fit around the sides of the structure. These will do the same job in protecting the occupants from the sun, but are not as resistant to the elements and will need a little more looking after. However, they do look very stylish and can be designed to fit in with the style of the gazebo.

An enclosed gazebo can make your outdoor ‘room’ feel more like an indoor room, and is ideal for those who want to maximise the time they spend in their garden. You may even consider building a camping hut in your garden instead of a gazebo; these are great alternatives to traditional canvas tents or caravans and provide a family shelter whatever the weather.

A great place to start is to purchase the frame and material for the gazebo – and nothing else. You can also buy a canopy curtain, which can be rolled up and kept out of the way. These basic gazebos are cheaper and will successfully create a shady, sheltered area during the scorching summer months.

If you are considering a permanent gazebo for your patio or hot tub, be sure to ask your contractor as to whether or not any additional modifications can be made during the development process, as opposed to after the work has been completed. Ultimately, this could mean the difference between a rounded or triangular roof, or perhaps even breaks in the woodwork showing up in places that you would not have initially chosen.

Always bear in mind that there are limits when it comes to modifying these structures yourself. With gazebos, it is vital to leave the original structure intact in order to prevent any wearing or damage.

You will find that any flamboyant modifications to garden structures such as gazebos are often viewed as tacky and unnecessary; instead subtle tweaks can ensure your garden feature is unique but professional.

Technically, a garden gazebo is any open-sided and roofed structure, either freestanding or abutting a wall, temporary or permanent, and included under the umbrella term are kiosks and pavilions, rotundas and pergolas. Most people these days would think of them as summerhouses, and everyone is familiar with the bandstands that form a focus for most public parks. Actually, whether in a public park or a private garden, a gazebo does provide a focus as well as shelter from the sun or rain.

A wrought-iron garden gazebo, with seating, can greatly augment the attractiveness of the garden, and placed at the far end of a pathway provide a natural symmetry, and a balance for the lawn and borders.

But a gazebo can also be a great focus when it comes to entertainment. If there are kids in need of something to do during the summer weeks, stick a hot tub gazebo in the garden and let them get on with it. You won’t be able to keep them away!

For purists, a wooden gazebo constructed from coconut wood is a popular choice, but really for practical purposes any material can be used.

Screw in plant hooks and use them for hanging plants in a garden gazebo. Use the hooks to hang paper lanterns on a patio gazebo for a family barbeque.  Whatever your party scheme, novelty stores and craft supply houses have decorations for every occasion or holiday.

Purchase swag mini-lights. Tuck them under the lip of the roof and the railing. Soft white lights will bring a fairy twinkle to your garden gazebo and provide good visualization at night. For the holidays, string traditional coloured lights for an added design element to your holiday décor. It could be anything. From hanging jack-o-lanterns, plastic Easter eggs or dangling blue suede shoes and gold painted CD’s for an homage to Elvis’ birthday, the possibilities are endless.

For summer decorating, use flower leis or artificial flowers to adorn the gazebo. Go for a beach ambience with flip-flop lights.  Let your imagination run wild. There are craft elements you can use to design the perfect setting for a party, holiday or season.

Furthermore, your garden gazebo can be decorated for the most beautiful of all special occasions. From a christening to an outdoor wedding, the gazebo can provide a setting that will bring a special aura to the event, captured in photographs, videos and personal memories for all time.

Finally, don’t forget Christmas. What a lovely opportunity to decorate for the holiday. Twinkling, lights, Santa’s reindeer taking off from the gazebo rooftop, angels playing harps from the railing or a fully decorated tree in the middle of the gazebo can all stand as a testament of your reverence and joy of the Christmas season.

Begin with design – where does the sun fall in the garden, how big an area do you want decked, what shape, and so on. Then mark out the area with string and wooden pegs. If you’re laying the deck on lawn, clear the turf and level the ground first.

Once you’ve decided on how you’d like to lay your garden decking, cut the joists forming the sides to size. Lay further joists at 400mm intervals, sealing the edges with preservative. Secure this framework with three 75mm screws at each joist end (pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the wood). Cut the deck boards to the size you need, sealing the edges with preservative, and position the first board flush with the joist at the front of the decking assembly, fixing it into place with two 50mm screws. Repeat the procedure with the other boards, but leave a gap of 3mm between them for expansion. Make a fascia out of the remaining deck boards to cover the side joists. Get some potted plants and some chairs, open a novel and relax.

Canopy gazebos can be used all the year round, although during the winter it is best to take it down and store it until spring. A good quality canopy gazebo will be quite robust and can be used to protect you and your guests during a heavy rainstorm.

The main function of a canopy gazebo is to create shade and a cool area, which will allow a number of people to enjoy dining or just relaxing during a hot summer day in comfort.  

The majority of canopy gazebos are installed over a metal framework that clicks together. This makes canopy gazebos very easy and quick to erect. It also means that they can be taken down quickly and conveniently stored for later use.  A great feature on some canopy gazebos is the fact that they come with curtained windows.

Canopy gazebos are a fantastic addition to any garden and they come in many different styles and sizes. They can also be used in commercial situations such as job fairs or markets.

Whatever use you want to put your garden gazebo to look for a good strong frame and a quality cover. Be sure to shop around to see which style suits you best and to secure the best price.