The gazebo was first seen in the gardens of Ancient Egypt in around 5000BC, when members of Ancient Egyptian royalty added gazebo-type structures to roof tops in order to view the surrounding area. However, evidence shows that ancient gazebos eventually moved to ground level (much as we know them today). Many ancient Egyptians believed that their gardens were a literal paradise on earth that could be taken with them into the afterlife, and the layouts of some of the earliest gazebos have been found depicted in murals inside ancient tombs. Some archaeologists have even suggested that gazebos may have been used as temples to contact the Gods.

Gazebos were also built in Ancient Greece and Rome. Often constructed in marble, these structures were also designed to honour and reflect the larger temples. In China and Japan, some of the most elaborate examples of wooden gazebos, or pagodas, are still in existence today, and are often used for spiritual meditation.

Gazebos also became popular in Europe in the Renaissance, as part of the fascination with the exotic that sprung up in this period of extensive trade, travel and adventure. Eastern-style summerhouses became extremely popular, and it is in this period that the term gazebo was coined.

The gazebo posts can be decorated with trailing greenery, flowers or fairy lights to give it a special touch. The gazebo itself can be used as a temporary bar, or for setting up a buffet. It can also be used as a bit of a refuge, either for the children to play in, or for the adults to rest away from the throngs of people. 

If you already have a gazebo in your garden or are planning to have one constructed, then it makes sense to use it for this. It may be, however, that you do not want to have a permanent structure installed, or would consider a portable gazebo to be a bit of a hassle. In this situation it is possible to hire a gazebo for a short period of time.

This solution makes sense for a lot of people who do not have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in their gardens but want that extra touch for a special occasion.  Gazebo hire can be very reasonable and also gives you the chance to try out a gazebo before making the decision to add one permanently to your garden. You will be able to see the benefits it offers for yourself, without spending a lot of money on something that you may not use again.

So often weather can postpone our plans to entertain outdoors. Yet with a choice of gazebos that range from the simplistic to the grand, in natural materials such as cedar and other hardwoods, you can start living the outdoor lifestyle you desire.

A wooden gazebo can be placed on any level area in the garden or outdoor patio, creating a unique entertainment or relaxation space. The style of the gazebo can be rustic or elegant allowing you to express your own style. Having a dinner party or a barbeque outdoors will no longer be dependent on the weather with a gazebo to entertain your guests in.

Wooden gazebos can even be an option for a person renting a home since they are considered garden furniture providing they are not permanently built in.  Most gazebos do not require foundations or a builder to install. A hot tub can then be installed by a technician with a wood surround to enhance your lifestyle and home, giving you and your family hours of fun and relaxation.

A wooden garden gazebo is the most versatile way to expand your living space and add that distinctive quality to your home.

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.