16 Attached Pergola Ideas to Boost Shade and Style (2024)

Pergola Attached to House

Pergolas typically stand on four posts, but an attached design can save space and materials by using your home for support. Securing a pergola directly to the house provides support for that side of the structure, which means only two posts are needed in most cases. However, heavy materials or large structures might call for additional posts for more reinforcement. It's also important to note that the outer posts transfer the weight of the overhead frame onto the deck, so they should be positioned directly above footings or beams.

Attached Pergola Design Ideas

To make a new attached pergola blend with an existing home, choose a complementary style and color scheme. With stately columns and crisp white paint to match the house trim, this pergola caps a brick patio along the front of the home. Along with the surrounding trees, the attached pergola filters the sun streaming into the large windows.

DIY Attached Pergola

A DIY attached pergola brings shade and structure to a backyard deck that was previously completely exposed. Secured to the side of the house for support, the pergola features angled slats that shield the seating area during peak sunlight hours. The structure's streamlined style complements the deck's modern patio furniture and wood-paneled accent wall.

Simple Deck Pergola

A simple pergola attached to this deck makes the otherwise ordinary outdoor space special. It adds structure and prominence to the upper-level area while providing space to display hanging baskets. Adjustable shades mounted to the beams offer the flexibility to enjoy full or partial shade.

Traditional Attached Pergola

An attached pergola serves as the perfect transition between a home and its landscape. Here, a pergola off the home's rear exterior provides a fitting backdrop for the traditional home and pristine backyard. The structure surrounds a large brick fireplace to create a cozy outdoor room.

Attached Pergola Over Patio

An attached pergola extends living space into the yard and serves as a graceful transition between outdoors and indoors. As this pergola illustrates, the suggestion of shelter is sometimes an effective substitute for actual walls and a roof. By defining this patio area, the pergola and planters create the effect of an outdoor room. The overhead framing also provides welcome shade for the large windows.

Two-Tier Attached Pergola

Attached pergolas provide opportunities to add structure and interest to your outdoor space. Consider adding a second tier, such as the one shown here, for interest rather than strength. The extra layer also creates another layer of shade and produces interesting shadows.

Attached Entryway Pergola

Use an attached pergola to define an entryway and offer shade for visitors waiting at the door. The small porch overhang at this home's entry door branches sideways to an arbor, which in turn has an offset connection to the pergola. The result is unexpected and interesting.

Attached Pergola with Roof

An attached pergola connects distinct outdoor and indoor spaces. This pergola unites what could otherwise be a patchwork arrangement of a dining area, entries, and an outdoor cooking area. The attached pergola's roof provides shelter from rain for the dining table.

Over-the-Door Attached Pergola

Consider an over-the-door attached pergola to add architectural interest to a traditional, formal home exterior. This one features elaborate curved braces, scrollwork on the beams and joists, and a subtle two-tone color scheme. The heft of the end brackets and crossbeam ensures plenty of strength to support the upper assembly and makes a bold architectural statement that's appropriate for the scale of the home.

Garage Door Attached Pergola

Compact and simple, this garage door pergola is an affordable weekend project and an easy way to dress up a garage. Two matching assemblies of horizontal girders (basically short projecting beams) and knee braces support a pair of long crossbeams, which are topped by a series of short 2x2 rungs, creating the appearance of a horizontal ladder.

For this type of attached pergola, proper mounting and support are critical. The two end assemblies feature stout timber screws that lock the components together and also secure them firmly to the wall by means of a vertical 2x2 cleat. It's essential that the mounting screws attach to the wall framing itself and not to the surface trim of the siding.

Because of its lightweight and strong weather resistance, Western red cedar makes a good choice for this attached pergola. A pair of 2x4 crossbeams can safely span 8 feet, but check your local building codes. Wider spans will require increasing the crossbeam size to 2x6 or 2x8 lumber.

Extra-Large Attached Pergola

When stretched across the length of a house, an attached pergola can contain separate zones. Functioning as an outdoor room, this cedar pergola has a massive brick fireplace at one end and a central dining area. On the other side, a small seating nook is flanked by a patchwork frame of glass block inserts.

Small Attached Pergola

A small attached pergola can add warmth to an otherwise sparse exterior. Without this shallow pergola, the French doors and back expanse of this house would seem stark. With it, the space gains architectural detail and becomes an inviting outdoor nook.

Attached Pergola Plants

Climbing plants can help cover the gaps in an attached pergola's roof, offering more substantial shade. Here, rambling roses in full bloom add romance to the entrance to this shady pergola. If you want roses to spill over an attached pergola, make sure the structure is accessible for pruning and can support the full-grown vine.

Pool-House Attached Pergola

Attached pergolas aren't just for the main house. A pergola attached to this cozy pool house defines an intimate outdoor eating area. Classic columns support this structure and create a dining space in front of the pool house.

Pergola Entryway

Attaching a pergola above a home's entryway adds practical protection from the elements for homeowners and visitors. This pergola shades the back door of a house and provides a cool place to relax on hot, sunny days. Flower beds and containers brimming with blooms echo the bright red of the door.