Outdoor Comfort

What could be better than a lakefront property with plenty of yard to spare? A cozy, covered outdoor room right next to the water.

Photography by Arden Ward | Styling by Tracy Sisson

These homeowners love the view from inside their house, yet they wanted to spend more time relaxing outdoors in their lakeside setting. What they needed was a spot near the water that would be as comfortable as an indoor space. A fully outfitted gazebo did the trick, and it provided a beautiful incentive for their landscape design efforts.

Considering the lake as a backdrop, the couple decided to place the hexagon-shaped cedar gazebo near the water. Surrounded with a variety of colorful, fragrant plants, the gazebo becomes a focal point in the yard. Furniture that's heavy-duty as well as attractive, combined with outdoor accessories, makes the space feel a great deal like an indoor room.

"We wanted a way to extend the warmth inside our home to the outside," says the homeowner. "The gazebo will allow many more years of wonderful memories for our entire family."

Landscaping around the gazebo helps it blend into the setting.

Good To Know

Natural cedar will weather to a beautiful silvery gray, but applying a stain or sealant can extend the life of your gazebo.

Pick the Best Location

A bit of forethought can make all the difference when selecting and siting a gazebo. Use this checklist as a guide.

Choose a model that complements your home in scale and materials.
While most structures the size of a gazebo don't require a permit, check local building codes to make sure.
Find a spot that will have a nice view from the gazebo, and consider the view of the scene from inside your home.
Start with a level area to reduce the need for grading. Build on a foundation appropriate for the structure and for your yard's conditions. The manufacturer can offer several options.
Consider your route to and from the gazebo. A paver path not only will make for an easier walk, but also can help incorporate the gazebo into the landscape.
Check with the manufacturer for more information about siting and setting up your gazebo.

Check out Lowe's complete selection of outdoor storage buildings, utility sheds, and gazebos. Lowe's can provide professional installation of storage buildings. To learn more about these and other ways to welcome the season, visit Lowes.com/Spring.

Complete the Look

A gazebo-style feeder adds whimsy and welcomes birds.
An orchid planter completes the outdoor table setting.
An outdoor ceiling fan with remote creates a cool breeze.
Eco-friendly fixtures use solar energy for spotlighting the gazebo.

Natural Addition

Make a gazebo part of your design plan by surrounding it with the right plants. Consider these tips when landscaping around the structure.

Choose native plants that complement the gardening style already established in your yard.
Achieve a ready-made privacy screen or canopy with mature plantings, or plant evergreen selections that mature to a large size.
Bridge gaps between mature plantings and the gazebo with moderately sized shrubs or perennials.
Flank the entrance with a pair of evergreen plants, but make sure their mature size won't interfere with easy access.
Lend a pleasant scent to your outdoor room with fragrant plants, such as gardenias.
Bring color and texture to the space with plants that bloom in different seasons.
Add a generous layer of mulch around plants. Select a color or a texture that blends well with both the gazebo and plantings.

Outdoor Comfort Hanging baskets are a great way to add seasonal color to any outdoor room.

How-to-Video

Learn how to install landscape lighting at Lowes.com/Videos.

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