Freestanding vs Attached Pergolas: What’s Best for Your Space?

You’ve decided your garden deserves something more, a shaded spot for morning coffee, a stylish frame for summer dining, or a year-round retreat protected from the unpredictable UK weather. A pergola can do all of this, but first you need to decide: freestanding or attached?

Like decking, it’s not just about the structure itself, it’s about how you’ll actually live with it. This guide helps you weigh up both options so you can choose a pergola that truly fits your home and lifestyle.

Start With Your Space and Your Needs

The right pergola depends less on materials and more on where it sits in your garden. Ask yourself:

• Do you want to step straight outside your back door into shade?

• Or would you rather create a separate feature in the garden, a destination in its own right?

• Is your priority convenience, or creating a “wow factor”?

Attached Pergolas: An Extension of Your Home

Attached pergolas connect directly to your property, usually secured to the back wall. They act as a natural continuation of your indoor space.

Benefits of attached pergolas:

• Seamless flow between inside and outside

• Easy to access for everyday use (coffee, dinners, working outdoors)

• Can help shade adjoining rooms, reducing heat on sunny days

• Often cheaper to install thanks to fewer support posts

Things to consider:

• Requires a strong wall for fixing, not always possible with every property type

• Placement is fixed by your home layout

• Less of a “standalone” statement compared to freestanding options

"If you want your outdoor space to feel like a true extension of your home, attached pergolas make the transition effortless."

Freestanding Pergolas: Flexible and Feature-Led

Freestanding pergolas stand independently anywhere in your garden, on a patio, over a deck or even in a quiet corner as a retreat.

Benefits of freestanding pergolas:

• Total flexibility on placement

• Creates a focal point or “outdoor room” separate from the house

• Works well with landscaping, water features, or open lawns

• Adds character and visual balance in larger gardens

Things to consider:

• Needs a stable base (decking, paving, or foundations)

• May require more materials and installation time than attached versions

• Weather exposure is greater, so side blinds or louvres may be a worthwhile add-on

"If you want your pergola to stand proud as a garden feature, freestanding options give you maximum creative freedom."

Cost & Installation

• Attached pergolas are often slightly cheaper and quicker to install, one side is already supported by your home.

• Freestanding pergolas usually require more posts, foundations, and preparation, but deliver a more flexible design.

Think long-term: the cost difference is less about installation and more about the value you’ll get from everyday use.

Whether you want an easy-access shaded dining spot by the back door, or a standalone garden feature that feels like an outdoor room, we can help you choose with confidence.

Browse our full range of Pergolas or visit our showrooms for expert advice, samples, and inspiration.