12 Stunning Pergola Designs You'll Want to Steal

We can’t get enough of these amazing, intricate and carefully-designed pergolas that appeared on HGTV Canada. Offering plenty of shade and architectural appeal to spare, these designs will no doubt help inspire your next backyard renovation.

Published April 9, 2014, Updated July 16, 2021

Recently renovated backyard featuring pergola with hanging lights and modern patio furniture

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Backyard Haven

This gorgeous design from Backyard Builds co-hosts Brian McCourt and Sarah Kennleyside has us considering our own pergola plans for summertime renovations. This simple addition is spruced up with strings of lights – perfect for evening social gatherings.

Watch this and other episodes of Backyard Builds here for even more reno inspiration.

Three white pergolas on one large backyard deck

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Pergolas Gone Wild

Welcome to the mecca of decks with three entirely separate pergola rooms! No doubt this was one of Decked Out host Paul Lafrance’s finest moments.

Stylish wood pergola extended over modern patio furniture and leading into the backyard

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Gimme Shelter

This simple wood pergola with glass siding offers respite from the sun for family and party guests while also acting as a gorgeous gateway into this newly-renovated yard from Backyard Builds.

Pergola that can provide shade with a neutral toned canopy or be left open to the elements

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Here Comes the Sun

This clean and modern Paul Lafrance creation can transform into a canopy when needed or can otherwise remain open to let the sun in.

Simple wood pergola next to a renovated backyard shed

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Off to the Side

This open concept pergola featured on Backyard Builds acts as both side pathway and companion piece to the renovated backyard dining area. Think of all the barbecue parties you could host.

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Putting the “Fun” in Functional

This Paul Lafrance pergola is not only functional, but its design element naturally creates a show-stopping backyard centrepiece and dining area.

Covered garden area in a spacious backyard with a dark wood pergola separating the two gardening areas

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Back to the Garden

These covered garden structures featured on Backyard Builds are perfectly divided by a simple dark wood pergola.

A chic pergola in the style of a gazebo near a small outdoor hot tub

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Garden Chic

This pergola offers plenty of shade during certain hours of the day, but with an open top, it’s also ideal for those days you want to spend basking in the sun.

A unique pergola with criss-cross top design

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Simple Elegance

We can’t get enough of this stunning and unique pergola created by Paul Lafrance. From its elevated platform to the criss-cross top, it’s a design dream.

A unique wood pergola in the shape of an ocean's wave

HGTV Canada

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Catch the Wave

Inspired by the ocean, this gorgeous pergola makes you feel as though you escaped to the tropics. Now going on vacation can be just as easy as stepping into your backyard.

A linear wood pergola over a hot tub on a backyard deck

HGTV Canada

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Linear Look

Keep it it in line, people! As much as we love that wave design, a linear look can be just as appealing.

A lattice-top pergola with white transparent canopies and patio furniture

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Romantic Escape

This gorgeous pergola design by Paul Lafrance boasts an old-world romanticism with its lattice roof and elegant white drapery. It’s a perfectly whimsical backyard retreat – one that is bound to impress your guests, as well.