Cool Pavilion Design Ideas for All Types of Backyards

If you’ve ever stayed at a hotel or inn with a backyard, you will probably have seen one or two isolated shelters that lie in the yard completely disconnected from the main buildings, with nothing but a few chairs / settees / loungers under a slanting roof supported by pillars and (usually) no proper walls. There is a name for these structures that lend a significant amount of charm to the lawn they are placed in—pavilions—and if you have the real estate and finances, you can have the same luxurious, graceful enhancement in your own backyard!

Here are some of the more popular backyard pavilion design ideas floating around these days:

Rustic Pavilion Design

You don’t need to have a neat, splendorous pavilion in your backyard to add to its beauty. If your house looks a bit weather-beaten, you could invest in some naturally aged wooden beams and slabs, and combine that with thatched or (even wooden) roof to create an old-fashioned backyard pavilion design that would add a rustic, candid appeal to your yard – stirring up feelings of warm summer evenings and friendly conversations.

This will be especially true if you can add some personal touches such as random flower arrangements, creeping vines, and, if you’re really into the DIY spirit, some wood carvings – you’ll need a chainsaw for the last bit of course, but Backyard Boss has done a nice piece that should tell you all you need to know about those.

Waterside Pavilion Design

If you’ve got a swimming pool or, better yet, a natural lake as a part of your backyard, a pavilion will not only improve the aesthetics—it will also have practical benefits. For starters, you can put up a couple of patio chairs and a side table, so you have a place to rest and enjoy a cool drink after you’re done swimming. A cleanly constructed wood or vinyl pavilion goes well with most any swimming pool.

Similarly, there is nothing more relaxing than watching the sun go down while lounging back on a patio chair underneath a simple pavilion design. That’s right, there is no need to go fancy when you’re building a pavilion along the banks of a natural water reservoir—the main idea is to make it blend with its surroundings, which is why a dull brown palette may be a good starting point. If the lake has a jetty (that you own), try to construct the pavilion at its end, so that you’re surrounded by water from all sides—the motion of the waves is sure to create a magical effect on a slightly windy day!

Contemporary Pavilion Design

Modern pavilions tend to have a clean, streamlined design, and you should only consider taking this route if you’ve got money to spend, because you’ll need to dish out on raw materials (e.g. marble, hardwood), décor (silk hangings, matching furniture), and the hired talent needed to realize the design itself—in short, you can go as big as you can afford with a modern design, the idea is to convey a sense of luxury.

Of course, if you’re a little strapped for cash, you can also opt for a minimalist aesthetic which could have a solid table to hold drinks and snacks, with a few chairs neatly placed against it – this could be especially appealing if you want to hold parties under the pavilion, the minimal amount of movable furniture will ensure more room for the guests to stand and mingle!

Need more Pavilion Design ideas? Here are a few parting tips:

  • One cool idea that could go with almost any pavilion design is an outdoor fireplace, whether it comprises of an old-school stone circle placed on a patch of earth in the middle of the structure, or a modern, portable, electric marvel, it will enable you to hold bonfire and barbecue parties even when the weather starts to get chilly!
  • A pavilion, as mentioned before, is a serious investment, so if you want to save cash and you’re handy with tools, you can easily construct the basic structure yourself, after which (if you think it is necessary) you can hire a craftsman to add finer details. Indeed, if you’re willing to do some research, you can find recycled or reclaimed raw materials as well as décor and furniture articles for even higher savings.
  • There are endless possibilities to consider as far pavilion designs go, treat this as a creative challenge and don’t hesitate to combine ideas from different styles (if you’re looking for inspiration, all you need to do is a quick internet search).