An 8x8 gazebo
needs little more than happy plants and a patio to tempt everyone to
sit and stay awhile.
This is true of a
10 x 10 gazebo and truer
still of a 12 x 12
gazebo.
EasyOutdoorDecoris here to
help.
P
atio ideas, covered gazebos, outdoor living furniture, and
patio accessories made from weather-worthy materials show up on all
these pages with lots of comfort and style in tow.
And if you prefer your
gazebos take the form of gazebo building kits,
there's help here for that, too.
So find a
fabulous gazebo and steal a few patio ideas while you're here.
After experiencing
life just right, whatever the gazebo sizes, you won't want to go
back indoors.
Here are a few of our favorite
8x8
canopy gazebos to make sure
that happens.
Size Matters - even for an
8x8 gazebo!
But whether it's an 8x8, a 10x10 gazebo, or a
12 x 12 Gazebo
the trick
to getting the size right is simple.
It just has to be
large enough to accommodate your lifestyle without taking over the
entire yard.
Here's an easy way to visualize how much
gazebo you need.
2 adults, 2 chairs, and 1 small table fit
comfortably in a gazebo that's 8 foot square.
For every 2 feet you add to the gazebo size,
you can invite 2 more adults to the party (or 4 more
children).
So a 10x10 gazebo fits 4 adults. And a 12 x 12 gazebo
fits 6.
Now make this phrase your gazebo
size mantra, and repeat after me...
"It's better to have
more gazebo space and not need it, than to need more gazebo space
and not have it."
2 adults, 2 chairs, and 1 small table fit
comfortably in a gazebo that's 8 foot square.
For every 2 feet you add
to the gazebo size, you can invite 2 more adults to the party (or 4
more children).
So a 10x10 gazebo fits 4 adults. And a 12 x 12 gazebo
fits 6.
Now make this phrase your gazebo size mantra, and
repeat after me...
"It's better to have more space and not
need it, than to need more space and not have it."
Got it? Good! Because here's where
that mantra comes in handy.
Once you arrive at a
gazebo size, bump it up 2 or 4 feet if you have the space.
Site considerations
are the single most important gazebo decision you'll make --
aside from the gazebo size.
You want your
gazebo to be as inviting as possible. If it’s difficult for you to
use, you’ll avoid using it. Where’s the fun in that?
Now that you know the
gazebo size, grab some string and stake out the space to get an idea
of how well the location you've chosen will work.
Leave the string in place
a few days and see if you can live with it.
Take it a step further
and put a chair in the spot you've staked out. Then sit down, and
look around from the gazebo's point-of-view.
Will you use your gazebo
to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, or midnight snacks?
Think easy access
if any of your plans involve carrying items between the gazebo, an
outdoor kitchen, a patio or the house.
Let's create a little
mystery! Let's add an element of the unexpected! You can
position your gazebo so the entire structure can't be seen all at
once from the house.
Make it just visible
enough to compel your friends and family to explore and discover.
You’ll have lots of happy traffic between the house and your gazebo.
Gazebos are all about
panoramic views! Think about how you can position your gazebo to
take in as much scenery as possible.
This is really easy if
you have a large area in your yard that’s also elevated. You’ll have
a great view from above.
If your
property extends to a large body of water -- you are so lucky! You
can build a solid base that extends beyond land's
end, overhanging the water. Then secure your gazebo to this
base. The visual effect is extremely powerful. And the
technique works well for pools, ponds, creeks, and
waterfalls.
You can also put your gazebo
at the far end of the yard. Done right, it creates the illusion of
more space -- the eye perceives that the yard continues beyond.
If siting an 8x8 gazebo
or a 12 x 12 gazebo near a
small garden pond
, the house or
pool, make it a part of your existing deck or patio.
How does your garden
grow? Accessorize it with your a gazebo and you'll be watching
it grow up close and smelling your flowers at the same time.
With your gazebo so near
the garden, it can easily do double duty as a potting shed.
And an 8x8 gazebo
makes a wonderful shelter for outdoor
showers or a kids
play area.
Let's
Keep it Legal
The objective here is
to live the gazebo lifestyle -- not pick a fight with your
neighbors or City Hall.
You may be required to
give advanced notice and get approval from your homeowners'
association or local zoning authority. -- even if you've chosen an
8x8 gazebo.
So check into it and see what's required.
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Easy Outdoor
Decor
2 adults, 2 chairs, and 1 small table fit
comfortably in a gazebo that's 8 foot square. 
