If you’re looking to make the most of your outdoor space this summer, then a pergola is a great place to start. They add structure, shade, and style to any garden and are the perfect place to entertain and relax. Here, Lumberjacks, who supply high-quality wooden pergolas and arches from our Ipswich base, share five popular ways you can use your pergolas to make the most of your garden in 2025.
1. An Outdoor Dining Area
A pergola is the perfect place to set up a dedicated dining area - whether it’s for summer BBQs, evening meals or weekend lunches with the family. The overhead beams (and potentially climbing plants) providing shade during the hotter parts of the day, while still letting in plenty of fresh air and natural light.
You don’t need much to get started either - just a solid bench or table set. At Lumberjacks, we stock a variety of garden furniture, including picnic tables, benches and seating. Add some cushions, outdoor lighting or even a chiminea, and you’ve got a stylish, sheltered space to have dinner with friends and family all the way from spring to autumn.
2. An Outdoor Kitchen
If you love cooking outside during the warmer months, a pergola can help you take things to the next level by creating a dedicated outdoor cooking space. They provide a dedicated structure that’s perfect for setting up a barbecue or food preparation station - you can even use the trellis sides to hang utensils, herbs or even potted plants.
The kitchen set-up you decide on is also entirely up to you, whether you want pizza oven, a firepit, or a chiminea. Whatever cuisine is most to your taste – whether it’s Mexican, Italian, British or elsewhere – we should be able to help you.
3. A Cosy Garden Retreat
A pergola doesn’t have to be all about entertaining – it can also be used to create a peaceful corner where you can relax and unwind, be it with a good book and a cup of tea on a Sunday morning or a glass of wine after a long week at work. With the right additions (a few cushions, blankets, and a chiminea or a firepit), it can become a calm retreat that you can use year-round.
Again, you can start simple with some comfortable seating like our Lily Relax Seats or a small bench, you can think about adding a side table or a soft outdoor rug too. You could also grow climbing plants up the sides of your pergola to make it feel more enclosed and private.
4. To Showcase Plants and Climbers
The most classic use of a pergola is as a framework for climbing plants. Whether you’re after the deep purple of clematis, the soft pastels of wisteria, or the classic look (and fragrance) of climbing roses, there are plenty of options to choose from. Letting nature weave its way around the beams creates a stunning, natural canopy that, in time, not only adds colour and scent, but also provides extra shade and privacy.
By adding trellis sides to a pergola, you can create an even more enclosed space over time and the perfect place to train vines or espalier fruit trees - the only question is how much vegetation coverage you want. Also, all of the pergolas and arches we supply from our Ipswich base are pressure-treated, meaning they’re well suited to supporting climbing plants without the risk of them rotting over time.
5. Enjoy Fireside Gatherings
As the evenings start to cool, a firepit or chiminea under your pergola can keep things warm and inviting – perfect for late-night chats, toasting marshmallows with the kids or simply unwinding by the flames.
At Lumberjacks, we stock a range of patio heaters, fireplaces, firepits and chimineas, any of which you can place at the centre of your pergola or off to the side to create a cosy corner, with seating arranged around it – the exact layout is up to you.
Beautiful Pergolas from Lumberjacks in Ipswich
Whether you're planning to use your pergola for outdoor dining, fireside evenings, or simply relaxing with a book, we have a wide range of arches and pergolas, garden furniture, firepits and accessories to help bring your ideas to life.
If you’d like to see the options in person or get advice on the best set-up for your space, feel free to visit us in person. We’re always happy to help with ideas, product information or anything else you need to get your garden project under way. And we also deliver all across Suffolk, including Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and Hadleigh. For more information, see our deliveries page.
