Best Place to Put a Gazebo | 5 Deciding Factors

Where should you position a gazebo?

The benefits of gazebos are easy to spot if you live in a climate where it is either very hot, rains a lot or you simply like to entertain guests outside. If you have already decided that you are getting or building a gazebo then you will no doubt trying to figure out the best place to position it. The best place to put a gazebo depends on a number of things like why and when you will use it, the size and shape of your backyard, the orientation towards the sun, and a bunch of other factors we will discuss below.

You might be thinking, how do we know the best place to put a gazebo? The truth is we don’t, but we can give you some pointers on things to take into consideration when deciding where to place your backyard gazebo. To make this information guide as easy as possible to navigate, we have split it into sections which you can jump to using the menu below.

Where is the best place to put a gazebo?

The best place to put your gazebo depends very much on the space you have to work with. If you have a big backyard then you have more options but if you have a small backyard you can be limited and may have to make small sacrifices when picking a spot for your gazebo. Another consideration to be prioritized is your intended use which you should have some idea about if you are ready to put up a gazebo. These two factors will play the biggest role in deciding where to put your gazebo and so we go into more detail below.

Purpose

What will you use your gazebo for?

Before you pick a spot for your wooden frame gazebo, you should have a good idea of what you want to use it for. If you don’t then it is a good idea to consider this now. We have a whole post dedicated to the 5 most common reasons to get a gazebo here, but in case you are in a rush here, they are Sun protection, rain protection, entertaining guests, relaxation, and using them in multiple ways throughout the year.

Whatever your reason for wanting a gazebo, you should consider how your intended use will influence where you place it. For example, if you want to put a gazebo in a good place for rain cover then close to the house would make the most sense so you don’t get wet going to and from it. If it is for sun protection then choosing a nice open space you normally could not enjoy will open up new possibilities for you. If your desire is to relax alone in your gazebo then put it somewhere private you like to sit and make sure it feels secluded and tranquil.

What time of day will you use your gazebo?

Are you a morning person? If so then positioning your gazebo to catch the morning sun will provide you with great joy. Just think, you could sit and have your coffee every morning as the sun rises and the world begins to wake up. If you like to eat your lunch outside but can’t stand the heat then a gazebo out in the open will make you feel happy to be sat in shade on such a nice day. If you like to get home on an afternoon and enjoy a nice cold beverage as the sun sets then positioning it to face the sunset will allow you to enjoy the view every evening. For the night owls and party people, a gazebo close to the house will allow you to entertain without being too far from the fridge.

Close to the house vs a retreat at the end of your garden?

If you plan to use your gazebo to entertain or provide rain shelter then being close to the house offers the most advantages. If you want to put your gazebo in a place to relax and unwind then being in a secluded spot away from the house is more likely to give you a sense of retreat. Likewise, if you want to seek shade on a hot day then there is no reason to position your gazebo right next to the house, instead, you can put it in the middle or at the end of your backyard where you wouldn’t normally hang out in the blazing sun. Putting your gazebo at the end of a path always looks great from the house as your eye is lead down to your garden retreat.

Space

How big is your gazebo in terms of scale to your garden?

The size of your gazebo matters more if you have a small space than if you have a big backyard to work with. If you have a small to medium size garden you should find a suitable spot and then size your gazebo to fit that space. If you have a large backyard or a lot of lands to build on then you can choose the gazebo of your dreams and then pick the best place to put it. If you have a smaller backyard then your gazebo should not cover any more than a quarter of the ground space.

Best place to put a gazebo in a small backyard?

In a small backyard, the best place to put a gazebo is either in the corner or against a wall. Space is a premium and while a gazebo doesn’t technically take up much space, it does block out a big chunk of the sky that you and your plants might miss in a small garden. Having a square-shaped gazebo will normally help maximize space if you do put it against a wall or in a corner.

Best place to put a gazebo in a medium backyard?

Medium backyards offer more places to put a gazebo and so you have more options in terms of structure shape. You could choose a straight edge design to sit in a corner position or against a fence/wall. If you have space, you could put a circular or hexagonal gazebo in the corner which doesn’t always make the most use of the space, but it looks great. If you have any kind of water feature, plant display, or raised ground you should make use of them by positioning your gazebo near or next to them.

Best place to put a gazebo in a large backyard?

For large backyards, you have an abundance of choices about where you place your gazebo but there are often 1 or 2 prime locations where it would sit best. If you are lucky enough to own a large backyard and garden then you should consider the ground, how it would look from the house and how it looks with the house as a backdrop. Continuity of style is key to getting a gazebo that matches your house and adds to the aesthetics.

Location

What is the ground like?

Before choosing the best place to put a gazebo in your backyard you should have a look at the lay of the land. By this I mean, you should survey all the potential sites for your gazebo, looking at things like if the ground is level, foundations, and if there are any obstructions. You could look at raised areas that would give you a better viewing point when sat down or little dips that would provide extra privacy. If you have soft ground you may need to lay harder foundations and if the ground is hard you may need to hire digging equipment to help you. Ideally, you should choose ground that is level and will support the weight of the structure as well as accommodate guests.

Are there any large trees in your backyard?

Large trees provide excellent shade and could be nicknamed ‘nature’s gazebo’ if it didn’t sound so cheesy. The point being is that if you want to use your gazebo for shade then why put it under a tree? One problem that can arise from positioning your gazebo under a tree is that roots can damage even the most solid foundations over time. Another issue some people have with trees is that branches can come down in high winds and damage or even destroy your wooden gazebo.

How close can a gazebo be to a house?

You can put a gazebo as close as you like to a house although it isn’t recommended to put it directly next to it unless it is an area you don’t use very often for lack of shelter. If you need shelter right next to the house then consider getting an awning instead which will save space and can be retracted when not needed. If you do put your gazebo next to your house consider how it may change the view from your windows or block light.

Can I put a gazebo on concrete?

Yes, you can absolutely put a gazebo on a concrete foundation, or paving slabs, brick, or any other hard surface. If the concrete isn’t laid yet you can actually use it to secure the pillars in place which gives you a super stable structure to build from. If you already have a hard surface like concrete to work on then you need to anchor your posts to the ground to keep them straight and secure before putting the roof on. You will need some post support brackets which fit around the post and allow it to be anchored to the ground securely using wedge anchor bolts.

Position

How does the sun hit your gazebo?

We all know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west so will the best place to put a gazebo be the one that gets morning sun or evening sun, or both? If you do want to enjoy a low-lying sun then consider the angle of your gazebo roof, does it maximize the view and sunlight? Having a free-standing circular or hexagonal gazebo will allow you to enjoy the sun from all angles at all times of day but if you have a square gazebo then you should angle it towards the direction of the sun.

What direction does the wind travel most often?

While the wind may not be a major concern for someone looking for the best place to put a gazebo, it can be a real pain to discover after you have put the finishing touches on your new garden structure. Once you know where you want your gazebo to be positioned, place a flag on a pole and observe it for a few days or weeks to see which direction the wind comes from most often. If needed, you can then add one or two sides to your gazebo to act as wind blocks. Alternatively, you can use plants to provide some shelter from the wind.

What is the view like?

Perhaps most importantly, how is the view from the place you have chosen to put your gazebo? You want to make the most of your investment by making sure the view you get is the best your backyard has to offer. Quite often you can pick two views that you like and have the gazebo positioned to enhance those views. If you think you have found the best place to position your gazebo but the view would be better 12 feet to the left then you have to decide what is more important. If you have a view of an open landscape, a body of water, or some kind of visual stimulus then it makes sense to position your gazebo in that direction.

Value

Does a gazebo add value to your home?

The short answer is yes, a gazebo will add value to your property. Any kind of outdoor living space allows potential home buyers to visualize themselves eating breakfast there, or enjoying a summer breeze, or entertaining guests. Gazebos aren’t cheap either, if you spend a grand on a gazebo, this is an expense that the next homeowner will not incur and thus see value in purchasing already complete. As well as providing valuable outdoor living space, a gazebo will compliment your backyard and house if done thoughtfully and to a high standard.

Do you have any unused space in your backyard?

If you have an area in your backyard that goes unused most of the time then you may benefit from turning that plot into a fully functioning gazebo retreat. It may be that the area in question gets direct sun all day and is too hot most of the time. You may just have an awkward-shaped garden and one section of it isn’t practical to use. Maybe you have an area that is too rocky to do anything else with or maybe the ground isn’t fertile to plant anything. Either way, unused spaces in your backyard are on of the best places to put a gazebo.