Creating a Fun Winter Atmosphere With the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Southborough, MA, Pergola

The right outdoor lighting plan can completely transform your Southborough, MA, pergola into a winter wonderland spot. These ideas for illuminating a pergola can add to the fun in your backyard. 

Related: Spruce Up Your Pergola This Holiday Season in the Northborough and Shrewsbury, MA, Area

What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is an outdoor structure supported by sturdy wood or steel posts or columns and can be any size you prefer. Often anchored with a stone base at the bottom of the posts, the top of the pergola can be crafted out of wood crossbeams that extend over the edges, or it can be metal slats to reflect a more modern approach. There is no particular style that is expected as materials and finishes can be mixed and matched to create something completely unique in your landscape. Providing shade and a space to relax outside, a pergola can be a perfect addition to any backyard. 

Outdoor Lighting for Winter Pergolas 

• String lights: While string lights might seem ordinary or expected, your landscaper can add them in special patterns around the top of the pergola, down the sides, and woven within the upper beams to bring whimsy and fun to your winter pergola. Using various sized strings lights or multiple colors can add a different dimension to the scene as well. Having your landscape specialists incorporate similar string lights in nearby trees can illuminate the surrounding yard and present a cohesive appearance once the sun sets.

• Lanterns: Traditional white lanterns can also be a fun addition to your pergola space, or they can be combined with other colors for a delightful look. By having them hang at various heights within the pergola roof, they can increase visual interest while introducing a soft glow.

• Pendants: Hanging pendants that are simple with iron or metal cages can make the pergola brighter—this can be an especially wonderful effect if you will be using this space as an alfresco dining spot. Your landscapers will be sure to choose weather-resistant pendants that won’t be affected by rain or snow so that you don’t have to worry about damage from the harsh winter weather. 

• Integrated lights on posts: When you want streamlined lighting for your pergola, plan to integrate the sconces or light source directly with the posts. When you place these lights on a dimmer, you can adjust the setting depending on the activity—playing a board game in the pergola space might require stronger lighting while just relaxing at the end of the day calls for just a gentle glow. 

• Fire feature: When you have your landscapers extend the pergola space into something bigger by adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in an adjoining spot, sitting by the fire can become a favorite respite. Imagine keeping warm into the evenings, enjoying your most favorite spot in the world. For instance, a fireplace can be constructed to complement your home’s architecture and materials, large enough to hold extra firewood in the built-in niches that flank either side. Any fire feature can be operated by natural gas and turned on and off at the touch of a smartphone app, making it easy to stay by the fire for as long as you wish.

Related: Why Invest in a Pergola for Your Wellesley, MA, Outdoor Kitchen?