The Garage Pergola: A Trend We Love

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When it comes to exterior design, there are plenty of elements that are both functional and beautiful. The garage pergola is one of these elements. Not only can it protect your garage door from harsh sunlight, but it can also make your exterior more visually interesting. Garage pergolas are versatile, and our designers know all of the best ways to use them to enhance curb appeal. Read on for some of our favorite examples.

Thinking of adding a pergola to your garage? Perhaps you want to replace your siding or repaint your home. Whatever your exterior design goals are, brick&batten can help you achieve them. Discover more about our virtual exterior design services!
ranch with a light blue garage with a pergola

Front-load garage pergola

Front-load garages like the one above often take up a great deal of real estate on a home’s façade. With that in mind, our designers decided to dress this garage up with a pergola overtop the door. We chose a wood pergola that matches the front entry door and columns and added some greenery that ties in with the rest of the landscaping.

Wondering how a pergola differs from a trellis or an arbor? Check out our exterior design dictionary to learn all about these design elements and many others! 

charcoal house with garage pergola

Moody yet muted

Our designers embraced a dark, moody color palette for this home, using a combination of gray hues on the siding and trim. We leaned into the dark and dramatic look further by using a similar shade for the pergola above the garage. This pergola serves as the perfect crown to the wood entry and garage doors and also acts as a visual barrier between the deeper shade of siding above and the lighter garage space below.

brick house with pergola on the garage

Industrial-inspired pergola

The combination of warm wood and black gives this pergola an industrial-inspired vibe. While the black on the pergola pulls from other accents on the exterior, the wood stands out and adds some soft contrast to the design.

ranch house with a white pergola on the garage

Coastal-inspired exterior with garage pergola

This client wanted their home exterior to exude coastal cottage vibes. To achieve this, our designers suggested a beachy color palette consisting of light blue siding and white accents. The trim, columns, garage doors, and pergola are all rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Pure White, giving the home a light and airy look. We love how the pergola plays nicely with the other design elements rather than stealing the spotlight.

house with green siding, wood, and stone accents

Embrace nature

The stunning landscape surrounding this home inspired our exterior design. We used a variety of natural materials, including wood and stone, and an earth tone color palette. We also included multiple structures on which plants can grow, such as the two trellises on the left side of the home and the pergola over the garage door on the right side. 

white stucco house with wood pergolas above the windows, garage, and front door

Weave pergolas throughout the design

We love how a pergola on a garage combines functionality and aesthetic appeal. Garages aren’t the only space where pergolas make sense, though, and our designers embraced them in multiple locations throughout this design. The wood pergolas above the windows, entrance, and garage all add warmth to the bright white exterior.

house with pergolas and wood three car garage

Keep things cohesive

Here’s another example where our team featured multiple pergolas in one design. This rendering has a pergola over the seating area to the left of the entry and another atop the 3-car garage to the right. We used wood pergolas for both spaces and accentuated them with greenery, keeping things cohesive.

house with off-white stucco and balcony with garage pergola beneath

Create separation with a pergola

This garage’s pergola creates some separation between the spaces above and below it (the balcony and garage respectively). The black pergola matches the balcony railing and outdoor furniture too. 

A rendering of a home with a garage pergola

Picturing a pergola above your garage?

If you’re looking for a simple way to bring a bit of interest (and added coverage from the elements!) to your garage, consider adding a pergola. You can opt for a natural look with wood or make a statement with a pergola painted with a moody hue. Our designers know plenty of ways to use these design elements to accentuate your space!

P.S. Want to see what else is trending in the exterior design world? Check out our roundup of the top home exterior trends of 2023. 

Feeling inspired to tackle your design to-do list?  Partner with us, and we’ll help you achieve the home exterior you’ve been dreaming of. Get started today!

Author

brick&batten Contributor

Mackenzie has been writing for brick&batten for three years, and most of her exterior design knowledge comes from renovating her own home. She purchased a log home that was stuck in the '90s and the previous owners were unable to keep up with exterior maintenance. From reimagining the landscaping and hardscaping to revamping the porch and logs, Mackenzie and her family approached the entire project DIY-style. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family of six on their farm, which includes cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. She has been writing for 12 years and has explored a variety of materials from food writing to lifestyle pieces and, of course, virtual exterior design.