Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space with Cedar Pergolas

The House that Cedar Fixed

Defining Your Outdoor Living Space – Episode 5: “Cedar Pergolas”

Want to enhance your outdoor living space? Follow Colin & Justin in this exclusive Real Cedar web series. The dynamic design duo are transforming a dated 1980s, Ontario cabin into a luxury lakeside wilderness lodge. In order to add value to their property and enhance their cabin-living experience, they’re incorporating inspired applications of their favorite building material into their renovations, which include a revamped interior as well as the addition of a sunroom, wraparound deck and a funky Bunkie. They’ve also added some space-defining, cedar pergolas. Here’s how that went:

How to Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space

Colin & Justin have made a name for themselves as international TV designers and property developers with an uncanny ability to taking really basic cabins and turning them into pieces of architectural majesties. This latest project was no exception.

“This house was kind of flat and boring before so were using Western Red Cedar timber to build pergolas that will bring 3dimensional structures that will enhance the architecture,” explains Justin.

Building the Deck of Your Dreams

Once the cedar pergolas are all built, they will be used to create living areas on the wrap-around deck including dining area, main seating area for entertaining guests as well as a smaller more private seating space just off the master bedroom.

“By using Real Cedar for building pergolas,” adds Colin, you have the opportunity to create definition. I love a pergola because it kind of puts a stamp on a space. The timbers here really give the cabin a presence and really make it feel in harmony with nature which is super important when you’re as close as we are to this beautiful lake.”

Choosing the Right Building Material

They’re also loving how the super warm honey tones of Real Cedar pop against the cabin, which they’ve painted a really robustious dark grey. For added warm and texture, they’ve opted for a beautiful knotty grade of cedar.

“I love it,” says Justin. “This incredible knotty natural finish of the Western Red Cedar, these big strong solid posts – they add real substance particularly when you’re out on the boat or you’re on the sand and looking back at the house, you see that real visual interplay. Cedar’s not just a tree; it’s a way of life that will help your home become it’s best possible version.”

Find a pergola design that’s right for your outdoor living space in our DIY project and plans section.