Modern Pergola Design Ideas

5 Stunning Structures that Will Transform Your Outdoor Living Space

Want to create a backyard sanctuary with defined entertainment and dining areas? Consider one of these modern pergola design ideas. They can turn any deck, patio or patch of grass into a warm and welcoming extension of your home.

Courtesy of Sarah Gallop Design, photo by Ema Peter Photography.

Enhancing Your Backyard with Modern Pergolas

This gorgeous outdoor entertainment area – complete with Real Cedar benching, planters and a stunning modern pergola – was the final phase of a total home renovation. While the overall look of this outdoor oasis is more modern than the interior, it still feels very much connected to the home.

That’s because all the new Western Red Cedar outdoor structures harmonize beautifully with the cedar feature wall inside the home as well as the 40-year-old cedar façade. The latter, incidentally, was still looking great at the time of the remodel, so there was no need to replace it – even after facing four decades of west coast weather. That’s because Western Red Cedar is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects, making it ideal for all your outdoor structures.

Courtesy of Close Joinery.

Minimalist Design Ideas with Maximum Impact

Elegant, sleek and expertly lit, this truly modern pergola is a masterclass in minimalist design for outdoor spaces. The beautifully crafted Real Cedar pergola, customized benching and coffee table make for an effortlessly chic look. But at the same time, this space has an undeniably warm and inviting vibe.

We love how the richness of the wood plays off the white back wall and black hardware. It also honors the all the greenery in the background. Simply stunning!

Clinton Hill Modern Garden by New Eco Landscapes, photo by Anthony Crisafulli Photography.

Defining Outdoor Dining Areas with a Modern Pergola

This strategically designed Brooklyn backyard makes the most of every square foot, boasting a pizza oven, custom cedar outdoor kitchen, veggie garden and a comfy lounge area. Overall, the aesthetic is decidedly modern with clean lines including the horizontal cedar fence. The main focal point of this outdoor oasis is the dining area, which is beautifully defined by a pitched cantilever cedar pergola.

True to form, the eco-minded landscaping company used plenty of sustainable building materials – namely Western Red Cedar. So, this project isn’t only beautiful; it’s also an environmentally friendly project. That’s because woods, such as cedar, leave the smallest carbon footprint than any other building material, so it’s a choice you can feel good about.

Dunbar Decking Makeover by Westworks Construction.

Modern Pergola at the Heart of Dream Deck Makeover

Here, we have a total decking transformation. The homeowners weren’t happy with the decking material they used to have. It was rotting, unsightly and the overall design was dated. The solution? Rip it all up and replace it with a beautiful multilevel, Western Red Cedar deck that connects to the home with fully extended terraced stairs.

At the heart of this space is a modern cedar pergola that defines the dining area – complete with a built-in bench and a farmhouse outdoor dining table. We love how the beautiful knotty grade of cedar adds warmth and texture to other materials. Dining al fresca at its best! As for finishes, the homeowners are letting this patio paradise weather naturally, eventually turn a beautiful silvery grey patina. But it’s good to know that Western Red Cedar is pitch and resin free, which means it accepts and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully.

Project by Providence Home Improvement, photo courtesy of Henry Schwartz.

Cedar Brings Together a Modern Material Palette

When it comes to modern pergola design ideas, this one wins for originality. We’re loving the interplay of striking contrasts here. In terms of composition, this outdoor living space features an eclectic mix of manmade materials including hard concrete, classic brick and industrial black. Yet, somehow it really works. How? The Real Cedar decking, built-in bench and pergola rafters just really tie it all together beautifully.

Yes, without nature’s most versatile material, this space might not look as warm and inviting as it does. But the rich tonal range of the wood creates a dreamy place for the homeowners to decompress, entertain and dine under the stars.