Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. DIY

How to give your pergola a makeover

Transform a neglected corner in your garden into something rustic and romantic. - by Charlie Albone
  • 19 Nov 2021

We all have those spots in our homes and gardens that get forgotten about and, over time, they turn into dumping grounds and even eyesores. This week, Charlie’s transforming an old pergola that needs a little love and care. With a lick of paint, some new seating and lots of plants, this space will become a rustic and romantic garden retreat.

WATCH: Charlie gives a pergola a gorgeous makeover

Give a neglected corner of your garden a new lease on life. An old pergola is a joy – pretty it up and you won’t want to leave.

before and after

Before and after.

4 steps to pergola perfection

1. Clean

pergola-perfection

Step 1

A pressure washer removes years of dirt, grime and mould in an instant. Give the pavers under the pergola a blast, too.

2. Paint

2. Paint

Step 2

Sand the existing paint to remove any stubborn dirt or mould, then repaint the timber with a bright white exterior paint.

3. Screen

Step 3

Step 3

4. Hang plants

4. Hang plants

Step 4

Galvanised steel reinforcing mesh is the perfect addition from which to hang your potted plants. Screw it into the back panel of the pergola using pipe saddles. Sit the offcuts on top of the pergola for hose hanging.

pergola-perfection

Every garden features one of those spots that was once in favour but has since fallen on hard times. Give it a bit of love, though, and you can transform it back to a desirable garden hangout. Start with a quick clean-up, then decorate with a range of flowering colour. Finish off with a small seat that shows off even more plants!

A vertical garden lets plants grow down, up and out. Snapdragons team up with digiplexis – a cross between English and Canary Island foxgloves – in towers of flowers that lead all eyes up to the geraniums. PS, check out the hanging baskets at northcotepottery.com.

Pick plants that will bring lush flowers, lovely colours and sweet scents to your pergola.

petunias

Petunias

Pink calibrachoas

Pink Calibrachoas

geraniums

Geraniums

Penstemons

Penstemons

Euphorbia

Euphorbia

To make your pots lighter to move, fill them to about 30cm from the top with polystyrene chips, cover with horticultural fleece, then add potting mix.

To make your pots lighter to move, fill them to about 30cm from the top with polystyrene chips, cover with horticultural fleece, then add potting mix.

You might also like:

How to restore your deck so it looks brand-new

Charlie makes a vertical garden with frames

Charlie and Graham's zen garden makeover

  • DIY
  • Garden
  • TV
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Landscape Design Ideas
Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to prevent a soggy lawn

How to prevent a soggy lawn

Charlie visits The Crescent Garden

Charlie visits The Crescent Garden

Charlie visits a quirky garden

Charlie visits a quirky garden

Charlie and Adam’s cottage garden makeover

Charlie and Adam’s cottage garden makeover

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie visits landscape designer Peter Shaw’s garden

Charlie visits landscape designer Peter Shaw’s garden

How to fix a trouble spot in your garden

How to fix a trouble spot in your garden

How to make multi-level corten steel garden beds

How to make multi-level corten steel garden beds

{headline}

{headline}

How to screen a rubbish bin

How to screen a rubbish bin

How to fix a problem patch in the garden

How to fix a problem patch in the garden

Charlie’s favourite purple plants

Charlie’s favourite purple plants

Charlie and Adam create the ultimate outdoor room

Charlie and Adam create the ultimate outdoor room

Charlie meets Ant Middleton

Charlie meets Ant Middleton

Charlie visits a clever inner-city garden in Sydney

Charlie visits a clever inner-city garden in Sydney

How to bottom-water your pot plants

How to bottom-water your pot plants

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription