How to Choose the Perfect Pergola for Your Garden

Creating your dream outdoor space is all about creating the ultimate balance, in equal parts: style, comfort, and functionality. Whether you want a luxurious outdoor dining area, a relaxing hideaway, or a year-round entertainment hub, a pergola can completely transform the way you use your garden.

At Walker Landscape and Design, we specialise in bespoke, high-performance pergolas from Renson and KE, two of Europe’s leading brands in luxury outdoor living, designed to bring contemporary elegance, superior performance and effortless comfort to your outdoor living space. But with so many styles and configurations available, how do you choose the perfect pergola for your home?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the ideal pergola for your lifestyle, garden layout and design aesthetic.

Discover pergolas at our showroom, designed to take indoor cooking, outdoors.

1. Start With Your Lifestyle

Before thinking about materials or finishes, the most important first step is to define how you want to live beneath your pergola. Your lifestyle and habits will shape every other design decision - from size and structure, to lighting, layout and accessories.

A pergola should feel like a natural extension of your home; a space that supports how you entertain, relax and connect with the outdoors.

For Entertaining

If you love bringing people together, your pergola can become the ultimate hub for social gatherings. Think long summer lunches that stretch into evening cocktails, or autumn dinner parties with integrated heating and soft ambient lighting.

The Renson Camargue or KE Kedry Skylife are perfect choices for entertainers. Both models feature sleek, modern lines and smart technology - including adjustable louvres, retractable roofs and built-in LED lighting - allowing you to create the perfect atmosphere at any time of day or year. Add sliding glass walls to protect against wind or rain, and you’ll have a luxury entertaining space that works in all seasons, not just summer.

For Relaxation

If your goal is to create the ultimate relaxing retreat, a pergola can provide a peaceful escape where you can slow down and reconnect with nature. Consider a Renson Algarve framing your view of the garden, or a KE Keplan Pergola offering gentle shade as you unwind in a hot tub or lounge with a book - the dream.

These designs strike the perfect balance between form and function - offering flexible protection from sun, wind and rain without compromising on style. With optional features like dimmable lighting and motorised blinds, you can set the tone for ultimate relaxation, whether it’s a quiet Sunday morning or a late evening in nature.

For Versatility

If you prefer flexibility, you need to take a look at modular KE Kedry Skylife. This adaptable systems allow multiple modules to be installed seamlessly side-by-side, making it easy to design a multifunctional space that evolves with your needs. You might dedicate one area to dining, another to a casual seating zone, and a third to a workspace overlooking the garden.

With the ability to adjust light, airflow and privacy using UV-protective glass walls, vertical drop screens or rotating louvres, KE Pergolas offer complete control and comfort - allowing you to enjoy your garden exactly how you want to, all year round.

Ultimately, understanding how you’ll use your pergola is the foundation of a successful design. Whether you’re creating a vibrant space for entertaining or a dreamy spot to unwind, defining your lifestyle goals early ensures your pergola becomes a true reflection of the way you live.

Pergolas can be used for a multitude of purposes, bespoke to each family.

2. Choose Quality Pergola Materials That Last

Once you’ve defined how you’ll use your pergola, the next step is to focus on quality and longevity. A well-designed pergola should enhance your outdoor living experience for years to come - not just one or two summers. Choosing durable, low-maintenance materials ensures your investment remains both beautiful and practical, regardless of the weather.

Aluminium: The Modern Choice for Strength and Style in Pergolas

For a contemporary look with exceptional performance, powder-coated aluminium is hard to beat. Both Renson and KE pergolas are crafted from high-grade aluminium designed to withstand the UK’s unpredictable climate without warping, rusting or fading.

Unlike traditional timber, aluminium pergolas retain their shape and colour over time, requiring little more than an occasional rinse to stay looking their best. The precision-engineered frames also allow for sleek, minimalist lines - ideal for complementing modern architecture or adding a refined contrast to period homes.

With a wide selection of bespoke finishes available, from crisp matte whites to rich anthracite tones, you can coordinate your pergola perfectly with your property’s exterior design palette.

Fabric and Roof Finishes

The roof system you choose will also influence the feel and function of your pergola.

• Louvred Roofs - as seen in models like the Renson Camargue or KE Kedry Skylife - feature rotating aluminium blades that tilt to control sunlight and ventilation. When closed, they form a watertight seal, offering complete shelter from rain.

• Retractable Fabric Roofs, such as those in the KE Keplan range, create a softer aesthetic. They’re perfect for those who prefer an open-sky feel but still want protection on demand.

Each material and mechanism has been carefully engineered to perform flawlessly, even in strong winds or heavy rain - a testament to the European craftsmanship behind both Renson and KE designs.

Built to Withstand British Weather

Here in the North of England, weather resilience is essential. A pergola needs to handle sun, rain, frost and wind - often in the same week. That’s why we only partner with brands that rigorously test their systems for wind resistance, drainage efficiency and UV stability.

Our installation team at Walker Landscape and Design ensures every structure is fitted with precision foundations, hidden fixings and discreet water channels for seamless rainwater management. The result? A clean, architectural finish that performs beautifully year-round.

Investing in high-quality materials isn’t just about durability - it’s about creating a structure that feels solid, secure and elegant every time you step outside.

Remain in comfort when cooking outdoors with a pergola.

3. Create an Effortlessly Comfortable Outdoor Living Space

A pergola should feel like a natural extension of your home - a space designed for comfort, practicality and year-round use. The best pergolas combine smart functionality with thoughtful design, creating an outdoor area that works just as well on a warm summer evening as it does on a crisp autumn morning.

Lighting That Works Around You

Lighting plays a key role in how your pergola looks and feels after dark. Both Renson and KE offer integrated LED lighting systems that sit neatly within the frame or roof structure for a clean, architectural finish.

From subtle perimeter lighting to dimmable LEDs built into the louvres, illumination can be tailored to suit how you use the space - whether for relaxed evenings, family meals or late-night entertaining.

Comfort in Every Season

For those looking to enjoy their garden year-round, built-in heating options can make all the difference. These systems provide instant warmth and are designed to sit discreetly within the structure, maintaining the clean lines of your pergola.

When combined with side screens or sliding glass panels, you can control airflow and shelter, adapting easily to changing weather. The result is a comfortable, usable space whatever the season - ideal for dining, working or simply unwinding outdoors.

Simple, Smart Operation

Modern pergolas are designed to work around you. Renson and KE models include motorised roofs that can be opened or closed at the touch of a button, giving precise control over shade and ventilation.

Optional smart sensors, such as those found in the Renson Carmague, automatically adjust the roof or screens in response to wind or rain, so your space is protected even when you’re not there. The technology is built for convenience - straightforward to use, with minimal maintenance required.

Details That Elevate the Space

To complete the design, optional extras such as integrated sound systems or ambient lighting allow you to tailor the environment to your taste. Subtle enhancements like these add polish and functionality without overpowering the structure’s design.

Together, these features help create an outdoor space that’s inviting, low-maintenance and built to perform - whatever the weather.

With modular options available, pergolas can elevate any outdoor space, for both commercial and domestic purposes.

4. Focus on the Design and Aesthetics of Your Pergola

Once you’ve considered purpose, materials and comfort, the next step is ensuring your pergola complements your home and garden. A well-designed pergola doesn’t just provide shelter  - it enhances the architectural character of your property and integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

Colours and Finishes

Both Renson and KE Pergolas offer a wide range of finishes and colours, allowing you to coordinate your pergola with your home’s exterior or garden features. From subtle neutrals to richer, statement shades, these bespoke options ensure your pergola feels tailored rather than an afterthought.

Structure and Layout

The choice between freestanding, wall-mounted, or modular systems allows you to adapt the pergola to your garden’s unique shape and scale. Modular KE Pergolas, for example, can be extended side-by-side to create larger entertaining areas or multiple zones for dining, relaxation and work. Meanwhile, a wall-mounted Renson pergola can feel like a natural extension of your home, offering continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Integration with Landscape and Lifestyle

A pergola should complement your garden as much as your home. Consider positioning near patios, outdoor kitchens, pools or hot tubs to make the most of the space. Additional touches like integrated lighting, screens, or glass walls not only enhance usability but also reinforce the pergola’s presence as a feature of design rather than a functional accessory.

Personalisation

The appeal of bespoke pergolas lies in their adaptability. Optional features - from louvres and retractable roofs to LED lighting and privacy screens - allow you to create a structure that fits your lifestyle, your space and your aesthetic preferences. By carefully considering these elements, you can ensure your pergola is both practical and visually striking.

Bring Your Pergola Vision to Life

Choosing the right pergola is about more than creating shade - it’s about creating a space that works for you, enhances your garden, and reflects your home’s style. Whether you’re seeking a sleek, modern Renson design or a select Italian KE pergola, every detail can be tailored to suit your space and lifestyle.

At Walker Landscape and Design, we guide you through the process from initial concept to installation, ensuring your bespoke pergola is both functional and beautifully integrated into your home.

Serving Cheshire, Manchester and across the North of England, we design outdoor spaces that combine luxury, durability and usability.

Book your showroom visit today to explore our Renson and KE ranges and start planning your bespoke pergola.