14 Free Pergola Plans You Can DIY Today

These free DIY pergola plans will help you build that much-needed structure in your backyard to give you shade, cover your hot tub, or simply make a space special. There are plans available for a wide variety of pergola styles: You can choose between materials like wood or aluminum, having an attached or freestanding pergola, or one with louvered or static slats. Canopies are also available to lay atop this landscaping feature to give you extra sun or weather protection.

Building a pergola can be a simple or challenging building project depending on what plan you pick, so make sure you know your skill level. But there are items like pergola brackets that can make attaching these structures to a deck much easier.

Every plan here includes building instructions, tool and material lists, diagrams, and photos to make the process go smoothly.

pergola in a yard — The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

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01 of 14

Free-Standing Wood Pergola

Building Strong

Building Strong has a free pergola plan—and you'll love how simple this pergola project is. The structure's 10 x 8 footprint is suitable for smaller-sized yards. And the simple wood material and classic silhouette will work with any landscaping style.
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Simple DIY Wood Pergola Plan

DIY Network

Here's a very thorough pergola plan that will help you build a pergola from start to finish in an entire weekend. This small and simple wood pergola is freestanding and perfect for covering a small seating area in your yard. Aesthetically, this pergola offers a rustic-traditional look.
03 of 14

Deck Pergola With Plant Hangers

Lowe's

Here's a free pergola plan to build a pergola that goes over an existing deck. The design includes cables and exposed bolts for a modern twist that can double as plant hangers. This unique wooden pergola looks sleek and modern but gets a touch of extra botanical interest from the frosted glass panels decorated with leaf patterns.
04 of 14

Wood Pergola With Stone Legs

Ana White

This free pergola plan by Ana White is modeled from the expensive Pottery Barn Weatherly Pergola, which means you can get the same look for a lot less if you build it yourself. This freestanding wooden pergola feels traditional and elevated, with its stone lower posts that complement the stone patio it is set on in this photo.

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05 of 14

Pergola on a Budget

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess has a three-part series on how to build a pergola on a budget. This petite wooden pergola is freestanding and just begging to be strung with fairy lights and hanging plants. It also boasts a unique walled nook that is perfect for tucking a pair of chairs into.
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Freestanding Pergola

The Handmade Home

This DIY pergola plan from The Handmade Home is for a freestanding pergola that you can build right next to your house or further away in your yard. It has a classic look to it and is large enough to accommodate an outdoor dining table or four-chair seating area.
07 of 14

Lattice Deck Pergola

Home Stratosphere

Home Stratosphere has a deck plan that also includes plans for this beautiful pergola covered with lattice. Interspersing lattice panels in the roof instead of traditional pergola slats makes this plan feel fresh and unique. Plus, it adds a kiss of quaint, cottage style.
08 of 14

Beginner-Friendly Wood Pergola

My Outdoor Plans

My Outdoor Plans has a free pergola plan that will build a basic 12-foot by 12-foot pergola perfect for the beginner builder. As an added bonus, it only requires basic tools that you probably already have. This simple, freestanding, wooden pergola design is easy to execute and can probably be finished in a weekend.

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09 of 14

Pergola With a Canopy

Lowe's

Who says pergolas can't be covered? This free pergola plan from Lowe's includes a canopy made out of weather-resistant fabric to keep you cool and shady all summer long. The extra detailing at the base of each post makes this canopy pergola feel ultra luxe and traditional.
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Bracket 4x4 Pergola

Pretty Real

This free pergola plan makes use of 4x4 brackets to make assembly easy. This also allows the design to span a large swath of the deck, appearing as a double pergola, which is great if you have two distinct seating areas you would like to cover. The thin 4x4 posts and roof slats ensure it is not too visually intrusive as well.
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Hurricane-Resistant Pergola

Teeraphon Phooma / EyeEm / Getty Images

Ron Hazelton has a free pergola plan for a free-standing structure that you can put anywhere in your yard. The stour silhouette of this free-standing wooden pergola helps it withstand strong winds. Extra-deep-set posts provide even more stability.
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Attached Pergola for a Patio

alabn / Getty Images

Here's another free pergola plan from Ron Hazelton, this one is designed to go over an existing patio and attach to the side of your roof. This classic pergola looks free-standing, but easily attached to your home. It is sized to over a medium-sized patio area.

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13 of 14

Box-Type Pergola

KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

If you're looking for a quick and easy pergola project, this free plan for a box-type pergola is just for you. This style of pergola is quite easy to build and gets its name from the box-shaped spaces between the slats (instead of vertical openings or rectangles). This particular design feels stately, anchored by traditional columns.
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Paneled Louvered Pergola

Flex Fence

This free pergola plan is unique because it features a louvered roof, which is uncommon for a free pergola plan. The pergola's roof is divided into four sections, with the slats able to move in different ways. You'll be able to sit under the pergola with some slats closed to shade your face and other slats open to let in the sun and warmth.

FAQ

Is it more budget-friendly to build or buy a pergola?

Overall, it is cheaper to build or DIY a pergola from a kit than to pay a professional.
How much does it cost to build a DIY pergola?

Your overall cost for materials to build a DIY pergola will likely fall under $3,000, which is much cheaper than using a pro builder.
What’s the best type of wood to use for a pergola?

Durable, weather-resistant wood like cedar and redwood are the best choices for a pergola. Look for pergola kits that include these materials or designs that would work well with these lumber types.
How big can you build a pergola without needing to get a permit?

It's likely not a matter of how big a pergola is that determines if you can build it without a permit. It's seen as a permanent structure, and permanent structures tend to require permits. Contact your local ordinance. The cost of the permit should be relatively manageable—somewhere between $25 and $500.
Can you use 4x4 posts for a pergola?

You can use 4x4 posts for a pergola, but the pergola may not be as sturdy as you want it to be. 6x6 posts would bear more weight and result in a sturdier structure, and some prefer the look of 6x6 posts.

14 Free Pergola Plans You Can DIY Today

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