By Anas Zandaki, Country Director, North America of PERGOLUX
For many homeowners, the backyard isn’t just a patch of grass or a place for occasional barbecues. It’s become a true extension of the home, a space for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors in comfort.
As a result, people are approaching outdoor design differently.
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen at PERGOLUX is that people want their outdoor space to function as an additional room of the house. Instead of thinking of their outdoor space as seasonal, they want to design year-round enjoyment.
Thinking Beyond Furniture
Creating a usable outdoor space requires more than adding patio furniture. Designers and homeowners are considering structures that add shade and protection from the weather. Pergolas have become popular solutions because they create defined outdoor rooms while maintaining an open feel.
Traditionally, pergolas featured fixed slats that allowed sunlight to filter through. Newer designs have expanded the capabilities of these structures.
Adjustable louvered roofs, for example, allow homeowners to control sun exposure and airflow throughout the day. They can also prevent rain, if you want to enjoy your outdoor space during a rainy summer day. This level of flexibility makes a big difference in how often people actually use their outdoor space.
Designing For Multiple Uses
Like with the home itself, homeowners are looking for multifunctionality. Since more people are spending more time at home, they need the spaces in their homes to serve multiple roles.
An outdoor pergola structure might cover a dining area, provide shade near a pool, or create a comfortable lounge space for reading and conversation. The goal is to make the backyard adaptable for both everyday use and larger gatherings.
We always encourage people to think about how they want to use the space. Do they want a quiet space to relax? Do they want to entertain during the holidays? Or a space for more regular entertaining? Once those questions are answered, the design decisions become much clearer on what they want and need.
Blending Style And Durability
When it comes to the outdoors, it’s not as simple as erecting a 10-foot structure. It needs to be durable and withstand changing weather, from the hot sun to storms.
More robust pergolas are those made of powder-coated aluminum or another weather-resistant material, built to withstand strong coastal winds, heavy snow loads, and the glaring sun.
Scandinavian-inspired designs, known for clean lines and practical functionality, have also influenced outdoor structures in recent years due to their ability to complement homes of all different aesthetics. These designs emphasize complicity while ensuring that products can handle harsh climates.
Outdoor Living As A Long-Term Investment
As homeowners continue investing in their properties, outdoor living spaces are increasingly adding value to homes. A well-designed backyard can serve as a daily retreat, a gathering place for friends and family, or simply a comfortable place to unwind.
At the end of the day, the best outdoor spaces are the ones people actually use. When you design with purpose (taking into consideration weather, comfort, and usability), you create an environment that becomes part of everyday life.
Anas Zandaki is Director of PERGOLUX North America, overseeing the company’s growth, operations, and market expansion across the United States and Canada. Zandaki holds a master’s degree in business and economics and a bachelor’s degree in financial and banking sciences from Philadelphia University. Before joining PERGOLUX, he held multiple leadership roles at a unicorn in Germany, where he led international expansion initiatives, launched new markets, and managed full P&L ownership across the Nordics. His experience spans scaling international operations, optimizing profitability, and building high-performing cross-functional teams, with a focus on delivering premium customer experiences and accelerating sustainable growth in new markets.
