Wood

Wooden pavilions have all the advantages of structures made from wood. They have a classic look, and can be stained or painted to fit any style or look you want to achieve. On the other hand, wood exposed to the elements needs care or you risk it rotting, warping, cracking and falling apart. This makes this style of pavilion require maintenance.

There is no better place for a bench than under a pavilion. It is a relaxing place to sit back and enjoy the gardens. This pavilion has a slatted roof which provides shade but still lets some sunlight through.

This poolside pavilion is the perfect place to sit back and relax on a sunny summer day. Between laps in the pool you can climb out, relax in the shade, and enjoy the summertime flowers. Because the end of the pavilion hangs over the edge of the pool, you can simply slide into the water when you are ready to swim again.

Since wood is so versatile you can paint a wooden pavilion any way you choose. In this picture we see a wooden pavilion painted green. This color sets a tone for the design and color palette of the yard furniture that sits underneath. Source: Zillow Digs™

You may place your pavilion in an elevated area so that you have a spot to look over your property. The shady pavilion in this picture sits above a swimming area, where residents can look out over the lake. It’s the perfect place to watch over everything around.

An outdoor pavilion is the best place to set up an outdoor eating area. When you have a barbecue, party or gathering, it’s nice to have a protected piece of shade where people can gather together. Source: Zillow Digs™

This small pavilion casts shade over two outdoor beds. It is true luxury to lay out by your pool, looking over the coast from your shady oasis. What better place for a long outdoor nap?

Here is a rustic style pavilion with worn and natural wood beams. Two picnic benches sit under the pavilion ready for a gathering. This natural, raw look provides an antiquity aesthetic that is perfect for the setting. Dirt paths and dusty palettes are at home here. Source: Wonderlane / Flickr

This pavilion is built with highly finished wood and has small stone foundations. This design is great for the modern and simple furniture that sits around the stone fireplace underneath. Source: Zillow Digs™

Not all pavilions are gathering places. If you have a portion of your walkway that needs a bit of extra shade, a pavilion may be your best bet. It can make walks around the garden more pleasant by not having to be in direct sunlight the entire time.

If you are worried about the openness of a pavilion you can hang curtains. Curtains on the pavilion allow it to be open to the elements when you want it to, but can also provide some privacy when you need to shut out the world. Source: Zillow Digs™

Here is a poolside pavilion that is perfect for a party. Some party goers can splash and play in the water while others kick back in the shade, tell stories, and enjoy the flowers.

Some pavilions have slanted roofs which create more of an enclosed feel. This pavilion has a flat roof which makes the space underneath feel very wide and open. Source: Zillow Digs™

If you want to add a bit of festive texture to your pavilion, consider a thatched roof. This kind of roof gives your pavilion an island feel. You can easily escape to far off places when the islands are in your own backyard.

Pavilions are the perfect companion to gardens. Hanging flowers on the outside of a pavilion makes the structure blend into nature. This creates a superb shady place to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

Pavilions do not necessarily need to be big. Though it works more as a design feature, this small pavilion provides a small shade respite from the sun. It punctuates the pond with a stunning structure to relax and enjoy the water.

Pavilions are not always on land. A small pavilion out on a deck is perfect. A few benches under the pavilion provide seating to the area so many people can go out and sit in the middle of the small lake.

This small pavilion is built from raw wood and found lumber. The benches are built into the sides of the pavilion with a table in the center. This pavilion is only big enough to cover the few people sitting here, but that is as big as it needs to be. This is a great pavilion table for getting back to nature.

This long pavilion has a canvas roof. Canvas is an interesting roofing option. While it is susceptible to damage, it can also be replaced and taken down to be repaired and cleaned. Canvas curtains are also here so that these beach side pavilions can be private in no time.

If you don’t have a great deal of space, a small pavilion over an intimate cafe table makes for a stunning spot for an early morning outside breakfast. Source: JP Newell / Flickr

Metal

Although a metal pavilion will not have the adaptability or versatility that a wooden pavilion has, metal pavilions can be longer lasting than a wooden structure. It is difficult to alter the look of a metal structure like you can with one made of wood, but these kinds of pavilions can still be quite stylish.

This pavilion has small stone bases with thick metal poles to hold the canopy. The iron look works with the stone and iron fire pit and chairs. This is a well thought out and cohesive design. Source: Zillow Digs™

Here is a simple metal pavilion with a cloth top. This is a perfect minimal pavilion for a simple yard. It keeps you out of the rain but does not take up a massive amount of yard space.

This beautiful metal pavilion is consumed by the flowers that surround it. This is an amazing escape for any green thumb who wants to be among lovely flowers. Source: Rick Moerloos / Flickr

Stone

A stone structure has a rustic and natural appeal that is rarely matched. A pavilion with a stone base is strong and sure to last for years. This is the ideal construction if you want a permanent and sturdy structure. Masonry and stone pillars look great and can appear quite elegant.

This is a massive pavilion with stone pillars and installed lighting features. This type of pavilion does not work for everyone, but if you have the space it can add an element of Roman style luxury to your backyard. Source: Zillow Digs™

Stone pillars match stone walkways and other masonry structures. This pavilion has a very rugged and sturdy construction that blends with the stone patio and fireplace. Source: Zillow Digs™

If you want a very professional and finished look you can add a number of features to your pavilion area. This pavilion area has a living room section divided from an eating area. With a setup like this a pavilion can have multiple uses.

Here is an interesting pavilion with stone pillars and a designer canopy. This kind of top is not meant to keep rain off; rather, it is used as a design element. This pavilion makes this poolside fireplace an amazingly elegant place to spend a cool evening. Source: Zillow Digs™

This stone pillared pavilion has a large domed wire canopy. It is a beautiful pavilion for a seating area. It provides partial shade and is an amazing design piece that brings both visual interest and texture to the space. Source: Zillow Digs™

This stone pavilion with a tiled roof is a fantastic partner to this pool area. The patio area is a welcoming and fun spot for any gathering. Source: Zillow Digs™

A massive pavilion with a lighting element is a great place to spend an evening. A pavilion of this size can hold a large number of seating options so that many people can enjoy the comfort of relaxing under the roof. Source: Zillow Digs™

Portable

Not everyone has the space or the money for a permanent pavilion to be constructed. Some people don’t want to commit to such a project either. There are pavilions suitable for these instances. You can buy pavilions that are easy to set up and move if need be. These are considerably less expensive and usually easy to set up.

Here is a simple wood and canvas portable pavilion. This is a great pavilion for a small gathering or for placing by the pool. You can place this pavilion almost anywhere and have it be both fashionable and comfortable.

This pavilion is a nice prefabricated pavilion that can be set up almost anywhere. It is larger so that you may not want to move it, but it can still be moved if necessary.

Here is a simple pavilion by a pool. This pavilion is a great pavilion for any yard. It can be placed in a spot and left there for some time, but can also be moved if your needs change or if you want to rearrange your outdoor design.