Trend report: black pergolas

We’re making a bold design decision on our back deck and painting our pergola black. Come see the best black pergola inspiration – I bet you’ll be reaching for some black paint in the near future!

I’m practicing what I preach! Our back deck area is one of the reasons we fell in love with our home, even though it needs some love. We love the outdoor living space in this house, and it’s got potential to be amazing!

But right now? It’s kind of tired. The solid stain on the deck is peeling off and just not the shade we would have chosen either. I powerwashed the deck floor, but it really needs to be sanded and re-stained. And we definitely need a new railing as well.

HOWEVER. Budgets are a very real thing, and ours has been spent on our garden build this summer! So, as I shared on my Instagram this past weekend, we’re doing this makeover in stages.

Over time we plan to:

Paint the pergola black
Sand and stain the floor of the deck (mid-toned wood)
Replace the railing (think: white composite material railing and black metal spindles)
Limewash the exterior brick of the sunroom addition

So this summer, we’re planning on doing that first step! Of course it’ll take time for it to look the way we want it to, but this is a dramatic (and affordable) first step.

Now, come be inspired by the beautiful black pergolas I’ve been eyeing up on the internet lately!

The most beautiful black pergolas:

This combination of brick, black, lights, and trailing greenery = stunning! Design by WildFlora Design Studio

In this case, black absolutely modernizes this outdoor space (in the best way!). I love the lines of this pergola. Via Three Birds Renovations.

This isn’t technically a traditional pergola, but I just love the horizontal lines on this back deck area. Of course the abundance of beautiful black trim is perfect with it too! Via House and Home.

Can you believe this next image is of a rooftop terrace? I couldn’t love it any more! Via House and Home.

If you want to make an outdoor area cozy, add conversational seating, lots of plants, and a good heavy dose of black paint. It cozies up an outdoor space instantly! This picture proves it (via House and Home):

The combination of wood tones, black, and a swing? I just love this space so much! Source unknown.

Black pergola + fire pit + DOUBLE hanging sofas? This space is just perfect! Via Jen Ferrandi.

This space is just so dreamy! Even if I can’t have an outdoor fireplace (haha) there’s so much inspiration to get from this space!

This pergola from LuckyPlot13 is so chic! I love the sun shade addition too!

Pretty Real Blog shows the dramatic transformation that can happen when you start with a natural wood pergola and stain it black. I love the dramatic effect!