Four ideas for arranging a recreation area near a pond 

Gazebos made of various materials

It is logical that a gazebo by the lake is built if the house is located near a reservoir.

Note! For the construction of a building, the most comfortable place is always chosen, surrounded by greenery with access to shallow water.

The structure can be built from any materials:

• Brick.
• Logs (see Do-it-yourself log gazebo: how to make it).
• Timber (see Gazebos made of timber: from design to manufacture).
• Forged elements.
• From the vine.

What you should pay attention to when choosing a material

When choosing the raw materials from which to build a gazebo on the lake shore, it is preferable to take into account the building material from which the house was built.

This way, complete harmony in the design will be maintained and the site will acquire a finished, aesthetic appearance.

Under normal conditions, some lightweight structures do not have a foundation installed, but:

• If the gazebo is located near a real or artificial reservoir, a strong, not very deep foundation is required (see Simple foundation for a gazebo - choose which one).
• This will eliminate the possibility of undermining the walls of the building, as well as its subsidence and tilting to one side.
• If the soil is not too strong or the owners prefer to make a kind of canopy over the water, strong piles are used that go directly into the water.

A gazebo over a pond is built in the same way.
Decoration options:

• The structure can be decorated with various climbing plants and flowers in tubs.
• Another type of decoration, especially popular recently, has been the use of airy materials flowing from the beams of the gazebo.
• Such translucent “walls” swaying in the breeze create an image of romance, mystery and look very impressive.
• There must be a neat path leading to the building, also surrounded by flowers or lawn grass.

Narrow paths are built from bricks, blocks, tiles and even circles cut from wood. Such a civilized corner of nature always allows you to relax, have a good rest and start the day with renewed vigor.

Choosing plants for a living gazebo

The main difference between a living gazebo and conventional structures is that there is no place for walls and ceilings made of classic building materials (wood, brick, metal). All the functions of building materials here are performed by trees, the choice of which is extremely important, because plants determine what appearance the gazebo will have in a few years.

It is not difficult to guess that not all trees can be used to create a structure; moreover, it is better to give preference to unpretentious plants with flexible branches. It is desirable that the tree does not need frequent pruning and has dense vegetation, since the leaves and branches should play the role of the ceiling and walls of the future gazebo. With the right choice of trees, in a couple of years the homeowner will receive a chic and relatively durable gazebo that can hide not only from the sun, but also from rain.

When creating a living gazebo, it is best to choose the following trees:

• Chinese poplar is a plant that has accelerated growth immediately after planting, and once the formation of the arbor is completed, the growth rate decreases, which makes it easy to care for the tree.

• Linden is a fairly flexible plant that allows you to create a beautiful and durable gazebo. Of course, wood is more demanding to care for and needs more time, but the end result is completely worth it. The linden structure not only captivates in appearance, but also pleases with its special smell during flowering.

• Willow and rowan are trees that allow you to create a small gazebo for relaxation.

• Spruce - a coniferous tree will not only create a recreation area protected from the sun, but will also delight you with the characteristic smell of the forest, which has a positive effect on both well-being and the nervous system.

• Orchard apple trees are another option that allows you to create a cozy and beautiful gazebo in just a few years, where you can not only relax, but also enjoy the delicious fruits of the tree.

The beauty of a decorative pond with a gazebo

Owners of dachas or residential buildings that do not have access to a lake or a real pond should not be upset.

You can create a decorative pond with a gazebo yourself

There are several known variants of such structures used as an artificial reservoir:

• Old, fairly large bathtubs that are buried up to the sides in specially dug holes directly next to the gazebo.
• Plastic containers of various configurations intended for the construction of swimming pools.

Dug and concreted pits, which in addition can be lined with mosaics

• Depressions covered in the ground with a special film and filled with water.

Each option has its own advantages and price category:

• The first method is only suitable when replacing plumbing in the house, since purchasing a bathtub specifically for such use is quite expensive.
• The price of plastic containers and concreting with mosaics is quite high.

Note! Using film to protect a reservoir from pollution and water loss is economical, affordable and can be created with your own hands.

Possibility of pond cleaning

Every owner of an artificial pond has encountered the following problem:

• Blooming water.
• The appearance of insects.
• An unpleasant odor that appears after some time.

Note. There is only one way to combat it - periodically scooping out the water, cleaning the pool and filling it with moisture again.

A more modern and thoughtful option is to create a pond with a small fountain or waterfall

Note! A similar effect is achieved using a well-established pump equipped with a special filter, which is more expensive, but eliminates problems in the future.

The table provided will help you compare the advantages and disadvantages of both options, which it is advisable to study before making a pond with a gazebo:

Having decided what type of pond is currently preferable to build near the gazebo, you can begin to implement your plans.

DIY construction of a pond near the gazebo

A pond gazebo can be built with your own hands only after choosing a special place.
It is preferable that there are no trees near the pond, since due to such proximity:

• The roots will damage the waterproofing.
• The water will become polluted by falling leaves and branches.
• The lack of sunny color will negatively affect the overall condition of the structure.
• Instead of pleasant emotions, the pond may leave a depressing impression.

Note. The simplest and most economical option is considered to be artificial reservoirs created using film.

The shape and size of the pond can be very diverse:

• Rectangular.
• Semicircular.
• Surround the gazebo in the form of a moat.
• Fantasy.

Once the work is completed, the gazebo on the shore of the pond will become the main decoration of the site and the pride of the owners. If desired, they can throw several freshwater fish into the pond, completely creating the illusion of a naturalistic structure.

Idea number three - patio at the dacha

The small courtyard adjacent to the main building is called the patio area. The patio at the dacha looks like a flat platform made of stone or wood flooring; there is a table for guests. If this area is slightly separated from the building and supplemented with a colorful pond, you will get a great place for outdoor recreation.

The center of the site is usually occupied by a composition of chairs and a table, which can be replaced with a fireplace or a flowerbed.

Even a small pond can be made ideal by decorating it with a composition of wooden flooring with chairs.

You can truly relax only in a secluded place, which can be easily created with the help of a hedge.

When the pond is located in a remote area of ​​the garden or opposite the house, there is no need to arrange a platform with a table. Just put a comfortable chair and footrest. Sitting on a chair, read, draw or enjoy the surrounding panorama.

Idea number four - flower beds and flower beds in the country

Many summer residents do not know what passive relaxation in an easy chair in nature is. They have a great opportunity to do something exciting in their free time from their main job - caring for flowering plants around the pond. To do this, you should plant aquatic plants along the shores, and flowers that love moisture just above the shore.

A pond surrounded by a lush flower garden is an excellent recreation area for those who appreciate the beauty of nature. Unpretentious moisture-loving lilies, thanks to which a pond can be turned into a Garden of Eden. This is facilitated by a rich palette of plants.

The banks can be decorated with any flowers for flower beds:

• irises,
• dahlias,
• peonies,
• carnations,
• asters.

Flower garden design

It is better to take unpretentious plants that bloom all summer. To give preference to those that are distinguished by rich colors, for example:

• oak sage bright blue,
• seaside armeria pale pink,
• yellow shrub cinquefoil,
• lilac loosestrife,
• large-flowered red flax,
• clematis purple and snow-white,
• roses are peach, scarlet English and yellow.

Hornwort, bogwort and elodea will create a green wreath of the shore line from the side of the pond, but the real splendor will be given to the pond by the flowers floating on the surface of the water - watercolor, eichornia, water hyacinth, egg capsule, teleres, nymphaeum and water lily.

When arranging a beautiful flower garden, remember the rule: plants should not obscure the surface of the pond with their inflorescences. To admire the plants floating on the water surface, you can throw a miniature bridge across the pond, which will turn into a relaxation area and leisurely walks.

By arranging a comfortable resting place near the pond, you will create a comfortable, secluded space where you can forget about the everyday hustle and bustle and merge with nature.