How to Enclose a Small Gazebo with Recycled Fence Boards

21 July

Last year my dad and I moved a small wood storage structure that is in my backyard from the center of the yard to the corner.

I never knew what to call it... was it a pergola, a shed, or a gazebo? Well, after a little bit of research, I think it qualifies as a gazebo and today I'm sharing how I have made it look even more like a gazebo with some recycled materials and elbow grease.

How to Enclose a Small Gazebo with Recycled Fence Boards

Here is what it looked like when I bought the house.

You can read all about why I decided to move it and how we did it with only two people and no fancy large equipment here: How to Move a Pergola, Gazebo, or Shed.

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with it but today I'm sharing my process.

When I had my fence replaced a couple of months ago I had them leave the old boards for me. At the time, I didn't have a plan but I decided to keep them because I knew that even if I didn't use them, I'd be able to sell them (people like old fence boards for lots of upcycling and repurposing projects).

I decided to use these boards to enclose the gazebo on three sides so I got to work taking the boards off of the 2 x 4's. It was very strange but every section you see in this stack alternated between nails and screws. So in one section, the fence boards were screwed to the 2 x 4's, in the next section they were all nailed, then screwed, then nailed, etc.!!

I picked out the best boards and then had to cut some so they were all the same height.

To enclose the gazebo on three sides, I used the existing 4 x 4's and 2 x 4's on the structure to attach the boards to. Here I have finished covering the back of the gazebo.

I added more fence boards to the sides and then beefed up the 4 x 4's on the front.

I still have plenty of leftover boards for signs and other projects too!

The next day I painted. I did buy new paint for this project and I picked a buttery yellow color that is pretty close to my current house color and light grey for the floor and trim.

Once I had cleaned up, I went about making it pretty 😊 with some plants and decor.

I wanted to have some hanging planters on the sides, so I headed to Lowe's and shopped through their clearance section.

I love buying plants on clearance. They are usually marked way down and there is often nothing wrong with them... they may have stopped blooming or gotten a little dry, but with some love and attention, they will spring right back!

Here is what I got. Some of them are for other projects, the little grasses were marked down to only $1 each so I bought all of them!

I made some hanging baskets with potato vines and petunias. Potato vines are trailing plants so they will hang down over the sides of the planter soon.

I was able to make two of these for about the same price as one pre-made one at the store!

Inside the gazebo, I added an old bench that I found at the dump a few years ago, a little stool for a side table, and a "flowers" bucket to make a cute little sitting area.

I put the clearance pot of flowers in front of the pergola and used rocks from around my yard to hide the basic store pot and all the concrete blocks that hold the pergola up.

I love the way it looks and it was a great way to find a use for all these rocks... they aren't very attractive rocks but they look great here don't you think?

I created a little deck in the front of the gazebo with a pallet that was given to me, It just slid perfectly underneath the front of the pergola... like it was meant to be!

I used another fence board and screwed it to the front of the pallet so it matches.

I didn't have to do anything to this pallet (except the board across the front), it worked great just as it was because the boards are closer together than most pallets, and it matches the boards on the pergola floor!

Here is a before and after comparison. I think this area turned out pretty cute, what do you think?

I am planning to bring in some gravel to cover the bare dirt all around this area.

Once I saw the picture below, I realized that I should paint the peak sections grey as well... I'll be doing that this weekend.

There is a bonus to this project too, it created a perfect little hidden corner behind the gazebo to hide my project wood (fence boards, etc.)!

UPDATE: To see what happened to this gazebo a few years later, check out this post: Building a Backyard Shed - Former Wood Storage Area.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and got some inspiration! If you did, I'd love it if you'd share it!

PIN ME!

Comments by Blogger

Kim@Snug HarborJuly 22, 2016
You have such a great imagination. I really like the whole project!
Sam @ Living The Dutch DreamJuly 22, 2016
This is simply darling! I want one!!
https://www.vintagesouthernpicks.comJuly 22, 2016
Tania that is adorable. You are adding so much resale value to your house & oodles of curb appeal. You will enjoy looking at and using that pergola. What a great idea of reusing the fence boards too.
CeciliaJuly 22, 2016
Tania, that is adorable! I think you found the perfect use for the little building. I like it in the corner too! And the rocks look good around the edge. What fun!
NancyJuly 22, 2016
It's adorable! I love it and the pallet "deck" is perfect! How lucky that it fit right under there. Great job!
Linda @ A La CarteJuly 22, 2016
Tania I love it! What a cute little sitting area and just so darn cute!!
Donna WilkesJuly 22, 2016
I think you achieved maximum cuteness. I would love to grab a book and sit there reading. Plus your hiding nook in the back. I cannot imagine what the fence people thought when you asked for them to leave the old boards.
Thrifty Mom In BoiseJuly 22, 2016
Love, love, love it. Your little yard is coming right along. Can't wait to see what's next!
handmade by amaliaJuly 22, 2016
What a brilliant project! I could spend a very happy afternoon there, with a book and a cup of tea.
Amalia
xo
RuthAnne@ mayfairecottageJuly 23, 2016
You have created a very charming corner in your yard--hope you have time to sit in it and enjoy your handiwork!
Christine at Little BragsJuly 23, 2016
HI Tania, your pergola rocks, I love how you took advantage of an otherwise wasted space!!!! XOXOXO
Tania PelletierJuly 24, 2016
Thank you!
DianaJuly 26, 2016
Hi Tania--love you darling pergola and will be featuring it tomorrow at Vintage Charm :)