These free-standing pavilions provide shelter in public spaces and large yards.

A gazebo is a freestanding, open garden structure, sometimes hexagonal or octagonal, with a roof.

Mostgazebosare constructed of wood or metal and have built-in seating inside the sheltered area.

White gazebo on side of hill surrounded by trees and shrubs

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

To add a sense of enclosure and privacy, latticework or outdoor curtains or drapes are sometimes used.

Read on to learn more about this unique structure.

What Is a Bandstand?

A bandstand is generally a rounded platform on which a band or an orchestra plays.

It can be in an indoor venue or outdoors usually with a roof and open sides.

Gazebo-like structures have been built for centuries.

The Egyptians built garden arbors tosupport grapes for wine and raisinsand to provide shelter like a gazebo.

At this time, such structures were primarily functional rather than decorative.

Greece and Rome

Gazebos can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome.

The Romans enjoyed theirprivate gardens as places to relax and entertain.

Garden gazebos were constructed as a beautiful outdoor feature and as a gathering place.

Elaborate gardens at churches and monasteries used gazebos as places for meditation or to establish a shrine.

In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, these sanctuaries were built in far-off areas of large estates.

The English practice of afternoon tea was enjoyed in gazebos or similar structures.

To establish a cozy hideaway add paving and a path leading to the area.

It will be beautiful to look at and a nice escape on your property.

Gazebos can be used for dining, entertaining, or as an extension of one’s outdoor living space.

Thedifference between a gazebo and a pergolacomes down to the roof structure.

Gazebos have enclosed roof systems whereas pergolas tend to have open slats that can let in the sun.

A gazebo is also a freestanding structure while a pergola is typically attached to the side of a house.