Pergolas are a popular and enduring feature of many Australian backyards. Generally, they are used to provide shade and shelter from inclement weather for decks, patios, and terraces. Pergolas are most commonly built from timber but they can also be made from metals such as steel and aluminium.

They range in style from a basic frame to highly ornate and intricately carved structures, and the style you choose is ultimately down to your personal preferences and also your budget. If you have a fairly small budget but you want your new pergola to be an eye-catching feature, then here are two ways you can simply and cost-effectively achieve this without breaking the bank.

1. Use lattice to make a feature of the roof

If you're building your pergola on a budget, then you may be opting for a simple clear or opaque poly-carbonate roof. These are really cost-effective as well as being light, easy to use, and quick to install. Unfortunately, they also look fairly basic and are not as attractive as more expensive types of pergola roofs.

Fortunately, there is a simple, fast, and effective way to make this simple style of roof into an attractive feature. Before the roof is installed by your contractor, have them attach a layer of fencing lattice or garden trellis over the top of the pergola. This can be painted whichever colour best suits your home's exterior and breaks up the expanse of plain poly-carbonate.

It will also provide your outdoor living space with slightly more shade and will create a pleasant, dappled light as the sunshine is filtered through the lattice or trellis. You may even like to allow aromatic and pretty climbing plants, such as the different varieties of jasmine or clematis, to thread their way around the lattice or trellis as they grow up from pots planted at the base of the pergola's frame.

2. Install a wall of shutters

Installing a wall of shutters on your new pergola is a great way to give it that extra something. You can buy inexpensive shutters from many hardware stores and stores that sell window dressings. Your contractor will be able to install them for you as they construct the pergola. This is a quick and easy job, so the added labour costs should be minimal.

Shutters are a great addition, because they look fantastic and they also offer flexibility and practicality in the way you use your new pergola. They allow you to control privacy, block out hot summer sun, and provide relief from cool winter winds and gusty rain. They also help to create the feeling of a having an outdoor living room instead of simply a covered outdoor area.

Building a pergola on a fairly tight budget doesn't mean that you have to make do with a simple and stark structure. With some easy adjustments, you'll be able to create a beautiful and welcoming space in your backyard.