Every plan in the Beginner tier is sized to be approachable without sacrificing the structural integrity needed to last decades outdoors. No prior carpentry experience needed. Uses dimensional lumber, basic fasteners, and standard hand and power tools.
If you're brand new to outdoor woodworking, start with a small arbor or privacy screen. Both let you practice setting posts in concrete, cutting dimensional lumber square, and using a level — the three skills that make every subsequent build easier. From there, an attached pergola is a natural next step because the wall ledger eliminates two of the four post footings.
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Farmhouse Pergola
Cypress · One weekend
Modern Cube Gazebo
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Open Air Screened Gazebo
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Saltbox Pergola
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Toolshed Overhang Lean-To Shelter
Mahogany · One weekend
Mission Pergola
Composite (Trex / Azek) · One weekend
Saltbox Pergola
Redwood · One weekend
Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Modern Black-Frame Privacy Screen Trellis
Composite (Trex / Azek) · One weekend
Bandstand Gazebo
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Craftsman Pergola
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Modern Cube Gazebo
Mahogany · One weekend
Modern Cube Gazebo
Black Locust · One weekend
Cantilevered Pergola
Redwood · One weekend
Gabled Pergola
Cypress · One weekend
Mission Pergola
Redwood · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Redwood · One weekend
Cantilever Single Post Shade Sail Frame
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Dutch Gable Pavilion
Black Locust · One weekend
Farmhouse Pergola
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Firewood Shelter Lean-To Shelter
Mahogany · One weekend
Firewood Shelter Lean-To Shelter
Black Locust · One weekend
Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis
Mahogany · One weekend
3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Redwood · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
White Oak · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
White Oak · One weekend
Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame
Mahogany · One weekend
Hot Tub Pavilion Pavilion
Cypress · One weekend
Arched-Top Pergola
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Arched-Top Pergola
Black Locust · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Mahogany · One weekend
Bandstand Gazebo
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Cantilevered Pergola
White Oak · One weekend
Gabled Pergola
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Modern Slatted Pergola
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Tuscan Stone-Column Pergola
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Gabled Pergola
Mahogany · One weekend
Hot Tub Pavilion Pavilion
White Oak · One weekend
Modern Slatted Pergola
White Oak · One weekend
Timber Frame Pavilion
Mahogany · One weekend
Hot Tub Pavilion Pavilion
Mahogany · One weekend
3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame
Cypress · One weekend
5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame
Cypress · One weekend
Sail-and-Rafter Hybrid Shade Sail Frame
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Japanese Torii Arbor
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Pergola Archway Arbor
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Farmhouse Gate Arbor
Mahogany · One weekend
Japanese Torii Arbor
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis
Black Locust · One weekend
Trellis-Side Arbor
Cypress · One weekend
Farmhouse Gate Arbor
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Trellis-Side Arbor
Pressure-Treated Pine · One weekend
Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor
Redwood · One weekend
Trellis-Side Arbor
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Toolshed Overhang Lean-To Shelter
Cypress · One weekend
Farmhouse Gate Arbor
Black Locust · One weekend
Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis
Western Red Cedar · One weekend
Living Wall Planter Privacy Screen Trellis
Douglas Fir · One weekend
Modern Black-Frame Privacy Screen Trellis
Black Locust · One weekend
Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter
Black Locust · One weekend
Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter
White Oak · One weekend