Gazebo Getaway

Build this outdoor retreat and transform your backyard into the ultimate summer escape

- BY CARMEN DE LA PAZ

The project team at Family Handyman recently joined forces to revamp an underused backyard, turning it into a modern, functional hub for outdoor living. The centerpiece? An airy gazebo that not only looks great but also offers a spacious area to relax, entertain and enjoy some shade on sunny days. This project was a true labor of love, requiring plenty of careful planning and coordination. With the proper permits pulled and materials delivered to the driveway, we were ready to get to work. Our step-by-step process walks you through the entire build. For additional photos and technical drawings, scan the QR code on the next page before you begin. Call in some extra hands, give yourself plenty of time to do it right, and remember: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was this gazebo!

1 POUR THE FOOTINGS

The gazebo’s four 6×6 posts sit on concrete footings, arranged in a square with 101½ in. between their centers (see diagram online). The faces of the posts must end up exactly 8 ft. apart—the deck and wall measurements depend on it. Use an 8-ft. board or layout jig to confirm proper spacing before you dig.

Dig the holes for the footings using a rented auger or a manual posthole digger. Each hole should be 48 in. deep and at least 8 in. wide. Using a reciprocating saw, cut 8-in. concrete form tubes to 48 in. and place them in the holes. Make sure each tube is seated in the bottom of the hole and flush to the soil level. If your site has a grade variance, make sure the tops of the tubes are level with each other (check with a board and a 6-ft. level).