Gordon’s Sunny Corner Turned Into A Calm Backyard Lounge
Gordon’s home in Murrays Bay already had a relaxed coastal feel – palms, lush planting, a sheltered fireplace, and a small deck off the house. What it did not have was a place you could comfortably sit for more than a few minutes.
On bright days the sun came straight in over the fence. On still evenings the heat from the outdoor fire disappeared into the open sky. The space looked good, but it was missing the layer of shade and shelter that makes an outdoor area feel like a real room.
A 3 x 3 m Baltic freestanding motorised louvre roof pergola is what tied it all together.
A simple frame that finishes the backyard
The Baltic pergola sits on the timber deck like a clean white frame:
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Four slim posts define the edges of the space.
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The louvre roof covers the full 3 x 3 m zone, perfectly centred over the outdoor sofa and chairs.
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The existing fireplace now sits just outside the frame, close enough to warm the seating area without crowding it.
Because the pergola is freestanding, it does not rely on the house for support. It sits where it works best for the garden layout, creating a separate destination in the backyard rather than just extending the eaves.
Why a 3 x 3 m Baltic pergola worked so well here
Gordon did not want to dominate the yard with a huge structure. The area needed to feel intimate, not oversized.
The 3 x 3 m Baltic hits the sweet spot:
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It is large enough to cover a corner sofa and a couple of extra chairs.
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It still leaves planting, pathways, and the fireplace visible, so the garden does not feel boxed in.
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The compact footprint means the pergola reads as a cosy nook rather than a full outdoor room trying to compete with the house.
With the louvres closed, the whole sitting area is shaded and protected. With them open, the pergola becomes a light, airy frame that filters the sun without blocking the sky.
Motorised louvres for Auckland’s stop–start weather
On the North Shore, weather can change several times in a single afternoon. Gordon wanted the space to keep up with that, not fight it.
The motorised louvre roof makes the adjustments easy:
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On cool mornings he can angle the blades to let sunlight reach the seating.
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On bright, hot days a tap of the remote closes the roof, turning it into a solid canopy.
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If a brief shower passes through, there is no need to rush inside – the deck and cushions stay dry.
There is no wrestling with umbrellas or moving furniture around. The roof adapts to the day, not the other way round.
A bright, modern look that matches the house
The home itself has a clean, contemporary facade with white walls and large windows. Any new structure needed to feel like part of that architecture, not a bolt-on.
The Baltic pergola was finished to suit:
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The crisp white frame and louvres blend with the house cladding and boundary walls.
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Dark outdoor furniture adds contrast underneath, echoing the window frames and garden accents.
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Slim posts and squared edges keep everything looking light and modern, even in a small space.
From the living room looking out, the pergola reads as a white ceiling floating above the deck, connecting house and garden in one view.
Thinking about a backyard pergola for your place?
If you have a small deck or paved area that you like the idea of using more, but it is either too exposed or too hot, a compact freestanding pergola like Gordon’s Baltic can be enough to change that.
A 3 x 3 m motorised louvre roof:
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Gives you shade, shelter, and control in one neat footprint
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Works well in tighter backyards or side gardens
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Can be positioned exactly where it suits your layout, not just where the house allows
Share a rough sketch or measurements of your space and how you would like to use it, and we can help you explore whether a Baltic pergola is the right way to turn your backyard into a place you actually live in, not just look at.