Gazebo for the back yard?

[smiles33]

DH and I have some great patio furniture we received as a wedding present 3 years ago, but we've never had space for a full umbrella.

Now that we have a large yard, we're thinking of putting up a gazebo. We've been seeing these everywhere (Lowe's, Target, Brookstone). The prices vary significantly and I've seen lots of different options (e.g., a built-in bar, mosquito netting, decorative metal support "legs").

Anyone have one? Do you recommend yours? What should we be looking for?

Here are a few that I've found that I like:

http://www.ewins.com/images//1/WF%2050104148.jpg

http://www.brookstone.com/bs_assets/images/shop/large_300/490896_p.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00068V8S4.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001A9C94.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Delaney21]

My parents just got one of the gazebos with the netting. I would definitely get one with the netting if you live in an area with a lot of bugs. We had a BBQ last night and the gazebo was great, I'm going to be getting one for my house now too.

[eli1126]

In our new house DH and I will have one similar to picture #1, but with the netting. I am excited because I would love to sit out and read or entertain, but hate bugs!! We are looking for patio furniture to go in it, but don't want to pay $800.00 for one :( We will probably just get a small set for this year and when we see something we like (on sale in the Fall :D ) will buy a nicer one then.

Beth

[Hangin'in]

I saw this gazebo set up the other day.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00068V8S4.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

They had put down concrete paver stones ~2 ft x2 ft with about 2 inches of grass between the pavers. The gazebo was placed on top of the concrete paver "floor". They had really nice looking wood furniture with big comfy cushions.... It really looked fab and the pavers really anchored the gazebo.

[smiles33]

Thanks for all the responses! I will definitely look for one with mosquito netting since we both hate bugs and I know we have mosquitos around here.

We're still debating what size, as we have the patio furniture set up in an octagonal section of our patio that is slightly raised and offset from the main patio. It measures 8-12 feet wide, depending on the edge you measure from. Thus, the support beams on a 10' wide gazebo wouldn't fit but would be off the patio in the grass or the surrounding lower patio.

I'm thinking of also getting a market umbrella, as I just bought a hammock and hammock stand (what I've ALWAYS wanted since I was a kid since I love reading). Anyone have recommendations on features I should look for in a regular market umbrella?

[megc1]

Bumping for more recommendations! DH and I almost bought one last year at Targe but we didn't know how sturdy they were. Is it necessary to spend the extra money or is a $200 gazebo okay too?

[c'est la vie]

My neighbor bought one of those for $200 and it got blown away by high winds and broke. Maybe it wasn't attached to the ground correctly; maybe it was just very flimsy.
I saw this one over at Sam's Club and loved it. It's $934 but looks sturdy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/vitaminada/0082484906023_L4.jpg
Now this is my favorite and probably the one we're getting:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/vitaminada/0069113518805_L4.jpg