Adding Dimension To The Workshop Door — Pergola Or Awning? (Two Options, Four Versions)
I absolutely love how my workshop is turning out. After we had it built, it was such a big, gray, plain box sitting in our backyard. I had a vision of turning it into something that looks like a cute little cottage in our backyard. I’m on my way towards that goal.
Just to remind you, here’s how it started out…
And here’s what it looks like after building shutters, painting the front door and adding a keypad lock, and the starting on the skirting.
It’s already such an improvement! I think the addition of window boxes and front steps will go a long way towards that cottage look that I want. But one thing that bothers me is the front door. In a perfect world, that front door would have a gable over it to cover the door and add a bit of visual interest to an otherwise very flat building facade. But building a gable over the door isn’t something I want to take on as a DIY project by myself for many reasons, and I don’t want to go to the expense of hiring someone to do it. I want to find a lower cost option to add some interest and depth to the doorway area.
I’ve been keeping my eyes open for options, and I’ve found two that I think would work. So I had my mom do a little photoshop magic for me so that I could see what they would look like on my workshop.
The first option is to add an awning. I looked at so many different types of awnings, from fabric to metal to acrylic. Bu there’s a cute little house in Waco that I drive by several times a week, and every time I drive by it, I think to myself just how adorable it is. The location isn’t great (on a very busy street, which is why I drive by it several times a week), but I love everything else about it. And one of the additions that adds so much character to the house is the addition of awnings above the windows. But these awnings appear to be made of wood. Even if they’re not made of wood, I could easily build something like that out of wood.
Here’s the house I’m talking about…
It’s winter now, so everything looks dead and dormant, but in the spring, when the grass is green and the Wandering Jew border is a gorgeous, vibrant purple, it’s just picture perfect. But I think it would be kind of plain and nondescript without the awnings. Those awnings are the single feature that turn it into such a cute, eye-catching little house.
So I asked my mom if she would try out the awning idea over the workshop front door. I asked her to do it two ways — one wide awning the width of the front steps (i.e., the opening in the skirting) so that the lights can be under the awning, and one narrower awning (just over the door) with the lights outside the awning.
Here’s the wide awning…
And here’s the narrow awning…
Of the two, I definitely like the wide awning better. But one issue I realized with an awning is that I have so little space between the top of the door and the facia board on the roof. You can see here just how little space there is…
So that doesn’t allow for much of an angle from front to back on the awning or I risk covering up too much of the front door. And while it would never be an issue for me since I’m so short, I don’t want other people having to duck or risk hitting their head on a wood awning to get into the front door of the workshop.
The second option is to add a pergola above the door. And since a pergola is flat, requires no angles, and therefore, can take up less space, this might be a better option in this particular case. Once again, I had my mom do two versions. The first is a wide pergola the width of the steps with the lights underneath, and the second is a door-width pergola with the lights outside.
Here’s a look at the wide version with the lights underneath…
And here’s a look at the narrow version with the lights outside…
One thing I love about the pergola idea is that I could use the same brackets (which I bought here — affiliate link) that I used on awning over the side door of the studio. I could use a smaller version since they come in many sizes, but I like the idea of having that cohesive look from one area to another.
So I’m about 90% sure that I want to go with the pergola idea. But what I’m not sure about at all is the width. I genuinely can’t decide if I like the wider version or the narrower version.
The narrower version is closer to what I have on the studio side door, but I don’t know that that matters since they’ll be completely different types of structures anyway. And I do like the idea of the pergola width matching the width of the front steps. That seems balanced to me. But when I look at them side-by-side, I think I like them both equally. So y’all tell me what you think. Or do you prefer the awning over the pergola?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I love the pergola idea! The wide one is my choice.
Second this.
Third this!
I think if your steps were in place it would be easier to choose. If you wanted to grow a vine over it would look awkward angling over from the step.
Either of the four options add great dimension.
I could always grow potato vine out of a pot sitting on the steps.
If you want to have plants grow on the pergola then the wide one will work best. How about a coral hibiscus?
I like the narrow pergola. It has a nice look to it and seems to fit the studio better.
I like the wider pergola. It enhances the door area. The narrower pergola makes the door look skinny.
Wider pergola…for me
Have you added vents for air circulation to the skirting around the bottom of your workshop?
I will be adding vents. I had to order them and just got them yesterday.
Good move! Oldest part of my house is on piers and rot caused by moisture under house has been a constant problem. Even treated 6” beams under porch had to be replaced within three years because water wasn’t being channeled away fast enough. French drains and gutter downspouts directed to drains have helped, but it’s a constant problem in Louisiana.
Pergola, narrower option.
Wide – width of the steps makes more sense to me.
The narrow pergola would be my choice.
I love the wide pergola! And I agree with the other commenter…having the steps there may make it look like it makes more sense.
I would have your mom do a mock up of those pergolas with the new steps in the picture. I think you could get a better idea of how it would look.
I came here to suggest this. I like the narrow one, but I think with the steps in place I would probably lean to the wider option.
Ditto.
This is also what I was thinking. Seeing the width of the steps would make it easier to choose.
I agree.
I think the scale of the smaller pergola looks more like the right proportions to my eye. Can’t wait to see what you end up doing!
Wide pergola.
Go wide!
I like the awning as it would provide some protection from any rain while unlocking the door.
Wide, no contest. The narrow one makes the whole structure look… can’t think of a different word… cheap.
I have enjoyed your blog for YEARS.
I like the wide pergola!
awning. It looks better and is cohesive with the other awning. (which I love and want for one of my north facing doors). Also, it’s more utilitarian than the pergola. Just my two cents that goes against the common opinion.
Wide pergola!!!
The wide pergola would be my choice.
The wider pergola! The more narrow one makes the door look small compared to the windows and shutters. The wider one makes the door more of a focal point.
I like the pergola instead of awning. Either size looks nice but lean to the narrower.
Hi, Kristi, I have loved reading your blog for years. It’s the best as I follow along on stuff I would never attempt!
I think the wide pergola would look the best once the stairs are in place. And it wouldn’t take long for a vining plant on either side of the steps to fill in overhead to provide protection that an awning would give from rain and that Texas sun.
Your 2025 is off to a terrific start! Keep crossing off items on your list.
Narrow pergola!
The wide pergola would be my choice but either one will look nice. I actually prefer the functionality of the awning but when you pointed out there much of an angle from front to back on the awning I took it out of consideration.
I prefer the pergola – and I prefer the wider versions of both options. To my eye the awning and pergola look like after thoughts when the light fixtures are outside.
I like the wide pergola, especially if you are going to grow something on it. I think the narrow one makes everything look too squished. The wide one allows all the elements to breathe. It’s looking beautiful!!
I vote definitely for one of the pergolas. With the awning, the angle will have to be so slight, it will barely register. You could possibly have vines coming from the window boxes? Or trellises either against the shed or actually holding up the pergola at right angles and coming to the steps or the ground.
Wider pergola.
The awnings on the house that you drive by are the old-fashioned metal ones. I keep hoping that they will come back into fashion since we get so much sun here in East Tennessee and the UV, and the heat load on the house. Enough said. I love the pergola, and the larger one. Don’t forget that your front stoop will be so much wider than it is now, you don’t want your pergola to feel dinky in lieu of the new steps. You can always top the pergola with a clear plexiglass that will help keep rain off while you are getting into the shop. Otherwise, I think it looks amazing, and I love the pergola.
Cheers!
I agree with Cheryl…. wide pergola with option to grow a vine from the ground or in pots (on the ground) and leave the porch free of clutter.
Definitely the Pergola! And I think why not make it larger and pour a slab to create a patio? It doesn’t have to be huge, but it would also give the workshop more substance, as if it’s been there a long time. A couple chairs or a bench, and some big potted plants would be so inviting!
I do love that idea, but I’m also trying to follow the landscape plan that Matt bought for me a couple of years ago as closely as I can. On that landscape plan, the designer put what looks like a round deck (just a few inches from the ground, presumably) that’s completely separate from the building. It’s in front of the workshop, but kind of off to the left of the front door towards the corner of the building. I’m looking forward to tackling that project in the future (maybe this spring when our cold-ish weather has passed or in the fall after the bedroom suite is finished). And then the plan shows a little sitting area on that round deck surrounded by at least one large tree and then lots of other plants.
The wide pergola looks best to me.
Wide, lights under and match steps.
I think the wide pergola creates the best balance!
I think you need to wait until you have the steps in and then photoshop it again. Pretty sure the wider will look better with the steps. I kinda wonder about how far down to drop the brackets. Your side door has them drop pretty far down, which I like, but I wonder what it would look like with the steps. So my vote is to hold off on that a bit. Last thing. There are pergolas that extend over the roof (the ends are angled to mirror the slant of the roof line, but they do not attach to the roof at all). I’m wondering if you could get a little more height that way.
Definitely wide pergola
I like the pergola and wide one.
I think the narrow pergola looks better between the windows/shutters. The width of the larger pergola looks similar in size to the window/shutter widths. Essentially there would be three similar widths running in a horizontal line on a small wall. The narrow pergola visually breaks up the horizontal line allowing the lights and gray siding to “appear” in conjunction with the pergola (and not be visually over powered by the wider pergola.) If the steps are white with finished skirting, they will visually disappear and won’t compete with the pergola.
Love your posts!
I wouldn’t add anything above the door. All options make the building look shorter and wider than it really is. There is so little space between the top of the door and the roof, adding anything makes it look cut off. I would love to see a mock up of the stairs and window boxes and then you can decide if it looks too busy or short when you add something above the door. Just my two cents.
I vote narrow pergola!
Wide pergola for the win!
Don’t get upset…different strokes for different folks, and it’s not my workshop…but I don’t like either the awning or the pergola for this particular door. I think that is because the space between the top of the door frame and the roofline is very narrow (it looks to be less than 12 inches), so both options look crammed into the space. In contrast, your side door into your studio looks lovely with its pitched awning because of the large space of siding above the door. And my opinion may also be influenced by my height because I’m 5’11”. I feel like I would bump my head every time I would walk through that doorway unless I ducked my head, which would very quickly become annoying. Once you get your landscaping installed around the workshop, it will be the warm cottage that you envision. Your decision, your workshop.
I agree. I think putting anything there draws attention to the narrow space. As an average height person I wouldn’t be worried about bumping into it, but it doesn’t look right to my eye.
I definitely vote for the wider pergola. First, it matches the door to the studio. Second, when you view the wide vs narrow side by side, the narrow one looks stingy.
I like the balance of the wider. AND if you wanted to hang a flowering plant basket from it (I’m always looking for ways to add flower power!) It wouldn’t knock into the person going in the door.
Definitely the pergola! Can you photoshop in some steps the width and look of what yours will be when finished to see if that helps you decide?
I like the wide awning and it serves to protect you from rain or snow as you enter the shop. But if you go with pergola I prefer the wide.
I like the wider pergola option-it seems to give it more… breathing room if that makes sense?
Pergola – go big!
Soo I’m leaning for a pergola. If you need weather protection you’ll get it in the carport.
I see there’s lights and support for something sharing tge same space. I’d descide the scale and focus next: lights or support to drive the next decion. If you want an oversized light with a bunch of detail- narrow. If you got a small fixture already chosen and fits with large support, then go wide.
My opinion is no pergola or awning. Just add lights.
I agree!
Definitely wider. I just think it fits better.
The pergola seems more cottage style. The awning feels more midcentury bungalow style to me. I, too, like the consistency with your studio door.
The pergola seems like it would integrate with future garden elements as well.
Looking lovely.
Wider pergola – & play around with light type and placement — you could even have not-very-visible downlights on the pergola instead for a cleaner look. And you could put something clear over the pergola to provide rain protection if that matters to you.
The skirting looks great. I vote for the Wide Pergola but I wonder if it will make the building look short/fat/cluttered once you get the larger steps in and flower boxes at the windows and the shutters? Can you ask your mom to mock it up to see what it looks like?
I love a pergola over an awning any day and having the lights inside looks better than out.
Wide pergola.
Of the two, I like the narrow version of the pergola. You may have addressed this and I missed it, but could you do an awning exactly like you did for the side door of your studio? You’ve worked hard to ensure the workshop “matches” your home. Having the same type of awning would only add to the cohesive look, IMHO. 🙂
There’s nothing to attach it to. The one on the studio is built on the gable end of the studio with plenty of high exterior wall space to attach an awning to. The workshop doesn’t have that.
I like the wider pergola with the brackets outside of the lights.
I’m on team wide pergola. Don’t like awnings, they just look too old fashioned to me. Has to be wide so it doesn’t make the shop look chopped and fat/bulgy. Hope that makes sense. 😁
I mean awnings like you drive by, not your house awnings.
I love the awning you built, but for your workshop, I vote for the large awning.
Narrower. With the lamps, it covers the width of the steps. The wider one looks too top heavy. However, were you to use the pergola as a support for vine or climbing roses, I would go with the wider one so that the vine goes up fairly straight from the outside of the steps and lights.
I read all the comments and looked hard at the photos. I think I wouldn’t use either awning or pergola. they both make the door look short & out of proportion to the windows. I lean more towards adding more white trim above the door to give the door more prominance. Maybe a modified pediment or just beefy trim like you have above your inside doors.
What a great solution! Love this idea
I like the wider pergola best, especially as it seems to suit the lights better. Somehow the shorter pergola causes the lights to look like an afterthought to me, and doesn’t look as cohesive.
Love the pergola design too 😍
Anything between the door and the roof just draws attention to the roof, which isn’t what you want to feature. Even with all the other pretty things you have planned, placing something over the door will still be unsettling.
The sconces will help if they are placed wide. The deck and landscaping you’re planning will bring the eye down and make a huge difference.
Do you have drainage planned? Without gutters, rain will pool against the skirting…maybe the ground is already sloped away from the building and I can’t see it.
I would come up with a temporary solution until the landscaping…
I love the pergola idea!! I love the wider one!!!
I like the wider pergola, but is there a reason you could not make the underside of it be at the same height as the roof? I realize it’s just inches, but who says it has to be level with the roof? That seems to block the door a bit.
I love the idea of moving it up and gaining those few inches!
Wider is better. I have 2 awnings over 2 patio doors which protect them from rain. They can also be dropped down and anchor to the building for protection. Had hurricane style when I lived the Keys. They are called Clamshell Awnings. Price was reasonable at $600-700/ea. I got mine out of Tampa but there may be a supplier along the TX coast. I am thrilled with mine. They actually look very similar to the house you see a couple times a wk but mine are white.
Wide pergola definitely looks classier. Smaller size looks too cluttered with lights. Can’t wait to see the finished products. Always enjoy your projects!
The wider pergola to me creates a more balanced look on the front, causing the lights to be spread out wider and creating a solid, weightier look overall, especially with the steps added; less pre-fab and more custom than the narrower size with the door and two windows basically all the same width. (Just my 2 cents; you are the one who gets to see it every day!)
I think either one would work but a black rod iron hand rail would also be nice. Plus for safety’s sake, at least one rail.
What if you added gutters and downspouts and then extended the pergola all the way across, instead of just over the door?
I would go the extra expense and mimic the studio sidedoor, gable and all. So much charm, and the shed company would probably sell you matching shingles. The entry would appear taller and inviting, not squatty. I would also extend the width 6″s past each side of the steps. You would smile everytime you see it. Here’s to happy building.
Wide pergola – such a cute idea!
I like the wider pergola myself. It feels like it creates a more generous, welcoming feeling to me.
I think an awning would be more useful. I understand that there are restrictions witht he height of it. Would you consider a canopy like the ones in the link below? You can have one made, using the shallowest brackets put upside down and having someone make the canopy itself.
https://www.garden-requisites.co.uk/products/door-canopies/
Wide pergola!!!
I prefer the wide pergola for your shed. Very pretty!
Definitely the wider version the short version doesn`t look right with the shutters,,,