A pergola in Powell and Knoxville, TN, often serves as more than a visual accent within an outdoor space. In our work as landscape designers, we approach a pergola as a structural element that directly influences comfort, light control, and how people use outdoor living areas throughout the day. Thoughtful pergola design helps regulate sun exposure, establish spatial organization, and support connections between patios, walkways, and surrounding plantings. Every pergola we design responds to how the space functions as a whole rather than standing alone as a decorative feature.