In a small town outside of Dallas, Texas, the Wilson family had a front yard that looked… fine. Just a lawn, a couple of bushes, and a porch they barely used.
But with the kids growing up and neighbors hanging out more outdoors, they started thinking: What if we actually made this space somewhere we wanted to be?
That thought turned into a project that completely changed how they use their home.
Dan and Emily Wilson live with their teenage son and their dog, Max. They both work full-time, but in the evenings and on weekends, they just want to chill — without feeling stuck inside.
Their front yard had potential. It was a nice, open space with a clean layout. But there was zero shade, and Texas sun isn’t something you sit under for long.
“We’d sit on the porch for five minutes, and that was it,” Dan said. “Too hot, too bright. We needed something better.”
The yard itself wasn’t the issue — it was well-shaped and easy to work with. The real problem?
Direct sun all day
No shade or cover
Couldn’t use the space for anything
Didn’t want high-maintenance wood or fabric setups
The Wilsons didn’t want to deal with yearly staining, replacing torn canopies, or flimsy patio sets. They wanted something clean, permanent, and solid.
We helped the Wilsons install a custom aluminum pergola that gave their front yard a whole new purpose.
Heavy-duty aluminum frame — won’t rust, rot, or crack in the Texas sun
Motorized canopy — provides shade when you need it, opens up for stargazing at night
Built-in wind sensor — automatically closes if the wind picks up
Modern design — matched their home’s trim color for a clean look
LED lights — so they can hang out even after sunset
15-year warranty — and no yearly upkeep needed
Now, the Wilsons sit out front almost every night. They sip coffee in the morning, read in the evenings, and even have friends over for front-yard happy hour.
“It’s like having a second living room,” Emily said. “People driving by actually slow down to check it out.”
“It turned our front yard into a real part of the house. We use it every day — no exaggeration.”
What if my yard is a standard square or rectangle?
Perfect — that makes it even easier to design something clean and sharp.
Is this better than a wood pergola?
Way better. Aluminum doesn’t rot, doesn’t need stain, and holds up in wind and rain.
Can I still use it when it rains?
Yep. The canopy is water-resistant, and with the right angle, rain runs off smoothly.
The Wilsons didn’t tear up their whole lawn or spend months remodeling. One pergola turned their plain yard into their favorite hangout spot — and it can do the same for you.
More and more homeowners are creating cozy, social spaces in their front yards instead of hiding in the back.
What do you think — is the front porch making a comeback?
Drop a comment and tell us how you’d use your front yard if it felt more like a living space.
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