Photo is illustrative. Last updated 8 October 2026.
Unley is about 2 km south of the Adelaide CBD, and pergolas in Unley often have to fit two things at once: an older home with plenty of character, and a backyard that is smaller than those in the outer suburbs. Getting both right is mostly about proportion and planning.
Designing for character homes
Unley has developed since the mid-1800s, and a lot of its streetscape is made up of older homes with distinctive roofs, verandahs and detailing. A new outdoor structure looks best when it respects that.
A few principles we follow:
- Match the roof language. A pitched or gable roof often sits better against an older home than a flat, modern profile.
- Keep the scale right. Oversized posts and beams can overwhelm a modest cottage or villa.
- Pick colours that belong. Colorbond colours, timber stains and post finishes should suit the existing house.
A timber pergola is a common choice for this reason, though slim steel pergolas can also suit if they are detailed carefully.
Verandahs Unley homes can carry well
Many older homes already have a front verandah, and a rear verandah built to the same style can tie the back of the house together. We build attached verandahs with flat or pitched roofs, designed to meet the existing roofline neatly.
Front verandahs and anything visible from the street deserve extra care, because heritage or character overlays may apply.
Making a compact yard work harder
Smaller backyards are common in Unley. With less room to play with, every decision counts.
- Boundaries. Structures close to a boundary need careful planning around drainage, height and neighbours.
- Access. Narrow side paths affect how materials get to the back, which we factor into planning.
- Flooring. A low deck can level out uneven ground and step straight out from the back door.
- Light. A partly open roof can stop the back rooms of the house going dark under a new structure.
Staging the work
Inner-suburb projects often happen in stages. You might want a deck now and a roof over it later, or a rear verandah first and a front one down the track. Tell us your longer-term plan at the measure. We can set out footings and post positions so later additions fit cleanly, and the itemised quote can list each stage separately so you can see what each part involves.
Planning ahead this way also helps if approval is needed, because the drawings can show the whole design from the start. It also avoids the common problem of a second structure that does not quite line up with the first.
Heritage, council and approvals
Unley is in the City of Unley. Some parts of the area have heritage or character overlays, and approval requirements depend on your property and the structure. Check with the council or PlanSA before committing to a design. Our guide to pergola council approval in South Australia covers the general rules, and we can help prepare drawings.
Ideas to start with
If you are still deciding what you want, our pergola ideas for Adelaide homes is a good place to look at styles before we visit.
Nearby
We also work in neighbouring Goodwood and across the inner suburbs.
To get started, call 0485 008 292 or send the quote form. We will reply within 24–48 hours to arrange a measure, then provide a written, itemised quote.