Size the usable interior
The dimension between posts matters more than the outside roof dimension. Confirm clear space for furniture, movement, cooking, and doors.
Watch the height
Too low can feel cramped; too high can weaken shade and make the structure feel detached from the activity below.
Relate it to the building
Window heads, eaves, roof pitch, wall height, and nearby architecture provide useful reference lines.
Leave breathing room
Property boundaries, landscaping, drainage, steps, utilities, and access all need space around the structure.