Having a patio with furniture, a barbecue grill, and fire pit can provide a fun place to be during the day and an extra space for family time. However, during the day, it is often too bright and warm to spend much time there. This is when you need to add a little more shade to the area to enjoy the view without all the added heat. Here are some different ways to get more shade on your patio.
Install an Awning
Patio awnings are a great way to have more shade on the patio, as well as adding another decorative element to the space. There are different types of awnings depending on your needs. If you always want shade from the awning, hanging a simple canvas awning works just fine. This is a budget-friendly option and provides you with a variety of colours and patterns to choose from. If you have a little more money to spend, you can have a retractable awning installed, which you can control with the push of a button, allowing more light and heat to come onto the patio when needed or opening it up when you want shade.
Get a Pergola
A pergola can provide about the same amount of shade as an awning, but it covers your patio instead of just being installed against a window or the side of your home. This is a full archway frame, often made of wood or similar materials, that provides filtered light while also decreasing direct sunlight and heat on the patio. The pergola can cover the entire patio, or you can get a smaller one that only covers the outdoor dining area or the sitting space for some extra shade in those areas. Add more interest by planting climbing vines on the side walls of the pergola.
Use a Shade Umbrella
This is not like your typical table umbrella that only shades the outdoor table area. It is a much larger umbrella use specifically for shading the patio. You will place it in the ground near the edge of the patio where your yard begins. It can shade a very large area, often exhibiting the look of an oversized parasail. Shade umbrellas often have a strong steel base so that wind or other weather conditions won't knock it down. These are also good when you want shade near the edge of your patio where an awning might not reach.
Plant Tall Trees
Plants and trees can also provide more shade to your patio in a natural way. For example, tall trees where the branches and leaves often tower over you, such as a wisteria tree, are great for providing additional shade. You can also plant tall bushes or even container trees on the patio to get a little more shade.
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