How to Keep Cool in Your Backyard All Summer Long
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Whether you have a tiny suburban plot or a big, rambling back yard, you want to make the most of your outdoor space. That means maximizing the time you can spend outdoors. Sure, sometimes, you want to enjoy the warmth of the sun, such as on chilly autumn days. But on hot, sunny days, these backyard shade ideas will help you get more enjoyment from your deck, patio, and garden.
Think about short and long-term solutions. If you don’t have large shade trees, consider planting one as an investment in your property. Many small or dwarf trees, which max out at 10 to 15 feet tall, still can provide ample shade for backyard activities. And all trees are a great contribution to your own comfort, as well as providing beauty, curb appeal, shelter and food for pollinators and wildlife.
Other shade solutions include permanent installations of awnings, gazebos, arbors, and pergolas. These can be installed professionally, or you can DIY one with a kit or basic building skills. They don’t have to be complex. Costco's viral party porch is potentially the easiest home renovation project you'll complete all summer, according to shoppers.
If you need shade immediately, opt for simple solutions such as patio umbrellas; they’re available in an array of size and shapes from traditional round to rectangular. Finally, pop up canopies provide instant results for those times when you need shade ASAP for a family party or last-minute cocktail hour with friends.
Ahead, here are our favorite ways at all price points to add shade to your back yard:
Plant Shade Trees
A natural, long-term solution, of course, is to plant trees. If you're looking for shade in a relatively short time (say, five or six years down the road), opt for fast-growing trees such as red maples, sugar maple, Japanese zelkova, or crape myrtle. These aren't messy trees or trees that are invasive. Just make sure the tree you choose is suited to survive winters in your USDA Hardiness zone (find your zone here).
Read more: 11 Best Pink Flowering Trees for Your Yard
Hang a Shade Sail
Shade sails attach to the house and a pole or two to provide a semi-permanent solution for shade cover. They come in a variety of shapes including triangular, square, or rectangular and are easy to fold flat and store off-season.
Build a Gazebo
Obviously, this more of a long-term solution, but if you have a bare expanse of lawn, consider a gazebo. It will offer shade, as well as provide a striking focal point in your garden.
Invest in a Screened House
If you're always getting eaten alive by insects, a screened house, like Costco's viral party porch, can offer shade and bug protection. Many can be set up and dismantled after the season is over, before cold or snowy weather arrives.
Install a Loggia
A loggia is a covered space that's attached to your house, running down one side of the structure. It often has a solid roof but is not completely enclosed, like a sun room. But it's another way to make the most of your exterior space.
Put Up a Pergola
A pergola adds privacy and some shade; it can have open slats or may include retractable sail shades for increasing or decreasing the shade level as the day goes on. They're usually constructed of wood, steel, or aluminum and may be permanently installed or used seasonally.
Set Up a Patio Umbrella
Patio umbrellas are incredibly versatile. You can find them in every size to accommodate a small bistro set or a large dining table. Or you can set up more than one for each area of patio or deck that needs shaded.
Lounge in an Outdoor Day Bed
An outdoor daybed is the ultimate in decadent lounging! With a retractable awning, you'll be able to enjoy your outdoor space in sun or shade.
Upgrade to a Retractable Awning
Old-school metal awnings were a favorite of our grandparents. But these canvas awnings retract and stow neatly against the house when not in use.
Use an Offset Umbrella
Offset, or cantilever umbrellas, provide a large amount of shade and don't require an umbrella table to hold them in place. The stand sits off to one side of your space so it's not taking up too much real estate on the deck or patio.
Grow Vines
Why not let greenery do the work of providing shade? Train fast-growing vines such as jessamine, bouganvillea, or kiwi vine up a trellis or small arbor to screen a view while adding shade at the same time. Just make sure the vine is suited to your USDA Hardiness zone so it will survive winters in your area.
Treat Your Pet to a Shade Shelter
Pets need shade, too! A pop-up shelter gives your fur babies some shade to lounge about in when you're outside with them.
DIY Shade with Reed Mats
Adding reed mats to an existing open pergola adds a tropical vibe, while giving you better coverage from the sun. They can be removed easily when attached temporarily with ties or plastic zip ties.
Consider an Arbor
An arbor doesn't have to be huge. This one is spacious enough to provide shade over a bench or bistro table and chair set.
Portable Sun Umbrella
Sometimes you need portable shade. This sturdy umbrella has SPF50 protection so you can get temporary coverage anywhere you need it in your backyard. It's also great for travel.
Portable Sun Umbrella
$59.99
amazon.com
Pop Up Canopy Tent
This 10x10 pop up canopy tent is a quick solution that provides instant shade for backyard parties or family meals. It can be installed by one person, and it comes with a case for off-season storage.
Pop Up Canopy Tent
$119.99
amazon.com
Best ChoiceScreen House Pop Up Gazebo
This portable pop up gazebo provides instant shade anywhere you need it in your back yard. The mesh screens protect you from bugs, too. It's also small enough to take with you to the beach or on camping trips.
Screen House Pop Up Gazebo
$159.99
wayfair.com
LeedorHang Outdoor Drapes
If you already have a cabana or pergola but need more sun-blocking capabilities, hang a set of outdoor drapes. They provide shade, privacy, and a sense of romance to the space. Make sure they're washable.
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