Shade Ideas 2023 – Prepare Your Outdoor Space for the Summer Heat

As the days get longer and the weather is getting warmer, we feel this instant urge to spend more time outdoors. As pleasant as it may be to lay out in the sun and absorb the natural vitamin D, it’s essential that we remember the negative effects direct exposure to sunlight can have on our skin. Also, outdoor spaces can become quite uncomfortable during the warm seasons if there isn’t a good shade for you to hide under and cool down from the high temperatures. If you’re in the process of renovating your outdoor areas, or you’ve just bought your first home and are looking for inspiration for your upcoming construction projects – you’ve come to the right place. Regardless of whether you have a big garden, a patio, a balcony, or anything in between, we’ve selected a number of shade ideas you can browse through and take the initial steps towards creating your own idyllic relaxation spot for the warm seasons.

Shade Ideas for Patio

There are many houses on the market that usually come with a decking of some sort or a patio, however very rarely do they have any sort of shading. Let’s be honest, with all the time, effort, and resources you put into furnishing both the indoors and outdoors of your home, investing in a shade is probably not at the top of your list, so you just end up buying a large patio umbrella. Well, it’s time to let the umbrella go and build something that’s going to bring a much more well-rounded and elegant appearance to your patio. Let’s take a look at some of the latest trends provided by expert landscape designers.

Patio Awning

A retractable patio awning is a great and functional way to create a shady spot in your outdoor space. The benefit of having a retractable awning is that you don’t need to commit to a permanent structure as they are very easy and quick to attach and detach if you ever feel like a change. Awnings come in many different colors and designs, so you can easily incorporate them into the design of your exterior. They’re usually made out of mildew-resistant acrylic fabrics with solid steel frames, so you don’t have to worry about the wind blowing your shade away in the opposite direction.

Patio Pergola

This beautiful wooden pergola with angled slats is not only incredibly durable, but also functional. The angled beams of the pergola allow for just enough sunlight to come through them to illuminate the area with a soft, natural glow, while also dispelling the heat from the sun.

Tranquil Patio Gazebo

If you want to create an intimate secluded area in your outdoor space, an excellent way to do that is by installing a gazebo structure. They are incredibly easy to assemble, and you can find many different colors and variations on the market which are also quite affordable compared to other outdoor shading options.

Shade Ideas for Garden

If you don’t have a patio and want to create a designated relaxing area in your backyard that’s hidden from the piercing sunbeams – we got you! There are so many design possibilities when it comes to garden design, and we can’t wait to tell you about all the creative ways you can create a shaded spot in your outdoor space.

Foliage Pergola

What better way to immerse yourself in the surrounding nature than building a dazzling foliage pergola in your backyard?  You can incorporate trees, roses, and vines that will create a thick shade keeping you in a cool, breezy shade away from the sun’s rays.

Canvas Curtains

Building a wooden pergola with curtain covers is a stunning way to create some privacy in your outdoor space. It will not only hide you from the sun but also make you feel like you’re living in a romantic novel at a summer villa in Provence with the dreamy feel that the white drapes so effortlessly create.

Shade Ideas for Balcony

Balconies are typically way smaller than gardens which creates certain limitations when it comes to building a shading construction. It has to be somewhat coherent with the design of the building that you occupy, practical, and easy to disassemble. Another purpose of the balcony shade is to create some privacy from snoopy eyes. Here are some of our suggestions for balcony shade that will help you create a cozy outdoor atmosphere without breaking the bank!

Balcony Sail Shade

Sail shades are effortless, budget-friendly, and most importantly easy to assemble way of creating some shade on your balcony. They’re great for not only protecting your outdoor space from unwanted sun rays but also rain.

Balcony Curtains

This creative balcony shade idea uses a metal construction and rattan curtain to create a beautiful soft shadow. You can buy a longer curtain which you can adjust depending on the amount of privacy and shade you would like to have.