Finding a Shady Spot: 10 Shade Solutions for Any Yard

Summer is all about relaxing in the sun, but when the sun makes you wish for shade, you’ll want accessible outdoor shade outdoors rather than having to retreat indoors. There are several options for finding a shady spot: 10 shade solutions for any yard that range from temporary to permanent.

Natural Shade: Trees

Trees provide wonderful natural shade. Depending on the species, the shade could be dappled or solid. Trees also add natural beauty throughout the year, they invite songbirds to your backyard, and some trees even offer a perfect spot for hanging a swing or a hammock.

Strategically placed trees are a long term solution; if your outdoor living space isn’t already surrounded by mature trees, you’ll need to wait quite some time for natural shade, unless you want to invest in a mature tree or two.

Trellises, Lattice Screens, and Arbors

Use trellises, lattice screens, and arbors to filter late afternoon sun. These structures aren’t solid, so they allow some sunlight to filter through the slats. Trellises and lattice screens don’t provide direct overhead shade but can be installed on the side of a permanent shade structure or they can be used as stand-alone structures to provide shade from late afternoon sun, and to add privacy.

Trellises are wood, vinyl, or metal structures designed to support climbing plants or vines. Popular choices include roses, bougainvillea, trumpet vine, honeysuckle vine, grapes, ivy, or clematis. Latticework screens add some privacy but are structurally not designed to hold the weight of plants.

Arbors usually incorporate trellises on the sides; the central part is a passageway covered in climbing plants. Arbors can be large enough to shelter a bench, although they are most often used as a transition between two outdoor spaces.

Shade Sails and Umbrellas

Temporary shade offers flexibility to move shade to where you need it. They can be ideal for small spaces or for temporary shade for social gatherings.

Shade sails are a modern approach to the patio umbrella. Made from heavy-duty UV-resistant outdoor fabric, shade sails are available in a variety of colors and shapes with triangles and squares being most common. They can be installed to poles, the home, or even trees; they can be installed individually or in groups to create a unique and artistic shade solution where the supports don’t need to be close to the shaded area. They can withstand UV light and wind, but they do not repel rain and should be taken down seasonally as they cannot withstand heavy snow loads.

Patio umbrellas are free-standing with either a center or offset pole set in a sturdy base. Sometimes they are incorporated as part of a dining table. Offset poles offer the greatest positioning flexibility since the poles won’t interfere with patio furniture placement. Patio umbrellas are more vulnerable to heavy winds, and they may need to be repositioned frequently as the sun moves across the sky.

Awnings

Awnings attached to the home create a seasonal “covered porch” effect using a fixed frame or lateral arms and retractable canvas shades (modern styles are often acrylic-coated polyester-cotton blended fabrics often treated with UV-and mildew inhibitors).

Awnings come in a variety of colors and styles, including bold stripes reminiscent of early 20th century seaside resorts. Retractable awnings also come in a variety of sizes, which allow you to customize how much of your patio you want to shade.

Permanent Shade: Gazebos, Pergolas, and Pavilions

Permanent shade structures do so much more than keep you cool. They also become prominent focal points. Since they’re permanent, you simply step inside and enjoy instant shade.

Gazebos are considered the most romantic outdoor structure. Designed to be stand-alone, these structures are often hexagonal or octagonal, and their solid floor means they can be placed anywhere in the landscape. Their solid roof and open sides offer protection from both sun and rain. Add privacy and shade with curtains, roller shades, or trellises.

Pergolas are classic shade structures with open sides and an open roof of cross beams and a sturdy lattice. Pergolas do not offer protection from rain, but diffuse afternoon sun and allow hot air to escape easily. Add outdoor curtains or a trellis on the west side for extra sun protection in the afternoon. Pergolas do not have a floor, so they are meant to be built on a patio or on a gravel or flagstone surface.

A pavilion is essentially a pergola with a solid roof. Lacking a floor, it must be installed on a hard surface. Many people add a ceiling fan to help diffuse heat; and adding a trellis or lattice screen to the west side can help keep the space even cooler as the sun dips lower on the horizon.