Backyard Shade Solutions to Maximize Your Outdoor Space

Whether you want to use your backyard for entertaining friends or relaxing with family, having an adequate amount of shade is a must. This is especially true during the hot summer months or if you live in a climate where it’s warm year-round. 

If your outdoor space is lacking shade, don’t worry. From affordable options like an umbrella to bigger investments such as a covered patio, there are plenty of backyard shade solutions to consider. Keep reading to discover and shop our favorite backyard shade solutions. 

From your front porch to your back deck and everything in between, we can help you visualize all aspects of your home’s exterior. We even offer a package for homeowners who just want help picking paint colors. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services. 

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Wood frame pergola

We love incorporating pergolas into our exterior designs. We use them over patios, entryways, outdoor dining areas, and even garage doors. Pergolas are also one of our go-to backyard shade solutions. 

In the design above, we placed a pergola over a small section of the deck. This simple pergola has a wood frame that matches the decking and lintels above most of the home’s windows. While the rest of the outdoor space in this rendering is uncovered, the addition of the pergola offers a bit of shade. 

Whimsical pergola

In this backyard design, the pergola is much more prominent. The white pergola pops against the green siding and matches well with the home’s trim. The pergola provides shade for anyone relaxing in the lounge area or eating at the table to the left. The string lights hanging from the pergola and the greenery climbing up it add a whimsical touch to this backyard design. 

Modern pergola

If you can’t stand the heat in your outdoor kitchen, build a pergola. That’s exactly what we suggested for the owner of the home above. This custom pergola features the same modern columns seen on the far left side of the home and wood slats that tie into the other wood elements in the design. 

By putting a pergola over this kitchen and dining space and using flagstone for the flooring instead of the wood decking used for the fire pit area, we define the zone and make it feel like its own outdoor room.

Poolside pergola

With its light gray frame and white canopy, this pergola almost blends into the white siding behind it. This shade structure covers the lounge area at the end of the pool, adding to the resort-like vibe of this backyard. The open frame allows for a full view of the pool, but the canopy still provides plenty of shade.

Metal roof awning

Awnings are another shade solution we turn to frequently in our work. A metal roof awning like the one in the design above is relatively easy and affordable to install. This awning is placed overtop a cozy outdoor lounge area, providing protection from the elements. We mirrored this awning on the left side of the home but opted for shingles instead of metal to match the house’s roof.

P.S. Curious how an awning differs from a pergola, trellis, or arbor? Learn all about these design terms and others here.

Freestanding structure

This home’s existing back patio had minimal shade. To fix that, we suggested covering a large section of it with a freestanding metal roof structure. The wood columns and beams match the new decking, and the stone column bases tie into the stone siding seen throughout the design. We also hung a ceiling fan from the new covering for better airflow.

Spanish-inspired gazebo

This client said a lack of shade was one of the biggest issues she had with her existing backyard. We designed this modern gazebo and outdoor living space, complete with a sectional, TV, fireplace, and kitchen. The structure’s terracotta roof is in line with the client’s desired “modern Spanish” aesthetic and adds a pop of color.

Black umbrella

If building a pergola or installing an awning seems like too much work, opt for an umbrella instead. Umbrellas still offer plenty of shade at an affordable price. Plus, they come in all sorts of colors and styles, so you can pick one that perfectly fits your design preferences and aesthetic. 

The black umbrella above provides the perfect amount of shade for anyone sitting in the lounge chairs beneath it. Umbrellas are a great option because most of them, including the one above, can easily be moved around to different locations in your yard.

Beige umbrella

The beige umbrella seen in the design above is another one of our designers’ favorites. The canopy is water-, fade-, and mildew-resistant, and the metal hand crank makes opening and closing the umbrella easy. It even has built-in lights for nighttime poolside lounging.

Striped patio umbrella

If you want to infuse your outdoor oasis with some beachy vibes, consider this patio umbrella with black-and-white cabana stripes. This umbrella also features fade-, mold-, and mildew-resistant fabric and a smooth-turning hand crank. 

We included some matching throw pillows on the chairs surrounding the fire pit and two black-and-white patterned rugs on the deck that complement the umbrella’s design.

P.S. Want more inspiration for your pool area? Shop our favorite pool furniture here, and check out these pool house and lounge area ideas. 

Teepee-style tent

While this design features a pergola (we told you they’re one of our favorite structures!), we want to draw your attention to the other shade solution we used. The teepee-style tent to the left of the walkway is a fun way to create shade within your outdoor space. It also helps fulfill the client’s wish to have her backyard resemble a “high-end glamping site.”

Depending on the size of the tent you choose, you could fill it a comfy couch or chairs or a large rug and throw pillows. (You can shop our favorite outdoor pillows here.) A tent could double as a place for your kids to play too.

The best backyard shade solutions for your outdoor space

Whether you treat your backyard as a gathering place for friends and family or a place to relax after a long day’s work, there should be plenty of shade. If your current backyard doesn’t have any shady spots, there are tons of ways to create some. From building a pergola to purchasing an umbrella, creating some backyard shade is easy.

P.S. If you want some more ideas for creating a backyard oasis, check out this post. And if that’s not enough, take a look at these stunning backyard makeovers for inspiration.

If your home exterior could use a facelift but you aren’t sure where to start, we can help. Or, if you have an idea of some updates you’d like to make but can’t determine if they’ll look cohesive, we can assist with that too. Our expert team of designers will take all your design desires into consideration and create a fresh look for your home. Begin your exterior design project today. 

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