The availability of shade is one of the determining factors when it comes to the comfort of your backyard. It may as well determine whether you’ll be able to spend time in your backyard, to begin with. During hot summer months, spending time outdoors will be unbearable unless you can provide the area in question with some cover.
There are several viable solutions that will get you the desired effect but they differ in pros and cons quite drastically. Different solutions have different costs and not every solution is viable for every outdoor space. With that in mind and without further ado, here are the top four versatile picks you should consider.
1. Planting a tree
This issue is a bit controversial, seeing as how it will take years until this tree can provide enough shade for your outdoor space. Moreover, it will take 15-20 years for it to fully matures. Sure, a tree can skyrocket the value of any property but it’s such a long-term investment.
There is, however, a saying that the society functions the best when old men plant trees in which shade, they know they’ll never sit. This gives you a unique solution to the problem at hand. On this list, we’ll name several other solutions to your problems. These solutions give you a more immediate effect, which might make them more viable.
2. Shade sail or awning
A shade sail is a perfect compromise between the frugality of a parasol and the convenience of an awning. It is a method that you can resort to in order to provide your backyard with some shade on a budget and still keep the place look relatively luxurious. A shade sail mounted on poles is quite visually pleasing.
Going for a retractable shade sail structure, also referred to as awning, is often a good idea. This is because it allows you to customize the area in a matter of minutes. You can use a shade sail to protect your patio from the sun but you can also retract it during the colder period of the year (once it’s time to move all the chairs and tables indoors).
3. Make a construction
There are two types of constructions that will get you what you need. These are:
- Gazebo
- Pergola
The gazebo is a more expensive structure that usually requires more advanced carpentry work. It requires more materials and the costs are much higher.
Pergola, on the other hand, is a low-cost alternative to a gazebo. Its benefits surpass that of just some shade. There are people who use pergola structure as an alternative for a garage in order to provide their vehicle with a more efficient shelter. Overall, there are so many applications and styles of pergolas that you won’t have much trouble aligning it all to your plans.
4. Pop-up canopy
This last suggestion is not necessarily as aesthetic as some of the above-listed ideas but it’s:
- Flexible
- Cost-effective
These two advantages alone are enough to make it up for some serious consideration. Unlike retractable awning, it’s self-standing. Even a shade sail would need at least poles. Also, since the solution is so inexpensive, you have the option of getting one just to try it out.
One of the ways to see this would be to compare it to an extra-large, more comfortable backyard parasol. Keep in mind that while some of the other characteristics may be comparable, the size itself is a factor that makes all the difference in the world.
In conclusion
In the end, your outdoor space is a blank canvas and with just a bit of effort, you can transform it completely. A proper shade solution will do more than make it more functional. It will also enhance the entire area, giving it a completely new character and open up a lot of new stylistic options for you to explore. A proper organization of outdoor space is no short of an art form.
Author Bio:
Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney-based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.
