Whether you like to host lunch parties for friends, enjoy a cocktail with family, or simply doze off by the pool with your favorite book, the right patio shade ideas can dramatically elevate your backyard experience. It extends your time outdoors, helps keep things cool, and protects the elements, all while providing the opportunity to enhance the decor!
So join us as we discover the top 4 stylish patio cover ideas that will make the most of your outdoor space—regardless of its size!
Linen Canopy
Install a canopy made of linen material above your patio. Linen provides a soft and natural look while offering protection from the sun's rays. Its light and airy texture create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Green Plant Canopy
Create a living canopy by training climbing plants such as vines or jasmine to grow over a trellis or pergola. Not only will this provide shade, but it will also add beauty and a natural ambiance to your patio space. Plus, the greenery will help to cool the air around your patio.
A major pro of this creative canopy is that you can save money on the pergola or the construction base looks: connect wood planks, pipes or anything else you know how to work with. The vines will cover up for an impeccable look.
A con is that you might have to wait until next summer for the vines to fully cover the canopy - depending on the plant you choose, of course.
Add string lights for a charming look. We recommend incandescent string lights for a nostalgic European charm.
Build a Pergola
Pergolas are one of the most versatile patio shade ideas. You can start by installing a simple structure, like the Aluminium Free-standing Pergola, that provides a stunning shade-sun combo throughout the day. Increase its coverage by building around the structure with greenery, such as seasonal climbers. Don’t forget to install garden lighting, like festoon lights and pendant lanterns, to add a cozy element.
For folks wanting a ‘wow factor,’ consider painting the pergola in a unique hue, like white or dark grey, to allow the plants and lighting to stand out. Your patio will now become a head-turning focal point while also serving as an inviting seating space.
We have to address it: pergolas are large and bulky and require skill to install. So, if you are no that handy with a drill and a screwdriver, opt-in for an online purchase that comes with the white glove delivery. We like Frontera's Barcelona pergola 12'x16' that comes with white glove delivery and is also now on sale! Check it out here.
Best Pergolas for Your Patio
Louvered pergola for a full-coverage, permanent look.
Triangle pergola to cover awkward seating areas.
Venetian pergola for a contemporary, sleek vibe.
Bamboo Patio Shade Structure
Construct a shade structure using bamboo poles. Bamboo is durable, eco-friendly, and adds a tropical touch to your outdoor space. You can use bamboo poles to create a pergola-style structure or as support for a canopy made of fabric or natural materials like palm leaves.
Bamboo poles can be purchased online, we like Home Depot bamboo for its quality and price.
Provide Shade with an Umbrella
Price: $425, Free Shipping
Simple, affordable, and aesthetic: umbrellas are a favorite patio cover idea for homeowners on a budget. They are free-standing with a heavyweight base. However, some designs might require support from the patio table to stay firm.
Patio umbrellas provide coverage from the Sun and create a comfortable experience by lowering the temperature. They come in a range of options, including beach umbrellas, tilt umbrellas, LED umbrellas, market umbrellas, and cantilever umbrellas.
So which one is the best? Though more expensive than its counterparts, cantilever umbrellas are better suited to versatile outdoor furniture layouts. They have a pole on one side with an adjustable umbrella that makes sure you’re not sun blinded halfway through a lunch party.
Best Umbrellas for Your Patio
Store: Frontera
Product: Collar tilt market umbrella
Why You Need It: Durable and lightweight, cost-effective solution, aesthetically pleasing.
Store: Yita Home
Product: Extra large patio umbrella
Why You Need It: Waterproof, yarn-dyed fabric, fulfills the dual aspirations for sizeable spaces.
Use a Canopy to Create a Room
Price: $379.99 (on Sale)
Be it pop-up or woven, canopies are a visually appealing addition to your patio. Depending on the design you choose, the canopy will either produce intriguing shadows or may create a mini gazebo if the panels are covered with fabric, as with the pop-up canopy tent.
While installing a permanent canopy might be a little expensive, it is still a cheaper alternative to building an entire extension for an outdoor kitchen or sunroom. The best part? A canopy offers the same shade, protection, and entertainment.
Best Canopies for Your Patio
Store: Frontera
Product: Monterey Canopy
Why You Need It: Customized design, extends living space, and increases the value of your property.
Store: Yita Home
Product: Galvanized Heavy Duty Canopy
Why You Need It: Incredibly durable, easy to set up, and offers great coverage for large gatherings.
Add Elegance With a Gazebo
Price: $1,199.99 (On Sale)
A gazebo is the perfect patio cover idea to carve out a tranquil outdoor space that sets the right mood for every setting. Inviting friends to chill on a warm afternoon? Toss in some cushions and throws to create a cozy atmosphere. Looking forward to a candlelight dinner with hubs? Adorn the canopy boundaries with fairy lights and add scented candles for a personalized, romantic vibe. Whatever the occasion, a gazebo can easily be tweaked to match the ambience you wish to create.
Best Gazebos for Your Patio
Store: Yita Home
Product: Double roof metal patio gazebo
Why You Need It: Perfect for small patios, low maintenance, 4.72-star reviews.
Store: Giantex
Product: Grill Gazebo
Why You Need It: Built-in grill station, appealing design, adequate shade coverage.
Store: Giantex
Product: Birdcage gazebo
Why You Need It: Provides lovely shadows, offers space to add plants, and gives a natural habitat feel.
Tips to Design an Aesthetic Covered Patio
While patios are an ideal spot to rejuvenate and unwind, their intended purpose is only served when the decor is appealing—something that is personalized to your design preference and decorated in line with the outdoor decor trends of 2024.
But how is a perfect patio designed? The answer varies with everyone’s taste and the patio shade idea chosen—but here are some of our top tips to keep in mind when decorating.
Define your purpose. How do you intend to use the space? Is it solely for lounging? Will you host dine-ins? Is it to be used for entertainment? Or should it be adaptable to multiple purposes? Once determined, the decor of the patio should be planned and designed around the purpose.
Choose the right material for your covered patio. From wood and concrete to brick and stone, there are different materials to choose from. If the patio includes some sort of fabric, make sure to consider its material, too. Acrylic, olefin, and vinyl are all good choices.
Comfortable furniture and good lighting. The key elements of a comfortable and inviting patio are good furniture and adequate lighting. Some of the best stores to shop from include Giantex, Belle & June, and Homrest.
Incorporate greenery. Vertical gardens, hanging baskets, and plants growing on the surface of the patio shade are easy ways to spruce up the decor. Bonus points if you can use chunky trees as your patio shade.
Final Words
What's better than being able to use your patio in extreme temperatures and unpredictable weather?
The wonderful thing about patio covers is that they not only offer shade and protection but also provide the opportunity to install electric heaters to toast up chilly evenings.
So why not use this as an excuse to invite friends and family for a lovely dinner, lunch, or movie night?