We all love a bit of sunshine, but too much can start to become problematic. Not only is too much heat and sunlight uncomfortable for you and your guests during outdoor parties, gatherings and al fresco dining, but it can also be detrimental to the appearance of your garden. Some types of plants don’t thrive in excessive sunlight and will become brown, brittle and wilted. Plus, exposure to too much sunlight can be harmful to your garden furniture and seating covers, as materials like rattan and polyester fabrics could become bleached over time.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between adding shade to your garden and ensuring that some areas still get a good amount of light – to help you, your guests and your plants soak up some sunshine. Therefore, you need to be intentional about planning your garden design, making sure there are shady spots and sunny areas for dining, relaxing, entertaining, gardening and more.
Here are our top 12 garden shade ideas to help you add intentionally shaded areas to your garden:
1. Add a fabric canopy
A quick and easy way to add some shade on particularly hot, sunny days is to throw a fabric canopy over your garden’s seating or dining area. For a super easy, quick and affordable solution, you can use any fabric sheet that you already have, or if you plan to make this canopy a more permanent feature, we would recommend investing in a fabric designed for outdoor use – such as olefin fabric, which is more UV-resistant than generic polyester.
You can easily throw up a fabric canopy whenever needed by using surrounding trees, fences or washing lines as anchor points. Plain white fabric will do a good job of reflecting heat, but if you want to turn your fabric canopy into an eye-catching feature, choose a patterned design or a bold colour like yellow. This will create a casual, boho vibe in your garden if this is what you're into.
2. Place a freestanding parasol
Another great solution for temporary shade is a freestanding garden parasol that you can easily move around as needed. As the sun moves throughout the day, you can simply move your parasol so that the shade always covers your garden furniture, keeping you and your guests comfortable at all times. Again, you can also use this feature to add character to your garden by opting for bold patterns or contrasting colours.
3. Invest in built-in parasol garden furniture
However, a more permanent solution is to buy garden furniture with a parasol attached, such as a garden dining set that comes with its own built-in parasol. This means you won’t have to worry about moving a parasol around your garden, as the shade will always be right where you need it – keeping you, your family, friends and guests out of direct sunlight when dining outdoors. Plus, this integration means that your dining set and shade solution won’t take up as much space as they would if they were separate, making this a great garden shade idea for smaller gardens.
4. Seek shade under a pergola
Looking for something a bit grander? If space isn’t an issue for you, installing a pergola in your garden or on your patio will help you create a beautiful, shaded section of your outdoor space for seating, dining and entertaining. Plus, if you’re keen to better organise your garden space, adding a pergola will help you create a distinct zone for seating apart from the rest of your garden. This will make your garden design more thoughtful and intentional.
A basic pergola structure – typically consisting of a wooden frame featuring an open latticework roof supported by wooden beams – will add a rustic feel and a lot of visual interest to your garden, but on its own, it may not add a lot of shade due to its open structure. This is why many people choose to cover their pergola in colourful fabrics when shade is needed. You can also encourage climbing plants and flowers to grow around the structure to provide natural shade – this is perfect for those looking for a charming and rustic garden feature!
Alternatively, if you prefer a clean, minimalist style, a modern pergola design is better for you. These won’t be as cheap and simple to install, but many modern pergola structures have adjustable roof shutters and side screens to make it even easier to add shade. Plus, modern pergolas are usually made from durable, UV-resistant and water-resistant aluminium to improve their longevity, and they can also come with useful extras like LED mood lighting and water drainage.
5. Add an awning
You probably associate awnings with commercial use, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. If you’re looking for a simple yet permanent shade solution for your patio furniture, attaching an awning to the outside of your home is a great way to shade your seating area without taking up precious floor space. A traditional fabric awning will likely be the easiest to install, but if you want to stay far away from the storefront aesthetic, a retractable awning or an awning with adjustable metal slats will be both modern and functional.
6. Strategically plant trees and hedges
Looking for a natural solution? If you don’t mind investing your time and effort, you can strategically manufacture shaded areas in your garden without buying any parasols, canopies or garden structures. All you need to do is plant trees and shrubs in the areas where you want to create shade, or rearrange your garden furniture so that your seating area takes advantage of shade from existing trees. For example, you can plant trees next to where you want to place your outdoor dining area, and over time, you’ll end up with a naturally zoned garden thanks to your planning.
7. Grow a flower or ivy canopy
As discussed earlier, climbing plants or flowers are excellent at providing natural shade whilst also adding visual interest to the space, especially if you have plenty of wooden structures like pergolas, gazebos and fences. If your garden lacks shade and is also somewhat overlooked, add trellises to your garden fences or walls to encourage the growth of tall climbing plants. This will create a shady, private garden space to place your outdoor dining set or sofa set.
8. Get a fixed parasol or sail
If you’re currently happy with the placement of your outdoor seating, you can opt for more permanent shade solutions rather than freestanding parasols or fabric canopies. In this situation, we’d recommend a fixed parasol or garden sail shade to provide targeted shade for your garden furniture, ensuring that the rest of your garden benefits from the sunshine. If you’re worried about plant canopies potentially becoming overgrown and overly restricting sunlight, a fixed parasol is a great alternative. Plus, fixed shade solutions are perfect for a low-maintenance garden!
9. Enjoy your garden in a gazebo
For fans of quaint, traditional gardens, a gazebo is a unique structure you can add to your outdoor space for some much-needed shade. By adding a simple bench inside your gazebo, you can create a quiet, tranquil spot for reading or relaxing, or a place to sit and chat with your loved ones whilst surrounded by nature. A gazebo is also a beautiful focal point that you can design the rest of your garden around, which is very helpful if your garden design currently lacks focus and intentionality.
10. Pitch a tent
If you prefer casual, boho designs over quaint and traditional gardens, why not pitch a tent on your lawn to add a cosy, intimate spot to cool down on sunny days? A canopy or gazebo-style tent provides plenty of space for shady outdoor seating, and one of its main advantages is the fact that it can easily be put away when no longer needed. So, if you only need the extra shade sporadically throughout the year – or you just need more seating space for a particular event – a large tent is a great option.
11. Build a garden room
Got more time on your hands? If you’re ready and able to get stuck into some DIY, why not build your own garden room as a permanent shade solution? Summerhouse styles are still a firm favourite among those who favour traditional gardens, but modern-style pergolas that are more enclosed can also be classed as garden rooms. Whilst this option isn’t cheap or space-saving, it can offer a huge amount of value if you’re hoping to spend more time in your outdoor space. With its protective walls, heating, lighting and cosy ambience, a garden room will help you feel as comfortable in your garden as you do inside your home.
12. Invest in shaded furniture
On a smaller level, adding a bit of shade to particular pieces of garden furniture is a fantastic way to protect you from the sun without blocking too much light around your garden. Covered swing seats, daybeds and dining sets provide shade when you need it the most (i.e., when you’re relaxing or dining outside for long periods of time) without covering up the sunny spots you enjoy.
Choose garden furniture that can handle the heat
When choosing garden furniture, you need to consider whether the materials you’ve picked can stand the test of time, no matter how much wind, rain and sunlight they’re exposed to. Only choose specialist outdoor fabrics and materials when purchasing outdoor furniture, or you could end up having to replace your new set in just a few years’ time.
Here at Alexander Francis, our Sunbrella® range of fabrics has been engineered for elite weather-resistant properties, helping your garden furniture look as good as new for longer. Sunbrella® is a 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabric that’s fade, water, mildew and stain-resistant, which means it’s extremely durable and won’t bleach when exposed to sunlight. Plus, all of our Sunbrella® furniture sets, including our Italian-inspired collections, are covered under our 5-year guarantee, giving you total peace of mind.
Shop our full range of luxury garden furniture to discover pieces that are both effortlessly stylish and incredibly durable. Wondering which items are right for you? Check out the Alexander Francis blog for guidance on traditional vs modern garden furniture, how to restore weathered wood furniture, garden furniture winter care tips, and more.
