Shaded patio: 20 Cool Shade Ideas for Your Patio or Backyard

20 Cool Shade Ideas for Your Patio or Backyard

By

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.

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and

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger is a personality expert specializing in Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram.

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Updated on 06/08/23

Fact checked by

Jessica Wrubel

Fact checked by
Jessica Wrubel

Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom.

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The Spruce / Almar Creative

There are many different options to shade your outdoor patio from too much direct sunlight, including easy, affordable solutions like umbrellas and shade sails or larger, more permanent structures like pergolas or pool cabanas. When designing an outdoor living room, dining room, pool patio, or other outdoor space, include at least one source of shade that will allow you to benefit from the fresh air without being overexposed to harsh rays.

These shade ideas in a range of styles and settings will help you choose the best solution for making your patio, deck, or backyard more comfortable and inviting, while keeping you cool and protected from harsh rays.

• 01
  of 20

  Opt for Umbrellas

  @herzenstimme / Instagram

  When seeking shade, go back to the basics. This modern backyard celebrates the heyday of swimming pool culture and style, with chairs set up on the side under a large white patio umbrella. The weights attached at the top ensure the umbrella isn’t going anywhere, so you can feel free to keep your attention focused on other important matters—like absolute relaxation.

• 02
  of 20

  Install a Pergola

  @kirsten.diane / Instagram

  One of the most popular ways to add shade to your outdoor paradise is by installing a pergola. You can leave a pergola entirely uninhibited or use covers and screens to keep the sun at bay. In this case, sheer curtains cover the top and the sides for a little extra privacy.

• 03
  of 20

  Construct a Stylish Overhang

  @life_of_isatu / Instagram

  Spaced a few feet away from the house, this patio features a constructed overhang that keeps things shady in a stylish way. The simple additions of plants, string lights, and a rug add an additional dose of charm.

• 04
  of 20

  Layer It Up

  A Beautiful Mess

  This pastel rainbow-striped backyard patio from A Beautiful Mess has a DIY pergola and a portable umbrella to double filter harsh rays and protect your al fresco meal from getting soaked in a sudden rainstorm.

• 05
  of 20

  Upgrade to an Oversized Umbrella

  Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions

  Why stick with a normal umbrella if you have the option to go up a size—bigger is always better, right? This square-shaped oversized umbrella includes a lightbulb for when the day comes to a close, and it provides more than enough coverage to keep the sun out of everyone’s eyes. Don’t let the size fool you, though—if you want to move the umbrella out of the way, it can easily be swiveled around rather than remaining fixed in its place.

  The 8 Best Outdoor Patio Umbrellas of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

• 06
  of 20

  Update the Awning

  Calimia Home

  Your grandparents may have had tin awnings on their 1950’s tract home, but they’ve come a long way since the days when door-to-door salespeople would compete for new homeowners’ business. Contemporary awnings are softer, made of more pliable and longer-lasting materials, and, quite simply, better looking—like the gray and white striped pattern shown in this patio.

• 07
  of 20

  Use Trees for Shade

  Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

  The oldest source of shade is a tree, especially a nice big one with twisting, sculptural limbs. The builders of this deck made the unique decision to build the deck around the tree, as opposed to cutting it down. It looks right at home where it is and provides the perfect amount of shade— a tree can lower a home’s temperature by as much as 20 degrees or more during the hot months. Think seriously before chopping one down and replacing it with a patio cover.

• 08
  of 20

  Add an Outdoor Day Bed

  Design by House of One / Photo by Lifestyle Production Group

  If you’ve got the space and the budget, there’s nothing more luxurious than adding an outdoor daybed to your backyard patio. This poolside four-poster canopy daybed from House of One has tie-back curtains and a solid roof that will protect you from the sun so that you grab a well deserved summer afternoon nap without worrying about waking up with a sunburn.

• 09
  of 20

  Create Multiple Dining and Shaded Spaces

  @ladylandscape / Instagram

  Landscape designer Melanie Rekola of Lady Landscape is often asked why she creates so many different seating and shaded areas when she designs a landscape. “It gives the option to chase the sun, the shade,” she says, “and also offers shelter from rain/wind as needed to adapt to the changing weather conditions of any given day.”

• 10
  of 20

  Fence It Off

  @allie_wilson_home / Instagram

  Creating an entertainment area away from your home can give you the freedom to add extra seating. To ensure your guests stay as comfortable as possible, build a pergola in the corner of your lot, with some additional wall panels that provide a layer of sun protection as well as privacy.

• 11
  of 20

  Add Greenery

  Mindy Gayer Design Co.

  Even if your backyard doesn’t include mature trees, you can build your shady outdoor space in the shade of an ivy-covered wall, a row of hedges, or some planted young trees that will grow fuller with time, like this backyard seating area from Mindy Gayer Design Co.

• 12
  of 20

  Grow a Tree Canopy

  @thelaundrygarden / Instagram

  While patio and fabrics covers are certainly capable of blocking the sun’s rays, sometimes there are more natural options available. This simple structure is made up of several fast-growing smaller trees that provide the perfect canopy of shade. The structure blends in perfectly with the rest of the flourishing garden that surrounds it.

• 13
  of 20

  Zone It Out

  Dazey Den

  Having the space to create multiple entertainment areas is an absolute dream. While this desert home from Dazey Den already had a small garden and a fire pit surrounded by vibrant red chairs, a constructed white canopy hosts a comfortable seating area with thick curtains on each side to provide shade when needed or desired.

• 14
  of 20

  Add Boho Style

  @jcdesign1.1 / Instagram

  This backyard patio from @jcdesign1.1 has boho style and a shade umbrella to match, with tassels that complement the rattan table and midcentury modern-style wishbone chairs. Plus it has a lightweight base, making it easy to move around.

• 15
  of 20

  Hang a Triangle Sun Shade Sail

  L2 Design, LLC

  When working with smaller spaces, a triangle sun shade sail like the one seen in this outdoor space from L2 Design, LLC can be an ideal fit. The shape tends to be very accommodating when there isn’t a ton of room to work with, yet doesn’t hesitate to do its job of providing much-needed shade. Plus it’s got a streamlined look that will appeal to minimalists.

• 16
  of 20

  Build a Cabana

  Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo

  Cathie Hong Interiors installed an open air cabana outfitted with a spacious sectional set back from the pool that offers a shady spot on the large open poolside terrace during daytime, and a comfy spot for cocktails after dark.

• 17
  of 20

  Look to a Loggia

  @ladylandscape / Instagram

  Looking for something a bit more upscale? Loggias are covered spaces that typically stretch along the length of a building—and they usually include columns and arches of some sort. While it takes some extra effort, the result can add an extra feeling of elegance and luxury to your outdoor space while keeping things cool and comfortable, like this space from @ladylandscape.

• 18
  of 20

  Create a Relaxing Covered Terrace

  @afrobohemianliving / Instagram

  This outdoor terrace from Afro Bohemian Living includes all the necessities to enjoy an evening outdoors. To keep the sun from beaming down too harshly, the area is covered by a simple structure with reed mats placed on top to keep things cool.

  The 9 Best Pergola Kits of 2023

• 19
  of 20

  Go Poolside

  @ladylandscape / Instagram

  Poolside shade doesn’t have to come solely from a patio umbrella. You can also opt to add a covered structure of your choosing with perfectly arranged patio furniture underneath, just like this backyard from @ladylandscape. The tilted top adds plenty of coverage, and the entire area looks spacious and open—a perfect place to cool down after a sunny day by the pool.

• 20
  of 20

  Add Wrap-Around Curtains

  Fantastic Frank

  When creating a shady spot on your backyard patio, it’s important to add cover from the sun overhead. But don’t forget to give yourself the option to block too-harsh rays beaming in from the sides by hanging billowing white gauze curtains around the periphery, like this outdoor patio from Fantastic Frank.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands. United States Environmental Protection Agency.

7 Types of Fast-Growing Shade Trees

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

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Updated on 09/09/22

Reviewed by

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Reviewed by
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry’s most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

If you’re in a hurry to provide shade for your home or an outdoor living area, you’ll want to plant a few fast-growing shade trees, which boast the height and/or canopy needed to protect your lawn or home from the sun. The good news: There are plenty of options out there, ranging from blooming beauties to foliage stars that come alive each autumn. These picks all grow at least a foot or more a year and will not only provide you with a shady retreat quickly but will also add a dose of visual interest to your landscape.

• 01
  of 07

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Native to North America, the red maple tree is prized for its vibrant red-orange leaves that emerge each autumn. In addition to their eye-catching foliage, these trees are also fast-growing. Red maple trees grow up to 24 inches per year, with some reaching nearly 120 feet tall with a 50-foot spread at maturity. The foliage favorites are also surprisingly easy to care for, tolerating both full sun and partial shade, as well as moist or dry soil.

  • Native Area: North America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 2–9
  • Size: 40–120 ft. tall, 30–50 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

• 02
  of 07

  ‘Autumn Blaze’ is valued for its spectacular fall foliage color.

  Brian North/Getty Images

  Like red maple trees, the autumn blaze maples are known for their outstanding fall foliage. There are a couple of reasons why you might opt for this relative newcomer over its better-known cousin, the red maple. Autumn blaze maple trees can grow up to 3 feet each year—faster than red maples—and their fall foliage color is more reliably red (red maple’s leaves often turn yellow in fall). Additionally, they’re just as easy to grow, requiring little care beyond moist soil and additional watering during periods of drought.

  • Native Area: North America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
  • Size: 45–70 ft. tall, 35–50 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

• 03
  of 07

  Sawtooth Oak (Quercus Acutissima)

  Harley Seaway/Getty Images

  Gardeners and homeowners looking for extra coverage will love the spreading canopy of the beautiful sawtooth oak trees. Another bonus: You will not have to wait forever to enjoy it—the fast-growing varietal can increase anywhere from 13 inches to 24 inches per year. The sawtooth oak prefers a lot of sun, so be sure to choose a spot in your yard that boasts plenty of rays, as well as rich, well-draining soil. In a little over a year, you’ll be enjoying shaded picnics beneath its branches—and the yellow and golden brown hue of its leaves come fall.

  • Native Area: Asia
  • USDA Growing Zones: 6–9
  • Size: 30–75 ft. tall, 30–60 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

• 04
  of 07

  Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images

  Native to England, Leyland cypress trees are tall and narrow, often used to cast shade by being planted in rows to form a living wall. Their height can vary greatly depending on where they’re planted and how they’re cared for (pruning can keep them more shrub-like if desired). They generally grow around two feet or more a year. The Leyland cypress is tolerant of a range of soil types—including clay, loam, sand, and more—but should be planted somewhere where it can reap full sun the majority of the time.

  • Native Area: England
  • USDA Growing Zones: 6–10
  • Size: 60–70 ft. tall, 10–15 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

• 05
  of 07

  Image by F.D. Richards under a Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

  These fast-growing shade trees (which will add anywhere from 13 inches to 24 inches a year) bear vibrant green leaves in the spring and summer and golden-yellow foliage in autumn. Native to North America, river birch trees have seen increasing popularity in recent years, partially due to the fact that they can be grown across a wider swath of hardiness zones than their cousin, the paper birch, can. When it comes to a landscape tree that offers shade and beauty, the river birch tree is a no-brainer—its expansive canopy will cover plenty of land, while its exfoliating bark—which peels to reveal layers of cream, salmon, and black—will catch plenty of eyes. Be sure to keep the soil of the river birch very moist—as its water-logged name implies, it does not tolerate periods of drought well.

  • Native Area: North America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
  • Size: 40–90 ft. tall, 40–60 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

• 06
  of 07

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Named for the shape of their flowers, which resemble tulip flowers, tuliptrees need plenty of space to grow and are often too large for smaller yards. Due to its growth potential (it adds more than two feet a year to its height), tuliptrees are more suitable for large acreage and park areas than near a house or patio. The more sun this light-loving tree gets, the more blooms it will boast—but keep in mind, its flowers tend to be high up in the canopy on mature plants, so appreciate them while your tree is still young and short.

  • Native Area: North America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
  • Size: 70–130 ft. tall, 30-60 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

• 07
  of 07

  Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica)

  David Beaulieu

  A beloved and fragrant southern cultivar, the fast-growing crape myrtle is a tree whose stature truly matches its beauty. Native to Asia, crape myrtle can be grown as a tree in warmer zones, or pruned to a more shrub-like stature in colder climates. It relies heavily on sunlight to bloom each summer (and add up to 2 feet of height a year), so plant it somewhere in your landscape that boasts at least six hours or more of direct light daily. Other than that, the crape myrtle is relatively easy to care for and, for all your TLC, you’ll be gifted with gorgeous clumps of buds in white, pink, lavender and red hues.

  • Native Area: Asia
  • USDA Growing Zones: 7–9
  • Size: 8–40 ft. tall, 15–25 ft. wide
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

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Most often, a paved area is made in the courtyard – from the back side of the main building, in the immediate vicinity of the kitchen, or at least the dining room. At the same time, it is very important in which direction this patio of the house looks. South, west and associated sides are welcome, but by no means north, because the shadow in the last landmark will almost never leave the rest area.

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Try not to move the patio too far from the house. If you still had to place it in the depths of the garden, an inextricable connection between the patio and the cottage should be traced. It can be a straight path, without any curvature of the minimum length, preferably supplemented by a green corridor of trees, shrubs, accompanied by a number of lanterns, a miniature stream, and other small decorative elements. For a territory with a relief, it is possible to place a patio on a small hill with a couple of narrow steps.

If your site does not have solid dimensions, then you can arrange a recreation area right in front of the front facade of the building, where it can also be used for car parking. In this case, you definitely need to take care of a sufficiently durable patio covering, for example, paving with stone, thick clinker, tiles. The furniture of such a patio should be portable, lightweight, which can be returned to its place at any time. The most popular are traditional square, rectangular paved areas.

Patio shape may vary. They are made diamond-shaped, hexagonal, oval, round or semicircular. The rounded contours of the courtyard are well suited to areas decorated with a predominance of indirect lines, curvilinear paths, oval, round flower beds. Patios of a complex, curved shape look unconventional, which, say, wrap around the corner of an L-shaped, U-shaped building, or are generally at some arbitrary, but not right angle to the house. Modern landscape designers like to experiment with the shape of the patio, and such experiments are often very successful.

The patio can be a completely open area that can be viewed from all sides, or it can be surrounded by trees, shrubs. It all depends on what goal the homeowner pursues when creating such a patio. It’s no secret that some people dream of a very quiet cozy shaded place, while others, on the contrary, want to demonstrate to everyone the charms of their impeccable figure while sunbathing. A patio can reconcile different positions, optimally combining both sunny and shaded areas.

Atika – innovative project

When building a house, its future owner will certainly face the problem of heating, ventilation and power supply of the cottage. Some solve the engineering issue during the construction process, others already in the finished house. But the ideal option is a thorough study of all the vital systems of the building at the design stage. This is exactly what the creators of the Atika conceptual house did. The combination of modern architecture, original design solutions and engineering technologies formed the basis of a unique project for the house of the future.

Modular house Atika is very quickly assembled and disassembled.

Mobility and the fast pace of life, the movement for ecology, the problem of energy resources – all these factors are gradually changing the outlook of people and their view of their own home.

Technologies that allow you to quickly build a warm, environmentally friendly house are gaining more and more popularity.

Current products include systems that allow you to save energy and receive it from alternative sources. If European residents have been implementing the achievements of scientists for a long time, then Russian homeowners have not yet paid due attention to them. However, rising prices for heating and electricity in the foreseeable future will force developers to look at cost-effective solutions and learn from Western experience. Atik’s concept house, at first glance, completely different from the usual houses. But the solutions that were found by the architects of Atika can be adapted to Russian reality.

Architecture and construction

The steel frame module is assembled at the factory and arrives at the construction site practically ready.

Atika is an innovative project of VELUX. It is a residential module, assembled on the roof of an existing house and connected to its communications.

Designed for areas with a warm climate, Atika combines the Mediterranean tradition of house building and modern technologies for cooling, heating, as well as automating the control of all life support systems.

Despite the unusual appearance of the building, in its architecture one can find many analogies with houses that have been built here for many centuries.

The bright walls reflecting the sun’s rays, the shutters on the windows, the courtyards of the southern villas have found new life in Atika.

Directly above the bedroom there is a huge window from which magnificent views of the starry sky open at night.

The house is assembled from factory-made modules, which are based on a metal frame. Steel is used to build the roof. The facade and the outer part of the roof are lined with laminated panels, the internal partitions and walls are finished with dry plaster.

Atika is a square volume, divided in the middle by a 3.5 m wide alley – its segments protruding beyond the boundaries of the square form two terraces, and the interior space, bounded by the walls of the building, is decorated in a patio. The alley forms two living areas, bordering on one side with the entrance hall, and on the other – with access to the patio. The entrance to the patio is equipped with sliding windows and doors made using sliding technology. In the western part of the house there is a bedroom, a workplace, and a bathroom. In the eastern part of the building there is a single space of the living room, kitchen and dining room.

The location of the patio allows it to be used in different ways, depending on the season. In the warm season, you can comfortably lie down in a sun lounger with a book in your hands. Shutters on the windows will help to achieve the desired loneliness, isolating a family member from annoying household members. In winter, the internal partitions, painted white, will reflect the bright sun penetrating through the dormer windows. On the southern terrace, into which the patio smoothly passes, it is possible to equip a winter garden.

A new look at simple things

Vertical windows and skylights allow you to fill the living room with light during the day, and enjoy night landscapes at night. If necessary, all windows can be closed with special ones.

Mild winters, hot summer days in Southern Europe require large amounts of electricity for space cooling. Therefore, when building a house, specialists decided to take a fresh look at natural ventilation and lighting. The original shape of the roof, the correct fit of the house in accordance with the cardinal points and the combination of various windows made it possible to control these processes.

Natural ventilation was achieved by a multi-level arrangement of windows on the sloping roof: the lower row of skylights is on all slopes, and the upper row is only on two sides of the roof: north and south. Penetrating into the house from the lower windows, the air heated by the sun’s rays becomes less dense and rises. Thus, the circulation of air masses occurs. If necessary, automatic dimming is carried out using external sun protection.

Atika has an innovative system of solar collectors that provide energy not only for heating but also for cooling the premises. Eleven collectors can store approximately 70% of the energy for hot water. If the temperature needs to be lowered, the collected energy will be directed to the home’s air conditioning system.

Inner shaded patio with shallow pool, heritage of traditional Mediterranean architecture.

The internal climate – the movement of air and sunlight – is controlled by an electronic control system. It automatically opens and closes windows, activates heating or cooling according to set parameters such as temperature, humidity, time of day, season, security level, etc. The main element of the window system used in Atika is the standard VELUX product, the INTEGRA window. Remote control allows you to fix the window or shutters in a certain position, as well as automate the reaction of windows to certain factors. For example, if it rains or the temperature in the room drops below 18ºС, the window will close on its own, without the participation of the owners. Temperature and humidity data are received through thermostats, one of which is located outside the house, and the rest – inside.

During the cold season, solar thermal energy is used to heat the house, which makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption as much as possible. Even rooms located in the northern part of the house (eg the bathroom), the laflorida hinges are filled with warmth due to the fact that the roof slopes slightly to the south, and direct sunlight penetrates through the windows. “In order to catch the required amount of sunlight, we change the position of each window. In summer, in hot weather, windows located in the sloping parts of the roof come to the rescue. By adjusting the position of the windows, we change the air circulation, creating an effect of ventilation rather than a draft,” says Atiki architect Javier Cantaliero.

On Russian soil

The living room, dining room and kitchen in the house are combined into one space, which makes it possible to use a small area as efficiently as possible.

Cold winters and low insolation do not allow using all the advantages of the Atika house in Russian conditions. However, some ideas and techniques, according to experts, can be adopted. If in the Mediterranean countries the task is to protect the house from the bright sun, then in the conditions of the northern climate, on the contrary, the saving and accumulation of heat plays a more important role.

The orientation of the building to the south, the use of heat-reflecting glass makes the house much warmer. Direct sunlight entering the house is reflected by 70-80% from the glass, thus keeping the heat in the room. Thanks to the roof windows, natural light can be directed deep into the room. If it is too hot in summer, then awnings and roller shutters come to the rescue, providing external blackout.

Among the discoveries of the architects of Atika is an innovative principle of ventilation. When building a house, the ventilation system is not always given due attention, however, the lack of fresh air and tightness lead to a violation of the microclimate and the concentration of bacteria.