It is highly important to add some shade to your garden, particularly in areas with unpredictable climates like the UK. While some may argue that being out in the open air has some health benefits, no one wants to experience sunburn. Thus, shading your outdoor space with a spot for relaxing and blocking harmful sun rays is an awesome idea. Imagine meditating, eating a delicious meal, studying or even working out in a shaded area. That’s refreshing enough, right? In this article, we will explore some helpful ideas for shading your outdoor space.
A pergola is an open-air structure. Its primary purpose is to define outdoor spaces, create visual interest, and add shade to an area. Install a pergola for natural shade during the day. You can even add string lights or lanterns to your pergolas for night-time ambience. Consider beautifying your pergolas with hanging planters and decorative trellises with climbing plants for a living wall.
To enhance privacy and weather adaptability, consider using outdoor curtains. They are a good way to shade your garden. Imagine enjoying the warmth of your outdoor space by reading a book on your composite decking and some outdoor curtains draped around to provide all the privacy and protection from the harsh sun rays.
With shade plants, you can enliven your outdoor space while conserving water resources and enhancing your soil structure. Furthermore, they can improve energy efficiency and enhance the value of your property. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of shade plants for homeowners. They include Heuchera, Hosta, Ferns, Atilbe, Tiarella and many others. For instance, Hostas are known for their low maintenance and ability to thrive in low light. They can serve as beautiful flowering shrubs and are available in a wide array of colours to match or complement your garden aesthetics.
A retractable awning is an adjustable extension that offers you comfort and shade. It combines ease, affordability, and comfort. You can easily extend it during the day for shade and, at dawn, retract it to enjoy the pleasant night sky. Some awnings come with built-in LED lights for night-time use.
You can use a large, tiltable outdoor parasol to shade open areas in your outdoor space. It is easy to position it whenever you want to block out harmful sun rays. Furthermore, you can fit it with solar-powered lights to illuminate your garden at night. This type of umbrella is often preferred to a canopy because it’s easy to fix and less expensive.
This is different from the “average” canopy. Look for the ones that are well knitted and edged to remain functional during wind turbulence or heavy rains. Also, consider the ones with sidewalls for added privacy and protection from the elements.
While a trellis is known for supporting plants, consider adding them to your pergola to create a living wall. Apart from adding shade, you can use an arbour to define a walkway or path in your garden. This will provide a stunning gateway for your guests when they walk into your outdoor space. To add extra allure, you can set them up with some amazing lighting features.
Most people in the UK tend to stay away from shady gardens because they feel they are too "gloomy.” To combat this, you can add some vibrance to your outdoor space in the most natural way by growing some colourful flowers. These plants will do well under shades and also give you the good night views you desire. Some of the best flowers that will add colour to your garden shade ideas include:
Similar to the use of curtains, you can install roll-up or pull-down outdoor blinds manufactured from bamboo or fabric. They can block out the sun during the day and add a cosy feel at night. You can install window blinds in your outdoor space to block sun rays and make your night more comfortable for you. If you live in Canada and are looking for blinds, you can shop for custom window blinds at Select Blinds Canada which provides you with quality and custom blinds to meet your needs. Curtains could be thicker than blinds or light fabric shades, so either way goes for different occasions.
You can build a permanent pavilion structure for a more substantial shading option. Ensure you equip it with comfortable furniture and outdoor lighting to create a perfect garden retreat day and night.
While you can choose any of these methods, you need a bit of creativity to combine more than one to serve a unique purpose. Nonetheless, shading your outdoor space is one way to take full advantage of all the convenience and aura your garden has to offer.
By Chris Bates
