Your backyard paradise should serve one purpose above all else – as a sanctuary for you and your family; a place where you can enjoy fun casual activities and get to work doing those maintenance chores. On a lazy summer afternoon, if you’ve got nowhere to be, nothing is better than kicking back on your deck or patio as you chug down an ice-cold beverage. But, to avoid sunburn or even heatstroke as you relax in your yard, here are some tips on how to create shade for your patio or deck.

A plain old umbrella works every time

Buying a high-quality umbrella or two is the simplest way to create shade in your backyard wherever you need it. They are a great option exactly because they’re easy to handle. You can move your backyard umbrellas around and change the shade however you see fit, based on where the sun is positioned.

Curtains for a touch of class

But, if you have a robust deck or patio framework, you can buy curtains to protect you and your family from the sun. Curtains can be a nice aesthetic addition to your backyard. If you choose an elegant colour, they add a touch of class and intimacy to your outdoor rest-area. You can even combine them with umbrellas for maximum effect, just make sure they have the same hue. These curtains can also look very elegant if you hang them off the sides of pergolas, which conveniently brings us to the next tip…

A pergola

A pergola is a tasteful freestanding garden structure, usually made of wood, which is meant to serve as a “skeleton” structure that provides shade. Usually, a plant growth is meant to cover it and create a natural, green protection from the sun. They mostly cover patios, decks and walkways in the yards, and if you get a very practical retractable roof pergola, you won’t be trapped underneath the structure all the time. It is a neat option that opens up a realm of possibilities.

Shade sails are also a simple, sensible solution

Essentially, a shade sail is an easy solution, just like an umbrella. These stretches of cloth seem like over-glorified fragments of canopy, but therein lies their deceptive nature. If you choose the right fabric and install it properly, it can look just as elegant as curtains, but provide much more effective sun protection. Additionally, if you are up for a DIY challenge, it will practically cost you nothing. All you need to do is purchase the materials, which is only a fraction of the full price the shade sail would normally cost you.

Go for the ever popular awning

Awnings are usually made to be retractable and they are amongst the most popular solutions for patios and decks. The secret is in their simplicity. It is a quick and effective shade that blocks off the sun until it reaches its zenith. When sunrays finally become weak enough, you can simply retract the awning with a handle and enjoy some sunbathing. It can be a DIY effort, just like a shade sail and it is just as manageable and accessible as umbrellas.

Optional: Pavilion, if you have the money

Building a pavilion is not merely a tip on how to create backyard shade – it is its own building project, and you should opt for it only if you can afford it. It is hardly a DIY project, but once it is finished, it can look simply magical.

If you are planning to spend a lot of time in your backyard, chances are you will need proper sun protection and a strong shade. Whether it’s summer or winter, sunburns and headaches caused by eye strain are far from uncommon, so you should implement some of the suggested strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of the sun’s damaging rays.