74% of Americans use their patios for relaxation and 58% use theirs for socializing too. The fact is, our patios are an extension of our homes and they’re highly valued sanctuaries.
To make it into a haven though, you’ll need the right furnishings and equipment. And an essential is a market patio umbrella, of course. It can provide tons of shade and shelter, even on the sunniest days.
But you don’t want to use it conventionally. You want to think outside of the box to impress your guests.
In this article, we’ll discuss creative yet practical backyard umbrella ideas you can use.
Outdoor dining area
Dining al fresco is a huge appeal that draws diners to restaurants when the weather’s nice. But sitting elbow to elbow with noisy patrons may not be your jam, and that’s okay.
You can create your own al fresco setup right in your backyard. Place a beautiful outdoor dining set in the middle and scatter chairs all around. Ideally, your patio dining table has an umbrella hole in the middle to accommodate the center pole of the shade.
Now that you have a general idea of how large the dining area is, you can get the right size patio umbrella. Make sure to account for the space people take up when they sit down and the chairs get pushed back. That way, no one’s half in and half out of the shade.
Poolside relaxation area
Having a pool is a luxury that you probably indulge in whenever you can. Once you get out from a dip though, you probably run inside to stay safe and cool from the sun.
An easy solution that keeps you outside in the warm air is to use a market umbrella poolside. Place it between sunloungers, and you can keep enjoying your backyard without being burned to a crisp. Most of these shades are small enough to be stabilized by a weighted umbrella stand, although you may want permanent mounting for larger canopies or windier settings.
Outdoor bar
On that note, if you enjoy a good cocktail (or two), then it’s an excellent idea to create an outdoor bar, especially if you have a pool. If you’re innovative, you can make it seem like you’re in Hawaii, all without leaving your yard.
It’s easy to get dehydrated while drinking alcohol, so it’s vital that there’s ample shade surrounding your outdoor bar. A center pole umbrella is perfect for the job, as its large and sturdy canopy will keep you cool underneath.
You can also leave your patio umbrella outside during the summer, which is handy if you constantly have guests over. Just remember to close it when it’s not in use, as this will reduce wear and tear, such as fading from the sun’s UV rays.
Outdoor workspace
We can all do with a change of scenery when working. Doing the rat race of office work every day can be tiring, so working from home can be refreshing.
But there comes a time when you get sick of looking at your home office walls too. In that case, you can transform your patio into an outdoor workspace to get some fresh air.
Get a sturdy desk and place it underneath a gorgeous market umbrella. Scooch an ergonomic chair next to the desk, and voila, you’ve got an outdoor workspace your neighbors will be jealous of.
The best part about this is that you’ll never get sick of things. Every day’s weather is different, and who knows what creatures you’ll spot while taking a sip from your hot cup of coffee.
Reading nook
Typically, people like to curl up with a good book when it’s gray and rainy outside. It’s the ideal indoor activity when it’s too cold and wet to do anything else.
However, reading’s just as fun when the sun’s out in full force. So why not make a reading nook on your patio by adding a market umbrella? Its large canopy can shield a good chunk of your patio, leaving you plenty of room to add lounge chairs, side tables and more to relax under.
What’s even better about this setup is even if it’s raining, you can make use of this outdoor reading nook. Market-style outdoor shades can keep the areas underneath nice and dry, so you can be right under the pitter-patter of rain while turning pages.
Meditation space
While market umbrellas were once used for actual markets in ancient times over in Asia and Europe, their uses are far vaster now. Outdoor shades are fantastic for carving out a meditation space in your yard.
Find a cozy spot, whether that’s on your patio or in the grass. Then, grab a comfy yoga mat to spread out. Place your umbrella directly overhead, and you’ll find peace and serenity, rain or shine.
You might be wondering what the best shape for a centerpost umbrella is to maximize your meditation sessions. If you’re aiming for symmetry, then square is your best bet. Otherwise, octagon is one of the most common shapes to choose from, and it’s pretty traditional too.
Kids’ play area
Kids these days don’t get enough physical activity; those whippersnappers are always using screens, and it’s disheartening. If you’d like your little ones to soak in as much of the outside world as possible while getting meaningful movement in, then you’ve got to create a kids’ play area in your backyard.
If you want something easy, then go with a blow-up kiddie pool or a small sandbox; with the latter, you can get a few wooden planks, nail them together in a rectangle, and then fill it with sand.
Once you’ve decided on what to put in the kids’ play area, drag a patio umbrella over to shield the little ones from the sun and rain. This will allow them to play to their hearts’ content!
Special backyard shade ideas – Lay the market umbrella on the ground
If your children are small, you might consider removing your center post umbrella from its base and laying on the grass. This blocks glare and harmful UV rays when the sun is low in the sky (earlier or later in the day). An added benefit, for imaginative toddlers, is that the canopy can act as a wall in a make-believe fort. Behind this protective barrier, your kids can assemble their court, plan a raid or host a tea party. Of course, you should only do this if it’s a calm day and your outdoor space is sheltered from the wind. Consider placing a blanket on the end of the pole, so the canopy won’t blow away in a slight breeze.
Try out these ideas
The backyard is an important space that gives us freedom to roam in nature while retaining our privacy. While most people buy umbrellas for the backyard to sit under and veg out, there are so many more possibilities beyond that.
With our suggestions, you’ll definitely get bang for your buck. And feel free to switch it up! Patio umbrellas are versatile, after all, so it should be a cinch to explore all the uses we’ve given you here.
Decor Outdoor has many center pole umbrellas of varying sizes, shapes and styles to meet your unique needs and personal taste.
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