Only 8% of Americans say they have no close friends, which means that the majority of people have anything from close confidants to acquaintances. Whichever mix you may have, you probably want to invite these people over so you can get to know them better. And let’s face it, you want to show off your awesome property as well.
But before you can even think about sending out those invitations, you should consider your patio design. Without a good one, outdoor entertaining won’t be optimal, and you certainly won’t impress anyone.
If you’re after outdoor patio entertainment ideas and don’t know how to set up umbrellas outdoors, then you’re in the right place. Here are some of our ideas for inspiration.
Complement Your Current Outdoor Decor
The first thing to think about is the type of outdoor decor you currently have. There are some fabulous types of patio umbrellas on the market, but not every single one will look nice with your patio arrangement.
Here are some ideas for the various decor themes you might have.
Modern/Contemporary Decor
Cantilever umbrellas with clean lines and sleek designs are ideal for modern or contemporary outdoor spaces. Look for umbrellas with minimalist frames and neutral colors such as black, white or gray.
In addition, consider materials like aluminum or fiberglass. These will contribute to a contemporary look that blends well with modern furniture and accessories.
Traditional/Formal Decor
Classic market umbrellas with traditional silhouettes and timeless designs can complement formal outdoor spaces. Choose ones with solid-colored canopies in neutral tones, like navy, forest green or burgundy. These will add to your patio’s refined look.
Ornamental details like decorative finials or scalloped valances can add a touch of sophistication to the umbrella design. If you love custom finials, then this is the time to go nuts.
Rustic/Country Decor
Wooden market umbrellas with natural finishes like teak, cedar or bamboo can complement rustic or country-inspired outdoor decor. To add to the aesthetic, choose umbrellas with earthy tones or plaid patterns that evoke a cozy, countryside feel.
Want to go the extra mile? Then add a touch of rustic charm by picking umbrellas that have decorative details such as wooden finials or rope pulleys.
Tropical/Beachy Decor
Brightly colored or patterned umbrellas in vibrant hues like turquoise, coral or yellow can evoke a tropical or beachy atmosphere. If you think solid prints are too boring, then look for umbrellas with tropical ones such as palm leaves, florals or stripes to enhance the beach-inspired theme!
If your house is actually located by the beach (lucky you), then you’ll want your patio umbrella to be strong enough to withstand the salty sea air and strong sun exposure. In that case, opt for materials like polyester or acrylic, which are fade-resistant.
Mediterranean/Bohemian Decor
For this theme, ornate market umbrellas with intricate designs (such as scalloped edges or fringe detailing) will complement Mediterranean or bohemian-inspired outdoor spaces perfectly. Get rich, jewel-toned fabrics like deep blues, greens or purples to create a luxurious and eclectic vibe.
Decorative elements like tassels, beads or embroidery can add a bohemian touch to the umbrella design. You’ll definitely get in touch with your hippy side!
Minimalist/Scandinavian Decor
Simple, understated umbrellas with clean lines and neutral colors like white, beige or light gray are well-suited for minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired outdoor decor. Patio umbrellas with streamlined designs and unadorned canopies will help maintain a sense of simplicity and elegance.
As for the materials, consider aluminum or polyester. These offer durability and easy maintenance, which align with the minimalist aesthetic.
Factor in the Functionality
Your ideal patio umbrella setup will also depend on what you’re using the umbrella for.
As you may already know, outdoor patio entertainment involves several activities and they happen at various times of the day. And, as you may have guessed, just one type of umbrella won’t suffice (unfortunately). Below are some outdoor entertainment patio ideas and which umbrellas are suitable for each.
Eating in the Dining Area
Here, both market and cantilever umbrellas would work; it really depends on how much space you have and what your patio looks like. For example, since market umbrellas have a center pole that supports the canopy, they can be easily placed in the center of a patio table.
However, center poles may obstruct the seating arrangement or you may have limited space for a traditional umbrella. In this case, a cantilever umbrella is excellent since its side pole supports the canopy and typically offers larger coverage areas. You can also easily adjust it to provide shade over dining tables and chairs without obstruction.
A rectangular umbrella can be ideal as well, as it’ll provide optimal coverage over the entire seating area if you have a rectangular or square dining table.
If you plan on dining under the stars, then you’ll want to be able to see your food. You can always light candles for a warm and inviting feel, but let’s be honest: you still won’t see anything. The good news is that there are lighted versions of patio umbrellas, so you can be shielded from rain while enjoying a well-lit meal.
Having Fun by the Poolside
The ideal umbrella here is the tilt one, especially if you and your guests are planning on interacting with swimmers all day long.
Tilt umbrellas allow you to adjust the angle of the canopy to block the sun’s rays throughout the day. The crank mechanism lets you get the perfect angle, and as a result, you’ll get optimal shade coverage as the sun moves across the sky; you won’t have to move an inch.
Another popular option is the cantilever umbrella. It offers respite from the hot summer sun without ruining your view or interrupting poolside activities.
If you have a smaller pool area, then a market umbrella can work too. One or two strategically placed umbrellas can shield the entire poolside area without the need for adjustments as hours go by.
Relaxing on the Lounge Set
When you’re lying down on your luxurious lounge set, you’ll want to look up at a spacious cantilever umbrella. This is especially true if you want to spend time with your spouse or friends while they stretch out lazily too. The side mount of this umbrella means you can place it to the side and arrange your loungers however you wish, without the inconvenience of a center pole.
Those who wish to live their best lives as cats in the yard will want tilt umbrellas. Say goodbye to shifting your lounge set around, as you can adjust the angle of the umbrella canopy through a simple crank mechanism. You can truly channel Garfield’s energy with these umbrellas!
Again, market umbrellas come in clutch if you’ve got a smaller patio. Yes, they have center poles, but that’s the price you pay if you want ample shade for your seating arrangement.
Accommodating Limited Space
Cantilever umbrellas will give you more open area than a market umbrella, so they may be better for some small usable spaces. However, their physical space requirements are larger and they may use up more space. You have to accommodate a freestanding base or mount, the length of the cantilever arm from the side post, as well as the canopy.
A tilting umbrella is another option we discussed earlier, and they’re also great for small patios. As the name implies, the canopies can be tilted to provide shade over different areas of your patio, which means you won’t have to move the entire umbrella for a tough workout.
Another option is the table umbrella (a type of market umbrella), which you may already have for your dining table. If it has a tilt feature, then you can also change its position throughout the day. Because their central poles fit into your patio dining table’s center hole, this saves lots of space.
Something similar is the wall-mounted umbrella. These come with swivel arms and you can mount them on a wall or railing. Plus, they have a folding arm mechanism that allows them to be retracted against the wall when not in use, so this maximizes your available space.
Lastly, you can always go with a portable umbrella stand with wheels. You’ll get a sturdy yet versatile umbrella, and you won’t have to work hard to move it around either. You won’t break a sweat when bringing your patio umbrella in from bad weather.
Try Out These Outdoor Patio Entertainment Ideas
We all need outdoor patio entertainment ideas sometimes, especially if inspiration runs dry. And if you want to work in patio umbrellas, it can be even harder to paint a cohesive picture.
Luckily, we’ve given you some of our best tips to set everything up. If you follow our advice, you’ll be able to have a practical yet snazzy yard where you can easily spend hours and your guests will want to as well.
Now that you know all about patio umbrella placement, check out our patio umbrellas today. Decor Outdoor has the best prices, guaranteed, and we offer free shipping on all orders too.
Leave a Reply