Shade can be a really important part of creating your garden oasis. No one wants to be getting hot and bothered whilst trying to enjoy a nice al-fresco lunch. There are also the healthcare risks to consider for your skin and how best to protect it. 

So with all those important factors to consider, you can begin to discover the different garden canopies and ideas on how to decorate them

Types of Garden Canopy

To get you started on your garden canopy ideas, the first thing to think about is what type of canopy you want. This will then impact how you’ll decorate. 

There are various ways of providing shade in your garden and its good to start here to find the best one for you.

Parasol

Parasols are an easy way to create shade and shelter in your garden quickly,  normally easy to move around your garden in comparison to some other structures. They can also be very useful if you’re a bit tight on space as they can fold down. 

Unlike pergolas and awnings which tend to be a bit bulkier.

Awning

Awnings are a great addition to any garden, and all our awnings are retractable which is great for versatility. We’re a UK leader in awnings with one of the largest ranges around, so you’re in the right place  if you’re looking for an awning. Awnings can be waterproof and help massively in protecting from pesky sunburn. 

Additionally, they’re ideal if you want to reduce the sun glare into your home. Not only can you watch the telly or work on your laptop without working in the darkness of closed curtains, but they can also protect your furniture from sun damage. Especially good if you have a south-facing aspect. 

Find the best awning for you and discover what exactly an awning is.

 

Pergolas

Pergolas can be a beautiful feature for a garden, traditional structures with latticed roofs for climbing plants to create shade on your behalf. If you are interested in pergolas and climber, check out our post on the best climbers for pergolas. If you’ve got the skills and the know how you can put one together yourself. However, don’t risk this if you’re not confident as you might cause serious injury. If you’re looking for wooden garden canopy ideas these are your best bet. 

For more guidance on what a pergola can provide for you and the best pergolas in the UK right now, take a browse of our blog posts for tips and advice. 

Sail Shades

Inspired by ships, sail shades are large pieces of fabric often specially designed to stop sunlight getting in, available in  breathable or waterproof varieties. A great waterproof garden canopy idea. 

Sail shades work by being attached to anchor points on either walls, posts or trees, then tensioned so they’re taught and flat. Simple and quick to put up or take down.

 They come in a range of different sizes and colours so are possibly one of the most versatile garden canopy ideas. 

If you’re struggling to choose the right sail shade for you, check out our comparison guide or our other blog post on the best sail shades.

Gazebos

Gazebos are great as they can be used for dual purposes. Not only does it keep the sun off your back, but also the rain off your face! These can also be great if you regularly host parties so might need additional shade but don’t want your gazebo up all the time. 

For more information on what a gazebo is and the best gazebos your money can buy be sure to take a look at our related posts. 

Verandas

Verandas can be used to cover your whole patio space offering more coverage than other canopies like a parasol. For more advice on what a veranda is check out our blog post.

Arbours

If there are just the two of you then an arbour might be the perfect choice. A great option if you’re limited on space or simply don’t have room for a larger option. Perfect for couples, they can either be swing seat varieties or a garden bench with shelter. Their relatively plain wooden structure means they can be decorated how you like. 

Pick one with a trellis for climbing plant creativity.

Garden Canopies decoration ideas

Add lighting for an extra glow after dark

Extend your time outdoors from bright daytime into the heady summer evenings by decorating your canopy with lights. String lights are the obvious choice and a quick way to add en masse, to change the tone of your space. 

You can easily create a more romantic mood by adding a canopy of string lights over your eating space – perfect for at home date nights. 

Pergolas are an ideal choice here too, as you can easily wind lights around the beams. The combination of the wooden beams and the glow from the lights gives a really warm atmosphere. 

If you don’t have a pergola you can alway get creative with sellotape, blu-tack or pins, just be sure not to damage your canopy. You can also add hanging plants as well to add a bit of greenery. 

Optimise different parts of your garden for shade

It’s common these days for your shaded area to be right beside your house. However, it doesn’t need to look any less good if you want your shaded area to be elsewhere in your garden. Specifically with a large garden, there’s no point having wasted space in the middle if it can be put to good use. 

A gazebo (the canvas ones) or parasol can easily be moved all over your garden. Or a pergola can look well placed in any location. Even in the middle or edge of a lawn, especially if it has climbers growing around it. 

Definitely pick your location first with that one though, as they can be pretty heavy once built. 

Use a canopy to cover your seating area

Obvious advice, but it does mean whether you’re eating your lunch or have your nose buried in the latest thriller, you’ll be protected from the sun. You won’t need to keep a cautious eye on the time to avoid staying out too long or trying to escape the sun during its peak hours. 

This allows you to use your seating area even more if you decide on a waterproof garden canopy. 

Co-ordinate your design – match your canopy with your furniture

A great way to have a conclusive theme throughout is to pick furniture and shade that work well together and complement each other. Below we have suggested a few themes and pairings but feel free to choose and browse your own. 

Relax with an ultra modern luxurious theme

Match a modern luxury rattan suite and a luxury veranda for a contemporary vibe that will help you relax into the summer evenings. Rattan is the latest trend for furniture but with origins tracing back to Ancient Egypt, it’s still timeless. Our Iris luxury rattan sofa set in stone and our deluxe charcoal veranda pair perfectly together for this theme.

Get on-trend with industrial theme 

For a more industrial look go for a metal furniture set like this powder-coated steel set and again the deluxe charcoal veranda will fit well here.You can https://www.primrose.co.uk/metal-bistro-set-by-hectarealso add a corten steel water feature for maximum industrial vibes. 

Keep it classic with a traditional theme

If you want a theme that will make everyone feel at home, feel included, then the traditional path might be your best bet. Try this Hadleigh set and awning for a really high quality but comfortable look. The padded chairs are great for helping little ones reach the table but also ideal for helping those who struggle to get out of their seat!

Try hygge with a Scandi-rustic theme

This Scandinavian style bench set is perfect for adding a modern touch to your garden whilst still having the cosy comfort of a Scandi-rustic theme. Mixing materials used to be frowned upon, but now it’s a great way of updating a popular staple of the garden – the picnic bench. Pair with a canopy like a wooden veranda or this metal veranda. 

Take out with the stress with a relaxed look

A relaxed easy-going style,where it looks like you’ve put in minimal effort for it to look this good. To achieve this aesthetic try a luxury rattan day bed and a garden canopy with your choice of a sail shade.

Plant around your canopy and garden shade area.

Add some greenery, your garden canopy may be over your patio or decking so might be lacking some green colour. Add some containers filled with plants like grasses for a more exotic feel or flowers to add some colour. You can also use taller plants or ornamental trees to add some more shade to your area and make a natural ‘jungle-style’ canopy. 

Use climbing plants on a pergola for extra coverage and decoration

Climbers can be great for adding decoration, colour and even fragrance to your shaded space. 

For more information on using a climber to decorate your shaded area check out our blog post here.

Brighten up your space with white fabric shade

If you have a small garden or a north facing garden, brighten up your space with white parasols or sail shades. Helping it to give a more modern feel. 

Team with white walls for a contemporary look that wouldn’t look out of place in Greece! 

Add pattern for a more bohemian look

Adding patterns in the form of a nice outdoor rug or some colourful cushions can really add a cosy bohemian look, whilst also being vibrant. For an even more chic look, adorn your parasol with tassels at the edge for some vintage glamour. 

Paint your wooden structure

One of the quickest and simplest ways to update your wooden canopy is to give it a lick of paint. This also allows you a lot of choice and lets you update it more frequently at a relatively lower cost. Make sure you use the right type of paint suitable for wood and outdoors. Additional waterproof protection would be a bonus. 

While it’s not an exact fit, most of the guidance on how to paint garden furniture will apply to painting a wooden structure too.

Add a firepit to keep it cosy

Not only aesthetically pleasing firepits also have the practical use of keeping you warm. Allowing you to be prepared not just for the hot days with your canopy but also the colder evenings and nights. Enabling you to maximise the time you use your garden.

Feel free to comment below your garden canopy ideas and be sure to check out further decoration ideas for gazebos

Photo by Victor Malyushev on Unsplash

Picture of Santorini -by Massimiliano Donghi on Unsplash