30 Backyard Shade Ideas to Maximize Your Outdoor Space

Backyard Shade Ideas for Porches

Backyard screened-in patio — Robert Peterson

If you love spending time outdoors, but aren’t a huge fan of the insects that come along with it, consider adding a screened-in porch. Adding this structure to the back of your house not only brings shade, but also protects from any pesky insects buzzing around. The covered area is also a great place to add extra seating and even an outdoor TV.

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Cozy Covered Patio

You don’t always have to build a new structure for more shade. Instead, take advantage of a space you already have, like the overhang from your roof covering the patio. Though this area is small, it has enough room for a cozy loveseat out of the sun. Strands of twinkling string lights makes this space even more welcoming.

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Install a Pergola

Backyard patio pergola — Dominique Vorillon

A large metal pergola adds a bit of shade to this backyard patio. An advantage of a pergola is that it won’t block out all the light, but it will add some protection from the sun. This large structure shields a seating area with a fire pit, hot tub, and small dining area.

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Backyard Shade on a Budget

Add a little extra shade to your backyard patio without busting your budget. A simple outdoor umbrella can add a patch of shade to any area of your yard. It’s also temporary, so you can move it around as needed, or store it during the winter.

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Covered Porch Design

A covered porch attached to the back of your home will add a ton of shade to the backyard. This design has sloped ceilings with gorgeous natural wood that makes the porch feel rustic and connected to the outdoors. Screened in windows also add a little extra protection from the elements.

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Attach a Metal Awning

Create a small oasis of shade in the backyard with a metal awning or pergola with a metal roof. The white color will also reflect heat, and can help the shaded area stay cooler. Cozy loveseats and an outdoor area rug make a great space to entertain in the shade.

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Add a Simple Canopy

If you already have outdoor furniture that you love, add shade by creating a canopy over your outdoor sofa or loveseat. This budget-friendly idea can be accomplished with just a few yards of fabric. These outdoor seats have a canopy frame built in, but you could easily DIY a similar structure with a metal or wood frame.

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Temporary Backyard Shade

Add temporary shade with a moveable canvas frame. This small awning provides just enough shade for one or two folding chairs. It’s great for an afternoon in the backyard, but could easily be packed up for campouts or a day at the beach.

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Natural Backyard Shade Ideas

Adding a pergola provides some shade immediately, but over time, climbing plants can provide even more natural shade. This outdoor dining area is mostly shielded from the sun by twisting leaves and vines. The pergola also provides a space to hang string lights for outdoor dining at night.

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Roller Shades

A covered porch will provide lots of shade for an outdoor seating area. However, this porch also includes a roller shade that can be pulled down for extra protection. Adding a shade can be especially helpful on porches that face east or west and have a lot of morning or afternoon sun.

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Hang Outdoor Curtains

This backyard tent provides a small area of shade for a loveseat and a couple of wicker chairs. Hanging curtains can also be pulled shut for more shade or added privacy. This budget-friendly solution is also less permanent than a pergola or a gazebo.

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Pergola with Plants

Double up on the shade your pergola provides with climbing plants. This structure is covered in leaves and vines that add even more shade to your yard. Plus, it has gorgeous hanging flowers that improve the look of the pergola.

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Umbrella Seating Ideas

If your covered porch or patio doesn’t offer enough shade, add a little more on a budget. Simply placing a large umbrella on the deck adds extra shade for the seating area. The covered porch also shields the dining area, so most of the backyard has cooling shade.

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Attached Awning

Adding an awning attached to your home creates more shade, and might even cover an existing patio or deck. This modern structure has a metal roof, but wood beams that add a natural look. It also provides an area to hang string lights, a porch swing, or a hanging chair.

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Outdoor Dining Shade Ideas

Sometimes, you might need to use a few different solutions to add shade to your backyard. A wood pergola covers the outdoor grill and kitchen area. Two large patio umbrellas also add color and shade over each dining table, and can move with the tables and chairs.

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Create a Fabric Shield

Fortunately for nature lovers, there are far more outdoor-room upgrades than there were just a decade ago—which equals more choices on almost any budget. Case in point: Outdoor fabric is now widely available (in almost any color or print), and it offers a great mid-price solution for outdoor deck shading. Here, a large swath of red fabric stretches across the top tier of this deck, shielding the seating and dining areas.

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Extend the Roof Line

There's an easy shade solution for outdoor rooms that are connected to your home: Simply extend the roof line, if possible, over the deck or patio. In this covered outdoor retreat, white paint brightens up the low-ceilinged space, while slim support posts keep the view to the outdoors uninterrupted.

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Angle Your Roofline

Even if you don't extend a true roof over your outdoor room, you can recruit similar lines and angles to establish shade. In this case, wide-space beams combine with the delicate fringe of a willow tree to create just enough of a covering to banish direct rays from this laid-back seating area.

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Install a Pergola

The amount of shade you need depends on a number of variables—the location of your outdoor room, the patterns of sun in your landscape, and the climate extremes where you live. In some cases, a full-blown covering may not be necessary. Pergolas, for example, can work well in spots that don't experience intense midday and afternoon sun or in climates that don't endure blazing temperatures. This pretty pergola is petite but effective, especially when paired with a trellis, which serves as a barrier between the deck and the house.

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Plan for Versatility

Shade solutions for outdoor spaces are a wonderful luxury, but they may not be necessary at every hour (or in every season). To build in flexibility, mix and match shade offerings with well-placed open spots. Here, a roofline extension over the seating area creates a covered nook, while a slight overhang along the back wall of windows provides sun block for interior spaces on very hot days. An open-air dining area serves as a hangout spot for times of day when the sun is less intense, like at dusk or even after dark.

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Add Extra Protection to Covered Spots

Even if a covered patio or deck receives lots of shade, its particular location may mean sunbeams break through at inconvenient times, invading seating or dining areas just when you want to use them. If that's the case, look to shade solutions that are quick and efficient: roll-down shades, operable shutters, or gauzy drapes that easily slide open.

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Enclose an Existing Pergola

If you already have a pergola, but the open-roof style isn't providing enough protection, the solution may be as simple as enclosing the overhead space. If the sides of your outdoor room are open, leave them that way to retain the benefits of the breeze, without the drawback of the sun's rays.

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Integrate Interior Spaces

Warm-weather climates beg for layouts that let you move seamlessly from interior to exterior. And cold-weather spots can benefit from the principle for at least part of the year. One secret to making the indoor-outdoor transition smooth: adequate overhead covering. Here, wide-open doors can stay ajar for much of the day, thanks to the sun-shielding of a long and wide pergola.

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Invest in an Attractive Umbrella

A simple outdoor umbrella can make a great shade solution, particularly if your budget or space is tight. You'll find a range of options in every color, style, and size, along with arm extensions to fit nearly any landscape. We love the simplicity of this white umbrella paired with pretty yellow pops.

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Make Shade Flexible

Sometimes, the rays of sun feel warming and welcoming; other times they're an intrusion, sending you scurrying into the shade. If your preferences vary depending on temperature, season, or time of day, flexible fabric or screening solutions that can be stowed may be your best bet. Many utilize a simple pull system to extend or recess the shade, allowing you to easily alter the lighting of your space.

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Work with Your Trees

If you're carving out a new outdoor space, make sure to consider the location of one of your landscape's best features: trees. If you have full-grown trees, stake out flat spots nearby for outdoor dining or seating areas. If your yard lacks mature trees, consider planting fast-growing varieties to create a natural shade solution.

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Experiment with Temporary Solutions

Shade doesn't have to be permanent to be useful: A simple canopy over this serene couch encourages use of the outdoor seating spot on a sunny day. The best part? Solutions like this can be moved to different locations as needed.

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Plan for Shade

For new structures, integrate shady spots into your design in anticipation of how you'll use the space. For example, this pool area features a covered lounge area, providing a getaway for guests who aren't swimming or sunning themselves. By extending the patio pavers into the porch, the homeowners established an easy flow from one space to the next.

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Create Shady Retreats in the Yard

Outdoor rooms attached to the house are convenient—but those that require a little stroll feel like a special retreat. Although pergolas won't shield all the sun's rays, they will add some shade to seating spots, which you can strategically position depending on what time of day you most want to enjoy the space. Situated away from the house, this charming pergola acts as both a conversation spot and a focal point for the landscape.

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Add Walls to Your Hardscaping

Mid-height walls can help block the sun, increasing the amount of shade you enjoy in your outdoor rooms. Consider the color: White and light hues won't absorb as much heat. Take a cue from the white flooring, walls, and overhead covering in this outdoor space. The all-white look serves as a simple backdrop for colorful accessories.

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