Outdoor time should have been fun if the temperature is not too hot. Instead of staying indoor to avoid the heat, you could do something better: add shade to the patio area. Make sure you are enjoying the time of your life. More importantly, you must not spend too much money for this project. How could you do this? Check this out!
1. Hang Plants or Flower Pots
The first idea you could try is hanging vine plants or flower pots under the roof. For those who have plants in the garden, move some of them to smaller pots. If you don’t have time to grow the plants, simply buy it from the nearby store. You just need to pick the lush ones. They provide better shade than the tiny plants. You could also have some privacy by arranging the height of the pot.
2. Install Pop Up Canopy
Do you want a temporary solution for hot days? Then you should buy pop up canopy. It is affordable and doesn’t require permanent installation. Once the hot season is over, you could keep it in the storage room. This product is sold in different color and size. Make sure you know the dimension of your patio before going to the store. Otherwise, the top part might bump into the ceiling.
3. Set Umbrella Parade
While you walking on street, umbrella is the best shield from the heat. At home, the patio should be the best place to cool down. To provide some shade, line up the umbrella. The height should match the bottom roof. The number of lines is up to you. As long as you have umbrella in the store room, you could put them for display. This idea requires minimum effort and cost.
4. Bring Out the Portable Panels
Many houses have portable panels. They are helpful to set borders, creating extra room for the guests. When the guests leave the house, the panel is neatly folded. Since the weather is too hot, you could bring the panels to patio and line them up. See how they work: the sun is blocked and you spend nothing. Once the weather is cool enough, you could push the panels to the corner.
5. Attach The Sail Shade
Why is it called sail shade? The triangular shape resembles the sail in sailor ships. Good news for you: it could be made from used blankets or plastic cover. You will need ropes to tie the corners. It is best to attach the ropes to the poles or the closest trees. See the shadow carefully; the sail should provide shade to the centre area. You probably need another assistant to attach the sail shade.
6. Build Lattice Structure
Have you ever heard of lattice structure? It resembles a net but built from wooden material. Some people prefer to install it on the top while others use lattice structure as side panel. In several cases, both the top and the side panel use lattice. Usually, the side with this structure is exposed to the sunlight. To add more colors, you may add some greeneries on a big pot. Will it be your favorite corner?
7. Cover the Patio with Drop Cloth
Do you have drop cloth or used blankets? It could save you from the harsh sunlight. First, you need a pole to attach the cloth. If you don’t have one, then make simple pole using pipes and connectors. The total costs will be less than $200. Forget about the base! You could simply tape the pipe to the chairs. Hang the blankets or drop cloth like curtain.
8. Add Awning
This item is the one for all solution. Houses with medium patio should try to install awning. There are a lot of online stores offering the product and installation. The price you pay includes both costs. You only need to decide on an installation date. Some staffs will help you to install the awning. Enjoy the cooler patio with your guests after the simple upgrade!
9. Purchase Exterior Umbrella
Where is the area that the guests will hang around the most? In low budget project to provide shades to the patio, you need to focus on this spot first. Purchase an exterior umbrella to shield the guests from the sunlight. Don’t forget to measure the area that should be covered. If possible, buy a bigger umbrella, so you and the guests could stay in one spot the whole day.
10. Pick Bohemian Style
Each room deserves a theme. It helps you to decide what items to bring into the room. In your patio, what would be the most appropriate theme? What about Bohemian? The main idea of this theme is broken white, woven furniture and other vintage items. The star should be the curtain panel and other chic items are the supporters. Try it and you won’t be disappointed!
11. Build Cotton Tent
The open patio area is great until the sun rises up to the midday. It is too hot to handle, even if the sky is clear. Building a cotton tent in the patio area would be a great solution. You have private space and at the same time hold a semi-outdoor outing. Bring whatever you want into the tent as long as these items make you comfortable. Call your friends to spend good time with you!
12. Create Total Cover
In some areas in Asia, many street vendors are using a type of cover. It has clear material in the middle, so people could see if the business is still open. Another gap serves as the door. Borrowing this idea? You could find tent material and the clear plastic. If you are not a fan of DIY project, try to find customized product. Let the staffs check the measurement properly.
13. Craft Macrame Shade
Have you heard about macrame craft? If you never see one before, just think of neatly knitted spider web from thin rope. It is possible to make macrame ceiling on your open patio or pergola. For more shades, hang several baskets. It could be crafted item or plants. Fit the arrangement to your style.
14. Build Canvas Panel in Pergola
Probably the reason of your hot patio is the exposed ceiling. Thus, the only solution to this problem is covering the opened ceiling. Slip canvas fabric in between the ceiling bars. It will block the sun but allow soft light to shine on the floor.
15. Layer The Sail Shade
Are you a fan of sail shade? It must be annoying to move along with the sun. Now you could stop moving around. Before that, install more than one sail shade on your patio. Make sure the position could cover all corners!
