25 Easy DIY Sun Shade Ideas for your Beautiful Backyard

Kimberly Crawford

Create a beautiful shaded retreat even when there isn’t a big leafy tree canopy. Make outdoor rooms with a variety of simple garden and yard structures.

Using the outdoors as an extension of the home is an art. Broiling in the sun or summer sun is torture without a gorgeous shade tree but doesn’t need to be. Combining the beauty of the sun and the outdoors takes a little forethought and understand in creating shade.

Create Permanent Shade without Plants or Trees

If creating a space that will provide shade for most of the year consider the time of year when shade is desired. Consider also the angle where the sun’s rays will produce the desired shadow at that time of the year. The following structures will give a shade spot.

Temporary Shade Structures

Additional sources of shade, with or without surrounding plants, are suggested.

Potted real or artificial plants in large colorful containers can be elevated to provide spots of shade along a walkway.
Garden furniture with awnings can be tiltyed in the direction of the sun.
Beach umbrellas are sometimes attached to outdoor furniture.
Canopies can be set up for large parties or weddings.
Bamboo or shades of natural material can be set up on poles to shade a specific area or plant.
Parachute material or sail material can be attached to pergolas and trellis or overhung from porches or slanted roofs to create shade.
There are movable awnings
Screened in pool enclosures are a nice spotted shade device.
Playground structures utilize shade canopies that can be removed if desired
Outdoor tiki hutches with thatched roofs for entertaining offer shade when serving drinks.

Shade can be created for the purpose desired even if there are no plants to offer a leafy roof. Determine the need and how often, stand and see where the shadows fall to create or purchase the covering. Shade can additionally be created without trees by selecting certain vines and bushes.