Backyard shade ideas

There’s nothing better than sitting outside and soaking up some sunshine, whether it’s a hot summer’s day, or that welcome warmth that breaks through winter skies. Whatever time of year you find yourself enjoying the sunlight, it’s important to protect yourself from the more harmful effects of the Aussie sun.

When it comes to backyard shade ideas, there are lots of options available. From shade sails to pergolas to trees, you can bring shade into your garden in a myriad of different ways. If you’re looking for inspiration for your yard, then here are some of our favourite stylish shade ideas for your backyard!

Shading Plants

If a natural vista is your garden vision, then there are a number of plants and trees that you can add to your outdoor area to offer shade while maintaining your yard’s scenic allure.

Planting trees that provide shade in your garden is an easy way to create cooler areas that offer some protection from the sun. From the Jacaranda to the Coast Banksia, you can choose a species that fits in with the rest of your garden.

Outdoor Installations

Many homeowners who want to secure more shade in their yard take this as an opportunity to create an outdoor living space using permanent, temporary, or retractable options. With so many places to shop around now, you can really curate the space, tailoring it to your unique style and needs!

Shade sails

Made from UV-resistant fabric, shade sails are a cost-effective and easy way to bring sun protection to your outdoor area. Place them above your pool, over your carport, or across your patio for simple protection against the sun. 

Shade sails come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, so you can easily find one to suit your needs. They can be installed in a variety of ways, and can be cut-to-size to fit your outdoor entertaining space. Not only do shade sails provide much-needed protection from the sun, but they can also be a stylish addition to your garden.

Pergolas

Generally built over a patio or deck, pergolas are a more-permanent shade solution than shade sails. Made from wood, aluminium, or plastic, they can be designed to suit the specific aesthetic look of your garden. There are even options for retractable shade and louvre roofing to allow you to control the amount of sunlight that comes through. 

Pergolas provide protection against the sun, and they can also add value to your home. Most often, pergolas are attached to the existing build of your house, stretching across to create a shaded outdoor entertaining space. If you’re looking for an attractive and practical way to bring shade to your backyard, a pergola could be the perfect solution.

Gazebos

If there’s a specific area in your garden where you love to sit back and relax, then a gazebo could be the perfect addition. Often made from wood, these structures are designed to be a centrepiece in your garden. Once in place, you can set up your seating below and create a relaxing space for enjoying the outdoors without being exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. For an added touch of whimsy, you can string fairy lights around your gazebo, bringing a sense of warmth to the space, even on cooler days.

Gazebos come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that perfectly suits your space. From square to round and everything in between, there’s a gazebo to suit every taste.

Outdoor blinds

If you have a decking or patio area already built, then outdoor or retractable blinds can help to bring the space together, giving you and your guests a break from the sunshine. This style of blind can be added to your existing pergola or gazebo, and will help to protect the furniture inside, as well as keeping out insects and pests. Another benefit of blinds is that you can raise and lower them throughout the day, so you can always let in just the right amount of sunlight!

Temporary Solutions

Before taking the plunge and investing in a permanent fixture in your yard, you may prefer to find a temporary option to test out. Lucky for you, these temporary fixtures can be just as beautiful as more permanent ones, and are ideal for smaller spaces that you may want to change up from time to time.

Portable umbrellas

An easy and relatively inexpensive way to create shade in your garden is with a portable umbrella. These umbrellas can be placed wherever you need them and moved as the sun moves across the sky.

Awnings

Another great temporary shading solution is an awning. Awnings can be attached to the side of your house and pulled out when needed. They’re a simple garden and patio shade idea that can be retracted when you want to enjoy the sun to its fullest.

Pop up gazebos

Pop up gazebos are ideal for providing temporary shading in a space. Set them up for family barbeques, events, or just to enjoy your garden in the shade. These gazebos are usually easy to assemble and can be taken down and stored safely out of the way when not needed.

Ask the Experts

No matter your budget or style, at Jim’s Mowing, we have no doubt that there’s a shade solution out there that is perfect for your needs. For more assistance or guidance on bringing your dream garden to life, you can contact the Jim’s Mowing team!