How to Create Shade in Your Yard

Hang up Shade Sails

We have used shade sails for years in a variety of ways — over the dining and workshop areas, in the gardens, and topping our new shade house (see below). They are inexpensive, simple to install, and come in a wide range of colors. Look for shade sails with at least 90% UV block for the best shade.

When you hang a shade sail, you’ll need to consider the angle of the sun at various times of day on your property as the shade created will shift depending on the sun’s orientation.

Build A Pergola

There are some fabulous pre-made pergola kits available now. Ours is the Aurora Pergola from Coolaroo, and it is the perfect shape and size for our patio. It makes eating or working at our dining table a wonderful solution any time of day.

We have been working on this project for almost 18 months — on and off, obviously. But the Shade House is finally living up to its name! And Coolaroo sent us a large shade sail which we stretched over the top for the hottest months of the summer. For this redhead with pale skin, that deep shade is amazing. Not only does it block the UV rays, it also drops the temperature underneath.

This project is inspired by orchid houses and shade houses built by the Victorians in the 1800s. Sometimes called “lath houses,” these structures were built to protect delicate plants like orchids and ferns from wind and sun. The lath strips block about 50% of the sun, but the open structure allows air circulation and pollination. 

Ours isn't strictly an orchid house – for us it is an outdoor living room – but of course, it will have some plants, too. For the summer months we installed a sun shade which gives us deep, cool shade inside. The temperature drops gloriously the moment you step in – it's a shady oasis in the middle of the yard. 

The black plastic on the ground is solarizing all of the weeds and weed seeds. Next we will get to work putting in a patio. Then it will be time for furniture – a big table and chairs and perhaps some lounge seating. 

More updates on this project coming soon! 

Put up some Umbrellas

We tend to think of umbrellas as something just over an outside table, but they can be used in lots of places. Just be sure to look for an umbrella with 90% or higher UV block. Most of mine are from CoolarooUSA.

I have installed several umbrellas permanently in my raised garden beds which makes weeding and tending this sunny spot much more comfortable. 

I also have an umbrella which I can move from place to place — great when I am working on planting out a new bed or doing intensive work in one spot. 

We installed an umbrella on our workshop deck which pivots allowing us to reposition it as the sun travels across the sky. 

And, of course, I have an umbrella over the stock tank pool which means I can take a dip anytime without worrying about getting burned!

Shade Fabric

Shade cloth is one of the cheapest ways to create shade in your yard. You buy it by the roll, and while it is intended for plants and in the garden, you can drape it over just about anything. Shade fabric comes in different blocking levels, too, so you can choose a deeper shade or just a little protection.

Here I created a simple a-frame and covered it with shade cloth for my tomatoes. You could also make a low tunnel. It has saved my tomatoes who were baking in the heat. 

I also hung shade cloth like a canopy in my greenhouse, and it helps keep the whole room so much cooler! My plants appreciate the break!

Roller Shades

We are all familiar with roller shades inside, but there are also great roller shades for outside, too. We installed one on our Coolaroo pergola kit which blocks the sun in the late morning and early afternoon.

Mount roller shades on your covered porch to cool it down in the afternoon. Or add them to your west-facing windows to keep your home cooler during the summer. They make a great addition to a covered patio, too.

Outdoor Curtains

I have my eye on some outdoor curtains. I love the blowsy, elegant look they add to a covered patio, and they are great for blocking afternoon light. I’m just not sure how well they will work in windy Colorado!

Grow A Living Canopy

Honestly, this would be my first choice for a covered pergola. However, I am not sure we would ever achieve something that’s practical with our short growing season in Colorado. So I will just have to dream about a Mediterranean oasis where leaves create dappled shade.

Plant A TREE

Planting a tree is definitely playing the long game, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing! Just be sure to take care when planting to set yourself up for success:

1. Choose a tree species that is native to your location. That way your tree is well-adapted to your water and heat/cold situations, plus you’ll be supporting native wildlife, too. Check out Homegrown National Park for resources to find native species where you are.

2. Plant your tree carefully. This is the best guide to planting trees based on the most current science. There really is a science to planting trees and getting it right from the start.

3. Water your tree. Lots of people don’t think to water their trees, but trees need water — especially for the first few years as their roots get established. This is a good guide for how much and when to water.

However you end up creating shade at your home, take care in the sun. Wear sunscreen and a good hat. Linger in the shade. And take good care of your skin!

Tag me on Instagram if you post about your shady solutions. I would love to see them!

@MidModernMama

Pin it!