5 Easy Ways to Create Shade in Your Backyard

A backyard of a modern house with a stone patio and greenery surrounding it. The image showcases dark grey backyard shade sails covering the patio.

Backyard Shade

Creating a beautiful and inviting backyard is an essential element of any home. It's a space where you can relax, entertain and enjoy the outdoor surroundings. However, spending time in the backyard can become unpleasant, if not intolerable and unsafe, when the sun is beating down and there is no shade to provide relief.

This is where the importance of backyard shade comes into play.  With the right shade solutions, you can transform your backyard into a comfortable and cool retreat.  In this article, we will share five easy ways to create shade in your backyard, so you can make the most of your outdoor space.

By incorporating outdoor roller shades, outdoor blinds, patio shade, shade sails,  deck shade and shade fabric, you can easily create shade in your backyard and enhance its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

A backyard of a bungalow. The house has a wooden deck with a patio set and an orange backyard shade sail covering it.


Outdoor roller shades and outdoor blinds are two popular options for creating shade in your backyard. They provide an easy and effective way to control the amount of sunlight that enters your outdoor space. Outdoor roller shades are typically made of weather-resistant fabric that can block out UV rays and reduce heat transfer, keeping your backyard cool and comfortable.

They are available in different sizes, colors and styles to suit your needs and preferences. On the other hand, outdoor blinds offer a more customizable approach to backyard shade. They are available in various materials such as bamboo, wood and vinyl, and can be adjusted to let in just the right amount of light and privacy.

Shade Sails and/or Roman Shades are also great solutions for outdoor spaces.

Types of Backyard Shade

Types of Backyard Shade: Simplified Guide

Creating shade in your backyard enhances comfort and usability. Here’s a concise breakdown of popular shade options, their benefits, and installation insights:

1. Patio Blinds

  • Purpose: Enclose patios, shield from sun, wind, and rain.
  • Pros: Durable, customizable, provides privacy.
  • Cons: High-quality options can be pricey.
  • Installation: Attach brackets and blinds; available in manual or motorized types.

2. Patio Shade

  • Purpose: Covers patios using umbrellas, awnings, or canopies.
  • Pros: Versatile and customizable; various styles to suit budgets.
  • Cons: Temporary options may lack durability.
  • Installation: Easy for umbrellas; professional help for awnings.

3. Deck Shade

  • Purpose: Adds shade to decks via curtains, roller shades, or umbrellas.
  • Pros: Enhances comfort, decorative appeal.
  • Cons: Limited protection from small options like umbrellas.
  • Installation: Simple setup with minimal tools.

4. Shade Fabric

  • Purpose: Used in pergolas, sails, or gazebos to block UV rays.
  • Pros: Long-lasting, available in various colors and densities.
  • Cons: Proper tensioning required; not all fabrics are waterproof.
  • Installation: Secure fabric to frame using anchors or hardware.

5. Retractable Awnings

  • Purpose: Adjustable canopy for shade flexibility.
  • Pros: Convenient, motorized options available.
  • Cons: Higher cost, professional installation advised.
  • Installation: Mount brackets and attach awning mechanism.

6. Shade Sails

  • Purpose: Modern, tensioned fabric shade for stylish coverage.
  • Pros: High UV protection, customizable.
  • Cons: Needs sturdy anchors; removal during harsh weather.
  • Installation: Secure to posts or walls with proper tensioning.

7. Roman Shades

  • Purpose: Fabric shades that fold when retracted.
  • Pros: Stylish, easy to use, affordable.
  • Cons: Fabric wear over time in strong sun.
  • Installation: Attach support brackets and mount shade.

The backyard of a dark grey modern house. The backyard has a grey deck with an underground hot tub and a bold red patio set. The red backyard shade sail matches the aesthetic.


In conclusion, incorporating outdoor roller shades, outdoor blinds, patio shade, deck shade and shade fabric are all excellent ways to create shade in your backyard. These options provide versatility, functionality and aesthetic appeal, making your backyard a more enjoyable space for all your outdoor activities.  By choosing the right combination of shade solutions, you can turn your backyard into a comfortable and inviting oasis.

Key points:

  • Backyard shade is essential for creating a comfortable, enjoyable and safe outdoor space.
  • Outdoor roller shades and outdoor blinds are effective and customizable options for controlling sunlight and creating shade.
  • Patio blinds, patio shade and deck shade are all variations of backyard shade solutions.
  • Shade fabric is a versatile material with various uses and benefits, making it an excellent choice for backyard shade structures.
  • Incorporating a combination of shade solutions can transform your backyard into an inviting and functional outdoor space.

Check Us Out on YouTube

Our YouTube channel includes detailed installation guides, frequently asked questions, product overviews and lots more. We are always open to content ideas so please let us know if there is a topic you would like us to cover.

Check Us Out on YouTube

Our YouTube channel includes detailed installation guides, frequently asked questions, product overviews and lots more. We are always open to content ideas so please let us know if there is a topic you would like us to cover.

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