Jump to:
When it comes to British gardens, having a covered space in your yard can be incredibly rewarding. There are two great approaches to achieving an effective sunshade: 1.) invest in garden rooms, and 2.) choose a low-cost or DIY shelter alternative.
If you’re going for the practical route, then these garden shelter ideas are sure to inspire you!
1. Take cover with a cheap garden parasol
One of the simplest ways to add shelter and shade to your outdoor space is with a parasol or umbrella. This BillyOh 2.7m Cantilever Parasol is a fitting example. It provides the perfect cover from the sun or rain — perfect for hosting mini get-togethers. It’s fully weather- and UV-proof and includes LED lights to illuminate the area when the sun sets.
2. Keep it cool with a shade sail
A sun shade sail is an elegant solution to provide shelter at your garden’s edge and is designed to offer protection from the elements. It’s made of weather-resistant material and demands minimal upkeep.
These sails are available in various shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and triangles. To beat the heat, hang one that complements your space from the corners of adjacent walls or fences.
3. Invest in garden awning
An awning canopy delivers extra shade without adding a fixed structure to your home. Attach it to the exterior wall for a retractable source of shelter from the foul weather or bright sun. It’s especially ideal for patios and decking that get bombarded by UV radiation.
4. Enjoy the outdoors in a gazebo
Garden gazebos may come with a higher price tag, but they’re surely worth the investment. Take this wooden gazebo, for instance. It creates a cooling sun shelter anywhere in your garden. It also makes a great venue for outdoor and event gatherings, too. Customise it with screens or curtains for privacy and insect-free space.
Note: There are cheaper options, too, like this BillyOh Pop Up Gazebo 3m x 3m.
5. A pergola for an open-air living space
If you can’t get enough of the outdoors, lounging, and alfresco dining, you can never go wrong with a pergola. Defined by vertical pillars and overhead rafters, it allows natural light while offering shade as needed.
6. Use fabrics as a makeshift shelter
Prefer DIY over buying? Fashion your own patio shelter from a piece of fabric suspended on walls or trees. While it won’t keep out the rain, it works well for providing a bit of respite on a hot summer’s day.
Tip: For a subtle look, stick to a plain white curtain, or opt for a patterned design to add serious style points!
7. Build a tent for garden picnics
A tent hideaway like this would create the perfect sheltered base for a family garden picnic. You can recreate the structure yourself with a few materials. To assemble the tent, you need only an old sheet, tent pegs, and a couple of poles.
8. Relax in a poolside cabana
If you own a backyard pool, a cabana is a perfect addition. A cabana is a hut-like shelter designed to offer shelter with full shade. It’s often used alongside a pool, at resorts or on beaches, offering a tropical or Mediterranean vibe.
9. Go extra with a large garden umbrella
While a regular-sized parasol does the job, opting for a larger version can keep you sheltered from the sun wherever it moves. Consider a double-sided design for maximum shade coverage. Also, go for a cantilever model to shade a larger area without any obstruction from a central pole.
10. Equip your patio with a rolling sunshade
Rolling sun shades for the garden make the perfect blinds for patios and balconies. They offer increased privacy and protection from the harsh sun. Easily adjustable, these garden shelter ideas can also be customised throughout the day. They can be affixed to standing structures such as pergolas for maximum shade.
11. Recreate this DIY bamboo canopy
This canopy shelter shows the versatile use of bamboo. The material is an excellent choice to create a natural feel in your outdoor living space. Here, the bamboo shelter is paired with creeping vines, which add a sense of privacy to the shelter.
12. Garden archway covered in climbers
For this approach, you have to look to nature for inspiration. An arbour with a deeper shade of greens is a good case in point. Fill it with climbers and shady plants for a shady meadow-like vibe. Place a garden bench nearby or in the tunnel-like structure to maximise the shaded area.
13. Take the natural approach
Nothing’s more natural than taking advantage of what the landscape offers. This shaded pathway is one of our favourite garden shelter ideas! Trees and a wide swath of shade-loving plants surround it. Hang a hammock on the branches to mark your lounging territory.
14. Unwind in a daybed canopy
A daybed canopy is more like an upgraded version of a rattan sunbed, offering a refuge against the sun. The daybed itself offers you a luxurious retreat where you can rest and unwind. Meanwhile, the canopy creates a shady oasis under the sun on your patio. This setup lets you lounge and entertain in comfort during the midday sun.
15. Take a break in an arbour bench
Perfect for small gardens, a seated arbour bench doesn’t take up too much space, and it fits well at the corners, too! It’s a permanent structure featuring a bench with a built-in roof, offering you a private space for your me time.
Garden Room Option: Summer House
A summer house might cost you a bit more upfront than the options above, but hear us out. The main reason we include this as a shelter suggestion is its enclosed design. What this means is, you’re not just getting a shaded shelter, but also a retreat away from prying eyes.
In this guide, we differentiate a summer house vs a gazebo. Both are great, but a summer house stands out not just for warm weather but when a cold wind blows, too. Unlike open shelters, you won’t have to worry about feeling burned by the sun or getting rained on.
A summer house gives you a permanent shelter that just needs furnishing to make it home-like. Their tongue and groove wooden walls even aid with noise blocking. This separate summer houses from other garden shelters, where traffic or neighbour noise can interfere.
You can always upgrade your current shelter setup later on!
Round-up
When doing a garden makeover, adding some cover has promising benefits. The best shelter and shade will protect you from the sun, rain, wind, and cold and let you get more out of your garden. These garden shelter ideas prove that it doesn’t have to be expensive to achieve that.
When dealing with background noise, here’s a guide on how you can cut it down: How to Block Noise in the Garden. These methods work whether you choose a low-cost garden shelter or a summer house.
If you have any questions, contact us or give us a call at 01909 768840.
