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Tips for Picking the Best Summer Patio Umbrella

With summer here and many people looking to spend more time in their homes in Atlantic Beach FL this summer, getting your patio into shape is a must this year. From comfortable seating, convenient tables, and maybe even outdoor kitchens or at least some nice coolers, it’s important to create a space where you want to sit back and relax with friends and family. One of the important features, especially in Florida summers, is a good patio umbrella.

While you may have covered patios, many people still like an outdoor area that is open and makes use of umbrellas for some shade from the worst of the sun. Depending on where you’re set up and how big the area is plays a big part in choosing just the right patio umbrella. Ultimately, you want to consider canopy, size, and features.

The canopy covers the fabric, shape, and style of the umbrella. Ultimately, you want a fabric that is long lasting, easy to clean, and fade resistant. Some of the most popular fabrics for outdoor umbrellas include polyester, acrylic, olefin, and the aptly named, Sunbrella.

As for shape, if you’re going to be using it as cover for a table, find a shape that matches or complements the table, such as a square umbrella for a square table, or consider round or hexagonal shapes for round tables or for seating areas, making sure it’s large enough to cover the whole seating area, not just the table.

When it comes to style, the popular market style is the type you often find placed in a table with an umbrella stand hole, but it can also be used free-standing between seating. A truly stylish option is the cantilevered umbrella that has an arched construction with a base set to one side and the canopy hanging over the table or seating area.

The size of the umbrella depends on how much space you want to cover. If you just want a small area, such as two deck chairs, there are smaller options that work well for that. However, if you want something that can provide coverage for a larger seating and/or dining area, then it’s important to make sure you choose an umbrella large enough to do the job. Fortunately, there are umbrellas in the 11.5′ to 13’+ range that can cover nine to 10 people standing.

Finally, don’t forget about the features that make a patio umbrella more useful throughout the day. Umbrellas that tilt to provide cover as the sun moves across the sky are particularly attractive if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors and don’t want to have to move furniture around all the time to get some shade. Also keep in mind the various methods of opening and closing, especially with large umbrellas that can be more labor intensive if you go with a manual lift, rather than a pulley or crank lift.

As for color, that’s up to you and your tastes. Many people choose a neutral sand tone that tends to complement a range of colors so that you can always update your seating cushions without worrying about them clashing with the umbrella. On the other hand, you can keep the seating neutral and let the umbrella serve as your pop of tropical color.

We build a variety of homes in Atlantic Beach FL that feature covered porches, covered patios, as well as open deck areas. Think about how you want to incorporate a patio umbrella into your layout and have fun choosing this cheerful accessory for your beautiful new home.

Categorised in: Design Tips, Tips for Picking the Best Summer Patio Umbrella

This post was written by Glenn Layton Homes