7 Ways to Provide Shade in a Small Garden or Outdoor Area
Check out these seven ideas for planning a compact backyard or garden that catches the sun and offers shady a retreat
In a compact garden, courtyard, deck or other outdoor area it can be tricky to provide both sunny and shaded spots, but there are ways to do it. Take a look at these seven gorgeous examples to see how to create a cool-off zone in your own little alfresco space.
2. Layer leafy plantings
Give your small deck, courtyard or patio a cool, tranquil vibe by densely surrounding it with large-leaved plants. Go for a few tall specimens to create overhead shade and supplement them with mid-level and ground-cover foliage.
Give your small deck, courtyard or patio a cool, tranquil vibe by densely surrounding it with large-leaved plants. Go for a few tall specimens to create overhead shade and supplement them with mid-level and ground-cover foliage.
3. Plant a tree
We often think that we shouldn’t clutter up a tiny yard with big plants, but a tree can, in fact, work well. Large proportions often make a small yard feel bigger. With this in mind, it pays to plant a tree in your compact space to provide an area of shade.
We often think that we shouldn’t clutter up a tiny yard with big plants, but a tree can, in fact, work well. Large proportions often make a small yard feel bigger. With this in mind, it pays to plant a tree in your compact space to provide an area of shade.
4. Build an outdoor room
This patio is entirely in shade since the owners turned it into an outdoor room. The corrugated roof on the wooden structure shelters it from the sun’s strong afternoon rays.
If you can extend the footprint beyond the roof, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
This patio is entirely in shade since the owners turned it into an outdoor room. The corrugated roof on the wooden structure shelters it from the sun’s strong afternoon rays.
If you can extend the footprint beyond the roof, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Need a pro for your landscape design project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
5. Put seating against a fence
The easiest way to create a shaded spot is to push outdoor seating right up against the wall or fence that gets the least amount of sun. Tucking it into a leafy border is even better since the plants will help form a natural canopy.
This outdoor dining area is ideal as there’s enough room for a few people on the built-in bench – even more can pull up a seat on the other side of the table.
The easiest way to create a shaded spot is to push outdoor seating right up against the wall or fence that gets the least amount of sun. Tucking it into a leafy border is even better since the plants will help form a natural canopy.
This outdoor dining area is ideal as there’s enough room for a few people on the built-in bench – even more can pull up a seat on the other side of the table.
6. Install a pergola
A pergola is an elegant option for shading a yard, even in a small space. A wooden structure such as this one is lovely in itself and even more beautiful with plants growing over it.
The lattice overhead structure on this pergola goes well with the modern farmhouse design in the rest of the space, and it allows slivers of light to filter through to the area below.
Browse more beautiful outdoor areas featuring pergolas
A pergola is an elegant option for shading a yard, even in a small space. A wooden structure such as this one is lovely in itself and even more beautiful with plants growing over it.
The lattice overhead structure on this pergola goes well with the modern farmhouse design in the rest of the space, and it allows slivers of light to filter through to the area below.
Browse more beautiful outdoor areas featuring pergolas
7. Erect an awning
If you want some flexible shade in your little yard, a shade sail could be the way to go. This piece of canvas can be attached to any high hooks, branches or posts to shade you when the sun is at its hottest. When it gets cooler, you can simply take it down or move it to another position.
Your turn
How have you brought shade into your small yard? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More
Need more practical tips to improve your outdoor space? Read up on 10 Spots to Save Money in Your Garden Makeover
If you want some flexible shade in your little yard, a shade sail could be the way to go. This piece of canvas can be attached to any high hooks, branches or posts to shade you when the sun is at its hottest. When it gets cooler, you can simply take it down or move it to another position.
Your turn
How have you brought shade into your small yard? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More
Need more practical tips to improve your outdoor space? Read up on 10 Spots to Save Money in Your Garden Makeover
On this deck in Melbourne, Victoria, by Native Design Workshop, climbing vines will grow up the pergola and across the wire rows to soften the building and shade the dining area. As an alternative, you could use timber slats to run across the pergola frame.
Find a landscape architect near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients