what can i do with shaded areas in my backyard

What can I do with shaded areas in my backyard?

• Plant trees. Shade trees are an obvious choice and an eco-friendly, inexpensive way to add shade to outdoor living areas.
• Add a gazebo.
• Invest in patio umbrellas.
• Stash a pop-up canopy.
• Install a pavilion.
• Include marquees in your patio design.
• Hang patio curtains.
• Construct a permanent roof.

Full Answer

How can i Improve my shady backyard?

A surefire way to improve any shady backyard is to divide and conquer. Here, a paver walkway creates a sense of purpose and destination among a mass of hostas and other foliage plants.

How do you make a shade for a small backyard?

25 Patio Shade Ideas for Your Backyard. 1. Hang shade sails. Shade sails are another affordable outdoor shade option that are versatile enough to cover small spaces or provide complete patio ... 2. Set up an Umbrella (or several). 3. Put up a Palapa. 4. Plant a Hedge or Install a Faux Hedge. 5. ...

Why do I need shade options for my outdoor living area?

To provide sun protection for your family and pets – and to make sure your guests are comfortable – it is imperative that you provide shade options for play areas, dog runs, pet areas, and outdoor living areas.

How can I make my outdoor living space more shaded?

One way to make sure your outdoor living spaces are shaded on sunny days is to set up your seating areas near existing structures that provide shade, such as fences or walls. 14. Use hoop shades. If you have ever seen a hoop shade, it was probably in a field protecting crops.

What to do with a backyard that gets no sun?

So what CAN you do in a low light situation?mulch.gravel.hardscaping (paths, fountains, ponds, fire pits, decorative stone)plants.or some combination of these things.

How do you landscape a shady backyard?

Landscaping for ShadeTechnique #1: Thin Canopy trees.Technique #2: Create the Illusion of Sun Dappling. Includes a list of the top variegated shade plants.Technique #3: Shady Shrubs for North Foundations. Includes a list of the top shade-loving shrubs.Technique #4: Add Excitement to Shade with Perennials.

What can you grow in a shady side yard?

Take a look at the side yards below, all of which feature beautiful combinations of plants that thrive in partial to full shade....Plants include:Wisteria (Wisteria sp.)Hydrangea (Hydrangea sp.)Boxwood (Buxus sp.)Ivy (Hedera sp.)

How do you decorate a shady lawn?

Shade Garden Design TipsAdd stone and water. One of the great things about shade is that it keeps you cool even on hot days. ... Repeat shade plants for unity. ... Add shady paths. ... Plan for shade garden gathering spots. ... Choose soothing colors for shade. ... Put shade plants in the right spot.

How do I make the most of the shady garden?

How you can brighten up a shady gardenAdd a splash of colour. Simply painting the walls and fences that border your garden can add a greater sense of light. ... Turn on the lights. You're short on light from the sun, so why not create your own. ... Choose the correct plants. ... Create sections. ... Introduce new soil.

What ground cover grows best in shade?

Best Ground Cover Plants for ShadeBunchberry (cornus canadensis) ... Sweet woodruff (galium odoratum) ... Yellow archangel (lamium galeobdolon) ... Vancouveria (vancouveria hexandra) ... Bishop's hat (epimedium) ... Wild ginger (asarum) ... 7. Japanese pachysandra (pachysandra terminalis) ... Bugleweed (ajuga reptans)More items...•

What is the best material for sun shade?

Knitted or woven fabrics are known to provide the best shade. Vinyl or polyethylene covers are used in awnings and can block out UV rays from your...

How do you shade a patio cheaply?

The least expensive way to shade a patio would be to use an umbrella or a shade sail. You can find one for under $100 online and they are known to...

What kind of patio cover is best?

There is no best patio cover, but you should choose the one that best fits the aesthetic of your home and yard. Pergolas with plants or covers can...

What is the best way to provide shade for an outdoor patio?

Patio umbrellas are one of the easiest, fastest, least expensive ways to provide shade for outdoor living areas. This shade option can be as quick and simple as purchasing an inexpensive market umbrella to drop through the hole in the center of your patio table minutes before you guests arrive.

How to make sure your outdoor space is shaded?

One way to make sure your outdoor living spaces are shaded on sunny days is to set up your seating areas near existing structures that provide shade, such as fences or walls.

What is the shade of a cabana?

Cabanas provide shade in the same way it is provided by other outdoor shade ideas, such as canopies or pavilions. However, a cabana is often situated by the water, such as on the beach or by a swimming pool, and generally gives off more of a beachy or tropical vibe.

What is a pop up shade?

Pop-up canopies are not the most elegant of outdoor shade ideas, but they are convenient, inexpensive and perfect for times when you need shade that is temporary or movable. Pop-up canopies are good for providing temporary shade over play areas or extra shade for parties that are too large to confine to your patio.

Can you use rolling shades on a patio?

Hanging rolling shades is a pretty simple, do-it-yourself project, which makes this an easy patio cover idea to use in your backyard.

Can you put curtains on a patio?

If you have an existing shade structure, such as a permanent roof, canopy, pavilion, gazebo, or cabana, you can add patio curtains to add shade, enhance privacy and provide protection from wind or rain.

Is a gazebo more expensive than a shade?

Gazebos are more expensive than the outdoor shade ideas mentioned so far, but this classic option adds a distinct element to your backyard. A gazebo provides a beautiful focal point and can act as an outdoor room to expand your living space beyond your home.

Where is the shade in the city?

Shade in the City. Lynn Gaffney. Located on a rooftop above a loft in New York's Chelsea district, this swooping structure designed by Brooklyn-based architect Lynn Gaffney provides shade, privacy, and safety—the slats were spaced precisely to prevent the owners' cats from squeezing through and escaping.

What is the oldest source of shade?

The original and oldest source of shade is a tree, especially a nice big one with twisting, sculptural limbs. Redesigned by ODS Architecture, this home near San Francisco went from overly shady to just-enough when its backyard tree was artfully pruned to allow dappled light to shine through.

What is a tin awning?

Your grandparents may have had tin awnings on their 1950s tract home, but they've come a long way since the days when door-to-door salesmen would compete for new homeowners' business. Contemporary awnings are softer, made of more pliable and longer-lasting materials, and, quite simply, better looking. Santa Monica-based designer/artist Joan Robey found a solution for this Sherman Oaks, California, patio, in which white fabric panels can be adjusted over the outdoor dining table via a pulley system.

Is an umbrella going away?

Umbrellas have been around for a long time and aren't going away anytime soon. Find a sturdy one from a reliable source, measure your space to ensure it will fit, and know what to look for when shopping for a good outdoor umbrella. Read More.

Do pergolas stop sun rays?

While most shade structures like this attached pergola designed by Hively Landscapes in Dover, Pennsylvania, provide overhead protection, they don't do much to stop intense rays from a setting sun. That's when these roll-up shades comes in handy—simply pull them down when needed, and retract when there's no glare.

What to do if you have a wet site?

If you have a wet site without the benefit of a natural place for the water to go, like a stream, you’ll have to create a solution. It would probably be wise to consult a landscape professional about installing drainage and perhaps a dry well to handle water runoff.

What bulbs do well in damp conditions?

There is only a handful of bulbs that do well in damp garden conditions. In the springtime, checkered lily ( Fritillaria meleagris ), quamash ( Camassia leichtlinii ), and summer snowflake ( Leucojum aestivum) add a touch of understated elegance to tufts of emerging perennials. American turkscap lily ( Lilium superbum) grows 6 to 8 feet tall in ...