How Beach Umbrellas Can Make Your Patio Welcoming
Perhaps one of the most important patio components is an umbrella. The best big beach umbrella will make your patio more welcoming and improve its aesthetics. It will also offer excellent protection from the scorching sun and provide the needed shade when hanging out with your family or friends. In addition, it will protect your patio furniture from harsh elements of nature.
The best beach umbrellas are made from strong, durable material that won’t fade from excessive sun exposure and keep ultraviolet light away. They’re also designed for easy setup, take down, transportation and storage when needed.
Choosing Which Beach Umbrella Is Right for You
If you wish to select the perfect small or large beach umbrella for your patio, you need to factor in several considerations, including:
1. Size
Before shopping for the beach umbrella, take a tape measure and determine the amount of space you need to shade. Keep in mind these umbrellas come in varying sizes and shapes. You want to select an umbrella that will cover as much space on your patio as possible.
A 7ft beach umbrella will come in handy if you wish to provide cover for tables and chairs for optimal comfort. But if you have kids, opt for a 9ft beach umbrella. It will offer them enough space to play while protecting them from the harmful effect of sunlight.
2. Shape
Whether you get a 5ft beach umbrella or a 6ft beach umbrella, ensure its shape matches the shape of the patio furniture like table and chairs, for a more cohesive look. For maximum coverage, choose a square beach umbrella. Such parasols enhance modern décor styles and create a sleek, stylish look.
3. Color
The color of the beach umbrella might not sound like a significant factor to consider, but it’s important. You don’t want to buy an umbrella with a color that doesn’t match your home and patio aesthetics. Unlike patio umbrellas, beach umbrellas come in several colors and patterns. The brightness of a white beach umbrella or a blue beach umbrella will liven up your outdoor living space. But you can always select other colors.
4. Material
The ideal beach umbrella for your patio should come with a heavy-duty and durable fabric to handle all weather elements. That means you should avoid anything prone to fading, holes, and molds. Shop for an umbrella that dries quickly and offers UV protection. Canvas and vinyl are arguably the best material for beach umbrellas. But you can choose a polyester umbrella if you want to save money.
5. Beach Umbrella Anchor
Most beach umbrellas don’t need an additional base, anchor, or plate to stay in place. They are constructed to act like anchors when placed in sand, thanks to the stake pole at the end. But some come with a corkscrew anchor for added support. If you want to use a beach umbrella as a table umbrella, you will not need an anchor. But for free-standing umbrellas for your patio, you will require heavier bases for extra support.
6. Frame Construction
Another factor worth checking is the frame construction. Most beach umbrellas feature solid construction to resist water, sand, rust, and long exposure to the sun. They are also strong enough not to break and hurt the user. For this reason, they make perfect umbrellas for patios. Usually, they come with a powder-coated steel frame for enhanced strength and beauty. Some feature fiberglass ribs that protect the frame from bending amid harsh weather. An umbrella with an aluminum frame is your best option if you live in a place with frequent storms. Not only is it strong but also resistant to corrosion and super portable.
Styling Your Outdoor Space with Beach Umbrellas
There are several ways to add a stylish touch to your patio or garden with beach umbrellas. For instance, you can use a decorative or patterned umbrella to create a focal point for your outdoor living space.
Alternatively, you can select a beach umbrella that harmoniously fits with the chairs and tables on the patio and links through with the home’s interior design. This way, when a visitor catches a glimpse of it, it doesn’t appear too garish.
You can integrate your 360 degrees parasol with lighting ideal for the warm summer evening. Integrate the lights into the fiberglass to shine upwards or downwards. The lighting will come in handy when holding a special get-together or just chilling and enjoying the evening breeze.