The Top 29 Shade Sail Ideas

“Life is checkered shade and sunshine.”  –  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Every sunny day is better with a little shade. But what do you do if your outdoor living space is uncovered, and you need a quick backyard shade solution? Start shopping for a shade sail.

Also called sail shades, these fabric canopies are an excellent way to cover a patio, deck, swimming pool, or garden. Shade sail installation is a relatively easy DIY process, and certain types of sun sail are ideal for renters who need a removable type of sun protection.

Check out these amazing shade sail ideas and see if one is the answer to your backyard shade cover needs.

1. Backyard

A sun shade sail is a great way to add a shady corner to your backyard. When planning the outdoor space around a playground, include a shade sail to keep children from getting overheated.

A shade sail can also keep a trampoline, putting green, or bocce ball pit comfortable on sun drenched days.

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For a creative splash of backyard color, purchase three or more smaller shade sails in different colors and slightly overlap them over your deck or patio.

As the light filters through them, they will cast festive rainbow hues on you and your guests.

2. Deck

Many backyard decks are uncovered, making an awning or other shade structure a great idea.

An outdoor shade sail protects your skin from harmful UV rays and helps protect your deck surface and patio furniture from sun damage.

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Shade sail fabric comes in a wide variety of colors to coordinate with any décor style. Keep in mind that white and light colors reflect sunlight the best and will keep you cooler than darker hues.

This might not matter so much in a cool climate, but in hot regions, maximum backyard shade is welcome.

3. Freestanding

A freestanding sun shade sail is basically an oversized outdoor umbrella. Its canopy opens above a tall shade sail post affixed to a heavy platform.

It’s often set at an angle, so the canopy adequately covers the desired outdoor area without interfering with foot traffic.

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A freestanding waterproof shade sail will protect you from rain as well as UV rays. A big advantage to a freestanding patio shade sail is that it can be moved to cover different areas as needed.

For example, you may want shade over your outdoor kitchen while cooking, then move it over your outdoor table while dining.

Another benefit of this type of sun shade is that you can close it when sun protection is no longer needed and enjoy gazing at the stars.

Some freestanding sun shade sails are attached to permanent posts set in concrete. Others are mounted to the wall on movable arms that can be repositioned to follow the sun’s path through the sky each day.

A freestanding sun shade sail might not cover as wide an outdoor area as a larger sail, but they’re a perfect shade idea for a smaller outdoor area.

4. Attached to House

Some shade sail styles are meant to attach to the side of your house. It’s important to find out ahead of time if your exterior wall material can handle the strong tension required to keep a shade sail canopy extended.

If you’re renting your home, check with your landlord before attempting a DIY shade sail installation.

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Ideally, at least two of the sail shade anchor points should be located on the house. The other anchor points (one with a triangle shade sail; two with a square shade sail) can be attached to a large tree or sturdy post instead.

5. Patio

No matter the size of your patio, it can benefit from some form of sun shade.

Some patios are covered, perhaps by an upstairs balcony, but many backyard patios are fully exposed to the sun. Often, your best bet for UV protection is a professional or DIY shade sail installation.

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If you have a chiminea or fire pit on your patio, you can still enjoy the protection of a shade sail. Just find a custom shade sail with a hole in the middle to allow smoke to escape.

Line up your fire source under the hole and you’ll be set. Hang string lights beneath your patio sun shade to add to the backyard magic at night.

6. Pergola

A pergola is a backyard structure that has a lattice or beamed roof instead of a solid ceiling. It’s often positioned over a deck or patio or may be used to designate a special garden area.

If you need solid sun shade while sitting under your pergola, attach a shade cloth, canopy, or awning to the pergola’s roof beams.

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In addition to a sun shade, consider adding tie-back curtains to your pergola. Draw the curtains closed for cabana-like privacy or to create an outdoor room instead of an open outdoor living area.

7. Pool

Enjoyment of a backyard pool is far greater when there is a good source of shade. If your pool and deck are fully exposed to the sun, installing a sun shade sail will allow you to spend more time outdoors without getting sunburned.

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UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day, so if your family spends all day at the pool, the chance of sunburn is great. You may want to install two or more shade sails over the pool itself. It will protect you from direct sun rays and the rays reflected off the water’s surface.

8. Retractable

A retractable sun shade may be a better choice than a permanently affixed shade sail. This is especially true if you enjoy having an uncovered patio or deck and only plan to use the awning occasionally.

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Retractable sun shades can be manually retracted, but more expensive models are electronically powered. While sun shade sails are usually made of water-resistant fabric, a retractable awning may be made of cloth, vinyl, or natural fibers.

9. Sunshade

A sunshade isn’t just for the backyard. If your neighborhood association permits it, consider installing a shade sail over your driveway to protect your car from UV ray damage. If your front door lacks a cover, a shade sail can work there as well.

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If you have a lot of trees on your property, don’t allow leaves to accumulate on your sunshade fabric. If left there too long, they can break down and permanently stain the fabric. You should also clean your shade sail periodically, with soap and water, rinsing well with your garden hose.

10. Triangle

One fun aspect of shade sails is that they come in a variety of shapes and colors. For example, the Coolaroo shade sail company makes square, rectangular, and triangular shades in several sizes. 

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Their triangle party shade sails are small and portable, perfect for taking on a picnic or playdate. They come in brilliant shades of yellow, blue, orange, green, and red.

Triangle shaped sail shades are generally smaller than square ones, but their shape adds a whimsical touch to the garden or patio.