Adding a covered outdoor living area can increase your comfort level while providing an all-weather spot to gather, entertain, or just relax. Below, we’ll discuss some ways you can create covered outdoor living spaces.
Temporary Covered Living Space Solutions
You may not be ready to add any permanently covered outdoor living spaces just yet. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to add shade while retaining some design flexibility. Some options include:
- Shaded furniture. Furniture with an attached shade can be configured in whatever way makes the most sense for how you’re using it at the time.
- Patio umbrellas. These umbrellas can be opened and closed as needed, protecting you from the sun, rain, and the elements.
- Tarp or sunshade. Like patio umbrellas, a tarp or attached sunshade can stretch to create a covered area. And unlike umbrellas, which usually come in standard sizes and shapes, a tarp can be square, rectangular, triangular, or custom-designed to fit a specific space.
Creating Permanent Covered Outdoor Living Spaces
Many covered outdoor living spaces offer a more long-term solution.
A fixed or retractable awning acts as a permanent sunshade, attaching to a building or structure to provide shade and shelter to the area below.
Similarly, a roof extension can add to your existing roof to provide a seamless visual transition to a covered area. Roof extensions tend to be among the most costly options but can also serve as a permanent addition to your home.
A pergola is a gazebo-type structure that can be either fixed or movable. Pergolas provide near-endless flexibility; you can add curtains, vines, or other elements to provide more (or less) coverage.
If you’re not sure what type of cover will best fit your outdoor living space, look no further than Field of Dreams. Our consultants can work with you to find the perfect setup for your space, budget, and design aesthetic.