Patio Umbrella

Sitting outside on a warm summer day is one way that we all like to spend family time together. But sitting in the heat isn't fun for very long. That's why we like to sit under the shade of a nice big patio umbrella.

The patio umbrella is one of the most important, but often forgotten pieces of patio furniture. What good is a patio if sitting in it means baking in the sun? A good umbrella is the key to being able to enjoy your patio and the time you spend on it.

There are quite a few different types of patio umbrellas. The most commonly thought of one is the patio table umbrella. This is the traditional kind that sits in a hole in the center of your patio table and provides shade to everyone sitting around the table.

A patio table umbrella can be purchased together with the patio table, or separately. It is a good, but basic choice, and does have some drawbacks, the first being that it means that you don't have use of the whole table, and also that it only shades those sitting at the table itself.

The Rectangular Patio Umbrella

Did you think that patio umbrellas had to be round? Well if you did, you're in for a surprise! Another trend in patio furniture is the rectangular patio umbrella. Besides being very stylish and making a distinctive fashion statement, the rectangular patio umbrella has the advantage of being able to provide shade in a different shape and area than a round umbrella.

Another newer type of umbrella is one that is becoming increasingly popular, and that is the cantilever patio umbrella, also known as the offset patio umbrella.  Offset patio umbrellas are free standing and can be moved around to provide shade in any part of the patio or garden.  They stand in a sturdy patio umbrella base rather in the center of a table, and are very beautiful, elegant, and versatile.  The base comes up and bends over the top of the umbrella, with the actual umbrella handing down from it.  Being able to have shade wherever you want to be-- be it at the table or while reclining in a lounge chair is a very big advantage, and is a big part of why this type of patio umbrella is so popular.

Think there's nothing more to outdoor patio umbrellas than the umbrella itself?  Think again!  The umbrella is only the beginning.  There are two patio umbrella accessories in particular that are worth mentioning; patio umbrella stands, and patio umbrella lights.

No matter what kind of patio umbrella you have (with the exception of wall mounted patio umbrellas) you're going to need a sturdy patio umbrella stand that will support the umbrella and keep it from toppling over.

When looking for a patio umbrella base, keep in mind that you want to get one heavy enough to support your umbrella, so you'll need to know just how big your umbrella actually is.  If you have a patio table umbrella you can go with a lighter base, but if you've opted for an offset patio umbrella, or a different type of freestanding patio umbrella, you'll need a heavier stand.  In this case we would recommend that you choose one that is 100 lb or more, for optimal safety and security.

Patio umbrella lights are another great accessory that you can really benefit a lot from.  Being in the shade doesn't mean that you also have to be in the dark, and patio umbrella lights can really enhance your garden experience.  There is a very big range of options in terms of patio umbrella lights, and you can make your choice based on beauty and practicality.

One option is to use outdoor string lights along the ribs of the umbrella.  Another option is to use special LED lights that sit around the top of the pole.  You can even find candelabra type lights as well.  When it comes to patio lighting, there are many options, and patio umbrella lighting is a great way to combine beauty and functionality.

Patio umbrellas can be a hassle to set up, especially if they're big and heavy.  This offset patio umbrella has a special one-touch function to make it easy to open up and put away.