20 Standout Shade Structure Ideas to Help You Beat the Heat
Discover shade structures with designs that range from classic to contemporary and everything in between
A covered outdoor space can help you enjoy time outside in good weather or bad, such as when the sun is too bright or a soft rain is falling. We’ve gathered 20 examples of stylish and innovative pergolas and shade structures that designers used to provide that extra bit of outdoor protection. Browse through them for inspiration, then tell us in the Comments which ones you like best.
2. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Indoor living easily moves outdoors at this San Francisco Bay Area home thanks to expansive sliding doors, a new wraparound patio and a cantilevered shade structure. HDR Remodeling installed a solid ceiling off the house for protection against sun and rain. Rafters that extend from the overhang create a shady spot for dining while also letting in natural light.
Indoor living easily moves outdoors at this San Francisco Bay Area home thanks to expansive sliding doors, a new wraparound patio and a cantilevered shade structure. HDR Remodeling installed a solid ceiling off the house for protection against sun and rain. Rafters that extend from the overhang create a shady spot for dining while also letting in natural light.
3. Elegance and Style
This covered dining patio in Brookline, Massachusetts, has it all: classic style, room to gather and a lush planted backdrop. Zen Associates included mounted heaters for chillier days and overhead lighting for nighttime dining. A stone half wall creates a sense of enclosure while still allowing easy access to the adjacent — also covered — outdoor kitchen.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
This covered dining patio in Brookline, Massachusetts, has it all: classic style, room to gather and a lush planted backdrop. Zen Associates included mounted heaters for chillier days and overhead lighting for nighttime dining. A stone half wall creates a sense of enclosure while still allowing easy access to the adjacent — also covered — outdoor kitchen.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
4. Rustic Outpost
A modern rustic pergola is the centerpiece of this redesigned backyard near Boulder, Colorado. TLC Gardens treated the custom structure’s steel frame to match the farmhouse’s color palette, adding wood rafters for shade on hot summer days. Integrated lighting along the edges and in the retaining wall helps keep the party going after dark.
A modern rustic pergola is the centerpiece of this redesigned backyard near Boulder, Colorado. TLC Gardens treated the custom structure’s steel frame to match the farmhouse’s color palette, adding wood rafters for shade on hot summer days. Integrated lighting along the edges and in the retaining wall helps keep the party going after dark.
5. Resort Beauty
Wood and metal form a contemporary screen and shade structure that defines this resort-inspired lounge setup in Dallas. Southwest Fence & Deck used steel to form the frame, then inset smooth cedar for sun protection. A slatted screen along the back provides privacy, while the cantilevered design keeps things feeling open and light.
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Wood and metal form a contemporary screen and shade structure that defines this resort-inspired lounge setup in Dallas. Southwest Fence & Deck used steel to form the frame, then inset smooth cedar for sun protection. A slatted screen along the back provides privacy, while the cantilevered design keeps things feeling open and light.
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6. Midcentury Pavilion
SMS Architects took its cues from this Richmond, Virginia, home’s midcentury modern style when designing the pavilion and pool. The angled support posts harken to the 1960s, while the bright white ceiling color matches the surrounding hardscape and keeps the structure from overwhelming the space.
SMS Architects took its cues from this Richmond, Virginia, home’s midcentury modern style when designing the pavilion and pool. The angled support posts harken to the 1960s, while the bright white ceiling color matches the surrounding hardscape and keeps the structure from overwhelming the space.
7. Filtered Sunlight
There’s plenty of room to lounge and dine in shady comfort at this Westport, Connecticut, home. The O’Dell Group set the pergola’s rafters at a 90-degree angle to the beams and then added lath above in the opposite direction to create a crisscross pattern. The result is an open feel that still provides plenty of sun protection and casts intriguing shadows on the lounge below.
There’s plenty of room to lounge and dine in shady comfort at this Westport, Connecticut, home. The O’Dell Group set the pergola’s rafters at a 90-degree angle to the beams and then added lath above in the opposite direction to create a crisscross pattern. The result is an open feel that still provides plenty of sun protection and casts intriguing shadows on the lounge below.
8. Angled Approach
A tilted roof gives this simple pergola in Austin, Texas, some flair. In addition to enhancing the small poolside deck, the shade structure designed by Cutters Landscaping protects against sun and rain and adds comfort with an overhead fan and lights. As a bonus, the tilt also drains rainwater off the roof and behind the deck.
How to Create an Inviting Outdoor Seating Area
A tilted roof gives this simple pergola in Austin, Texas, some flair. In addition to enhancing the small poolside deck, the shade structure designed by Cutters Landscaping protects against sun and rain and adds comfort with an overhead fan and lights. As a bonus, the tilt also drains rainwater off the roof and behind the deck.
How to Create an Inviting Outdoor Seating Area
9. Bridging the Gap
Tucked between the guesthouse and pool, this secluded covered patio turns an otherwise empty corner of a San Diego yard into the perfect spot for morning coffee or afternoon drinks. San Diego Master Craftsmen used the screen along one side of the patio to support the cantilevered shade structure, adding contemporary style while honoring the home’s Craftsman roots with the tightly spaced wood lath design.
Tucked between the guesthouse and pool, this secluded covered patio turns an otherwise empty corner of a San Diego yard into the perfect spot for morning coffee or afternoon drinks. San Diego Master Craftsmen used the screen along one side of the patio to support the cantilevered shade structure, adding contemporary style while honoring the home’s Craftsman roots with the tightly spaced wood lath design.
10. Year-Round Destination
This pergola houses almost everything you’d need for hanging out in the yard. Cutters Landscaping set the tone with a metal-and-wood structure that’s sturdy enough to keep out the elements. An oversize fan cools things down in the Austin, Texas, heat, while ceiling lights make the space practical for nighttime use. With the fireplace, TV and outdoor kitchen, this covered deck welcomes guests year-round.
Which Pergola Is Right for You?
This pergola houses almost everything you’d need for hanging out in the yard. Cutters Landscaping set the tone with a metal-and-wood structure that’s sturdy enough to keep out the elements. An oversize fan cools things down in the Austin, Texas, heat, while ceiling lights make the space practical for nighttime use. With the fireplace, TV and outdoor kitchen, this covered deck welcomes guests year-round.
Which Pergola Is Right for You?
11. Pattern Play
A metal overhang with an intricate graphic design gives this Berkeley, California, yard a modern touch (and also complements the wood pattern below). To keep the transition between the living room and the outdoor space as seamless as possible, JE Green Solutions mounted the awning with cable supports rather than beams.
A metal overhang with an intricate graphic design gives this Berkeley, California, yard a modern touch (and also complements the wood pattern below). To keep the transition between the living room and the outdoor space as seamless as possible, JE Green Solutions mounted the awning with cable supports rather than beams.
12. Industrial Beauty
A pergola with a graphic steel-patterned roof is the perfect place to relax and enjoy this Los Angeles yard and the continually changing patterns that are cast underfoot. Debbie Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design also added an aerodynamic fan to keep things cool and a lighting design for the entire yard.
A pergola with a graphic steel-patterned roof is the perfect place to relax and enjoy this Los Angeles yard and the continually changing patterns that are cast underfoot. Debbie Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design also added an aerodynamic fan to keep things cool and a lighting design for the entire yard.
13. Dining in Comfort
This dining area in San Mateo, California, mixes sun and shade to great effect. Tierra Madre Fine Gardens kept the custom pergola open on either end to let in more light. It then covered the center with shade cloth, providing sun relief for diners and softening the steel structure’s clean lines.
This dining area in San Mateo, California, mixes sun and shade to great effect. Tierra Madre Fine Gardens kept the custom pergola open on either end to let in more light. It then covered the center with shade cloth, providing sun relief for diners and softening the steel structure’s clean lines.
14. Steel Canopy
An arched canopy with translucent panels lets in plenty of sunlight while also providing a solid cover. Sage Construction Services gave the pergola a more contemporary feel with the metal canopy and railings, but it used the decking and traditional lines of the arch to blend it in with the existing San Francisco Craftsman-style home.
An arched canopy with translucent panels lets in plenty of sunlight while also providing a solid cover. Sage Construction Services gave the pergola a more contemporary feel with the metal canopy and railings, but it used the decking and traditional lines of the arch to blend it in with the existing San Francisco Craftsman-style home.
15. Rain or Shine
Rainy weather doesn’t stop these Kirkland, Washington, homeowners from heading outdoors to entertain. The large pavilion features polycarbonate panels above to let in light while keeping the often-present rain at bay. Board & Vellum added removable shades for those days when the sun is shining brightly.
Rainy weather doesn’t stop these Kirkland, Washington, homeowners from heading outdoors to entertain. The large pavilion features polycarbonate panels above to let in light while keeping the often-present rain at bay. Board & Vellum added removable shades for those days when the sun is shining brightly.
16. Classic Awning
Calimia Home went old-school with a black-and-white striped awning in Coral Gables, Florida. The look nods to the home’s traditional style, while the angled design keeps air circulating as it blocks the sun.
Calimia Home went old-school with a black-and-white striped awning in Coral Gables, Florida. The look nods to the home’s traditional style, while the angled design keeps air circulating as it blocks the sun.
17. Sail Style
A large shade sail lends a modern look to this Louisville, Colorado, home. DAJ Design ensured the sail was large enough to provide needed shade during warmer months without overpowering the space or blocking the light. Come winter, it’s easy to take the sail down to protect it from snow and rain.
A large shade sail lends a modern look to this Louisville, Colorado, home. DAJ Design ensured the sail was large enough to provide needed shade during warmer months without overpowering the space or blocking the light. Come winter, it’s easy to take the sail down to protect it from snow and rain.
18. Cool Curves
This Australian shade structure’s flowing design matches the adjacent pool’s free-form shape. A single light and airy support near the pool and two other supports at the wall streamline the pergola’s design. Architect Neil Cownie subtly nodded to the home’s midcentury modern architectural look while also creating plenty of room — and shade — for the patio furniture.
This Australian shade structure’s flowing design matches the adjacent pool’s free-form shape. A single light and airy support near the pool and two other supports at the wall streamline the pergola’s design. Architect Neil Cownie subtly nodded to the home’s midcentury modern architectural look while also creating plenty of room — and shade — for the patio furniture.
19. Custom Creation
A freestanding pergola is an unexpected bit of whimsy in this Palo Alto, California, yard by Verdance Landscape Architecture. The laser-cut steel panel was inspired by the home’s Spanish Colonial style and the homeowners’ artistic affinity, setting the tone for the intimate seating area. The angled, cantilevered canopy also makes the most of the tight space.
Read more about this lush outdoor retreat
A freestanding pergola is an unexpected bit of whimsy in this Palo Alto, California, yard by Verdance Landscape Architecture. The laser-cut steel panel was inspired by the home’s Spanish Colonial style and the homeowners’ artistic affinity, setting the tone for the intimate seating area. The angled, cantilevered canopy also makes the most of the tight space.
Read more about this lush outdoor retreat
20. Living Roof
This design by Anne Carr accentuates the home’s Spanish influence and provides the perfect resting spot for people and pets. Hefty wood beams support a thriving bougainvillea vine that shades the deck and interior of the Los Angeles home during summer months. Come winter, when the plant dies back, natural light will brighten the space.
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This design by Anne Carr accentuates the home’s Spanish influence and provides the perfect resting spot for people and pets. Hefty wood beams support a thriving bougainvillea vine that shades the deck and interior of the Los Angeles home during summer months. Come winter, when the plant dies back, natural light will brighten the space.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design guides
Browse thousands of outdoor photos
Work with a landscape contractor in your area
Shop for outdoor products
Exposed beams, board-and-batten detailing and a white-and-black color palette bring farmhouse-inspired style to this covered patio in Austin, Texas, by Double B Design. Graphic tile covering the base of the island and sleek woven stools add a modern touch.
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