If your garden is north-facing, then the likelihood is that you will avoid being out in it during the middle of the day when the sun is overhead. This can be a great shame because your garden ought to be a peaceful place of refuge no matter what time of day it happens to be. In order to make your garden more appealing during the heat of the day, you could install mist sprayers which cool you down. A much simpler approach is to make a shaded area where you'll feel more comfortable. What are the best ways of doing this?
Adjustable Awnings
If you have a terrace or a patio next to your home, then the best way to make it shadier is to install an awning on the side of your house that can extend outwards to make it cooler beneath. Roll-out awnings are perfect for making shade because they can be set to just the right height depending on the time of day and the month of the year. If you want a lot of shade, then you lower them further down. Conversely, if you only need enough shade for one or two people, you can raise them. Situated next to the house, they also help to keep the inside of your home cool. Motorised roll-out awnings are available as well, which means you don't have to wind them up or down by hand.
Shade Sails
Shade sails are increasingly popular in Australia. You tend to see them in public places like schools or children's playgrounds. Of course, a shade sail can also be fitted in your garden. In contrast to adjustable awnings, shade sails are fixed in place, so you cannot adjust them easily according to where the sun happens to be. They also need to be made of robust materials because they must withstand high winds, which means they are a bit more expensive than other options.
Pergolas and Summerhouses
If you want to create shade at the far end of your garden to create a seating area which affords views back across your property, then opt for a formal structure. Timber-made pergolas and summerhouses are ideal for this sort of project. Not only do they create a sense of destination in your garden, but they generate cooling shade which you can enjoy at the end of the day with a refreshing drink in your hand.
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