If you’re lucky enough to have a back yard or deck, you’ve got the advantage of a peaceful retreat away from the world. As long as the weather is acceptable you can do any number of things outside and enjoy the fresh air. But what if it’s blazing hot and the sun is beating down on your head making it extremely unpleasant to be outside? Here’s a couple of solutions to consider.

1. PATIO UMBRELLAS

If you have a smaller gathering area, either a small deck or a patio table, then a patio umbrella could be perfect for you. It doesn’t cover a huge area, but it offers beneficial shade which protects your skin and eyes, as well as cooling the area you’re in so you can enjoy that book you’re reading. If your patio table has a hole in the middle it’s designed to help support exactly this type of umbrella. If not, you can get a separate stand to help hold it up. Don’t forget the accessory items such as patio umbrella covers, patio umbrella stands or beach umbrellas.

2. RETRACTABLE AWNINGS

The deck awning is designed to shade your entire deck or patio. It works best if you actually have a deck, if you’re just unrolling it over grass it will still work, it just looks a little odd. They can be motorized or hand cranked, they can be cheap or expensive, and they can be ugly or pretty. Sunsetter is the most heavily advertised brand, but there are other options as well.

As you can see there are a couple of great options available to you. Don’t overlook anything else cool that comes your way, and take advantage of whatever you can afford in order to enjoy your outdoor sanctuary as much as possible during the year. If you’re reading this during some colder months it may be hard to think about things like this, but this could be the perfect time to shop in order to capture the best deals.