Pairing furniture with the right umbrella, as well as deciding how to place it near furniture, can feel challenging, but it doesn’t need to be. We offer some tips on what to consider when choosing the best Shade7 umbrella for your furniture.
At its simplest function, an outdoor umbrella is a practical, affordable and versatile means of getting something between you and the sun for comfort and protection in your outdoor space. Making sure the umbrella’s style, shape and colour will suit your space will greatly increase your enjoyment of the shade. And to make sure you will enjoy the shade for a long time, choosing an umbrella that is suited to the purpose, being durable, weather resistant and fade resistant is the next consideration. Choosing well will give you comfort and protection, enhance your outdoor living space, and save you money in the long run by having an umbrella that will last for many years.
Size
When choosing the right sized umbrella, your intended use and location will be your guide. Just as the size and use of the space determines what outdoor furniture you get, the size and use of the furniture is your best guide to size, shape, style and number of umbrellas you will need.
To get an idea of what size umbrella you need, measure across the space where shade will be essential. Stand just outside the furniture for a generous measurement, and using that measurement, choose your umbrella size based on the area size you need to cover. Getting an umbrella a little bigger than the furniture means better shadow over the day with less need to move it with the sun. The sun and the umbrella shadow will move all day. The smaller the umbrella, the more likely you will need to move it to keep the shade where you want it. If you are primarily using the umbrella for a short time for one or two people, small is ideal. More people and longer use would benefit from a bigger shadow that will keep more people protected for longer without having to move the umbrella.
There is one important proviso around size – umbrellas need to be closed when not in use, so ensuring the umbrella can close around your furniture is important. For furniture which is easily moved, such as lounge chairs, this isn’t so important. However, with furniture that can’t easily be moved, choose an umbrella with a high enough ground-clearance to have a stress-free experience closing the umbrella.
Riviera Premium 3,5 octagonal dark Grey rotated from dining table to poolside sun loungers
The smaller the umbrella, the higher the ground clearance of the closed umbrella. A ‘smaller’ big umbrella that can rotate over the day, such as Shade7’s 3.5m octagonal Riviera cantilever which has a ground clearance of 1.05m, will give you a trouble-free experience and a generous shadow. This high clearance height also makes it the best option for shading spa pools that are 1m high or lower.
Shading Tables
Tables have a standard height of 750mm. For big outdoor tables, Shade7’s Riviera 4.0 octagonal cantilever offers a fantastic amount of shade and good ground clearance of 800mm., perfect for 8-10 seater tables. If you are considering a centre pole/market umbrella that will go through the table, Shade7’s Milan 3.5 octagonal is the perfect size for a large table using a market umbrella.
When shading a table, a good rule of thumb is to allow half a metre per person at each side or end of the table. For example, a 1.8m table with half a metre added per person becomes a 2.8m area to shade. Shade7’s 3.1 Venice or 3.5 Milan will offer generous shade. The Venice 2.6 might be on the small side for a 1.8m table. For a 1.6 table or smaller, the 2.6 Venice can be ideal, but as always, Shade7 recommends going as big as possible for your purposes and space. While a square umbrella might offer more shade than an equivalent octagonal shape, be sure to check the clearance of the closed umbrella. A 2.5m square Milan will clear a table top when closed, but could leave people at either end of a 1.8m table exposed to the sun.
Cantilever umbrellas with furniture
A cantilever umbrella’s mast (or pole) stands outside the socialising space, extending the canopy like a roof over the seating or dining area, effectively creating a ‘room’ without walls. With the Riviera cantilever umbrella’s ability to tilt and rotate, it is possible for one large Riviera umbrella to shade you all day long, even as the sun moves. Lining up more than one looks amazing, and gives you even more control over sun protection for your family and friends.
Riviera 4.5 positioned between furniture settings
With most New Zealand outdoor spaces facing the sun, the best sun protection will be by placing the umbrella between you and the sun, which often means between you and the view. Thanks to the cantilever’s design, you can place the mast off to the side and rotate the canopy into the path of the sun. In this instance, to choose the best installation spot for your furniture you would consider when you are most likely to be outside, and where the sun will most often be, and ensure that the umbrella canopy will be in easy reach of your lounge suite or table when you will most need it.
Shape
Square umbrellas can be the most difficult to manage around furniture, so check the closed umbrella ground clearance, and ensure that if it will be moved or rotated, you will have room for the long corner arms and still enjoy the look of it against your furniture. Octagonal (round) umbrellas are the most versatile around furniture, with a higher ground clearance in general, and always look intentional and symmetrical whatever the angle of the canopy or the shape of the furniture.
Riviera 3m Square with space behind to close the umbrella away from the table
Other ways to manage the issue of closing umbrellas around furniture are:
- Install the umbrella on a wheeled base that raises the umbrella height a little, and can be moved away to a clear space.
- Install the cantilever umbrella with a clear space behind it so the umbrella can be rotated away from furniture to close.
- Install the umbrella opposite the furniture rather than behind it. This is ideal if you are facing the sun, as having the umbrella between you and the sun offers the ultimate protection.
Riviera Premium 4.0 matte black, Off White with wheeled base
Market Umbrellas With Furniture
Another approach to shading furniture is to pair smaller umbrellas with individual areas, for example, a market umbrella through a dining table, or between two sun loungers. Two smaller umbrellas spread across a space can be just as effective as one large umbrella and can create a gorgeous effect.
Multiple 2.5m Square Milan umbrellas for generous shade
If you would like more help pairing your furniture with the right Shade7 umbrella, the friendly and experienced Shade7 team will be happy to help advise, and you can view all options at 1096 Great South Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland 1060.
