Patio cover ideas – to create shelter, shade and privacy in the garden
If you’re determined to use your garden for as long as possible this summer, a patio cover will help you shelter from both the late summer sun and the odd rain shower.
‘Think of cover for a patio – and a shaded spot – as a multi sensory experience of sight, sound and scent,’ says award-winning landscape and garden designer, Sarah Eberle. ‘Trickling water or swaying grass will feel cooling, while foliage is good at absorbing heat. The aim is to create an area to relax in, so avoid busy bright colors and instead focus on texture, using green, with and paler blooms – blues are a great choice and they look wonderful in the evening light, too.’
In the Mediterranean they do shade well out of necessarily, so look at pictures of gardens there for ideas to suit all sizes and budgets.
To get you started, we’ve rounded up the best patio cover ideas for creating shade, adding intrigue and providing shelter in your garden.
