Spring is just around the corner, and along with spring comes beautiful blue skies accompanied with bright sunny days. If you have an outdoor pool area or a large backyard great for sunbathing and barbeques, then you might want to create an area in your yard for a safe haven from the sometimes-overbearing Florida sun. There are a variety of ways to create shade and comfort in your backyard with your own personal flare.

One way to add shade and value to your home is to add Pergolas or Lattice Shades. Pergolas could be a separate entity in your yard or affixed to your house. These backyard additions can add more value than your traditional umbrellas for a variety of reasons. They add architectural flair, shading options, and an inviting addition. Pergolas & Lattice Shades are typically made from high quality materials used to outlast the harsh outdoors, while also being made out of lightweight aluminum. These qualities make them a great long lasting addition to your house.

These additions can also be easily personalized and are made to cater to you and your personal style. Some of the creative ways people have personalized the Pergolas is by adding: Reeds & Leaves, Live Foliage, Branches or Bamboo, Lattice Panels, Fixed Fabric, Shade Cloth, Retractable Canopies, or Curtains.

Some Florida Pergolas are dressed up with Reeds & Leaves, Foliage, or Branches & Bamboo help the Pergolas blend in with its surroundings and add in some further protection from sun and rain. It also helps add some natural ambiance and character. If the Pergolas are going to placed near a garden or lake this can also be a good alternative to the traditional Pergolas.

Fixed Fabric, Shade Cloth, Retractable Canopies, or Curtains are also very stylish and functional. While thinking about fabric choices try and make sure you choose a fabric that is water resistant and can withstand the outdoors. There are some companies like Sunbrella or Harbor Time that make fabrics that can withstand nature and are fade resistant. The choice to go with curtains or shade cloth can help protect you from the ocean breeze and help provide some shade while also creating a luxurious or vacation destination appearance. If you would like to be able and eliminate sunlight during the summer but also be able to open it up during the Florida winters, another option would be to install a UV resistant retractable canopy. Another option that is popular is having a combination of curtains with a bamboo top to help give your pergolas a resort aesthetic.

Spring is approaching and now is a great time to start thinking about what you want to do to upgrade your yard. Pergolas are a great option, especially in Florida where the weather is nice all year long. No matter which design concept you choose it would add value to your home and create a great ambiance and outdoor area for your family and friends to enjoy all year long.