When the weather is warm and the sun is shining, there’s nothing better than lounging outside for a few hours with a cold beverage and a good book. And while getting some sun is great, it’s important to avoid too much direct sun. That’s why it’s a great idea to invest in a patio umbrella.
Patio umbrellas can stand alone on your deck or be placed through the hole in a patio table to provide coverage when dining outside — it just depends on what you want a patio umbrella for. Whether you want to relax alone in your yard or gather a few friends, a patio umbrella will provide coverage from direct sun, and it’ll also make a stylish fixture for your outdoor area. There are two kinds — market and offset (also called cantilever).
A market umbrella, as the name implies, resembles the kind you’d see at an outdoor dining area in a restaurant. They’re tall, straight, and can be easily folded in, typically using a rotating handle. These are great for placing over a table when entertaining. Offset or cantilever umbrellas have a hanging arm that holds the umbrella away from the base, somewhat similar to the way a task lamp functions. Offset umbrellas are great when used with an outdoor chaise lounge.
We’ve rounded up some of the best patio umbrellas, including market and cantilever options. These are the ones to get.
