As the world seems to expand and the population continues to increase, everyone’s personal space decreases. So, you can see how having an outdoor area of your own to furnish and style is a luxury! It is important that you put thought into designing and furnishing your outdoor area. Imagine… a sweltering hot Australian summers day, you are going outside to enjoy the weather, but realise you have no outdoor umbrella to protect you. Or perhaps, you go outside despite this and end up burning your skin or damaging your eyes from the glare. This is where an outdoor umbrella can be the perfect solution! Now, as with choosing all other sorts of furniture for your home or garden, ensuring you’ve picked the right umbrella can be difficult, especially when umbrellas don’t come cheap!
With many brands available on the market, and with so many styles, colours & patterns, it is no doubt that we’re spoilt for choice. So, stop of focusing on the brand, and which one is the most expensive or least expensive. Instead, we have compiled a list of the different parts of the umbrella and the qualities that you should look for in them.
The Foundation:
When it comes to the base of the umbrella, you want it to be strong and sturdy. Having a rock-solid base is the perfect foundation for any good umbrella. There’s nothing worse than having your umbrella continuously fall in the pool on a windy day. On top of this, it is a must that the base is broad. Having a broad base will ensure the flexibility of the umbrella and support its weight throughout, thereby preventing the top from bending. Our final note on the importance of a durable base is that it guarantees the longevity of your umbrella.
Stem:
The post can really make or break an umbrella, if it is too thin and flimsy, you can be sure it will never stay still, especially if you live in a windy area! On this note, however, there is great variation in the types of stems you can go for. Are you only wanting to cover your face while you let the rest of your body soak up all the sun? Or are you wanting full coverage while you enjoy lunch outdoors on a beautiful sunny day? So, it really depends on the amount and type of coverage you are looking for that will determine the type of stem you need.
One great option is a stem with hinges. Hinges allow the umbrella to be bent to any angle, blocking the sun from whichever angle it may be coming from at the time. This type of umbrella may be the perfect purchase if you are planning on using them next to sun lounges or by the pool.
On the other hand, if you are looking for the perfect umbrella for your outdoor lunch table in the garden, you may want to look for one with broader coverage. The perfect solution to protect your food and keep the sun off your back!
Ribs and Fabric:
We’ve finally got our base and stem sorted, it’s time for the fun stuff! Ribs and fabric; which colour will you choose? Are you going to go for a solid colour or a pattern? Frilly edges or straight?
Choosing your favourite style of fabric and matching it with the exterior and interior of your home can be fun, but it is key not to forget the importance of the role the fabric has to play. The fabric and ribs are the part that ultimately protects your skin from the sun, and we all know the kind of damage the sun can do if your skin is left unprotected!
Moreover, as your umbrella will be living outside, you will need fabric that is robust and resistant to the sun and rain.
Summary:
Our final tip to you on how to decide what kind of umbrella you need, is to answer yourself one question. “Do I need an umbrella for the table or am I looking for a freestanding umbrella?” Freestanding umbrellas are perfect for the lounge area or for shade on the sunbed. It will prevent you from having to continuously turn your back to the sun while trying to read and relax!