20 Budget-Friendly DIY Patio Shade Ideas With Complete Tutorial

Giving a shade to your patio is always a great idea to make it more enjoyable to use. In fact, you can’t say that you have an ideal patio without any shades installed.

Yeap, a shade provides lots of benefits for us as the homeowner to enjoy your patio. It refills the sun which comes through to the patio, so you won’t have to feel the excessive heat from the bright daylight.

Moreover, it also protects the outdoor furniture from the sun exposure which can damage the finish or the material itself. A shade will surely make your dining set looks well overtimes.

Therefore, installing a shade is totally one of the essentially considerable options when you are about to do some improvements to your patio. It’s such a great investment in the budget that you have prepared to remodel your outdoor living space.

Some homeowners may choose kind of sophisticated shades like pergola which is widely sold in form of kits or made-by-order from the contractors. Of course, it can be pricey, especially if you want to have the high-grade ones.

But, you don’t always need to go purchase a shade for your patio because there are some creative homeowners who have successfully made a patio shade by themselves. They use some easily available materials at very affordable prices to make the shade for their patio.

(Recommended to read: How Much Does a Covered Patio Cost? | Tips and Guides)

Here, we have picked some inspiring DIY patio shade ideas which are so tempting to copy. You won’t need to spend lots of bucks to have your patio shaded beautifully.

Well, let’s just keep scrolling to check them out!

Budget-Friendly DIY Patio Shade Ideas

IKEA Curtain Shade

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The convenient DIY patio shade is made of a cheap IKE curtain which will surely give a great comfort to enjoy the space. Since it’s a retractable patio shade, you can always adjust the portion of sunlight that you want to enjoy.

You can easily make it in no time without any tricky things to do. The materials are easily available and so affordable to buy. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Mosquito Netting Side Shade

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The design of this DIY patio shade is simply admirable and is so inspiring to try with about $200 cost in the making. You will need to prepare some cheap materials like mosquito netting and bamboo poles to create the shade in no time.

The light string is also installed on top of the frame to make it enjoyable at night. It can be a nice idea to try when you want to hold an intimate outdoor dinner with your family. The materials are easily available and so affordable to buy. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

(You may also like: 10 Must Have Grand Resort Patio Furniture Set Under $1000)

Cozy Awning

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For you who have a medium-sized patio, this idea can be one of the best options to try and you will need about $200 budget for this project. It’s a DIY patio shade that is perfect to complete a patio that is built with a gap from the house since it’s installed in a free-standing way.

The materials of this project are quite cheap and can be easily found in hardware stores. Unfortunately, the tutorial is presented in Dutch, so you may need a help to translate it. The materials are easily available and so affordable to buy. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Shade Sail

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This one doesn’t only shade your patio exhilaratingly, but also makes it look ay more jaw-dropping. The shade uses two sail fabrics with some steel posts to give you a maximum comfort. It’s a DIY patio shade that is perfect to complete a patio that is built with a gap from the house since it’s installed in a free-standing way.

The cost that you will need to spend to build this DIY patio shade is around $2,000. It may be quite pricey but you can save a lot more than using a contractor’s service. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Earthy Shade

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The cozy DIY patio shade which looks naturally beautiful with its material use. It’s designed in a very traditional way which flows very well with the surrounding of the garden. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Although the design is quite simple without using fabric and stuff, it still looks perfect and matches well with the surroundings. So, if you like something that can blend perfectly with an outdoor atmosphere, you can use wood as the main material.

Colorful Pergola

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The pergola is long known as one of the most popular choices to shade a patio. Here, such construction is completed with the fabric to give a more comforting shade to the patio. Since it’s for an outdoor area, you can use bright fabric for the shade.

It looks stunning indeed but it’s a project which involves lots of materials and elbow grease to make. Therefore, it’s more suitable for you who are willing to do more complicated steps to build a DIY patio shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Free Standing All-Side Shade

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This one doesn’t only shade your patio exhilaratingly, but also makes it look ay more jaw-dropping.  The easy DIY patio shade which is totally worth to try! It’s a free-standing shade that bocks the sunlight from three main sides to give you a cozy time to enjoy your patio.

The main materials are just some lumbers and outdoor fabric which is obviously very cheap to buy. Moreover, you can also make it portable for a more practical use. This design is perfect for those who like DIY projects with a simple process and a beautiful result. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

(You will love to see these: 27+ Smartest DIY Patio Lighting Ideas To Lighten Up Your Summer Night)

Simple Patio Shade

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Yeap, this is a simple DY patio shade which uses curtain and wood frame as its main materials. The shade is enough to cool off the atmosphere around the patio when you enjoy it during the summer days. The easy DIY patio shade which is totally worth to try!

The cost to build the shade is only around $100 which is so cheap but the result is so pleasing. You can also play with the decoration to enhance its beauty. It’s a project which involves lots of materials and elbow grease to make. Therefore, it’s more suitable for you who are willing to do more complicated steps to build a DIY patio shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Old Sail Shade

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This one doesn’t only shade your patio exhilaratingly, but also makes it look ay more jaw-dropping. The easy and simple project to repurpose an old unused old sail and turn it into a comforting shade for your patio. There is no need to install any posts here since you can just hang it onto the window cranks or trees.

The shade is totally easy to make without any need for a particular skill. You also don’t have to prepare other materials except for the sial ropes, and some securing stuff. The cost that you will need to spend may be quite pricey but you can save a lot more than using a contractor’s service. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Fully-shaded Pergola

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Another DIY patio shade with the pergola construction which is totally worth to include on your inspiration list. This one has a complete shade that covers its top and sides to maximally filter the sunlight from every direction.

Moreover, the shade on the side of the pergola is also rollable, so you can use it as you need. Obviously, the project mostly uses wood as its main material with the outdoor fabric as the shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Bohemian Style Shade

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The distinctively gorgeous DIY patio shade which is perfect to become an addition to your swinging bed. It’s made of the curtain panels, woven baskets, and other cheap materials that you can easily buy. It’s a great idea if you like to create something dreamy.

The design of the shade will give a chic bohemian touch to your patio decor. It does not only enhance the comfort of the space, but also its beauty at the same time. So, if ou are something who are into something aesthetic, then this is for you. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Canvas Panel Shade

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For you who are looking for a unique DIY patio shade, you better include this one on your list. The shade is made of some canvas panels which can be adjusted to suit your needs. It’s another idea that you can do by yourself with an affordable budget.

It’s quite easy to make and involves a few materials at an affordable price. You can also match it with your contemporary-styled patio to make it look way more attractive. So if you have a modern or contemporary house, this combination will not disappoint you. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

(Check this out: Free Standing Patio Cover Kits with Easy DIY Installation)

Small Shade

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This DIY patio shade works well for you who have a small patio with a 3-piece bistro set. The shade is simply made of an outdoor fabric and 4 bamboo posts which can get it done quickly. Another simple and quick inspiration for people who love simplicity,.

The posts are planted inside the planter to make it safely secured. Then, it also can be moved easily as you wish just by moving the planters. For the budget, of course, you do not have to worry because it will not cost you that much. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Lighten Shaded Pergola

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Making your pergola look as attractive as possible is always a great idea to make your patio feels more inviting. Here, a black pergola is completed with canvas drop cloth which doesn’t only give more shade but also styles it up gorgeously.

In addition, the string bulb is installed to lighten up the space during the night. It’s such a great reference to improve the existing pergola in your backyard easily. Obviously, the project mostly uses wood as its main material with the outdoor fabric as the shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Traditional Style Patio Shade

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Having a nice simple picnic every single day during this summer obviously sounds so fun, and this DIY patio shade is a must-have addition that you can make easily at home. You just need to prepare some wood poles and a canvas drop cloth to make one.

The design itself is so traditional that will make your outdoor living space look and feel so inviting. It’s enough to shade a medium-sized dining set comfortably. Obviously, the project mostly uses wood as its main material with the outdoor fabric as the shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Simple Free-standing Canopy

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Another inspiring DIY patio shade for your small patio in a very simple design to copy. The main materials for this project are outdoor fabric, wood poles, and panters which are easily available and affordable to buy. This shade is a perfect choice for one-use purposes.

You can see the milk jug containers are used as the base to secure the pole which creates such a catchy vintage look. The shade will add another style to your patio attractively. Obviously, the project mostly uses wood as its main material with the outdoor fabric as the shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Pergola White Curtain

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This idea shows how to make your pergola become more comfortable to enjoy by just installing some white curtains. It can cover the area where the sun exposure feels a little bit too much when you sit around during the summer breeze.

As a bonus, the white curtain also makes the pergola look way more stylish. It styles up the overall look of the outdoor living space gorgeously. Obviously, the project mostly uses wood as its main material with the outdoor fabric as the shade. (Check out the complete tutorial (Check out the complete tutorial here)

DIY Portable Awning

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The simple and portable awning to shade your narrow patio with a 3-piece outdoor furniture set. It provides enough shade for not more than 3 people under it while also being easy to move everywhere. This one is also a good option if you want something non-permanent.

The main materials that you’ll need to prepare are our rebar posts, PVC pipes, curtains, and some planters. It’s definitely a simple DIY patio shade that you can try to make easily and even bring it along when you’re going on a camping site. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

DIY Pergola with Lattice Roof

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This one is a good inspiration to make a pergola that gives a better shade for you. The wooden panel with a lattice pattern is added to the top of the pergola which works well as the shading roof. It can cover the area where the sun exposure feels a little bit too much when you sit around during the summer breeze.

Then, some curtains are also installed to make the patio way more comfortable to enjoy. The size of the pergola is enough to protect a large dining set perfectly. Since it’s a project that involves lots of materials, it will be more suitable for you who are willing to do more complicated steps to build a DIY patio shade. (Check out the complete tutorial here)

Stacked Sun Sails

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An easy way to make the sun sails give a better shade for you is by installing them in an overlapping way. Here, the brown shades are stacked to filter the amount of sunlight over a small patio with a 5-piece of bistro set.

The shade uses two sail fabrics with some steel posts to give you a maximum comfort. The design itself is so traditional that will make your outdoor living space look and feel so inviting. It’s enough to shade a medium-sized dining set comfortably (Check out the complete tutorial here)

How to Make a Patio Shade by Yourself

Decorating a cozy outdoor area like a patio shade is one of the ways that you can do to increase both the value of the home and also for your comfort, especially if you love spending your leisure time outside. As mentioned before that you don’t have to use expensive materials to make a stunning and functional patio shade.

It’s because everything depends on how you style and modify it. Even if you use an expensive material with flashy decoration, if the layout and placement are not right, then it will look less attractive.

Below is a quick tutorial on how to make a shade canopy using affordable materials like mosquito nets. You will see how a simple material can make your backyard becomes the center of attention.

Materials and Tools You Need

  • Arrow fastener multi grommet tool kit
  • Arrow fastener grommets
  • Sunbrella black and white 46″ fabric (used in the video: 6 yards)
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread for outdoor fabric
  • Hot knife (for cutting synthetic fabric to prevent unraveling)
  • 4x4x8 pressure treated wooden posts (4 total)
  • 4 plastic resin wine barrels
  • Fast setting concrete (4-5 bags of 50lb concrete)
  • Post level
  • 2x2x8 pressure treated wood (4 total for canopy)
  • Outdoor screws
  • Scrap 2×4 boards for bracing
  • Pea gravel or gravel (for drainage)
  • Velcro hook loop tape (for outdoor use)
  • Fabric (use in the video: mosquito net)
  • Bungee ball hooks
  • Outdoor battery-powered lights
  • Arrow fastener T75 wire and cable staple gun
  • Arrow fastener T75 staples
  • Bias tape (1″ and 2″ sizes)
  • Curtain weights
  • Power drill with drill bits
  • Circular saw, jig saw, or other tools to cut the wood
  • Tape measure
  • Gloves
  • Sandpaper
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection
  • Soil and flowers

(Read also: 10 Most Stylish 3 Piece Patio Furniture Set Under 100 Bucks)

Giving a shade to your patio is always a great idea to make it more enjoyable to use. It provides lots of benefits for us as the homeowner to enjoy your patio. It refills the sun which comes through to the patio, so you won’t have to feel the excessive heat from the bright daylight.

Some homeowners may choose kind of sophisticated shades like pergola but if you prefer something more simple and budget-friendly, you can use one of the ideas above as inspiration. Depending on the material you use and how you style it, the result will make your backyard feels touched by professionals.

DIY Patio Shade-min

So those are some incredible DIY patio shade ideas that you can try to make by yourself at home. You can include them on your inspiration list when you are about to remodel your very own patio.

Pick the one which suits the existing layout, overall design, and size of your patio so you can have a proper shade to enjoy. Moreover, consider using the durable and reliable materials that you will use for the shade since it has to deal with the direct outdoor environment.

Surely, installing a shade for your patio is one thing that you can’t miss to make it look and feel way more inviting. It’s such a must-have addition to having a super fun patio to enjoy regardless of the weather condition outside.

Keep in mind to wear some basic safety gear like hand gloves and eye goggles when you execute the project. It’s very important to wear those stuff since it may involve some sharp tools.

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