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Brolly Ideas for Your Balcony
Sun protection and personality can go hand and hand with these parasol designs
Karla Rey
18 April 2018
Houzz Contributor. Landscape architect in another life. I have a fervent affair with travel, books, photography, films, design, and architecture. I think having great company to share stories with over good food are essentials to a happy life.
Author and co-editor of 'Makisawsaw: Recipes x Ideas' book, published by Gantala Press.
Houzz Contributor. Landscape architect in another life. I have a fervent affair with... More
Shading systems help reduce energy consumption as well as create a more comfortable living space. One of the easiest and possibly, the least expensive shading system to add to a balcony, is an umbrella.
An umbrella can be broken down into: frame, cover and anchor (base). Frames can come in hardwood, aluminium (or other kinds of metal) or fibreglass. The cover is the fabric component of an umbrella, while the anchor is the product that allows the umbrella to stand, which can either be fixed or movable.
The most common type is a centre-pole umbrella, as is illustrated.
The most common type is a centre-pole umbrella, as is illustrated.
Another type of umbrella is the cantilever (or hanging umbrella) where the pole is on the side. This type of an umbrella tends to be pricier than centre-pole ones and may not fit in a small balcony.
8 creative ways to dress up a balcony
8 creative ways to dress up a balcony
Centre-pole umbrellas are therefore more flexible and more balcony friendly as they come in sizes as small as a 1.8 metre-diameter canopy, with many decorative elements built into the product like tassels and pole cladding.
If however, these decorative umbrellas do not match your design or if you have an existing one already, it is still possible to add character to a brollie. Here are some ideas:
If however, these decorative umbrellas do not match your design or if you have an existing one already, it is still possible to add character to a brollie. Here are some ideas:
1. Choose a fabric with a pattern you like
Common umbrellas come in solid colours. However, some suppliers offer clients the option to choose their own fabric that can be custom-sewn to fit the umbrella frame.
Tip: The general rule is the thicker the pole and the ribs, the stronger the umbrella is. As a bonus, thicker ribs can allow you to hang lanterns for fancy dinners right in your balcony.
Common umbrellas come in solid colours. However, some suppliers offer clients the option to choose their own fabric that can be custom-sewn to fit the umbrella frame.
Tip: The general rule is the thicker the pole and the ribs, the stronger the umbrella is. As a bonus, thicker ribs can allow you to hang lanterns for fancy dinners right in your balcony.
2. Create your own canopy pattern
If the fabric choices for custom-sewn covers are all in solid colours, consider choosing two or more fabrics that can be sewn alternately into each panel of the cover to make it interesting.
If the fabric choices for custom-sewn covers are all in solid colours, consider choosing two or more fabrics that can be sewn alternately into each panel of the cover to make it interesting.
3. Go two-tone
For stronger frames, having a different fabric on the top cover and the underside is another fun way of personalising your umbrella.
For stronger frames, having a different fabric on the top cover and the underside is another fun way of personalising your umbrella.
Tip: Adding a fringe to the umbrella edge softens the rigid look of the umbrella frame.
11 elements you need to style your small balcony
11 elements you need to style your small balcony
4. Customise art
A solid colour underside of an umbrella cover is like a blank canvas so get creative and paint on it! Or have an artist do it for you. Be sure to choose paint that is waterproof.
A solid colour underside of an umbrella cover is like a blank canvas so get creative and paint on it! Or have an artist do it for you. Be sure to choose paint that is waterproof.
5. Accessorise
Have tassels hang on the canopy or have fringes sewn into the edges. You can even integrate strings of LED fairy lights for a bit of whimsy.
Have tassels hang on the canopy or have fringes sewn into the edges. You can even integrate strings of LED fairy lights for a bit of whimsy.
TELL US
What other shade solutions would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section. Or share a photo of how you have added shade in your balcony. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Browse umbrellas and other outdoor furniture
What other shade solutions would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section. Or share a photo of how you have added shade in your balcony. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Browse umbrellas and other outdoor furniture
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