Color is an influencer for mood and can make you feel good about the day. When it comes to patio umbrellas, the color choice is a personal preference. But you are advised to choose lighter colors over darker ones. This is because dark colors tend to fade due to heavy rain and sun radiation. You can choose a color that blends with the patio furniture or choose a color that stands out alone in the whole patio.
Nowadays, patterned umbrellas are mostly used for patios. There are many prints that you can choose from. For example bold stripes or polka dots.
You can use two main color schemes to come up with the best combination of colors for umbrellas. These color schemes are; analogous color schemes and complementary color schemes.
- Analogous Color Scheme/ Analogous Color Palette
This is a scheme of colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. You can use an analogous color scheme to choose the best color for your patio umbrella. This is because colors contained in this scheme are usually pleasing to the eye and you can easily draw inspiration from this color scheme. Examples of analogous color schemes are (yellow, yellow-green, green) or (red, red-orange, orange.)
Using analogous schemes means your patio umbrella will have colors that follow each other on the color wheel and they are almost similar.
How to Create a Patio Umbrella with Analogous Color Scheme
Start by choosing one color that dominates especially primary colors for example red or blue or yellow. Then choose a second supporting color. Finally, the third color is used as an accent.
In summary, pick any color at any point on the color wheel and record its directly next neighbor on either side (right or left). And there you have an umbrella with an analogous color scheme.
Patio Umbrellas with Analogous Color Palette
The analogous color palette contains 4 to 5 colors, unlike the analogous color scheme that contains three colors. An analogous color palette is used to give your patio umbrella temperature. If you want your patio umbrella to have a warm temperature you can use a color palette of red, red-orange, orange. And for a cool patio umbrella use an analogous color palette of blue, blue-green, green.
- Complementary Color Scheme
These are colors that are directly opposite to each other on the color wheel. Patio umbrellas with this scheme are attractive to the eye because the colors clash in a good way. This means that the colors balance out each other. If you want your patio umbrella to stand out using the complementary color scheme. You should note that this color scheme works well in low doses or else they will look jarring if not well managed.
Complementary colors are made of one cool color and one warm color. For example yellow-purple or blue-orange or red-green.
Try and Blend the Colors
As we have seen patio umbrellas with complementary color schemes stand out, we can also blend in with those around the patio. For example, if your house is ruddy red, you can blend in with a fiery-red patio umbrella. This can be said to be a cohesive color scheme. Sometimes white and cream umbrellas go with any environment they are incorporated in.
You can also blend in by using natural colors such as yellow or green to go with the color of the foliage and grass. You can also blend in with the sky by selecting an umbrella that is sky-blue in color. You can also blend in with the color of your furniture. That is to select a patio umbrella that matches your patio furniture color.
Black Patio Umbrellas
Black is an odd color for a patio umbrella, but it is the best for the summer season. This is because black will absorb the hot summer heat and under the umbrella will remain cool.
Another advantage is that black umbrellas are more durable and they do not show dirt, dust, or any bird’s droppings. The only shortcoming of a black patio umbrella is that when it fades it is the ugliest thing in the world.
Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Patio Umbrella
- Size and shape
It is recommended that the patio umbrella should be 5 feet larger than the area you want it to cover. The shape of your patio umbrella depends on the size of the umbrella and sometimes personal preference.
Octagonal patio umbrellas are mostly the largest followed by the squared ones and lastly the rectangular ones.
- Material
Acrylic and olefin are the common materials used to make patio umbrellas. Both of these fabrics are made to withstand the harsh outdoor environment. But acrylic is the best because it is resistant to fading, waterproof, and also sun-resistant. This is why patio umbrellas with acrylic canopies are more expensive than the ones with olefin.
- Color
When it comes to color, personal preference is used. Choose colors that will match your outdoor décor. You should note that dark colors fade over time while lighter colors show dirt and dust. You can choose an umbrella that stands out with complementary colors or blend the umbrella with your outdoor décor.
- Bases
There are two styles for patio bases. The first one is the one which you will fill with sand and is securely weighed down. The other one is the one that is secured using stepping stones. A sand base is easy to use but the stepping stone one gives you a chance to customize because you can choose decorative stones.
- Umbrella adjustments
There are several ways a patio umbrella can be adjusted. For example, some use hand cranks that are easy to open and close the canopy. Others use knobs that move up and down to open and close the umbrella. Some are designed with a tilt mechanism that allows you to adjust the angle of the canopy.
Conclusion
The ultimate decision of the color for your patio umbrella depends on personal preference. Even if there are many ways to choose the color. The best decision is to choose a color that matches your home décor or that matches with the foliage and grass. Use the above advice to choose the best color for your patio umbrella.