Best shade ideas for hot gardens

From pergolas and trellis panels to carefully chosen planting, here are our tops ideas for creating cool, comfortable spaces to enjoy in your garden all summer long.

By: Lucy Bone - 06/07/2026

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As UK summers become warmer, creating shaded areas in your garden is becoming more important than ever. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet afternoon outdoors or entertaining family and friends, a little shades can make your garden far more comfortable during the hottest parts of the day.

The good news is that you don’t need to compromise on style. With the right landscaping materials, you can create practical shaded spaces that look beautiful all year round.

Install a pergola

A pergola is one of the most effective ways to create a permanent shade area over a patio or seating space.

Meteor Grey porcelain by TLT Landscapes

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Whether you’re creating an outdoor dining area or a place to relax, a timber pergola adds height, structure and character to your garden while providing welcome relief from direct sunlight.

For even more shade, pergolas can be enhanced with climbing plants or outdoor fabric canopies, creating a comfortable outdoor room that’s perfect for summer.

Positioning a pergola over natural stone or porcelain paving creates a stylish space that can be enjoyed throughout the season.

Use trellis to support climbing plants

Trellis panels are an easy way to introduce natural shade while adding privacy and visual interest.

Installed against fences, walls or as part of a pergola, trellis provides the perfect support for climbing plants such as clematis, jasmine or climbing roses. As the plants mature, they create dappled shade while softening hard landscaping and bringing colour into your garden.

Trellis can also be used to divide different areas of your garden, helping to create sheltered seating spaces that feel more secluded.

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Create natural shade with planting

Planting works beautifully alongside hard landscaping to create cooler, more comfortable gardens.

Trees, large shrubs and climbing plants can all provide welcome shade while complementing features such as pergolas, trellis and natural stone pathways.

Consider planting:

Ornamental trees near seating areas
Climbing plants over pergolas and trellis
Tall shrubs to soften patio edges
Grasses to add movement and texture

Combining planting with quality landscaping materials helps create gardens that feel both functional and inviting.

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Design a comfortable outdoor seating area

A shaded seating area encourages you to spend more time outside, even during the warmest days.

Position seating beneath a pergola or alongside planted trellis to create a cool retreat for relaxing or entertaining. Complete the space with planters, outdoor lighting and comfortable furniture to make it an area you’ll enjoy from morning through to evening.

Natural stone or porcelain paving provides a durable, low-maintenance surface that ties the whole space together while creating a premium finish.

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Create a garden you’ll enjoy all summer

Adding shade is one of the best ways to make your outdoor space more enjoyable during warmer weather. By combining pergolas, trellis, thoughtful planting and quality paving, you can create comfortable spaces that are practical, stylish and built to last.

At Kebur, we offer a wide range of natural stone paving, porcelain paving, pergola components, trellis panels and landscaping materials to help you create your ideal outdoor space. Visit our displays for inspiration and expert advice on your next garden project.

FAQs

What is the best way to create shade in a garden?

Pergolas are one of the most effective long-term solutions, especially when combined with climbing plants grown on trellis. Together, they create attractive shaded areas that become even more effective as plants mature.

Does light-coloured paving stay cooler?

Generally, yes. Light-coloured natural stone and porcelain paving reflect more sunlight than darker surfaces, making them more comfortable underfoot during hot weather.

Which climbing plants are best for trellis?

Popular choices include clematis, jasmine, climbing roses and honeysuckle. These can quickly cover trellis panels or pergolas, creating natural shade and seasonal colour.

Can I install a pergola on a patio?

Yes. Pergolas are commonly installed over natural stone or porcelain patios to create defined outdoor living and dining spaces that can be enjoyed throughout the summer. To ensure the pergola is safe and secure, it should always be installed on a stable, well-prepared base with suitable fixings (like bolt down supports) for the paving or foundation beneath.

Best shade ideas for hot gardens

Install a pergola

Use trellis to support climbing plants

Create natural shade with planting

Design a comfortable outdoor seating area

Create a garden you’ll enjoy all summer

FAQs

What is the best way to create shade in a garden?

Does light-coloured paving stay cooler?

Which climbing plants are best for trellis?

Can I install a pergola on a patio?

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