Regardless of whether you have Rattan, Lifestyle garden or Charles Taylor garden furniture, a parasol completes your set and offers some important protection from the sun as well.
There are hundreds available to buy with a huge price range, but some will have more features than others so shop around to see if you’re getting what you pay for.
Canopy size
The most popular and common is 3 metres, but you can get them in different sizes so have a think about the size of your furniture area and whole garden. If you want to leave some sunny spots in a small garden, don’t get a huge parasol that shades the entire space.
Style
You can get a cantilever which is an up-and-over style from the ground, a tilting parasol on which the canopy to pole angle can be adjusted as the sun moves, or a straightforward traditional parasol that goes up like an umbrella and stays there. You can also get half rounds if you want your parasol to be flush with a wall or fence on one side.
Vents
Do you live somewhere a bit gusty or have an exposed outdoor space? The last thing you want is the wind catching underneath your parasol and lifting it away or constantly knocking it off balance. Some parasols have vents at the top to stop this happening.
Bases and covers
These aren’t always included, so check the small print to see if you need to get them separately. A cover is worth the investment to protect your canopy from mould and weathering in the harsher months.
