We are still working on our deck makeover and this weekend we added some much needed shade. I have this odd place where an umbrella doesn’t fit, because I have an overhang from the roof, but we desperately need shade. Most umbrellas run you about $100-$150 and I knew I had to come up with a solution. I’ve seen some Fabric sails online and thought they are pretty cool, until I checked how much they cost. A simple sail was starting $100 and up, for the ones I found online I would have had to buy 3 to make the shade that I needed.
I have been checking online stores, local stores and nothing would fit my need or budget and all the sudden I thought about why not add outdoor fabric and I went to my favorite online store Fabric.com to see what they had to offer. To my surprise they had a ton, really a ton of fabric to choose from, all different colors and most are starting at like $5 a yard… NOT bad at all for outdoor fabric. My local Fabric store had a 50% off deal on their outdoor fabric, but none where under $11 a yard; So I rather waited the 3 or 4 days for shipping and had a better deal, since shipping was free.
I ordered a few different patterns, colors and yards. Even found a coupon to save 10% (use code corner13), better then nothing, right. I’ve used Fabric.com for many of my fabrics over the last few month and couldn’t be happier with the service, product and quality.
I finally had my fabric for my canopy/sail or whatever you call it. I ordered 4 yards and spend $30 for the fabric, I also ordered a set of curtain grommets. These are super cool, no tools required and worked like a charm.
I added the grommets to each corner of my fabric and that’s it. I could have sewn the edges to make them all look neat and pretty, but I know that my fabric will probably only last this season; it’s HOT in Florida and pretty much anything will fade or just rod away from the sun. So I didn’t go into too much effort to make it look neat and pretty. Plus for that price if I ever change my mind and want different colors, I can order another set of fabric. The grommets are removable, so I can use them over and over again.
For the post I used a flower pot, some people use a smaller size and fill it with concrete and then a little bit of dirt for flowers on top; I used a bag of gravel/rocks on the bottom and a bag of rocks on top of the soil, a 4×4, potting soil and plants. I only needed two buckets, since my fabric can attach to my overhang, but if you need you can create 4 buckets to attach your fabric to. (The 2×4 that’s across one of the post isn’t part of the project, hubby put it there for me to put into the shed and I totally forgot when I took the pictures, please ignore..lol)
Simple as that. I can always re-sue the buckets with flowers, always re-use my 4×4 posts and if needed can replace the fabric for a fraction of what it will cost me to get a new umbrella each year. Lots of shade for us already.
The post are also nice to hang planters, lanterns or any kind of outdoor lights and accessories you like to dress it up…. perfect for any size patio or porch, because you can adjust the planters and fabric to your space. Super cool, super cheap and will last you all season and then some.
I spend about $70 on the two big planters, 4×4’s and fabric to create the shade and charm of my patio; super simple and I know you can do it, too.
By adding the fabric, it cooled down our patio by a good 10-15 degrees if not more. Without the fabric, we couldn’t even sit on the porch without getting our feet burned from walking to the benches, the cushions got so hot that we couldn’t even sit down and now with the sail, we can walk out and sit down without an issue.. LOVE it!!!!!
My Sail is removable, so if a windstorm, rain or whatnot comes out way, I just take it off the hocks and fold up the fabric…
Disclaimer: I was not asked to write about this project nor about fabric.com; this are 100% my opinions and ideas that I wanted to share with my readers for a simple #DIY on a budget backyard makeover. No compensation was nor will be received.
Daisy says
This is our first summer in our new house and we just started looking at patio furniture. It is expensive! We bought two chairs that are really nice, but we still need a table. Instead of an umbrella, I want to look into using fabric like you did. I think that would look nicer and I like that it is less expensive than an umbrella. I saw umbrellas at Costco this weekend when I was looking and they are pricey!
Barb W. says
Your creative decorating tips never cease to amaze me! That looks fabulous and I can’t believe how simple it is, very cool!! I’ve never ordered fabric online, but very impressed with the savings you mentioned, so I’m absolutely going to check out Fabric.com for my sewing projects. Thanks for the tip!
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Pam says
I love it. I feel inspired to redo stuff. I am going to make over my patio (as soon as I have a few spare minutes) using your ideas.
Tough Cookie Mommy says
I love your choice of fabric. It really creates a warm and inviting space outdoors.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted..Easy Meals For Today’s On The Go Moms! #HormelFamily
Kristyn says
love your backyard! we are about to move into a new home and it has a patio so i am looking for ideas on how to decorate it and this is perfect!
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Theresa says
I missed this shade post! We need more shade, although our backyard is lined with trees as it gets so hot here there are two spots that need more shade. Thanks for linking up & sharing @ DearCreatives.com great to have you!Hope to see you again this week! I’ll be in touch about the community stuff soon. xo Theresa
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natalie parvis says
OMG. I absolutely ADORE your patio. I am so jealous. I hope one day we can own a home. I’m so tired of living paycheck to paycheck in this tiny apartment.
Ned says
what a great idea… and the result is just fantastic! your patio looks amazing:) I wish i was half that creative!
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Shane says
Very cool idea, I am going to share this with my parents for their new deck. And your deck looks beautiful!
Vinita Unny says
how wide and tall are the pots you used to put the post in? How tall are the 4×4 posts you used?
Melanie Roberts says
the 4×4’s are 8 ft tall u could use 12ft ones.. the pots I’m not sure they are fairly big; Home Depot and lowes have the barrell looking ones and they only come in one size, I’m not sure
Vinita Unny says
Thank you for responding so promptly. Couple more questions:
1. Have you had any trouble with wind moving or blowing the posts over?
2. I am assuming that the barrels you used are not wooden. We were at Home Depot today and saw the composite material barrels. Was wondering if swelling concrete would cause it to crack. Any thoughts?
Melanie Roberts says
We don’t keep our sale up 24/7 we usually just put it up if we are out or if I want the house shaded and it’s NOT too windy; when a storm rolls in our we have heavy wind in Florida I usually take it down, but the poles have not moved at all. Yes the ones I have are composite type material and I drilled some holes into them for water to get out on the side and we put concrete not much just to get the 4×4’s to stand and hold and the rest we filled up with dirt and rocks on top, has held up now our 2nd summer and we have not seen any damage to the barrels at all, they are heavy and once u have them in a spot you probably won’t want to move them… hope that helps
Rosie says
This is really nice! I just saw a featured home in a magazine, and they had added a fabric sail to their back yard seating, and I loved it! I was wondering how doable it would be to make one!
Kara Gilmore says
I’m so excited to try this sail! We are in desperate need of shade! 🙂 What did you use to connect the grommet to the post and how is it easily unhooked for windy days? Do you have any pics of what you used on your roof overhang as well?
Thank you!
Melanie Roberts says
Thanks Kara for checking out my post (Sorry in the delay for the answer it has been hectic here and somehow overlooked your msg..sorry); in any event I used zip ties and I used a few to create loops so I could actually tighten it or lower it a bit if I liked and I used the hooks on each wood post that were just screwed in and the zip tie loops just hooked right over it, easy on and easy off… Wish I could send you a pic but my main area was replaced with an unground pool and the grill area isn’t up yet for spring 🙁 … but it’s very easy just use zip ties and a metal hook… We love ours and still use the same fabric …
carol dillard Stark says
I’ve looked at the fabric site and there is no outdoor fabric under $24 a yard. Has anyone actually purchased a fabric for a reasonable price?
Melanie Roberts says
I buy them for $8-$9 all the time, they also send out coupons and deals (I do not get paid for this )