As summer approaches, we're all searching for new ways to refresh our outdoor areas. Whether you have a small patio, balcony, or spacious poolside retreat, every stylish space needs this underrated feature – a shade sail.
It's a great alternative to a parasol or gazebo, and it's set to be one of this year's biggest outdoor decorating trends. Stylish, practical, and sleek, they are the discreetest way to create shade in your backyard.
They also happen to be really affordable, made even more so by the fact that there are plenty of designs in Wayfair's Way Day sale, which is where I headed first to shop for my own shade sail.
Shade sails are a lesser-known way to create a shady cover in your outdoor space. Usually a triangular design, but also offered in squares and rectangles, they can be attached to posts or the side of your house to add shade to a patio, pool, or balcony.
While parasols can feel more traditional, shade sails are arguably a more contemporary choice, creating a sleeker design that often feels like more of an architectural feature. You often see them used in hotels and boutique rentals because they look great, are super durable, and cover small to large spaces.
So, whether you have a small balcony, a multifunctional patio, or a spacious pool, a shade sail is a perfect choice. And if you opt for a triangular design, you can create shade over half of your outdoor space, so the sun-worshippers in your household can still soak up the rays.
Shade sails have come a long way over the years, especially when it comes to their design. Materials have become harder-wearing and easier to clean, with many designs being UV, water, rust, and fade resistant.
There are so many fabric options depending on what you require – for the highest protection, HDPE is the best choice as it ticks all the boxes in terms of protection.
However, if it's just a small spot of shade you require, more natural fibers and even woven fabrics can make a lovely feature. And when it comes to color options, they come in every palette from neutrals and earth tones to vibrant hues.
Tempted by the stylishly versatile designs? These are the best shade sails available at Wayfair, from a warm neutral pool shade to a fabulously striped sail shade for a classic scheme. There's a beautiful sail shade here for every size and style of outdoor space.
Size: 16 sizes from 8 to 24 ft.
Color: 8 color options, sand beige pictured
If you've never owned or installed a shade sail before, it can be a bit fiddly. But if you buy a full kit, like this one, it comes with all of the hardware you need to install it perfectly. This is a great choice if you want a shade sail that blocks UV – the description assures it will provide cool shade, block 95% of UV rays, and withstand wind and rain, so you won't have to keep taking it down between uses. There's also a great variety of sizes and colors to choose from, making it perfect for every style and size of outdoor space, from balconies to large pools.
Size: 28 ft.
Color: 2 color combinations, coffee and white pictured
Stripes are a big trend for 2025, so why not bring them into your outdoor decor with this striped shade sail design? It's a classic print that brings a heavy dose of personality to your scheme. And it's not just aesthetic – it blocks up to 79% of harmful sun rays while keeping the temperature under 50°F. It's been constructed to be extra durable, with a 5-year warranty included. It's also really easy to store, making it stylish and practical – a perfect combination.
Size: 12 sizes, from 8x12 to 22x24 ft.
Color: 5 colors, brown pictured
This shade sail is a standard square design, but what's striking about this one in particular is the materials chosen. From above, it looks like just another black shade sail, but on the inside, which is visible when you sit beneath it, it looks like an almost hessian material, which not only feels more elevated, but will actually help to keep the shaded area light. This feels a bit higher end than a simpler fabric design that lacks that extra bit of texture.
Size: 8x12' or or 12'x18'
Color: 8 colors, white pictured
Here's one for the minimalists. If you stay away from any colorful accessories in your backyard, this white shade sail will definitely pique your interest. A rectangular shape to maximize shade coverage, it's resistant to UV, water, and mildew, making it suitable for year-round use. It's also super easy to clean, requiring just a simple hose down. While this is much simpler than some of the other shade sails (like the stripes), it has a sophisticated feel to it that wouldn't feel misplaced in a European beach club.
Size: 11', 13', or 15'
Color: 6 colors, dark gray pictured
While there are plenty of color shade sails on the market, sometimes nothing does the job quite like a darker shade. Plus, it blends in a little bit better with its surroundings if you don't want it to stand out. This dark gray triangular design is perfect over a patio or to cover a small portion of a pool. This design offers up to 95% UV protection – an absolute essential during the height of summer. However, it's worth noting that this shade sail is not waterproof, so it only suitable for use in the sun.
Size: 237 sizes from 6 to 29 ft.
Color: 12 colors, turquoise pictured
Triangular sail shades might be the most common, but they also come in square and rectangular designs for covering larger spaces. This design, which comes in perhaps the largest range of sizes and a good variety of colors, is resistant to just about everything you can think of, from mold and rust to UV and weather. It's also customizable and can be installed with low and high points to create the best shading for your outdoor space. The grommets and ropes come with the shade, however, any posts or installation hardware will need to be purchased separately.
As far as garden decorating ideas go, a shade sail is the perfect way to blend style and function. They create a shady spot while doubling up as a design feature – a win-win. From patio shade ideas to adding a bit of coverage to your balcony garden, it's the versatile feature you never knew you needed.
Don't forget to double-check whether your chosen design comes with hardware. If it doesn't, there are plenty of kits available on Wayfair – this triangle shade sail installation kit is currently on sale, so it's worth picking up a set while there's a discount.
