If you want to enjoy al fresco dining in the coming months, a parasol is a necessity. And shopping writer Eve Rowlands encourages a brightly coloured one to give your garden some added character
Flowers, pots and plants are always going to bring colour and joy into your garden come rain or shine, regardless of how small or large your outdoor space is. But one accessory I believe far too many play it safe with, when it comes to vibrant hues, is a parasol. When the sun is beating down during your lunch break and you want to soak up the heat without risk of giving yourself a nasty sunburn, a parasol is such a godsend for its practicality but can also – when you have the right sort – add some serious style to transform your space to feel fabulous and positively Mediterranean.
I can say this from personal experience as last year I got my hands on a glorious bright red parasol that I was, admittedly, nervous to add to my garden furniture but once it was up, boy did it look good. Not only because it brought a striking red that none of my floral selection delivered (by choice), but because it gave my patio a bit of an upgrade.
No longer was it bare and boring only neutral, stoney tones. It had some joie de vivre and character that complimented the surrounding flower beds.
Ringing true with what renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf once said, one you’ve got the structure and foundation of the garden right, “the colour is that sprinkling of magic that brings it alive”.
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For those after some colourful parasol additions, I’ve taken a look at just some of the options on the market from Dunelm to Argos, to give shoppers some inspiration to spice up their outdoor oasis.
Dunelm – Sophie Robinson Block Print Parasol – £79
Blending style with functionality, this Dunelm parasol is decorated with an elegant yet bohemian tile-style print in blue and white that is offset by red motifs. What’s more is the parasol, which measures at 2.45m, has a scallop style edge, adding to its charm, from which dangles vintage-esque red fringe.
Complimenting and supporting this bright fabric umbrella is a natural wood-grain frame that adds a rustic finish. But its look isn’t all that’s impressive as this design is practical too with a two-side tilt function allows you to adjust the shade with ease.
Get it here.
Habitat x Scion Garden Parasol – Kukkia Print – £30
If you can’t decide on just one colour, why not have a handful? Habitat’s Kukkia parasol comes in a range of different zesty oranges, greens and blues and has a lovely floral decorative pattern that’s reminiscent of retro 70s style. With a sturdy construction, the umbrella comes with an adjustable tilt to give you protection and shade from the elements at all times of the day, while the adjustable height lets you move it to fit your garden table and outdoor space. Keep in mind that it’s 160cm in diameter with a potential height of 180cm.
It’s received rave reviews from happy shoppers from Argos who said: “Love this parasol so bright and retro, something different compared with standard parasols. Haven’t had the opportunity to use yet, but absolutely sure it will add colour and style to my garden. Definitely recommend.”
Although one person did have a small gripe and said: “Very pretty, really lovely design. But very small and sadly very flimsy.” With a weight of 1.4KG, keep that in mind.
Get it from Argos here.
Wayfair’s Outsunny Lighted Tilt Beach Parasol – £61.99
This parasol umbrella comes with a pretty cool detail that’ll allow you to lounge under it come day or night, making it a stellar investment piece for any garden this year. While its design, firstly, is pretty standout and resembles a poppy flower with its red/orange hue and wavy style finish, all eight ribs are fitted with solar-powered LEDs, meaning they charge in the sunlight to power up when dark. Plus the canopy can be tilted to a maximum 45° angle either way and is opened by using the crank handle.
As with most parasols, you need a base stand with this rather large 292cm covering, such as this from Wayfair.
The umbrella is available at Wayfair for £61.99 from £84.99
Dunelm’s Fuschia Pink Shanghai Parasol – £59
Want to match your vibrant pink Azaleas with your parasol? This gorgeous, simple yet statement parasol from Dunelm is a solid option that’ll spice up your space. Measuring at 2m and a potential height of 2.1m, it’s easy to manoeuvre thanks to its crank lever and also has a tilt mechanism to keep you in shade as the sun moves across the sky.
Its bright fuschia is a lovely burst of colour to any seating area and will transport you somewhere more tropical. Having only just landed on the website, the parasol has only one review, but it certainly sings its praises: “Great umbrella. Love the colour.” It’s important to note that this umbrella, like the others, doesn’t come with a weighted base, so you’ll need to get one of those to ensure it stands upright.
Get the Pink Shanghai Parasol here.
