Furnishing your garden and balcony: shade and a comfortable place to lie

As soon as the sun shines, you want to be outside. But after half an hour on the patio it quickly gets too hot, and that one uncomfortable chair does not exactly invite you to stay seated for long. With a good parasol and a comfortable place to lie, you turn your garden, patio or balcony into a place where you can really unwind. In this guide you will read how to choose.

Start with your space

A spacious garden calls for something different than a small balcony. So first measure how much space you have and think about how you want to use it.

• Eating and spending time together: do you want shade above a table with chairs or a lounge set? Then you need a large parasol.
• Reading and lazing: for one or two people, a sun lounger or lounge bed with a smaller parasol is often enough.
• Taking it along: if you also go to the beach or the pool, choose something you can easily take with you.

Which parasol suits you?

Step 1: choose the right amount of shade

The larger the canopy, the more shade. The 240 × 300 cm Parasol Mix is the largest in our collection and gives wide shade, for example above a table or lounge set. The octagonal design in beige looks great on a patio or balcony, in the garden or by the pool.

Looking for shade for one or two people, or do you want to take it with you? Then the 180 × 160 cm stick parasol and the 200 × 125 cm beach parasol are handy choices. You simply push the stick parasol into the ground and it is waterproof, so it also helps in a shower. The beach parasol has a polyester canopy and is easy to take with you.

Step 2: pay attention to sun protection and wind

A parasol is there first and foremost to protect you from the sun. The Parasol Mix has UV protection up to UPF 50+. With the tilt mechanism you tilt the canopy along with the sun, so you are still in the shade later in the day. The air vent lets wind through the canopy, so the parasol withstands the wind better. The canopy is made of water-repellent polyester, removable and hand washable.

Always close a parasol in strong wind, however firmly it stands. That certainly applies on a balcony, where the wind often blows harder than you think.

Step 3: sun lounger or lounge bed?

After shade comes comfort. A sun lounger with a sunshade is nice if you want to alternate between sitting and lying. A lounge bed is ideal if you really want to stretch out.

• Sun lounger with sunshade: on the Tamara and the Shanique you set the sunshade at the angle you want, so your head stays out of the bright sun. You set the backrest in 4 positions, from sitting upright to lying back. You can also take them to the pool, the beach or the campsite.
• XXL lounge bed: the Raymond is 200 cm long and has 5 reclining positions, from sitting upright with a book to lying flat for an afternoon nap. With a seat height of 48 cm, it is easy to sit down on and get up from. Safety brackets prevent the lounge bed from folding up by itself. The frame is made of iron with a UV-resistant synthetic fabric.

What to look for on a balcony

• Measure carefully: unfolded, a sun lounger is almost 2 metres long. Check whether you can still walk past it.
• Storage: little space? Folded, the Shanique is only 12.5 cm thick and slides easily behind a cupboard or door.
• Parasol: choose a size that fits without hitting the facade or railing, and close it when you go out.

Tips for more of a summer feeling

• Combine shade and a place to lie: position your sun lounger so you can move along with the parasol as the sun moves round.
• Tidy up quickly: the sun loungers and the lounge bed are foldable with a handle. That way you put them aside to mow the lawn.
• Snacks and drinks: with a serving cart you bring everything from the kitchen to the patio door in one go. Read more in Choosing a kitchen trolley or serving cart.
• Only need a parasol? Then take a look at the parasols collection.

Read also

• Choosing pet supplies: a place of their own for your dog or rabbit
• Choosing a kitchen trolley or serving cart: more space in your kitchen
• Choosing a cat tree: what to look for?

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