A gorgeous Madison, NJ, paver patio can be a refreshing feature of the landscape most of the time. When the hot summer sun begins to beat down, however, you will want some options for beautiful and functional shade that can make your outdoor living space much more comfortable.
Related: 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Making Your Mendham, NJ, Paver Patio the Focal Point of the Backyard
The Pergola
The beauty of a pergola for your paver patio can be the perfect way it marries with the natural surroundings. Most pergolas are built of wood but you can choose steel beams and other metals if you prefer a more contemporary look.
A pergola has weighty wood posts that can anchor directly into the paver patio, or you can choose to have your landscape professionals build stacked stone bases for the posts to rest. This can give a blended appearance to the pergola as if it were always there.
When your pergola is topped with decorative wood slats, the sunshine can filter through but the direct rays are blocked for more comfort. A pergola can be the perfect spot to add climbing vines and flowers that grow up the posts and over the slats to add bountiful color in the spring and summer seasons.
Beneath your pergola, consider having your landscape professionals add a hanging twin bed that gives you a spot to relax on a summer afternoon. It can be the ideal place for a nap or to read your current novel.
If you prefer, you can position a cushioned outdoor couch and chairs beneath the pergola for a place to visit with friends on a lovely evening.
The Pavilion
A pavilion or porch-like structure with protective screens could warmly take you back to those nostalgic times you visited with your grandparents and enjoyed time on their screened-in porch. One of the primary benefits of a screen on the porch can be the prevention of insects when you spend time there.
Because this structure would have a roof, this covering can prevent the hot summer sun from making this outdoor living space uncomfortable. Ceiling fans and pendant lighting can ensure that your enjoyment of this shelter structure’s comfort and your summer days will last longer.
A pavilion can be the perfect spot for an outdoor fireplace for cozy warmth in the cooler temperatures. The outdoor fireplace can introduce a rustic element that can make your porch and patio area feel complete.
You may have the option of a flexible roll-up of the screens or curtains for when you want to open up your shade structure to the rest of the landscape.
The Cabana
A cabana can be a perfect addition to a paver patio with a pool nearby so you can have some shade for the tired swimmers. Playing and swimming in the pool all day can be exhausting, and having that shady spot for your friends and family to rest can be a respite.
An outdoor kitchen added to the cabana means you can offer cold drinks and snacks to your guests without having to go inside the house. You may also be able to include a bathroom for convenience and changing into and out of swimsuits.