Cheap Backyard Shade Solutions
Add a backyard shade solution to your outdoor space with this temporary porch cover to make a big improvement for little money! I was shocked that this cheap roofing idea turned out to create a beautiful DIY backyard on a budget. Instead of buying an extra-large patio umbrella, we opted for a large carport canopy and now our entire family enjoys being outdoors daily! Keep reading to see our covered patio ideas on a budget!
This shop has been compensated by Abba Patio. All opinions are mine alone.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly outdoor decorating ideas and where to find the best outdoor umbrellas, keep reading!
In case you’re in a hurry…
This patio canopy is easy to install and a great price compared to other outdoor shade solutions. We also have this matching offset umbrella and love it!
Message me on INSTAGRAM TO GET A COUPON CODE FOR ABBA PATIO PRODUCTS!
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Covered Patio?
We would love to have a custom covered patio built, however, the design and features that we want would cost a minimum of $10,000. A covered patio is not a priority for our family at this time, so we decided to add a temporary patio cover.
Abba Patio has an Enclosed Carport with removable sides if you prefer to have more privacy in your outdoor area.
Covered Patio Ideas on a Budget
I searched for several covered patio ideas online and most of the canopy covers I found were too small for space we wanted to cover in our backyard. The outdoor roof solutions I found were also really expensive and more than I wanted to spend.
We already had a large cantilevered umbrella from Abba Patio that has proved to be amazing quality, so I knew Abba Patio must have the large covered patio solution I was looking for.
The Abba Patio 12 x 20-foot heavy duty carport is bigger than normal 10 x 20 carports, providing ample space. It’s terrific for storing and protecting trucks, boats, and all sorts of other expensive tools and toys. It also provides shades and shelters for outdoor events like parties, weddings, picnics, and other commercial uses
What I love most about the Carport Canopy is that it is free-standing. You don’t need to drill holes into your house roof or dig holes with cement fixtures. The Carport Canopy is a portable canopy but it still stays in place by using the equipment included.
The Carport Canopy is made with polyethylene fabric which is a durable cover that is UV-resistant and water-resistant so it protects anything under it from wind, rain, and snow.

The carport canopy frame is made with heavy-duty 1-1/2-inch diameter powder-coated steel metal which resists chipping, peeling, rust and corrosion and provides increased stability.
Assembling the Abba Patio Carport Canopy
Building the Carport Canopy was very easy and took less than an hour with 2 people. One person can easily build this carport canopy, however, it was easier and faster to build this canopy with at least 2 people.
Follow the instructions included in the package. We built the frame first by connecting the bars together.
The next step was to raise the roof frame up on the legs (this is where you might need an extra person).
We then added the fabric cover and attached the cover with the heavy-duty bungee cords.
Since our canopy sits on the ground, we did not screw it into place. We used the hardware included securing the leg footpads to the ground.
How to use a Carport Cover as an Outdoor Entertaining Canopy
–>>We use our Abba Patio Carport Cover every day!
I wanted a patio to cover the outdoor dining table that my husband built. He built a huge farmhouse style dining table, which I stained, and added some metal farmhouse chairs.
However, we weren’t using the table because there was too much sun in our backyard.
As soon as we installed the Abba Patio Carport Cover, we started using the dining space for every meal!
We also like to sit under the carport canopy to play card games at the table and I even use the space to work outside on my computer!

It’s really nice having the additional outdoor space that we weren’t using before. Now it feels like there is a bonus room in our backyard that everyone can enjoy!

Quick Outdoor Decorating Tips
- Bring the indoors outside. Bring indoor seating outside if you lack outdoor seating. Add pillows and blankets to your outdoor seating area to create a cozy setting.
- Create a mini drink station.Use a tray to hold drinks or bring a small stool or stand outside to create a minibar.
- Add plants.Even if your backyard has plenty of greenery, adding some flowers or plants will create a tropical, cozy vibe.
Don’t Forget!
This patio canopy is easy to install and a great price compared to other outdoor shade solutions. We also have this matching offset umbrella and love it!
Message me on INSTAGRAM TO GET A COUPON CODE FOR ABBA PATIO PRODUCTS!
Covered Patio Ideas on a Budget Wrap Up
Finding the best outdoor shade solutions and outdoor canopy can be frustrating because there are so many options available. I wouldn’t buy an outdoor canopy at Lowes because they can be over-priced and you are limited with options. You’ll find the best quality patio canopies and outdoor accessories at Abba Patio.
Did you try this backyard shade solution? I would love to see it! Send me a picture on Facebook, Instagram, or email and I’ll share with my followers 🙂 ***If you have a business account, please tag me to give me credit on social media when posting your creations inspired by me!***
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Check out how we built an outdoor bar for less than $24!
Here are More Home Improvement Tips You Might Like…
How to pick the right paint colors
Have you ever had trouble picking the rightpaint colors for your home? Choosing the right paint colors for your home can be overwhelming. There are so many different “whites” and “grays” these days, how can anyone know they are making the right paint color choice?
That’s why I put together the best tips on How to Choose Interior Paint Colors in this post.
Every home is different… the entryway in our first home was much different than the entryway in our second home, and both of those were very different from the entryway in our third home! So I chose a different paint color for each entryway in all three of our homes. Not to mention, from the time that we bought our first home, to the time that we bought ourthird home, home paint color trends changed drastically. The colors that I used back then are no longer a trendy color and well, I just didn’t like the brown-ish tan that was in our first home, haha.
So if you need help choosing paint colors for the rest of your home, head on over to this post to see my paint-picking tips and what has worked for me in all three of our homes 🙂 My post with how to choose paint colors for your home is one of my most popular posts and readers have benefited from reading it before heading to the store to buy paint that ends up not working out.
I also have some ideas for choosing paint color combinations for bedrooms (with themes!)
Paint Versus Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Peel and stick wallpaper has become very popular recently since not everyone has access to tools to build their own Shiplap walls (thanks Chip and Joanna) or wants to tile an entire wall with subway tile. I love tiling but if I could slap up some wallpaper and call it a day, that would make me, the hubby, and my wallethappy!
You can find peel and stick wallpaper online at Target, Amazon, Home Depot, and more! I’ve linked my favorite peel and stick wallpaper and the ones I’ve used personally below.
✅This is the peel and stick wallpaper that I use in my home.It is reasonably priced and very good quality!
If you really like the idea of peel and stick wallpaper but have never used it before, I highly recommend reading my tips on using peel and stick wallpaperand checking out the different kinds of wallpaper that’ll instantly update your space!
There are so many different designs and colors and once you get the hang of applying the wallpaper, you will want to put peel and stick wallpaper in the closet, cabinets, bookcases, and more!
In our third home, I used this peel and stick wallpaper in our Entryway, this peel and stick wallpaper in our eating area, and this peel and stick wallpaper as our kitchen backsplash.
Using peel and stick wallpaper has definitely given us the ability to update our home quickly without all the hassle of cutting shiplap, faux wood, or tiling!
If you decide to try peel and stick wallpaper,I highly recommend reading my tips on using peel and stick wallpaperand checking out the different kinds of wallpaper that’ll instantly update your space!
How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding
If you love white farmhouse kitchens and want to paint your kitchen white, then you will love this post that teaches you How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White Without Sanding! I’ll show youhow to paint old kitchen cabinets and answer how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets (it’s much cheaper than you think!). I also have lots of pictures of painting kitchen cabinets before and after!
You don’t have to worry about how to paint kitchen cabinets without brush strokes because I have a secret in this post that reveals a step-by-step DIY tutorial with how to paint kitchen cabinets like a pro.
–>> Learn how to Paint Kitchen Cabinets without Sanding here!
Cheap Home Hacks that’ll Increase Value
Renovating a home can come with a high price tag if you’re not budgeting and deciding which updates bring the best return on investment. After selling our updated first home in just 4 years, we bought an even bigger house that needed a lot of updating. We sold our second home after 4 years while doing the much-needed work to produce a profit by following the same strategies we did in our first home.
If you enjoy updating your home, want to increase your home value or just want your home to look better, you should check out thee 10 Cheap Home Hacks That’ll Make Your House Look So Much Better.
Tour Our Homes
Tour our First Home here
Take a Tour of our Second Home here
Tour our Third Home here
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Cheap Backyard Shade Solutions
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to build a covered patio? ›
The cheapest way to cover your patio is with a parasol or sail. Shade sails and cantilever umbrellas offer relief from the sun, without blocking a summer breeze or your views.
What is the most cost effective patio cover? ›Vinyl is among the most cost-effective patio cover materials; it can range from $5 to $13 per square foot (or anywhere from $2,520 to $6,300, Howard notes) and is durable and low-maintenance.
What is the cheapest material for a patio cover? ›- Pea Gravel. Pea gravel patios and roads look beautiful, quaint, and are inexpensive and easy to set up. ...
- Stamped Concrete. Concrete is one of the most common and the cheapest materials for building a patio. ...
- Concrete Pavers. ...
- Brick.
For a basic 10ft x 10ft fully covered vinyl patio cover, the average cost ranges between $3,825 – $6,275. DIY kits for solid roof patio covers range between $1,800 – $4,300. The average cost of vinyl lattice patio covers range between $2,200 – $4,350.
How do you make a budget patio nice? ›Pretty Up a Patio or Back Porch on a Budget
Start by making your outdoor space more functional with our creative privacy solutions and inexpensive outdoor lighting ideas. Then, layer in inviting accents like outdoor furniture, throw pillows and rugs. You can even upcycle everyday items into stylish outdoor decor.
Pick porcelain pavers
The latest porcelain slabs and boards have the look of natural stone or wood but require less maintenance. They're strong, durable and hard-wearing, dirt-repelling and frost and algae resistant. They won't fade, are long lasting and stay clean too.
Due to their superior cost effectiveness, aluminum and vinyl are among the top materials for home renovation projects. While we could build our patio covers and sunrooms with many materials, Patio Warehouse uses aluminum products for their combination of durability, efficiency, and cost savings.
Is a covered patio worth it? ›Chances are it costs you hundreds of dollars you don't want to spend on cooling your house. Having a patio cover can actually save you money on this bill. Not only is the cover shading your patio, but it's also helping to keep the sun from beating in through the windows. A patio cover can block it from coming in.
What is the easiest type of patio to put in? ›PAVERS are the best option
Pavers are strong, inexpensive, and easy to install. Most pavers are also simple to repair. If you stain one of your pavers, all you have to do is take it up and flip it over.
What is the easiest patio to maintain? ›
Whether you are swapping out your old slabs or paving over a grass lawn, porcelain pavers are the ultimate low maintenance patio solution. Not only are they extremely hard-wearing, but porcelain paving is also non-porous, meaning accidental spills and wayward stains cannot penetrate the surface of the slab.
What is the longest lasting patio cover material? ›Extruded aluminum far outperforms patio covers manufactured from other materials prone to cracking, warping, rust, mold, and general wear and tear. Aluminum is lightweight yet exceptionally strong, weather-resistant, long-lasting, and virtually maintenance-free.
What is the easiest cheapest patio? ›Gravel is one of the most inexpensive patio material options. You'll pay approximately $6-$10 per square foot. It is also easy to install so you can save on the cost of labor if you want to do it yourself. All you have to do is wheelbarrow it in and spread it around.
Which roof style is cheaper? ›Generally, a gable-style roof with asphalt roofing shingles is one of the most affordable roofs you can build on a residential home. Asphalt shingles typically cost $1 to $2 per square foot, excluding installation costs.
What is a covered patio roof called? ›The word pergola has come to be used interchangeably with patio cover. An attached structure that provides shade and/or rain coverage for a patio or deck. A patio cover may have an open or solid roof.
What is the easiest DIY patio? ›PAVERS are the best option
For a do-it-yourself patio, a simple square design with one size of pavers is a lot easier to install than one with various sizes and curves because you will not have to cut the pavers, which takes time and skill. Pavers are strong, inexpensive, and easy to install.
Patios are usually more cost-effective to construct than decks. The reason for this is that they're usually made out of concrete, bricks, or stone, which are all less expensive materials! One study showed that—per square foot—patios cost less than half the cost of decks! Yowzas!
What is the cheapest way to build a deck or patio? ›Pressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest material to build decks from. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don't forget long-term costs. Wood decks require yearly maintenance such as staining or painting, and they'll often break down quite quickly if you fall behind on maintenance.