When the sun glares down with all its might, a swimming pool is a perfect way to seek a breath of reprieve and cool off. However, since you cannot possibly seek shelter in the water all day and get irrevocably sunburned in the process, you would do well to try and minimize the sun’s rays, both around the periphery of the pool and in the nearby patio as well. If you are planning to install a swimming pool at your home or already own one, you need to keep the ultraviolet light and heat at bay. Here are a few great options for making your backyard pool area more comfortable and amenable:

In-pool Umbrella

While your run-of-the-mill patio umbrellas are ubiquitously installed to provide an affordable and simple shade option, who knew that you could integrate an umbrella right in the midst of your pool to create a spectacular swimming pool shade. Such a shade can be installed with the help of an umbrella-pole sleeve, which is used to hold the umbrella. During a remodeling or construction project, you can set the sleeve into the pool structure, usually into the tanning ledge or Baja bench or the top step. This arrangement offers you a great opportunity to stay out of the worst of the sun, while you enjoy partially submerged in the cool water

Screen Room Enclosure

A screen room provides a permanent enclosure with the help of an aluminum frame which is built around the deck and pool and often incorporates the patio area as well. While screen rooms were initially devised to keep out tropical insects, the screen material helps to diffuse the sunlight, in conjunction with its metal support frame. This helps cool down the waters of your pool and the ambient air by a few degrees, helping you delve into the outdoors without sweating it out. You can further alleviate the temperatures with the inclusion of a special solar film to the roof. It serves to cut the resulting heat from the sun even while allowing a lot of rays to filter through.

Backyard Pergola

Pergolas vary in configuration, style, and size, but in essence, they are marked by open beams and rafters on top and four supporting columns. Their flexible designs ensure that they can be used across a wide array of spaces. Most pergolas are wall-free, free-standing structures, but you can build one to extend between two walls or even against an existing wall. You can even add more columns depending on their expanse. You can even deck out the “ceiling” with climbing plants, hanging potted plants, or even trained vines, to enhance their aesthetic appeal and add to their shade. They can be installed in addition to your swimming pool shade to create a shaded area out of the pool as well. Spruce up your pergolas with summery furniture and lounge chairs to please your guests.

Shade Sails

If you are into palm trees and the breath of inspiration and relief that they offer, why not cover your swimming pool with shade sails? Their versatility makes them all the more indispensable, so they can even be combined in several layers to create a wide array of shapes and nuances, according to the color, shape, or the amount of shade that you require. However, if playfulness and aesthetics are not your main objectives, you would be wise to consider other options.

Retractable Shade Canopies

Retractable shade canopies can effortlessly transform your outdoor pool into an indoor pool, in no time at all. They create a chic swimming pool shade since they can be used to cover the entire pool area.

Pool Cabana

Cabanas are tent like structures which are a common sight at upscale beaches and resort-area hotel pools. They are marked by one face open to the water. The other three sides have some form of fabric constructed wall or barrier. Popular furnishing choice inside the tent includes outdoor throw rugs, permanent flooring, small cocktail tables, lounge chairs, and day beds. Don’t worry, just because hotels are getting high on cabanas to offer more privacy, doesn’t mean that you can’t get one for your home. Not only do cabanas offer plenty of protection from weather elements, they deck out your home with a resort-like feature in your pool area.