Best garden parasols: the most stylish outdoor umbrellas

Looking for the best garden parasols? When the sun is shining there's nothing better than getting out into your outdoor space and making the most of the good weather. But it sometimes doesn't take that long in the sun to make you realise a garden parasol is an outdoor essential for cutting out the glare and delivering some UV protection.

We've rounded up the best options for adding some stylish shade to your outside space, whether that's the best cantilever parasol for relaxed outdoor dining, an overhanging banana umbrella for the hot tub, a statement focal point for a courtyard garden, or a compact and easily storable option for a small balcony. Or even a lightweight shade solution for trips to the park or beach. 

If you want inspiration on creating a summer-ready outdoor living space, then make sure to read our guide to the best garden furniture of the year, but if your seating is sorted and you just want some shade to enjoy it on a hot summer's day, then read on to find the best garden parasols for your outside area.

Best garden parasols

You can create your own sunshine with the warm yellow tones of Business & Pleasure Co's Holiday Beach Umbrella, although when the real thing does appear, this stylish garden parasol will keep you cool in the heat. 

Designed with a spiked pole so it can be used on the beach or the lawn, we think it's the perfect way to enjoy a leisurely picnic outdoors, with the UV50 protection rating ensuring you're protected from the midday rays. 

Available in a wide selection of vintage-inspired colours, including nautical stripes and a pretty lemon print, the tasselled detail and FSC certified wooden pole will create a stylish focal point in any outdoor space.  And for an A-class beach game, you can also snap up the matching beach tent, cooler bag, deckchair or tote.

UV50 protection? Check. Tilting canopy? Check. 360° free-arm rotation? Check. The Schneider Schirme Rhodos 3m Cantilever Parasol has all the essentials to make adding shade to your patio area as sun-safe and hassle-free as possible. 

Offering an offset base with an overhanging canopy, a cantilever parasol is one of the most versatile patio umbrella designs, allowing you to shade a dining area, lounge chairs or hot tub without the inconvenience of a central pole. 

And we think this anthracite grey canopy looks pretty stylish to boot. The hidden surprise? The canopy spokes are fitted with solar-powered LED lights, creating the perfect ambience for alfresco dining and late evening sundowners.

A classic garden parasol with a central pole, the Messina Parasol Umbrella from Skagerak celebrates understated Danish design, with the neutral off-white canopy and wooden frame offering the perfect palette to offset a wide range of outdoor furniture. 

A good selection of sizes - and shapes in the stylish square alternative - make this a versatile option that's bound to offer a good fit for your space, whether that's a generous terrace or compact courtyard.

The details have been carefully considered too, with the canopy fabric - which offers a UV50+ protection rating - leather-reinforced to enhance the strength, a double pulley system for easy opening, and weather-resistant aluminium and stainless steel-tipped pole and folding mechanisms.

For statement shade, the East London Parasol Company is the first place we head. 

A huge selection of multicoloured and exuberantly patterned parasols await, ranging from pretty pastels to flamboyant peacock, emerald and cerise shades, all with handpainted canopies, extravagant tassled detail and hand carved bamboo poles.

Opt for a compact 2 metre affair or cast longer shadows with the 3 metre canopy options, plus, if you want to take your parasol on location, a matching carry bag is included. 

A large parasol is all well and good, but if your outdoor space is on the smaller side - whether that's a bijou balcony or compact courtyard - a clever shade solution may be required.

Schneider Schirme's Salerno Mezzo Balcony Parasol delivers on this front, with a flat-backed design that can sit flush against a wall to maximise the shaded area in tricky layouts. 

A UV protection factor of 50+ and a tilting function that allows you to angle the canopy into the sun - even in the tightest of spaces - make this a great option for small gardens.

When the sun comes out and temperatures climb, most of us are eager to head to the beach or park, but that can mean that shade is hard to find. 

The Stella Beach Umbrella from Klaoos solves this problem by offering a super lightweight design - plus a carry bag - that means you can take shade with you wherever you go, with a UV protection rating of 50+ ensuring you stay sun-safe in the heat.

The best news is that the wide range of colourful designs, printed with eco-friendly dyes onto polyester canopies made from recycled plastic, make this a planet-friendly option too.

Whether you want to set up a shaded area on the lawn for the kids to play in or have an easy way to keep cool at the beach or park, the Miasun Portable Beach Tent from Fatboy provides a great solution.

Quick to set up - in just 90 seconds according to Fatboy's experts - and with a super compact design when it's packed away, this is a brilliantly lightweight and portable option to have on stand by. 

There are also a great range of colours and prints available, from brightly coloured stripes to contemporary graphic prints - an easy spot from the sea if you do take this down to the beach. 

How to choose from the best garden parasols

The best garden parasol for your outside space will depend on how you want to use it, as well as the size of your garden and the style you prefer, but the good news is there are plenty of options out there to cater to whatever look you have in mind.

Think about the size 

You’ll need to consider how big an area you want to shade when you’re buying, but also how the parasol fits into the space. Make sure you take any overhanging features in your layout into account so you can factor in the clearance needed.

If you only want a parasol to shade a lounger then it won’t need huge dimensions, but if it’s to shade a dining set, think about opting for a design with a diameter of 2 metres for two seats; 2.4 metres for four to six seats; 2.7 to 3 metres for six to eight; and 4 metres for 10 seats.

UV protection

Bear in mind that not all parasols offer UV protection, no matter how thick the canopy is! So it’s important to check first. If you plan to spend hours in the afternoon sun, it’s always better to find one that offers at least 30+ ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Of course, the higher the value, the more protected you’ll be against harmful rays, and many of the best garden parasols on our list offer UV protection of 50+.

How to care for your parasol

The best garden parasols are designed to be durable, weather-resistant and rust-resistant. However, there are still things we can do to prolong their lifespan. 

Clean your parasol regularly with a soft damp cloth, and protect it with a cover whenever not in use. Always store in a cool, dry place indoors during winter.

If you're getting ready for the sun then make sure you have everything you need to enjoy the good weather. 

Find the ideal way to relax with our guide to the best sun loungers and get ready to cook up an alfresco storm with the best barbecues.