We have a saying here at the Lazy Magazine: "Only mad dogs and sunburnt humans forget the patio umbrella".
If your garden table is feeling a little exposed, then it is time to turn that bare-top setup into the VIP lounge of your back garden with just one addition—a patio umbrella. You’re adding instant shade, effortless style, and a whole lot of chill.
Whether you’re enjoying a pot of tea, tending to your blooms, or settling in with a good book, this simple addition turns your garden into a shaded little haven that quietly says, “Summer’s arrived—come and stay a while.”
So, what exactly is a patio umbrella—aren’t they just parasols? Yep, pretty much. Different name, same lovely idea. We use both terms here at the Lazy Susan HQ. Whether you call it a parasol or a patio umbrella, it’s all about bringing a bit of cool, calm shade to your outdoor setup.
Think dappled sunlight over your garden table, a gentle breeze, a cuppa or a chilled drink in hand—it’s that classic bit of summer comfort. It’s not just practical, it adds a touch of charm to your garden too, like your own little retreat right outside the back door.
Why choose a patio umbrella for your garden table?
The British weather may be unpredictable, but one thing we can count on is the joy of a sunny weekend spent outdoors. When the sun does decide to shine, there’s nothing better than dining al fresco with friends and family. And to truly elevate your garden setup, a patio umbrella is an essential addition—offering much-needed shade, timeless style, and all-day comfort.
A patio umbrella is more than just a practical accessory—it's the finishing touch that brings together your outdoor dining area. Whether you’re shielding guests from harsh midday sun or protecting lunch from an unexpected summer shower, our umbrellas are designed for British gardens and built with both form and function in mind.
Here’s why we think every garden table needs one:
1. Ultimate in sun protection
When it comes to enjoying your outdoor space, sun protection is essential, and our Lazy Susan patio umbrellas offer the ultimate shield from harmful UV rays. Crafted from heavyweight quick-drying acrylic fabric, these umbrellas provide a high level of UV protection, ensuring that you and your guests stay cool and comfortable throughout the hottest parts of the day. With sun exposure at its peak, you’ll appreciate how the UV-resistant umbrella fabric effectively blocks those intense rays, helping to protect your skin from harmful UV damage, sunburn, and heat fatigue.
This level of protection is particularly important for families with young children or anyone with pets, as they are more sensitive to excessive sun exposure. Whether you’re enjoying a family barbecue, lounging with friends, or simply reading a book at the garden table, you can rest assured that the umbrella’s fabric provides a protective shield, reducing the risk of overheating or sunburn.
Additionally, each umbrella is designed with a tilting head, which allows you to adjust the angle of the shade throughout the day. This feature is perfect for blocking low-angle rays that can be especially bothersome during the early mornings or late evenings. No matter where the sun is positioned in the sky, you can adjust your umbrella to ensure you’re always shielded, keeping your outdoor dining and leisure time comfortable from breakfast to sunset.
2. Ready for rain
While we love a sunny day, we all know that British summers can be unpredictable, often bringing a sudden shower out of nowhere. Fortunately, with our patio umbrellas, you won’t need to rush indoors when the weather takes a turn. They are designed to withstand those unannounced rain showers, thanks to their quick-drying, water-resistant fabric that ensures you stay dry even during a sudden downpour.
The tight weave of the fabric effectively repels moisture, so you won’t have to worry about your umbrella becoming waterlogged or sagging under the weight of the rain. The overlapping fabric design, combined with a strategically placed breathable vent, helps to keep the area underneath the umbrella dry and breezy. While the summer shower might be falling, you and your guests can stay comfortably seated at your garden table, enjoying the outdoor atmosphere without having to retreat inside.
This design is particularly beneficial for those spontaneous outdoor gatherings, whether you're hosting a summer dinner party or simply enjoying a cup of tea outside. No need to cut your time short due to a passing shower—our umbrellas make it easy to embrace the unpredictable nature of British weather while keeping your outdoor space functional and enjoyable. And when the sun comes back out, you’ll appreciate how quickly the fabric dries, so you can get back to enjoying the rest of your day in the garden.
3. Style that complements your garden
Style matters just as much as function, and our patio umbrellas are available in a carefully curated palette of colours designed to elevate any outdoor space. Choose from Grey, Stone, Green, Blue, and Terracotta—each selected to harmonise beautifully with our furniture collection and outdoor cushions.
These timeless, garden-friendly shades offer more than just aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re coordinating with the soft tones of a bistro set for two or tying together a bold colour scheme around a 10-seater dining table, our umbrella fabrics add the perfect finishing touch. From the natural elegance of Stone to the earthy warmth of Terracotta or the classic cool of Navy Blue, each colour brings its character and charm to your patio.
Our range of coordinated chair cushions ensures that your entire outdoor setup, from the table to the seating, is perfectly matched. These cushions come in complementary colours to the umbrellas, allowing you to create a cohesive and stylish outdoor environment. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed, laid-back vibe or a more vibrant, energetic look, our cushions and umbrellas work in perfect harmony to complete your garden aesthetic.
4. Versatile sizes for every patio table in our range
No matter the size of your outdoor setup, there’s a Lazy Susan patio umbrella designed to complement your garden furniture perfectly, offering the right amount of shade, style, and comfort for every occasion.
Our collection starts with the 2.5-metre diameter umbrella, ideal for more compact spaces and perfectly paired with our 4-seater garden table sets. Despite its smaller footprint, this umbrella provides ample coverage, keeping you and your guests cool and comfortable during sunny lunches or laid-back afternoon teas.
Next up is the 2.7-metre umbrella, our most popular size. It’s the go-to choice for 6 to 8-seater dining tables, offering generous shade for larger gatherings without overwhelming your patio. Whether you’re hosting a family BBQ or an evening dinner party, this size strikes the perfect balance between coverage and elegance.
For those with expansive outdoor dining areas or entertaining spaces, the 3.5-metre umbrella is a true statement piece. Designed to shade 10-seater and larger garden sets, it provides substantial protection from both sun and light rain, making it ideal for big get-togethers, garden celebrations, or simply creating a luxurious outdoor lounge area.
Despite their generous dimensions, all of our patio umbrellas are thoughtfully engineered to remain lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. Thanks to the integrated crank mechanism, opening and closing the canopy takes little effort. Meanwhile, the tilting mechanism allows you to adjust the angle of the shade throughout the day—ensuring you're always protected, no matter where the sun sits in the sky.
With elegant proportions, user-friendly design, and premium materials throughout, the Lazy Susan umbrella range makes it easy to find the perfect fit for your garden—and enjoy stylish, practical shade from spring through to autumn.
5. Easy to use, built to last
Every Lazy Susan patio umbrella is thoughtfully engineered to combine convenience, performance, and timeless design—because we believe outdoor living should be both beautiful and effortless.
Let’s start with the functionality. Each umbrella features a crank handle mechanism that makes opening and closing a breeze. Whether you’re setting up for a sunny lunch or packing down for the evening, the smooth action means you can operate it quickly and easily, without any fiddly catches or heavy lifting.
To help you stay shaded as the sun moves across the sky, our umbrellas come with a tilting head, allowing you to adjust the angle of the canopy. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference, keeping glare out of your eyes during a lazy brunch or shielding your dinner guests from the early evening rays.
Underneath the canopy, fibreglass ribs provide a strong yet flexible frame that’s built to withstand the gusty conditions typical of British summers. This lightweight but resilient structure holds its shape beautifully and is far more resistant to snapping or warping than traditional metal supports.
Our umbrellas also include a cleverly designed breathing vent at the top. This not only allows warm air to escape, making it cooler and more comfortable underneath, but also reduces wind lift by letting gusts pass through, rather than turning your umbrella into a sail.
The pole itself is made from our signature cast aluminium, colour-matched to coordinate seamlessly with your Lazy Susan garden furniture. It’s strong, rust-resistant, and built to last, with an elegant profile that complements both classic and contemporary patio styles.
To keep everything securely anchored, we offer cast iron umbrella bases in a choice of finishes—Antique Bronze, Slate Grey, or White. These heavy-duty bases provide the weight and stability needed to keep your umbrella upright, even when the breeze picks up, and they perfectly match our cast aluminium table sets for a cohesive, polished look.
With these premium features built in, a Lazy Susan patio umbrella isn’t just an accessory—it’s a thoughtfully crafted centrepiece that makes your garden more stylish, more comfortable, and more usable, all year round.
6. Built for British gardens
The UK climate can be famously unpredictable—from blazing sunshine to unexpected summer showers, sometimes all in the same afternoon. That’s why Lazy Susan patio umbrellas are designed with the UK climate in mind, offering the perfect blend of resilience, practicality, and premium style.
Crafted from fade-resistant acrylic fabric, each umbrella is dyed before the fibres are woven. This solution-dyed technique ensures long-lasting, vibrant colour that won’t easily bleach or fade, even after months of exposure to sun, wind, and rain. Whether you choose classic grey or a bold terracotta, the colour stays rich and true.
But it’s not just about looks. The fabric is also highly resistant to mildew, bird droppings, and tree sap—common nuisances in leafy British gardens. And thanks to its canvas-like texture, it adds a soft, tactile element to your outdoor space, lending a luxury finish without compromising on durability.
Beneath the surface, every component is chosen with care: fibreglass ribs provide strength and flexibility in gusty conditions, while cast aluminium poles and heavy cast iron bases ensure your umbrella stays stable and secure.
In terms of maintenance, we’ve made it easy. For everyday cleaning, simply brush off loose debris and give it a quick rinse with the garden hose. If your umbrella needs a refresh after a few weekends of outdoor entertaining, a gentle wipe-down with warm water and a mild detergent will keep it looking its best.
For tougher grime—like sun-baked bird droppings or lingering mildew—a mixture of white vinegar and washing-up liquid is your go-to solution. Just avoid pressure washers, as they can damage the fabric fibres and compromise water resistance.
Built tough, styled smart, and easy to maintain—Lazy Susan patio umbrellas are made to thrive in real British gardens, come rain or shine.
7. Great value bundle deals
When it comes to elevating your outdoor dining setup, value and style don’t have to be mutually exclusive. At Lazy Susan, we’ve made it easy to get both with our carefully curated bundle deals. When you purchase one of our garden table sets, you can add a perfectly paired patio umbrella at a significant discount—making it easier than ever to create a complete, coordinated outdoor space.
These bundles are designed not just to save you money, but to help you get everything you need in one go. Whether you’re furnishing a compact balcony or a large garden patio, you’ll find that the right umbrella adds comfort, functionality, and a dash of design flair to your outdoor furniture.
Take our popular June 6-Seater Set in Antique Bronze (above) as a prime example. It’s a firm customer favourite for its elegant cast aluminium design and generous seating space. Add one of our recommended 2.7-metre patio umbrellas at checkout, and you’ll save over 50% on the umbrella’s standard price. That’s a big win for your wallet—and your summer plans.
Each umbrella in our collection is chosen to complement the size and style of our garden table sets. You’ll find a wide choice of colours, from timeless neutrals to bold garden-friendly shades, all made with weather-resistant, quick-drying fabrics. The result? A beautiful, cohesive look that’s built to last.
And with the money you save on a bundle deal, you might even consider adding on a matching cast iron umbrella base or some outdoor cushions to complete the set. With Lazy Susan’s bundle offers, you don’t just get a great deal—you get peace of mind knowing everything is designed to work perfectly together, right down to the last detail.
8. Extend the summer season
A patio umbrella isn’t just a warm-weather accessory—it’s a smart way to stretch the use of your garden well beyond the peak of summer. Whether you’re hosting a laid-back spring barbecue or planning an autumn dinner party under the stars, a well-placed umbrella transforms your patio into a comfortable and inviting space for every season.
In early spring, when the sun is just beginning to return but the air still carries a chill, a patio umbrella provides that extra layer of comfort. It offers protection from light rain showers and shields your seating area from low, bright sunshine that can still be intense even on cooler days. With the addition of a patio heater or a fire pit, you can enjoy outdoor meals or evening drinks wrapped in warmth, without worrying about the changing weather.
As the summer sun peaks, the umbrella comes into its own. It creates a cool, shaded oasis where you and your guests can retreat from the heat—ideal for long lunches, reading a book, or watching the kids play in the garden. You’ll also find it protects your food and drinks from direct sunlight, keeping everything fresher for longer.
But it’s during those late summer evenings and into autumn when a patio umbrella truly shines as a season-extender. When paired with soft outdoor lighting—think string lights, lanterns, or even fairy lights in the spokes—it sets the mood beautifully. Add a few cosy throws, some plush cushions, and a warm drink, and you’ve got a perfect setup for enjoying golden hour and crisp evenings outside.
By giving you shade when it’s hot and shelter when it’s cool or damp, a patio umbrella allows you to fully embrace outdoor living for more of the year. It’s not just a functional piece—it’s a versatile, stylish upgrade that helps turn your garden into a year-round destination.
Caring for your garden parasol
A patio umbrella is an investment in your comfort and outdoor lifestyle, so it’s worth taking a few simple steps to keep it looking and performing at its best. With a little regular maintenance and some seasonal care, your umbrella will stay vibrant, functional, and ready for every sunny (or showery) day that comes your way.
Here are our top tips to keep your umbrella in top condition:
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Store it during the winter months or when not in use for extended periods
Even though our patio umbrellas are made from durable, weather-resistant materials, prolonged exposure to the harshest elements can lead to unnecessary wear. Storing your umbrella in a shed, garage, or dry storage space over winter will prolong its life and keep it looking like new. -
Use a waterproof umbrella cover during summer to keep it clean
If you’d prefer to leave your umbrella out throughout the season, a protective cover is a smart solution. It shields the fabric from dirt, bird droppings, and tree sap while also reducing the fading effects of direct sunlight. -
Avoid leaving it open during strong winds or extreme weather
Patio umbrellas are designed to withstand everyday breezes, but sudden gusts or storms can pose a risk. Always close and secure your umbrella if high winds are forecast—doing so will prevent damage to the umbrella and your surrounding furniture. -
Wipe down poles and bases with warm, soapy water
Like all garden furniture, a gentle clean now and then helps to keep everything in great shape. Use a soft cloth or sponge and avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch metal finishes. Be sure to dry the surfaces after washing to avoid streaks or water spots. -
Apply a little lubricant to moving parts for smooth operation
The crank handle and tilt mechanisms can benefit from a light spray of WD-40 or a similar product now and then. This keeps everything running smoothly and helps to protect the inner workings from rust or stiffness—just be careful not to get any on the fabric. -
Brush off loose debris and give the fabric a quick rinse
A soft-bristled brush and a quick rinse with the garden hose can go a long way toward removing dust, pollen, and other debris. For more thorough cleaning, check out our step-by-step guides to light and deep cleans using common household solutions. -
Let the fabric dry fully before closing or storing
Whether you’ve been caught in a shower or just rinsed it off, always let the umbrella dry completely before closing it up. This prevents moisture from becoming trapped inside the folds, which could lead to mildew or unwanted smells.
Taking just a few minutes now and then to care for your patio umbrella can add years to its life—and ensure that it always looks as good as the day you set it up.
Our final thoughts on our garden umbrellas...
If you want to make the most of your outdoor furniture, a sun umbrella is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. Offering ample shade, style, and comfort, it transforms your garden table into a true outdoor living space.
When it comes to creating the perfect outdoor dining setup, a patio umbrella is the unsung hero. It’s easy to overlook—especially in the UK, where sunny days sometimes feel like a rarity—but the moment you sit down at your garden table and feel the glare of the midday sun or get caught in a sudden summer shower, you’ll be glad it’s there.
A well-chosen patio umbrella does more than block the sun or deflect a bit of drizzle. It defines your space. It frames your furniture, adds a splash of colour, and invites you to linger longer—morning coffee, lazy lunches, evening meals and everything in between. It transforms a garden table into a destination.
And with Lazy Susan’s collection, you’re not just getting something that looks good. You’re investing in quality materials, thoughtful design, and weatherproof performance that works with British summers, not against them. Whether you're entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet moment outdoors, your umbrella becomes a key part of that experience—bringing shade, style, and comfort exactly where you need it.
So if you’ve gone to the effort of choosing the perfect garden furniture, don’t let your setup go without this final piece. A patio umbrella might just be the most important accessory you didn’t know you needed—until you have one.
If you've paired your garden table with a patio umbrella, we’d love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign! Feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook @LazySusanFurniture, or upload your photos here.
