DIY Colorful Backyard Pergola Shades With A Painting Staple

A pergola is an affordable and stylish backyard upgrade that usually lets you enjoy the great outdoors with just enough protection from the elements. If the weather gets too hot and the sun is beating down on you and ruining your relaxation, though, it may be time to add a sun shade to your pergola. Sure, you can go find one at a store and hang it up, but you can also take the opportunity to add more color, personalization, and style to your backyard. Plus, a DIY backyard pergola shade can be simple and relatively affordable. All you really need is a durable cloth like painter's drop cloth, some sewing supplies, and any dye colors you would like to use. 

On her YouTube channel At Home with Ashley, Ashley Wilson brilliantly demonstrates how she made a rainbow pergola shade using painters' drop cloths and some dye. She first measured the pergola and cuts the drop cloth into strips, keeping the seam allowance in mind. Then, she ironed and stitched the hems before dyeing the cloth shades individually in plastic buckets, rinsing them, and throwing them in the washing machine for a cycle. Finally, she treated the cloths with a fabric protector to waterproof them. The shades were attached to the pergola using snaps with screws on one side so they can be removed seasonally. Depending on the number of dyes you wish to use and the number of drop cloths you need, this DIY is overall quite affordable and worth a try. With the ease and endless customization options, you might even want to make multiple sets of shades that you can switch between.

An all-purpose canvas drop cloth by Green Lifestyle would suit this project perfectly, but choose a different cloth material if you want something that is a bit lighter or heavier. Remember that natural materials like cotton will absorb dye best. Keep in mind that you may need multiple sheets depending on the size of your pergola. However, draping the cloth shades over only part of your pergola can save money and give you some shade while still allowing the option for direct sunlight.

When it comes to customizing this DIY, you have plenty of options. For example, choose lighter dye colors to keep your pergola breezy and cool, as darker colors will absorb light and emit more heat in your shaded area. For a fun and festive look, choose dye colors that match the season or holiday, like red and blue for Independence Day. The dye you need will depend on the exact fabric of your drop cloth, but you can find Rit all-purpose liquid dye in many shades. You will also want a fabric protector like Scotchgard sun and water shield. If you have any leftover, you may enjoy discovering other fabrics you can safely treat with scotch gard around your home.