What Patio Umbrella Shape is Best?

A patio umbrella transforms an outdoor space. It makes the area more inviting in the hottest parts of the summer, and it can create a nice atmosphere even during rain.

It’s nice to have the covering, and when you get it just right, it makes your patio look great even while improving the function of the space.

So, how do you choose the right umbrella? A lot of it comes down to getting the right shape, and for that, you have found the perfect quick guide.

Umbrella Shape	Ideal For	Pros	Cons
Round	Circular tables or seating areas	Even shade coverage, traditional look	Limited coverage for larger tables, challenging to adjust
Square	Rectangular tables, contemporary spaces	30% more shade than round, sleek and stylish	Cumbersome to open/close in tight spaces, may not suit traditional decor
Rectangular	Extra-long tables, sprawling seating areas	Ample coverage, can create a cozy, room-like feel	Unwieldy, may require a larger base, not ideal for smaller spaces
Oval	Longer tables wanting a traditional look	Balance between round and rectangular shapes	Harder to find, may not provide as much coverage as rectangular
Hexagonal	Adding a unique, geometric flair	More coverage than round, maintains cozy feel	Harder to find, higher price tag, not ideal for larger tables
Cantilever	Larger or awkwardly shaped spaces, modern look	Shades from any angle, great for larger areas, architectural look	More expensive, may require a heavier base, not ideal for small spaces
Octagonal	Larger tables wanting a traditional look, windy conditions	Coverage of square with classic round look, more wind-resistant than round	More expensive than round or square, less coverage than rectangular

Why Does Umbrella Shape Matter?

You might be thinking, “It’s just an umbrella, who cares about the shape?” Well, let me tell you, the shape of your umbrella can make or break your outdoor space. The right shape can provide optimal shade coverage, withstand windy conditions, and complement your existing patio furniture. Trust me, I’ve made the mistake of choosing the wrong shape before, and it was a disaster. Learn from my mistakes!

Breaking Down the Most Common Shapes

There are countless umbrella shapes out there, but you’ll find that most patio designs conform to a handful of designs:

• Round
• Square
• Rectangular
• Oval
• Hexagonal
• Octagonal

We can split those shapes into two groups — regular and irregular. In a regular shape, the edges of the umbrella are a consistent distance from the center. You can see how this applies to round, square, hexagonal, and octagonal shapes.

Irregular umbrellas don’t conform to this idea, and they allow for a little more variety and customization in your umbrella coverage.

With that said, let’s look at the specific strengths and weaknesses of each of these shapes.

Round umbrellas are easily the most common and popular among all of the shapes. They’ve been around the longest, and they’re a little easier to make. All other things being equal, round umbrellas often cost a little less than the rest (but you can definitely find exceptions to this rule).

If you want a classic look, the round umbrella is the way to go. The circular shape makes it easy to fit the umbrella to most spaces, and it’s easy to get the size right. Make sure the diameter of the umbrella is wide enough to cover the space in mind, and you’re good to go.

Round umbrellas really serve as the baseline for comparison. They don’t have stark strengths or weaknesses that separate them from other shapes.

Square umbrellas create a modern, sleek look, and they’re growing in popularity as a result. The biggest advantage to a square umbrella is the regular shape. It’s extremely easy to figure out what size of a square umbrella will fit in a given space Additionally, if you have a small table set, like a bistro set, a square umbrella covers the space nicely.

Rectangular umbrellas have similar advantages to square umbrellas with more emphasis on custom fitting. Many tables and seating areas are rectangular by nature. Because of this, rectangular umbrellas can perfectly fit the space, providing the very best coverage.

On the downside, rectangular umbrellas struggle much more in the wind, when the wind catches the long side of the covering. If the usual winds common to your area generally line up with the long edge of where you’re hoping to place your umbrella, then a rectangular umbrella will be a great option.

Hexagonal umbrellas return to the regular shape — meaning they are functionally similar to round umbrellas. The primary reason to go with a hexagon over a circle is desired size. Hexagonal umbrellas can maintain a sturdy structure for larger designs compared to circular shapes.

Because of this, you typically find hexagonal umbrellas in the medium to large range of sizes.

While you’re considering umbrella shapes, you also want to think about the support structure. The standard is to have a center beam hold up the umbrella. That provides excellent support, stability, and balance, but you do have other choices.

Very large umbrellas might use a perimeter structure, looking more like a gazebo in design.

You still have one more option, though.

A cantilever umbrella still attaches to a pole, but the pole is on one side of the umbrella instead of in the center. This allows for a few more aesthetic choices when you pick out your umbrella.

The cantilever design is at its best for conversational spaces. You can remove the center beam that disrupts line of sight and makes conversations feel more comfortable and natural.

Octagonal umbrellas take the hexagonal concept even further. Again, this is a regular shape that fits most spaces and provides even shade across the patio.

Whereas a hexagon has six spines structuring the umbrella, an octagonal shape adds two more support spines. This allows octagons to stay sturdy over even larger areas. Your largest patio umbrellas tend to be hexagonal.

Sizing Up Your Space

Now that you know the pros and cons of each umbrella shape, let’s talk size. You don’t want an umbrella that’s too small to provide adequate shade or one that’s so big it takes over your entire patio. A good rule of thumb is to choose an umbrella that extends at least 2 feet beyond the edge of your table on all sides. Trust me, you don’t want to be playing footsie with your umbrella base all day.

• For smaller tables or seating areas, a 6-foot to 8-foot umbrella should suffice.
• For larger tables or seating areas, you may want to size up to a 9-foot to 12-foot umbrella.
• For extra-large spaces, a rectangular or cantilever umbrella might be your best bet.

Factors to Consider

Alright, let’s recap. When choosing your patio umbrella shape, keep these factors in mind:

1. The size and shape of your table or seating area. Make sure your umbrella is proportional to your space and provides ample shade coverage.
2. The style of your outdoor space. Consider whether you want a traditional, modern, or quirky look, and choose an umbrella shape that complements your existing decor.
3. The amount of wind your space receives. If you live in a windy area, you may want to opt for a more wind-resistant shape like an octagonal or cantilever umbrella.
4. Your budget. Some umbrella shapes, like cantilever or hexagonal umbrellas, may come with a higher price tag. Make sure to factor in your budget when making your selection.