The Budget-Friendly DIY That Lets You Add Shade To A Yard Or Garden Without Trees

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Protection from the sun shouldn't be a luxury in a hot summer. Shade actually can drop ambient temperatures by as much as twenty degrees, which can mean the difference between being comfortable outside and boiling. If you're struggling through hot afternoons with a yard that doesn't have shade, then we've got the solution. You can DIY a pergola that's easy to put together. You can build it yourself with a few inexpensive items you can find at your local hardware store.

You could always buy a pergola, of course, but since they can run thousands of dollars, it can be a big commitment. And while one solution is to cool down the yard by planting a fast-growing shade tree, like the river birch, it's not helpful if you don't have the room for a tree. If you want a more efficient way to cool off the patio without relying on trees, then follow the advice of TikToker @Nuwaytowalk, who created a DIY project on a shoestring budget. It took less than a day to install, and she turned her hot patio into a cooler place to relax and socialize with friends and family.

The best part might be that you don't need to be a master carpenter to build your own shade pergola, either. All you need are four contractor buckets, quick-mix cement, four wooden posts or 4x4s, a tarp, and four hooks. Here's how to put it together!

To build a cheap pergola fast, attach hooks to one end of each of the 4x4s. These hooks will be for the shade cloth, and if you put them on the posts before standing them up, you won't need a ladder to attach them later. After gathering the buckets together into a small group, mix up some quick concrete and pour it into the bottom of each bucket. (If you don't want store branding on the containers, you can always spray paint them first. Try a neutral color like black or tan.) Then, set the wooden posts in the bucket and let them dry.

After the concrete has set, tie your shade cloth or tarp to the hooks at the top of each board before moving the buckets into position. The Shade & Beyond 10'x10' sun shade sail will run you about $25 and will give you plenty of coverage. Then you will pull your buckets apart to stretch out the cloth over your new hangout spot. Perhaps the best part of this DIY pergola is that you can decide how big you actually want it, depending on the size of the shade cloth you buy.

If you want to cool down your patio even more, consider installing a mister. It's the refreshing feature that will also attract hummingbirds to the garden. Adding the finishing touches is the fun part! Decorate your structure by adding potted plants nearby. You can fill some plastic pots from the Dollar Tree with potting soil and place a few herbs or flowers around the space to make it more lively. Use plant stands or tables for height, or use tall plants to build a natural privacy screen.