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DIY PVC Canopy

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A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

I made this diy pvc canopy because my mom has visited us three times since we moved to Miami and everytime she came she complained that there was no place for her to sit in the backyard in the shade so she could drink her morning coffee or watch the kids play.

At our house in Colorado, she had the same issue with no seating, so I had to make her a little deck furniture set because at the time I didn’t know how to make a backyard pvc canopy.

I completely understand where she’s coming from because if you’ve ever been to southern Florida, then you know it can easily be a very humid 80° at nine in the morning.

That’s no bueno, so I definitely had to figure how to make backyard shade!

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DIY PVC Canopy – The Big Idea

I know that my mom likes sitting outside, but she always comes in pretty fast just because the sun would beam down on her.

I guess I never really paid attention to the heat and sun because I was so used to it and sunscreen is my best friend.

Luckily, she has a daughter who is a Miami diy blogger and can come up with ideas in a heartbeat.

I needed something that could go in our backyard that wasn’t expensive because I still want to build a backyard kitchen and need to save for that.

I also wanted something that looked a little better than the last set I made for her. It wasn’t long before I figured out how to make a sunshade.

Here is my diy pvc canopy that completely blocks the sun for her and now she can watch the kids play without having to rush inside.

It only took about an hour to complete and it turned out better than expected. Enjoy!

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

DIY PVC Canopy Materials

  • 4 Rebar Posts (We made sure that the rebar fit into the pvc)
  • 4 Full Length- ½” PVC Conduit (Gray)
  • 1- ½” PVC Conduit (White, Cut to the width desired for sunshade)
  • ½” Conduit Tee Fitting
  • 2 Curtains, 4 Terra Cotta Pots, Flowers

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

How To Make a PVC Canopy

I had to decide how wide and long the diy sunshade would be.

Once that was figured out, my husband placed the rebar into the ground according to where the ends of the full length pvc would sit.

He said that I would take all of the credit for putting it up and wouldn’t include him in this post. He was wrong and here is proof that he did help out.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

The rebar is used to support the pvc pipe sunshade.

The full length pvc has a male and female end and initially I stuck two of them together to make one arch, but it wasn’t sturdy enough going across and the arches were bending to the sides.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

I used the tee fitting to help support the tops of the arch. The tee fitting was placed onto the male ends and the cut pvc was used as the support beam to attach the two arches.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

After we perfected the sturdiness of the arch, we used curtains as the shade. At first, I used outdoor fabric, but it was way too heavy. It was my husband’s idea to use the curtains.

They’re not weather-proof, but since the pvc slides easily off of the rebar, the curtains can be removed during bad weather or replaced if damaged.

The curtains also saved time because I didn’t have to do any sewing because the seams were already there. Bonus!

(Update: I just found out about shade cloth, so I think I’ll go get some of that to use instead of curtains. I’ll share pics when I switch it out.)

The curtains can slide up and down the pvc, so it can track the sun and keep my mom in the shade.


A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

I had to add a touch of beauty for my momma, so I took the pvc off the rebar and slid the terra cotta pots over the rebar. Then I put the pvc back onto the rebar.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

All I had left to do was add a little soil and flowers to the pot and voila!

My mom has her own little diy backyard canopy in the shade to enjoy.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

A simple backyard canopy that can be made in under 1 hour and with only a few supplies. This diy pvc pipe sunshade adds a little backyard shade for your family's enjoyment when you're learning how to shade your backyard.

DIY Backyard Sunshade

What are some creative ways that you stay out of sun and keep cool when you’re outside?

Learn how to make a canopy with pvc pipe. This easy diy pvc canopy tutorial will give you step-by-step instructions.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What a great idea! I love how you used the terra cotta pots full of flowers too. I smiled at the first picture with your mom watching in the background with her hands on her hips!! That is so cute! Enjoy that Florida sun, I miss it now that we are in Seattle! I used to live in Tampa.
    Lisa Ladrido recently posted…The One Thing Mom Never Taught MeMy Profile

    Reply

    • Hi, Miranda! I’m from OK, so I understand the heat and the need for shade. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

  11. I can’t decide what I love most about this but the pictures are too cute. I really like how you used the potted plants to hide the bottom. You dog made me smile and your kiddo in the background.
    laura recently posted…My Space?My Profile

    Reply

    • It would be perfect for shade while grilling! Just make sure you use a breathable material so he won’t get trapped in all of the smoke.

      Reply

    • Thanks, Lydia! I used grommets and nautical rope when on the outdoor fabric I was initially using with this project, but it weighed the pvc conduit down so we used the curtains instead.

      Reply

  18. This is awesome! I would never have thought of DIYing this. Plus I love the flower pots at the bottom…funtional & beautiful. Hope your Mother enjoys her shady getaway. So, happy I found your blog…recommended by the amazingly creative BriellaSoul Creative Design.

    Reply

  20. You and the family did a very nice job lady. It was thoughtful for you to create a shady place for your mama to relax in. It looks like the dog likes the shade as much as the family. [smile] Good luck with your “outdoor kitchen”. Let you mama know that I enjoy my morning coffee outside too.

    Reply

  21. Love this! My deck in NC needs this in mid-summer as nearby tree doesn’t cast enough shadow. I’m going to figure out how to do this –even if it takes drilling four holes to hold the rebar—so glad i learned how to use some tools..LOL
    Thanks for being so Kreative that day!!!!!!
    MJ

    Reply

  23. Great looking idea! Just a tip before you purchase shade cloth cause it’s so expensive,at least it is up here in north Florida . . You might want to get the densest you can get. I got the 40 percent to grow my greens under and even now in May it’s barely shady. I like your curtain idea much better, designer!!

    Reply

  24. How long is the pvc that forms the arches? And how long is the cross piece? Did you try the shade cloth yet?
    Great job!

    Reply

  25. Absolutely brilliant. And perfect timing too. I’ve been racking my brains for cheap shade in the spot I’ve picked for my sitting area. Thank you SOOOOO much. I live in Orlando so I feel your pain for relief from the heat.

    Reply

  26. This is a GREAT idea .. I’m thinking this may be on my projects short list .. and that is one FAT dog .. :o)

    Reply

  28. I did this over my garden area but with shade cloth yrs ago. It works great. I need to do it again here as an extension of my patio

    Reply

  30. I love this idea! How much wind do you get? We live in Kansas where the wind blows…a LOT! We’d probably have to take it down quite often, but I think your idea is genius!

    Reply

  33. This is so great, especially if you need to move it around for various reasons. Can you tell me how far apart you put the rebar from each other. Sorry if it sounds like a strange question. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Reply

  39. This idea is so perfect. I’m going to put this in my driveway for my car to park under. The portability makes wonderful as well. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful idea. So very creative.

    Reply

  43. I LOVE THIS “DIY BACKYARD SUNSHADE” I can’t wait to make my own. One Question, do you have any problem with the curtains sliding out of place and leaving a gap at the top? Thanks so much for sharing!

    MLS

    Reply

    • Hi, MaryLynn! I eventually added velcro to the curtains so they could stay together, but still be easily removed when I needed to.

      Reply

    • Hi, Taran! The rebar made a huge difference and I don’t think it would’ve come out as sturdy without it. I’m glad you like the project and I’d love to see yours if you get around to making it!

      Reply

  46. Hi Kendra! I saw this (or similar) a year or two ago and got all excited….and bombed SO BAD! lol. But I want to try again! I didn’t have the rebar before, so I think that was my biggest problem. Question, what size rebar did you use? I am finding it has many lengths, and I need to spend as little as possible! I’m so excited to try again, and I adore the flower pots!!!

    Reply

    • Hi, Cassandra! The rebar makes a world of difference. If I remember correctly, the rebar was close to 12 inches long. I’d love to see your finished product! If you email me the pictures, I’d be more than happy to share them on my FB page!

      Reply

    • This is brilliant, and your mom is very lucky to have a daughter like you! Enjoy her company as time goes by much too fast, and some day you’ll be glad you did.
      My husband made something similar for our little King Charles to do her business under as she hates our Oregon rain. My husband’s design is more of a A frame on top. We call it her little “She Shed”, and it even has a tiny chandalier that lights her way at night. Frankly I think your design is way more clever, as well as pretty with the flower pots.

      Reply

  48. This idea is genius. We have a deck that needs shade. Used to have a nice big elm tree but sadly it passed away and had to be removed. 1200 dollars later we now have no shade on the deck. I have been thinking of getting an umbrella but they just dont really fit our space. I am so happy to have seen this posted on pintrest. I can see a trip to Menards in my future…(that is a Midwest store like home depot.) Anyway thank you so much for posting this.

    Reply

  49. Hi LOVE this idea ultra creative!
    Can you please include how much you paid to create this with or without the planters?

    Reply

    • Hi, Camrod! I don’t remember exactly how much I paid for it. I believe it was definitely under $100 because pvc pipe isn’t that expensive and I already had the curtains on hand. The planters were only a couple of dollars. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be more help.

      Reply

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