Dining al fresco has been gaining popularity these days, with most people wanting to enjoy fresh air and smoke a cigarette or two. That is why most restaurants, fine dining or casual, have an outdoor area where guests can dine.

I particularly enjoy seeing outdoor settings in restaurants because it is a different setting altogether. Effort has been given to surround the area in greens to have more ventilation and the furniture used is beautiful but sturdy enough to withstand extreme weather conditions like rains and the summer heat. Usually a patio umbrella completes the look.

You see this in Starbucks all the time, the green color is a giveaway:

Usually you see patio umbrella with valances and you normally see them in quaint dining or coffee shops (mostly pastry shops). Ever see a street in France, similar to the movie Sabrina? That is how it looks like:

There is another version called market umbrella. It has a straight edged canopy instead of hanging fabric valances. Most outdoor cafes use this type of patio umbrella.

Patio umbrellas not only add to the over-all design and ambiance in a house or restaurant setting but it will also save you from the harmful UV rays of the sun that causes skin cancer!

Most outdoor dining areas use a half umbrella too, to maximize space:

You can also have these in your home, just make sure you follow these steps when buying them:

1. Think about the area and items you want to cover, a table, a table and chairs, a chaise lounge and side table, etc.

2. What time of day are you going to be using it, early morning, afternoon or evening? Morning and late afternoon sun is hard to shade unless the umbrella has a tilt and swivel feature or a hanging valance.

3. Do you want the umbrella to be easily moved or primarily fixed in one spot? If mobility is a concern, think of the weight, size, ease of taking apart and the clearance required to move and effort to relocate.