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Outdoor Shade Ideas and Inspiration

Welcome to our blog

Here you will find ourdoor shade ideas and inspiration for creating the perfect outdoor space. Explore the latest industry trends, discover valuable knowledge, and access expert guidance.

Barrel Canopies, Custom Shade Solutions, Outdoor Blinds, Shade Sails

Choosing the Right Shade Solution for Your School or Education Facility

Outdoor spaces are a big part of school life in New Zealand. Whether it’s lunchtime at a primary school, a break between lectures at uni, or free play at an early learning centre, students and children spend a lot of time outside.

Fixed Canopies, Outdoor Blinds

How to Make Your Outdoor Space More Usable This Winter

Winter can make outdoor areas harder to enjoy. Cold wind, rain, glare, and a lack of shelter can quickly turn a deck or patio into a space that only gets used on the best days.

Custom Shade Solutions, General

Coromandel Shade Experts: Quality Outdoor Shade Solutions for Your Home or Bach

If you own a home or bach on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, you already know how important it is to make the most of your outdoor spaces.

Custom Shade Solutions, Shade Sails

Shade Sail Installation at St Patrick’s Primary School, Napier

Having shade over areas used daily by children plays an important role in creating safer and more comfortable outdoor spaces for New Zealand schools.

Roller Shade: A Budget Friendly Shade Option for Your Outdoor Space

Roller Shades are a sleek and practical solution for shading under your pergola, veranda, or alfresco area. Designed for simple operation, just roll the shade down, grab the lightweight bottom bar, lift and clip it into place with the swivel clips, then tighten using the crank handle.

Shade Sails for Schools: Why Winter Planning Ensures Summer-Ready Protection

When it comes to protecting students and staff from New Zealand’s harsh summer sun, shade sails for schools represent one of the most effective and versatile solutions available.

Transform Your Outdoor Area into an All-Weather Haven with ZipTrak Blinds

If you already enjoy the benefits of an outdoor living space with a pergola, louvre, or fixed canopy, you’re halfway to creating the perfect year-round entertainment area.

Custom Shade Solutions, Shade Sails

Auckland Botanical Garden’s Weaving Shelter

Auckland Council approached Lidgard to assist with the design, manufacture, and installation of a custom printed PVC shade sail for the New Weaving Shelter.

Add privacy to your outdoor space with Privacy Blinds

Privacy blinds offer a practical way to create a more secluded outdoor space without giving up light, views, or fresh air.

Get Spotted 2025 Winner – Melanoma New Zealand X Lidgard Shades

We are proud to share the winner of Get Spotted 2025 with national charity Melanoma New Zealand Get Spotted is a fun colouring in competition designed to engage tamarki and staff about being sun smart.

Extend your living space with Outdoor Blinds

Outdoor Blinds give you a simple way to extend your living space. They turn a deck, patio, balcony, or pergola into an enclosed area you can use in every season. You gain more usable space without building new rooms.

Lidgard Introduces Shade7 Umbrellas to Its Product Lineup

We’re excited to share that Lidgard Shades now supplies and installs Shade7 umbrellas, bringing two world-class options to New Zealand homes and businesses.

Cost Effective Way to Shade Your Outdoor Area with Retractable Awnings

Outdoor living is a big part of Kiwi life. Having a shaded, comfortable space at home makes it easier to relax, entertain, and enjoy being outside through the warmer months.

NZ Made Shade Sails by Lidgard

Outdoor living is part of the New Zealand way of life. Whether it’s relaxing at home, eating outside at a café, or our tamariki playing outside, having the right shade makes these spaces more enjoyable and comfortable.

Create Flexible Shade for Your Outdoor Area with Roller Shades

Outdoor living is a big part of life in New Zealand. Many homes have pergolas, verandas, or covered patios that provide a comfortable place to relax, entertain, or share a meal.

Custom Shade Solutions

How Lidgard’s Custom Shade Solutions Create More Usable Outdoor Space for Your Café or Restaurant

Outdoor dining is an important part of hospitality in New Zealand. Customers want to enjoy fresh air, nice views, and a relaxed setting, but weather and exposure to the elements can quickly get in the way.

Create The Perfect Shaded Area Ready for Summer and Go in The Draw to Win the Ultimate BBQ Pack

Summer in New Zealand is all about enjoying time outdoors. Having a shaded space at home makes it easier to relax, entertain, and stay protected from the sun.

Have You Seen Our New Sora Crystalite Canopies?

Outdoor living is a big part of life in New Zealand. A space that is bright, sheltered, and stylish makes a big difference to how often you can enjoy it.

Barrel Canopies, Shade Sails

Need Shade For Your Playground? Schedule It Now Before Summer

If you need shade for your playground, now is the time to organise it. Summer comes around quickly, and many schools and early learning centres start booking projects months in advance.

Is Your Shade Ready for Summer? Book Your Shade Servicing in Before Summer

Just like any outdoor product, your shade sails, blinds, awnings, and covers need regular care. Proper shade servicing can add years to their life and keep them working the way they should.

Fixed Canopies, Outdoor Blinds

Design Tips for Weather Protected Outdoor Dining Areas

Outdoor dining areas are a great way to enjoy time with family and friends. In New Zealand, we love spending time outside, whether it’s a relaxed BBQ or a summer evening meal.

Barrel Canopies, Shade Sails

Creating Safe, Shaded Play Areas for Schools and Early Childhood Centres

Playing outside is a big part of growing up in New Zealand. Climbing, running, and spending time outdoors helps children learn, socialise, and stay active.

Does Your Outdoor Area Work All Year Round? Add Ziptrak All-Weather Blinds

Many Kiwi homes have great outdoor areas that go unused for half the year. Wind, rain, or too much sun can make it hard to enjoy your deck, patio, or balcony for long.

Create an All Weather Outdoor Area with a Fixed Canopy

Spending time outside is one of life’s simple pleasures, especially at home when you can enjoy your outdoor space all year. For most of us our backyards are only usable when the weather is good.

Weatherproof your Commercial Space with Outdoor Blinds

Having an outdoor area that works in every season is a big advantage for any business.

The automation features that can be integrated into your Ziptrak outdoor blinds

Ziptrak outdoor blinds are a popular choice for Kiwi homes and businesses because they offer strong protection from wind, rain and sun while keeping outdoor spaces usable all year round.

Beachlands School wins Melanoma New Zealand’s 2024 Get Spotted Colouring Competition

Auckland’s Beachlands School was the winner of the latest Get Spotted Colouring Competition with national charity Melanoma New Zealand. The Get Spotted campaign aims to raise awareness about sun safety and the importance of creating shaded spaces for tamariki across Aotearoa.

Create the Perfect Awning for Your Business with Lidgard Shades

If you’re looking to add style, weather protection, and visibility to your commercial space, a fixed frame awning for your business is a smart choice.

Benefits of Installing a Ziptrak Outdoor Blind System

Creating an outdoor area that can be used all year makes a big difference to your home. Whether you enjoy hosting friends, relaxing with family, or simply want a space to unwind, an outdoor blind system helps you get more use from your deck or patio, no matter the weather.

Benefits of Shade Sails for Early Learning Centres and Schools

Providing safe outdoor spaces is important for schools and early learning centres. One of the easiest ways to protect children from the sun is by installing well-designed shade sails.

Barrel Canopies

Custom Barrel Canopies for Commercial Spaces

If your business is looking to create a sheltered outdoor space that’s functional, stylish, and built to last, custom barrel canopies could be the perfect solution.

Barrel Canopies

Barrel Canopies for Schools Outdoor Spaces

Creating safe, functional, and weather-resistant outdoor spaces is essential for schools across New Zealand. Barrel canopies provide an excellent solution, offering coverage for recreational areas.

Weatherproof Your Outdoor Space Ready for Winter with Outdoor Blinds

As the colder months approach, we end up retreating indoors, leaving our outdoor living spaces unused until spring. However, with the right solutions, you can weatherproof your outdoor space and enjoy it all year round.

The Importance of Shade When Building a Playground

Playgrounds are places of fun, exploration, and adventure, but with New Zealand’s high UV levels, sun safety is an important consideration when building outdoor play space

Retractable Awnings Provide an Affordable Shade Solution for Homes and Businesses

When it comes to creating comfortable outdoor spaces, retractable awnings offer an affordable shade solution for both homes and businesses. These versatile structures combine practicality with style, providing shade when you need it and retracting when you don’t