How to Make a Table Canopy

The summer months allow you to expand your living and entertaining space outdoors, but daytime meals and get-togethers mean planning for sun protection. Build a canopy with a few supplies from the hardware store to create a welcoming lounging or dining area. If you're confident it won't rain and just need shade, you can refashion an attractive curtain, bed sheet or large tablecloth, depending on the size of your shady area. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Mark four points on the ground where you'd like the corners of your canopy to be. The canopy will shade everything inside the marks.

2

Dig holes about 1 inch wider in diameter than the diameter of the poles you're using to support your canopy. Dig the holes about 1 to 2 feet deep, depending on how permanent you want your canopy.

3

Place the individual poles in each of the four corners, and fill the holes back as much as possible, packing the dirt tightly around each pole.

4

Stake down the poles for support, especially if you are using PVC poles. Tie off or clamp a long piece of rope -- longer than the PVC pipe's height -- to the top of one of the poles. Pull it taut at a diagonal down to the ground. Attach it to a tent stake and pound the stake into the ground at an angle leaning away from the pole. Repeat with the other three poles.

5

Measure and cut a piece of tarp, heavy canvas or other sturdy fabric for your canopy, measuring the dimensions of the covered space plus 1 to 2 inches on each side depending on how low you'd like the canopy to dip.

6

Tie one corner of the canvas through the designated hole in a tarp clamp, double knotting it securely. Attach the clamp to the top of the one of the poles.

7

Tie the other three canvas corners to individual clamps, and attach them to the other three poles. Pull taut as needed so the fabric doesn't bow too much.

8

Hang lights or a decorative garland from your canopy poles, if desired.