People are spending more and more time at home, in their outdoor living spaces. They relax, escaping from the outside world, or they entertain family and friends. This increasing dependence on outdoor living spaces, however, has also increased the need for outdoor shelters. Even though you may have the party of the century planned for your backyard, Mother Nature will come calling with whatever she pleases at any moment she pleases. An outdoor shelter will make sure that the show will go on, no matter what the elements have in store.

One of the most important considerations when purchasing your shelter has to do with where you would like to place it. Do you want to cover your entire patio? Do you want to cover only part of the patio? Do you want to provide extra shelter somewhere else in your yard? Do you not want to invest in creating a patio setting, but would like something to entertain guests every once in a while outside?

There are several ways to create shelter in your outdoor space. You can purchase a patio cover that is either freestanding or attached to your house. You can purchase awnings, freestanding or not, retractable or not; retractable awnings can be motorized or manually operated. There are a huge selection of canopies and gazebos as well.

Some of these structures are temporary, such as a canopy or large umbrella, while others are more permanent, like an awning or roof structure. Roof structures come in a variety of styles; open lattice structures, like a pergola, are beautiful additions to your outdoor space. You may choose a simple structure or a complex one that could potentially come equipped with shingles and gutters.

Attached shelters use your roof or garage as support; these are quite popular, as they don’t require much effort to install. Many awnings and covers come in aluminum, which is relatively easy to maintain. If you choose a wooden structure, be aware that you will most likely have to have it sealed and do so occasionally to protect it from insects and moisture.

There are instant shelters, such as pop-up canopies, that work wonderfully for people searching for a shelter that is compact, portable and easy to set up and take down. The majority of pop-up canopies can be set up in less than 5 minutes, requiring you simply to unfold the structure and snap it into place. Shade and party canopies are slightly larger, and are also available in a greater selection of styles and designs.

Besides canopies, gazebos are excellent additions to your outdoor space if you are looking for shelter. These structures are open on all sides (though you can purchase screens for them), allowing you to take in your surroundings while you relax or entertain guests. You can most definitely add furniture and other items to your gazebo, turning it into a living room or even a kitchen/dining room. Add a hot tub or spa that you will be able to enjoy almost all year.

Gazebos come in a stunning variety of designs and styles, like square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, round and oval. Cedar, redwood, vinyl, cast aluminum, wrought iron and steel are all materials used to construct gazebos. The style you choose, as usual, will depend on your outdoor space, your existing décor, and of course your budget. As with many pieces of outdoor furniture and décor, there are a variety of gazebo plans and kits on the Internet and at stores to help or guide you in building your own gazebo, either from scratch or from pre-cut parts.

A shelter can do more than just protect you and your guests, however. You can temporarily house your prized plants under a shelter or allow your pets some outdoor time while making sure they are not exposed to UV rays or harsh weather. Furniture will also be protected if kept under a shelter. You can also decorate your shelter, creating of it an integral part of your outside décor. Climbing vines, hanging lights or other objects can be added to your shelter to increase its aesthetic appeal.

Prices for shelters vary wildly. This all depends on the type of shelter you choose, whether or not it requires installation, and whether you or a professional installer does the job. A more expensive investment may not be a bad idea; you will incredibly increase your enjoyment of the outdoors, while incredibly adding to the resale value of your home.

When choosing your outdoor shelter, carefully consider your existing décor and what you would like your shelter to accomplish, besides the obvious function of sheltering you and guests from the elements. Shelters can be found at your local home improvement or garden center and online.