Carly Totten is a writer across Dotdash Meredith's brands, including InStyle, Real Simple, People Magazine, and Travel + Leisure. She is an ardent supporter of wearable fashion that's just the right mix of feminine and preppy, and you will often find her shopping for classic pieces from Target. Outside of creating lifestyle content, Carly has worked as a wedding planner for the past decade. She is a lifelong tennis player, runner, baker, and reader who resides outside of Philadelphia. But you can always find Carly planning her next trip to Charleston, S.C. She graduated summa cum laude from Rider University, located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

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Spring and summer are on the horizon, and many of us are eager to spend time outside again. While counting down to your first outdoor barbecue of the season, why not channel your excitement into refreshing your deck? One item to make sure you have at the ready is a patio umbrella to protect you from the sun's bright rays. And with nearly 15,000 perfect ratings and the top spot on Amazon's best-seller list in its category, this is the outdoor umbrella shoppers swear by.

The Blissun Outdoor Aluminum Patio Umbrella is designed for use both on its own between chairs and loungers, or as a table umbrella. The 9-foot umbrella can shade tables of all shapes between 42 and 54 inches. It features an aluminum pole and ribs that make it lightweight and easy to use. The metal also helps protect it from rust during inevitable exposure to rain.

Of course, the most eye-catching—and important—feature of the umbrella is its canopy, which is made from 100% polyester and is waterproof and resistant to UV rays. It also comes in 10 different colors and patterns (all between $45 and $50), so you can match it to the rest of your outdoor decor.

Buy It: Blissun 9-Foot Outdoor Aluminum Patio Umbrella, ($50, Amazon)

A table umbrella offers cooling protection from the sun during the day and also creates a beautiful ambiance at night, and the Blissun umbrella's crank operating system is key. To open and close the umbrella, simply turn the crank. Then, once the canopy is open, you can push a button to tilt it at an angle that will protect you and your guests from the sun. Plus, you don't have to worry about the wind because it has top canopy vents that allow air to pass through without bending it out of shape.

"It's sturdy, opens and closes with ease, has good tilt adjustments, and was a great price," wrote one five-star reviewer, who said their umbrella was still in great shape and free from fading even after a year in the elements. Another shopper said they appreciate the size, crank, tilt, and color options of the umbrella, but they encourage others to keep in mind that the umbrella does not come with an umbrella base or stand, so you'll have to purchase one separately.

Buy It: Blissun 9-Foot Outdoor Aluminum Patio Umbrella, ($45, Amazon)

"Honestly, [this is] the best purchase from Amazon," added another happy shopper, who said they appreciate the stylish look of the black-and-white stripe umbrella and how it tilts to offer "really good shade." An additional reviewer shared that the umbrella can be "installed in minutes."

If you start prepping now, you'll be ready to relax and enjoy your deck or patio once spring and summer are in full swing. Shop the Blissun Outdoor Patio Umbrella to add a new look—and plenty of shade—to your outdoor space now.

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