parasols

It's a familiar story: a brand-new parasol that looks tired and washed out after just one summer. On the Spanish coast, whether that's the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol or Costa Brava, the sun shines for around 1000 hours more a year than in the Netherlands. A cheap polyester canopy simply isn't built for that. The colour is often printed onto the fabric rather than woven through the yarn, and after one season in Spain, that difference shows.

The parasols from Interior Nomad are made from 100% acrylic, solid dyed, meaning the colour runs through to the core of every single thread. This is the same Coastal Proof fabric we use for our sun bed cushions and outdoor sofa cushions: UV index 7-8/8, the highest grade for outdoor fabrics. After years in the Spanish sun, your parasol will still look colorful. And because the fabric is removable from the wooden frame, you can clean it properly, or have it repaired in case. That is durability the way it should be.

Wind is a far more serious consideration on the Spanish coast than most people realise when they buy a parasol. The Levante can pick up without warning, and a parasol that isn't properly anchored becomes a flying parasol, and that is genuinely dangerous. Especially with cantilever parasols,where the pole stands to the side instead of in the centre underneath the canopy, a solid base is not a luxury but a necessity.

The parasols from Interior Nomad have an authentic FSC-certified wooden frame in the center. The frame is dark lacquered with cord and pendant, robust and heavy enough for daily use in the Mediterranean climate. For anchoring, we offer a heavy metal base in the colour of the frame: solid, stable and beautifully integrated into the overall look. If your terrace in Sitges, Jávea or Marbella is regularly exposed to gusts, always close the parasol when you leave the terrace for any length of time. When you're away, the breathable cover protects both the canopy and the frame from dust, moisture and UV fading.

It depends on what you want to shade and how your terrace is laid out. A useful rule of thumb: a square parasol of 3x3 metres covers more surface area than a round one with the same diameter, because a round parasol loses its corners. That said, round looks softer and suits a more organic arrangement around a pool or a set of sun loungers.

Interior Nomad offers both. Square in 2x2 metres for smaller terraces and patios, or 3x3 metres to fully cover a seating or large lounge area. Round with a 2-metre radius for an intimate spot by the pool, or a 3-metre radius for maximum shade. In terms of style, you choose between model PURE (clean, modern, with a sharp finished edge) or model Hacienda or Medina with fringes, for anyone who wants a little more character and a Mediterranean or Ibizan feel. And because all parasols are made in the same Coastal Proof acrylic as our cushions, you can match colours perfectly across your entire outdoor space. One cohesive look, from sun lounger to parasol.

Honest answer: closing it is always the smart move when you're not around, especially on the Spanish coast where wind can arrive without warning. A parasol left open with nobody watching is a risk. But that doesn't mean you need to fully pack it away every single evening.

The practical solution is the breathable cover available for all Interior Nomad parasols. Close the parasol, slip the cover on and the canopy is protected from Sahara dust, overnight moisture, sun cream residue and birds. The FSC-certified wooden frame is dark lacquered and built to handle the elements, but even quality wood benefits from protection during longer periods away. Do you have a holiday home on the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol where you're not based permanently? Always close and cover the parasol when you leave, and it will be waiting for you in perfect condition when you return.

A good question because not every parasol protects equally well. Cheap parasols with a lightweight polyester canopy let through more UV radiation than you might expect. And in Spain, where the summer sun sits almost directly overhead, that difference really matters.

The parasols from Interior Nomad are made from 100% acrylic with UV index 7-8/8, the highest grade for outdoor fabrics. That means the canopy blocks an extremely high percentage of UV radiation, even under prolonged direct exposure. A further advantage of acrylic over polyester: the canopy absorbs less heat, which makes sitting beneath it noticeably more comfortable during the afternoon heat. One note of honesty: no parasol provides complete protection from indirect UV radiation that reflects off the ground or the water, so if you're at the pool in Marbella or Jávea, sunscreen is always a good idea, even in the shade. But for direct protection on your terrace or patio on the Spanish coast, the parasols from Interior Nomad deliver exactly what you'd expect from a premium outdoor parasol.