How to Choose the Best Umbrella Stand?
Table of Contents
Top Best Umbrella Stands Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Umbrella Stand?
Present in shops and restaurants, the umbrella stand was rather rare in the interiors of our homes. But that was before the whole world realized its practicality and before the manufacturers created original and decorative models to adorn our entrances. Today, it’s wise carving out a small space in your hallway for a coat rack, possibly a bench to take off shoes and an umbrella stand of course.
If you are thinking of buying an umbrella stand for your home, organization, or office, remember that choosing this product involves taking into account a series of quality indicators. For this reason, we have prepared a guide for you to buy the best umbrella stand on the market.
8 Things to Consider Before Buying an Umbrella Stand
1. How Many Umbrellas Will It Hold?
The choice of an umbrella holder is made according to certain criteria and parameters. The most important thing to take into account here is the number of umbrellas that you are going to put there. As such, remember the following:
- 1-3 umbrellas: If you want to store 3 umbrellas or less, no need to clutter your entry with an XXL umbrella stand. A model of 30 to 40 cm in diameter will be more than enough.
- 3-6 umbrellas: If you want one for the whole family, look for a model with a minimum diameter of 60 cm. This will be capable of holding 6 umbrellas!
- Type of umbrella: If you have the kind of foldable umbrella, you can choose a small umbrella stand, on which you can simply hang by the handle. On the other hand, if you have large umbrellas, choose a model of umbrella stand that will be at least 50 cm high. Thus, your umbrellas will be straight in, and the umbrella stand is not likely to unbalance and fall.
Note: Do you plan to put several umbrellas in your umbrella stand? Then ensure that regardless of the material you choose, opt for a model whose base will be weighted. This will prevent it from falling under the weight of the umbrellas!
2. Umbrella Holder VS Umbrella Stand?
Umbrella Holder
The umbrella holders are mostly made of plastics. They are of very low height and only have holes to hold the umbrella tips. The body doesn’t extend upwards to cover the umbrellas’ fabric. They are the best models if you need a product that’ll let your umbrellas dry fast.
If you would like this design, choose a model with a drip tray. They are the recommended models if you need a stand that’ll accommodate lots of umbrellas. They can accommodate up to 6 to 12 umbrellas. They even have a compartment for small umbrellas. An important criterion for choosing this model is that the base must be a bit heavy as it’s designed to hold many umbrellas.
Umbrella Stand
These are the classic stands. They are long, may have mesh or holes that can let in air so the umbrellas can dry up. Most cannot hold more than 4 to 5 umbrellas. However, they are more aesthetic than the former.
3. Manufacturing Materials: a Choice Between Plastic, Glass, Terracotta Or Wood
First, you must take into account the conditions in which you will use this product. The umbrellas will most likely be completely soaked in water. Therefore, the umbrella stand’s material needs to be able to withstand the humidity to which it will be exposed to.
We must, therefore, ensure that it is designed in a material that dries quickly, doesn’t rust, and is strong enough to hold several umbrellas if necessary.
Generally, on the market, there are mainly umbrella stands in materials such as:
Glass Umbrella Stand
This material offers aesthetics as they come in varying shapes and designs. It isn’t also affected by water and is great in modern decor.
Plastic Umbrella Stand
Umbrella stands that are made of plastic or incorporate some special pieces in this material, should be more recommended. This is because the material tolerates humidity better. Although they are not very stable.
Metal Umbrella Stand
Metal is mainly used for the umbrella stand. It has the advantage of being heavier and more stable with several umbrellas inside. These can come in the form of aluminum, stainless steel, wrought iron, or steel. Aluminum and stainless steel are the most preferred here as they perform better in a high humidity environment, provided proper maintenance is done.
Wood Umbrella Stand
Wood or wicker are particularly attractive materials for this umbrella stands. It offers a natural ouche in your entryway. In addition, it is a sustainable and ecological material that is part of an environmental approach that aims to no longer use plastic. The choice of wood should be made on the condition that the material is naturally resistant to humidity. Thus, it has to be treated against humidity with the application of varnish, a paint, or an additional coating.
Varnished Terracotta Umbrella Stand
This is also a popular and functional material. It will not bother you with corrosion and offers better durability. However, they are heavy and may not be easily movable.
Mixed Materials
Also popular are stands made of the combination of several of these materials. A common combo is plastic and metal. This will offer the stand the advantages of each of the featured materials. Most importantly, these have a higher level of robustness and durability.
4. Structure and Multifunctional Design
The structure of the umbrella stand is another important element that you should analyze. The shape of the model influences the number of umbrellas that can be placed inside. It will also determine the types of umbrellas that the product supports.
On the other hand, there are umbrella stands that not only allow umbrellas to be placed. Many stands can hold other elements, such as walking sticks, etc. The structure of the umbrella stand also determines the practicality of its use and space where you decide to locate it.
5. What’s the Standard Size?
Related to the previous aspect, the dimensions of the umbrella-stand also greatly influence its ease of handling. The height, length, width, and depth will let you know how many umbrellas fit in it. However, it should be a converse situation. Go to the market looking for a model that can hold the number of umbrellas you wish. The stand shouldn’t decide the number you can put in it. The dimensions of the stand can also let you know what type of umbrellas can be placed in its interior area.
Also, the dimensions will determine the area of the office or home this furniture will be placed. Regarding this factor, we cannot make a fixed recommendation. But we recommend first identifying the needs and the space you have available to place the product. From this, you can then be able to choose a seemingly purpose-built model that’ll be best for you. However, you should know that the length of the umbrella stands generally range between 10 and 15 inches.
6. The Possible Options
Of the types of features found in an umbrella stand and yet two are essential. One includes the possibility of being able to hang small foldable umbrellas, paper rolls, or even walking sticks. Another option, and not the least, is the absorbent capacities of the bottom. This helps so you do not have water flowing on the floor.
7. Water Collection/Removal System
There must be the incorporation of a drainage mechanism or a water collector. This helps to prevent it from accumulating water in the internal area of the structure and eventually deteriorating the product.
One of the most common features is the incorporation of a collecting plate in the lower part of the umbrella stand, which, once full, is removed to be emptied. In other cases, some designs incorporate a series of holes along with the main structure. This allows for air circulation and helps to dry up the water droplets found in the umbrella structure.
However, do you plan to use the umbrella stand only to place the umbrellas when they are completely dry (perhaps to shield yourself from the sun)? Then you should not worry about the inclusion of drying or draining mechanisms.
8. What Aesthetic Effects Will It Add to Your Decor?
The umbrella stand has mainly a practical function. However, it is also a decorative object that can improve or impair the degree of pleasant visibility that a place has. So regardless of how much it costs, you should consider what level of aesthetics it can bring you.
Some models have geometric shapes such as squares or rectangles, simulating a box. Meanwhile, other options look like a giant bucket with an elongated shape. Also, you can find models with a coat rack design. With these, the umbrella is placed somewhere in the structure along with the rest of the objects. Likewise, some options have exterior paint or coating. This gives them a striking color or on the contrary, a neutral tone to better combine with the other elements of the environment of the location.
On the other hand, there are umbrella stands with a stamped exterior design or with a series of holes with various shapes to give this object a greater appearance. The choice will depend solely on the preferences of each user and the place where the umbrella stand will be placed.
Conclusion
The umbrella stand is a particularly decorative object because of its size and shape. In addition, it is one of the first objects that your guests will see in your home or office, in the hallway or foyer. So it is advisable to choose according to the style of your interior.
The material of the product is one of the main criteria needed to put into consideration when choosing an umbrella stand. The disadvantage of metal models can be a problem with corrosion.
Also, the feet, if they are not protected, can scratch a parquet. Choose plastic umbrella stands if you want none of these problems, although they may not be as stable as the metal types. The wooden models are not rare too. They’re great if you want a vintage style, for example.
You can choose an umbrella holder, or umbrella stand depending on the number of umbrellas you want to be held. There’s no specific standard on height or weight. Just choose a model that’ll accommodate the number and type of umbrellas you want.
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