This $60 Half (!) Umbrella Makes Finding Shade in Your Itsy-Bitsy Outdoor Space So Easy

“It’s a game changer.”

Julie Vadnal

Published Mar 14, 2024 1:12 AM

Orange half-circle umbrella on narrow New York City terrace — Photography by Ryan Dziadul.

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“I don’t know if you know this, but apartments in New York are tiny,” jokes Ryan Dziadul, vice president of PR and business development at Jonathan Adler. So when he and his husband (and their new dog, GoGo) moved into a new roomier apartment in Manhattan’s Midtown East neighborhood, they were thrilled to see it came with a terrace, which they planned to use as another room.

Man holding dog on narrow NYC terrace — Photography by Ryan Dziadul

The only problem? The outdoor space is only about 4 feet wide, and even though they wanted it to be where they’d sip their morning coffee, eat dinner, and unwind at the end of the day, a traditional round outdoor umbrella just wouldn’t fit. Enter the half-round outdoor umbrella, which Dziadul’s husband found on Amazon and for only $60. “I did not know there was such a thing,” he admits. “But we’ve had it for two weeks and it’s already a game changer.”

Closed orange half-circle umbrella on narrow New York City terrace — Photography by Ryan Dziadul

Open orange half-circle umbrella on narrow NYC terrace — Photography by Ryan Dziadul

Now the pair can dine alfresco even when it’s drizzling, and when the sun hits the terrace during the day, they can lounge in the shade. With the twist of a knob, Dziadul can easily put the umbrella up or down (though he says on his particular one, the directions are backward), and it’s sturdy enough to withstand New York’s windy winter and prespring showers.

You don’t need a tiny terrace to use one in your own space. The half-round shape is ideal next to fences and walls or in cramped outdoor spaces. Dziadul’s favorite feature? The sunny orange color, though it’s available in five other shades, too. “I like to think it’s a treat for the neighbors across the street,” he says. “It’s not only a gift for us, but a gift for them.”