A sun setter retractable awning might suit what you need so if it’s really sunny you can extend it out but otherwise retract it.

Something that won't break the bank: a series of higher quality sun umbrellas. One for the table and a couple to sit next to some of the chairs. Get high quality, sun resistant ones with sturdy heavy duty bases. Can even be drilled/attached into deck but if you roll them down when not in use and don't subject them to high winds, should be OK if the bases are sturdy and heavy.

Long term, plant some trees next to the deck for shade. I recommend blaze red maple or shademaster honey locust tree, depending on your zone. They have been bred to be relatively trouble free and grow fast. Another option is pin oak but with that you'll have to deal with acorns. If you decide later to upgrade to some kind if hardscape feature, you can sell your umbrellas at a garage sale.

We have a similar situation in a seating area at the southeast corner of our house. We are considering a wall-mounted umbrella. A few examples:

Umbrosa Paraflex

Or Shadowspec Wall-Mounted Umbrella

Here are a couple options depending on whether you need protection from overhead or more from the side. (And since your husband is obviously able to do a lot himself—as evidenced by that GREAT looking deck!—a retractable awning should be a piece of cake for him to install.)

Belleze Retractable Screen

Advaning Luxury Series Retractable Awning

Beverly, scroll on by..getting tired of your remarks. If you don’t want to offer assistance..don’t!!

Let's rephrase the above comment- Please post another picture looking straight on the back of your house so that some of the talented people here can Photoshop ideas.

"Do you see photos like yours on this site or in magazines turned at such odd angles???????????? You are asking us for assistance. Do you think you're being artsy and clever? For us to provide you with assistance, we've got to take your photo and edit it."

I imagine OP thought this angle would show the whole deck, BeverlyFLAdeziner. No, you don't need to edit a picture to provide assistance. You can use words to describe what you mean or failing that, supply pictures of the devices you suggest.

Sammy and Lindsey, thanks for those ideas. I had never seen these products and they might be useful to us as well.

Don't feed the troll.

I know my comment may have sound(sic) harsh, but IMO posting a reasonable photo is simply being polite to the forum.

This sure is not my idea of “simply being polite to the forum:”

“Do you see photos like yours on this site or in magazines turned at such odd angles????????????...Do you think you're being artsy and clever?”

-————————————————————————————————————————

If I told you to match this haircut and supplied you with this photo would you say you can respond with words?

Well you haven’t given us anything to match it to, so...

You know what? Maybe Beverly is having a really bad day and she lashed out at Rachel—who will probably not be returning—as a result. So, are you having a bad day, Beverly?

Oh, you’re welcome tartan! :)

Giant clumping bamboo.

Thanks to all who offered valuable suggestions! Much appreciated and we will look into several of these ideas.

The photo looks like one my husband would have taken if I had told him to "go take a photo and make sure you get the both sides of the deck in." We're not all professional photographers. Just ordinary folks asking for a little advice. It seems sometimes the Pros find us frustrating. I still appreciate all the Pro and non Pro but experienced and creative advice given here.

By the way - that hair cut is a center part undercut bob with no bangs. A little longer than chin length in the front. Most experienced hair stylists wouldn't actually need a photo.

If you're liking the umbrella option, I suggest you to drill holes in the deck and use wood mount kit for easy assembly/disassembly. Looks good, works even better.

I'm a gardener, so I go first for planting ideas. I'd plant a small tree (like a redbud, Viburnum prunifolium, dogwood, etc) to the west/southwest. Perhaps even two if the shadows fall properly. You can establish where to plant them by having someone tall stand by the deck at the hottest time of day and seeing how his shadow falls, remembering that the canopy of the tree will cover a larger area than the shadow of one person.

The FLEX•fence louver system is another option you might want to investigate. I don’t know how much the kits cost, but with that husband of yours you’d be saving on labor ;)

A strategically placed tree will help:

I think Beverly was having a bad hair day ;-)

Rachel, I just remembered that Lee Valley has affordable UV protection sails. Don't know if your husband could finagle something out of them but here's the link to the triangular one in case it's an option. You've got a lovely spacious deck and I hope you'll be able to enjoy it.

Beverly, I understand design is a visual medium but let's not chastise people for not playing by the rules of a game they don't even know they're playing.

Yes, the really big ones should probably be mounted to the deck, I think that is the default safety recommendation, but the medium sized ones the only other consideration is that by not mounting, you have the option of moving them easily around. YMMV.

I like a tiltable umbrella very affordable and moveable , you could do 2 one for each area if needed .Or a catilevered one that covers most of that spce

Wow!!!! Doug, thank you for taking the time to provide a rendering with landscaping! It looks fantastic and is so helpful to see it like this.

I'd attach a square or rectangular shade sail to the house with eye bolts and then put a couple of poles in cement at the corners of the deck with bolts there. Got a really nice blue one at Amazon, and the blue color, like your door, automatically makes things seem much cooler. You may be able to find a size perfect for your smaller deck.

Get your hubs on that fireplace Rachel! ;) We can wait to come over for a barbecue and campfire!

great affordable solution ...https://www.patioproductsusa.com/Custom-Shade-Sails/0-0-0-312/list.aspx?utm_source=google&campaignid=1757549504&adgroupid=72510555721&adposition=1o78&keyword=&network=g&matchtype=&device=m&devicemodel=&source=googleshoppingss&kw=PPU-PLA-HP-Generic-SC_312;ShadeSails&ac=&vp=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmZbpBRAGEiwADrmVXsfYZx71YYNlZyF5btqTDLnbmGkWj5xfOYlWIseHY_4KOKXlLrhGgRoCz3UQAvD_BwE