Need protection from the sun during the upcoming heatwave? This stylish garden IKEA hack is an affordable shade solution

Whilst we may have had a little respite from the extreme temperatures this past week, the weather forecast is showing another heatwave imminent. So what better time to prepare yourself and your garden with some much-needed shade?

Finding garden shade ideas that work for your space isn't always the easiest task, and finding ones that don't blow your budget is even more difficult. Unless you've artfully shadescaped your garden, you'll probably have been avoiding being outside during the constant hot weather we've been having.

However, this IKEA hack will not only transform your garden on a budget, but it'll also provide you with enough shade to be able to get outside and actually enjoy your space this summer.

Whether you want to make your garden look more expensive or need more ways to keep cool in your garden this summer, garden design expert and influencer Ish (@gardening.with.ish on Instagram) has just the solution for you.

"I'm going to show you how to create your own luxurious shade screening using something as simple as a cheap IKEA blind," starts Ish.

"It's really easy to do and simple to install as well. So let me explain it: first of all, all I've done is just put the two clips on the top of my pergola. It doesn't have to be on your pergola; it can be on the side of your house, or it can be on a canopy- completely up to you. It's just four screws," he continues.

Whilst there are a few other things you need to do to prep your garden for a heatwave, this hack is so simple it'll take you under an hour to finish.

"You clip it into one side over there, one side over there and all of a sudden, you've got yourself your very own luxurious screening. But how do you stop it flapping all over in the wind?" Ish asks.

"Each one of these kits comes with its own little hook, and all I've done is I've just put one screw at the lowest point of the deck, and I've just attached it. That's it, and as a result of the spring up there and this at the bottom, it's kept nice and tight, and it doesn't move in the wind," he explains.

You can purchase the blinds in various sizes depending on the space you're covering and the overall look you want to achieve. Ish opted for smaller blinds, but more of them, so it's a chicer look, but also so there are gaps for people to move through.

And if you're worried about weatherproofing, the blinds have a one-click release, so great for winter storage. Or even if sudden summer showers are a worry, you can use waterproof tent spray and give the blinds a coating.

If you're trying to keep costs down in the garden, these shades cost as little as £22, so will easily add up to less than £100 to cover your pergola. Which is much cheaper than buying custom shades, plus Ish points out that the blinds double up as a projector screen in the evenings too.

Perfect if you're wanting to style your garden for a watch party!

Taking these sorts of precautions will ensure you don't need to help your garden recover from a heatwave when it's over. It's also a great idea to keep some of your patio container plants under this shade if they're particularly susceptible to high temperatures or scorching.