Umbrella stands are designed to hold a patio umbrella. Many umbrella stands sit below a dining table to securely hold the umbrella in place, despite wind or rain.

Make sure it’s strong

The most important thing when choosing a patio umbrella stand is to make sure it is the proper weight so it will hold the umbrella in the wind. The size of your umbrella will determine what size of umbrella stand you need. You also need to take into account whether your umbrella will be free-standing or go through a table, as the table will help stabilize it.

First, find the diameter of your umbrella. Then decide if the umbrella is free-standing or if it will go through the table. Once you have determined these two factors, consult the following table for suggested umbrella stand weight.

Size correctly

After you have determined how heavy your stand should be to adequately hold your patio umbrella, you’ll want to make sure you get the proper size for your umbrella pole.

Most umbrella poles are 1.5 inches in diameter, but can range in size. Make sure you get an umbrella stand that has a sleeve diameter that will be the appropriate size for your umbrella pole. Also make sure the umbrella pole will fit through the hole in your table if that is where you will put it.

Select a style

Umbrella stands come in a variety of colors, shapes and styles so you can select one that will complement your patio. Ranging from bronze to white, you have many options to choose from.

If you plan on moving your umbrella stand to storage with the seasons or want general portability, you may want a hollow umbrella stand. These stands are filled with water or sand to reach the appropriate weight. Otherwise, you can get an umbrella stand made of metal, resin or concrete. Just make sure you use an umbrella cover if you are going to leave your umbrella exposed to the elements all year.