Centre Pole or Cantilever Umbrellas: Which One Is Better for Outdoor Seating?

Setting up an outdoor space? Whether it’s for a café terrace, poolside retreat, restaurant courtyard or backyard, the umbrellas you select can make or break the entire area. At this point, it's not only about picking a colour or size; the style of umbrella you choose will affect how your space functions on a day-to-day basis.

In the world of outdoor umbrellas, two main designs dominate the market: centre pole (also known as market umbrellas) and cantilever umbrellas. Both of these options have their distinct advantages, drawbacks, and applications, and you’ll want to find a style that, above all, suits your individual needs.

The Basics: What’s the Difference?

The distinction is simple, but the impact is significant.

A centre pole umbrella is exactly what the name suggests: the pole sits in the middle of the canopy. This design is the classic look you see outside cafés, resorts, and markets, hence the nickname “market umbrella.” The pole runs straight down into a base or directly into a table, and this is a very traditional aesthetic.

A cantilever umbrella, in contrast, has its support pole off to one side. This allows the canopy to “hang” from an arm that extends horizontally from the pole, thereby providing shade with no central obstruction. The major advantage of this design is that it allows you to cover furniture, loungers, or a dining area without having a pole stuck in the middle of it.

Why Centre Pole Umbrellas Remain the Classic Choice

Centre pole umbrellas are the backbone of Australia’s café and hospitality scene for a reason. They’re reliable, versatile, and have a timeless appeal that blends in well with almost any environment. This is why you’ll see so many iconic brands and venues using them across the country.

The classic centre pole design is a fantastic option for:

1. Café Seating
2. Outdoor Dining
3. Beer Gardens
4. Outdoor Events
5. Market Stalls

At their best, the centre pole design combines simplicity with strength. At Indoor Outdoor Import, we supply everything from the Bambrella Levante (with its beautifully finished bamboo frame and stainless‑steel fittings) to a customisable Commercial Aluminium range for heavy‑duty use, and more!

Why People Love Cantilever Umbrellas

With their signature style, cantilever umbrellas have quickly become a favourite for both residential and commercial spaces across Australia.

They’re a great option if you need shade for:

1. Patio or Terraces
2. Poolside Areas
3. Gardens and Courtyards
4. Commercial Settings
5. Balconies and Decks

Because the pole is off to the side, you get a completely unobstructed shaded area underneath. This is a game‑changer for loungers, modular seating, or any setup where you don’t want to work around a pole. You can even position a cantilever umbrella so that it covers an outdoor sofa during the day and a dining table at night, often rotating or tilting the canopy to follow the sun.

Most cantilever umbrellas, like the AG series, use aluminium or stainless‑steel frames, and high‑quality models feature mechanisms that make adjustment easy. The look is modern, minimal, and visually “light,” and this makes them ideal for contemporary style courtyards or rooftop terraces.

Read up on the many benefits of Cantilever umbrellas here!

UV Protection: A Non‑Negotiable

Regardless of your preference, UV protection should certainly be one of the first things you look at.

Australia’s UV index is notoriously high (especially from October to March), so you want a canopy fabric that’s rated UPF 50+, blocking at least 97% of UV rays. Both the centre pole and cantilever umbrellas from brands like Spuncrylic and Bambrella that we supply come with solution‑dyed acrylic fabrics that are designed to hold up even when exposed to harsh sunlight.

Colour matters too. Darker canopies (navy, black, deep green) absorb more heat but generally offer the highest UV blocking. Lighter colours (white, beige) stay cooler but can let in slightly more UV. Some fabrics are lined or treated to balance these factors, meaning you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics for protection.

Want more info? Be sure to check out our article on ‘How to Choose the Best Shade Umbrella for UV Protection’

Branding and Customisation

This is where centre pole umbrellas truly shine.

Because the canopy sits symmetrically around the pole, it’s straightforward to print logos or artwork onto each panel, creating a neat and balanced branded look. At Indoor Outdoor, we offer solution‑dyed acrylic canopies and print them with eco-friendly Permaset inks that are free from harmful chemicals.

Cantilever umbrellas can also be branded, but their offset design means the canopy panels don’t always present logos as clearly. For promotional or commercial settings like café footpaths, beer gardens, or wineries, centre pole umbrellas tend to be the more practical choice.

Got a custom design in mind? Give us a call today!

Style vs Practicality

The choice between cantilever and centre pole often comes down to how you plan to use your space.

If you’re running a café or restaurant with tables close together, a centre pole umbrella is usually the smarter option. They’re stable, they slot neatly into table holes or fixed bases, and they offer a classic, cohesive look. Plus, branding opportunities are straightforward, which is invaluable for street‑side businesses.

If you’re styling a home pool area or a flexible seating arrangement for a resort, cantilever umbrellas might make more sense. Being able to swing the canopy over a lounge chair during the day and then reposition it over a firepit or bar table in the evening adds versatility. The lack of a central pole also means guests aren’t constantly manoeuvring around it.

The downside? All that side‑weight means that cantilever umbrellas need serious support. A heavy base (sometimes filled with water or sand) or even a permanent mount is essential, and cheaper models can struggle in strong winds. High‑end versions, like those from Bambrella’s side‑post range, solve this with smart engineering, but they’re usually more expensive than a comparable centre pole umbrella.

Wind, Weather, and Maintenance

It’s worth noting that Australia’s weather, especially in coastal towns and cities, will test any umbrella. Strong gusts can cause an umbrella to sway excessively or even tip over, which then leaves the door open to structural damage or injury. Likewise, heavy rain will also put strain on the canopy fabric and frame, so be sure to retract your umbrella and store it indoors (or somewhere secure) until the weather improves.

So, if you’re getting market umbrellas installed in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, or the Gold Coast, always check the product manual for directions. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, it's better to be safe than sorry, and there’s no shame in taking the umbrellas down.

General maintenance is also fairly straightforward for both types. Rinse the canopy periodically to remove salt and dust, and use a mild soap for spot cleaning. Solution‑dyed acrylic is particularly easy to clean and holds colour longer, making it a worthwhile investment if you want low‑maintenance shade.

So, Which One Is Better for Outdoor Seating?

There isn’t a single “winner,” because it all depends on how you intend to use it.

1. Choose a centre pole umbrella if: You want classic styling, reliable wind performance, and easy branding options for commercial spaces. They’re ideal for cafés, markets, pubs, wineries, and outdoor dining setups where tables are in fixed positions.

2. Choose a cantilever umbrella if: You want versatility, no pole obstruction, and the ability to shade different areas throughout the day. They’re perfect for home patios, pools, resorts, and design‑focused spaces.

If you’re still unsure, give our friendly team a call today! We’ll be more than happy to offer our expert advice. In addition to a great range of market umbrellas, we also supply and install high-quality café wind barriers, awnings, blinds, bases, and accessories.

Find the Perfect Umbrellas at Indoor Outdoor

Indoor Outdoor Imports was born back in 1989 with a range of Italian style timber Market Umbrellas for use at home. Since then, we’ve grown to become one of Australia's leading suppliers of high-end commercial quality market umbrellas.

Our Commercial Aluminium, Bambrella Bamboo, and Cantiveler Umbrellas are three of our most popular styles, with options to suit any setting. We also supply products across the nation, so wherever you’re based, all you need to do is give us a call!