Cutout or Velcro? A Simple Guide to Umbrella Holes on Our Outdoor Tablecloths

Nothing beats a shaded patio table on a warm afternoon. But if you’ve ever tried to slide a regular tablecloth over a table that already has an umbrella running through it, you know the problem: you end up bunching the fabric, lifting the umbrella, or giving up entirely and leaving the table bare.

That’s exactly why we build an umbrella hole option right into our outdoor tablecloths. Instead of buying a cover that almost fits your patio setup, you can order one made for it from the start. And because no two patios are the same, we offer two kinds of umbrella hole — a clean cutout and a velcro-closure version. Here’s how to pick the right one.

Why an umbrella hole matters

A center opening does two things a plain tablecloth can’t. It lets the umbrella pole pass through so the cloth lies flat and even all the way around, and it keeps the fabric from catching wind or shifting around the base. The result is a tidy, finished look outdoors — and a cover that actually stays put during dinner.

Our umbrella hole is added to our round vinyl tablecloths, which are already a natural match for patio tables: flannel-backed, wipeable, heat- and spill-resistant, and finished with an elasticized edge that hugs the table so it won’t slide or bunch.

Option 1: The cutout umbrella hole (+$4.50)

This is the classic choice. We add a clean, reinforced opening at the center of the tablecloth, sized for a standard umbrella pole. You feed the pole through, smooth the cloth down, and you’re done.

Best for you if:

• Your umbrella more or less lives in the table year-round
• You want the simplest, most affordable option
• You like a minimal, seamless look with no extra hardware

The trade-off is that a plain cutout is open. To put the tablecloth on, you thread it down over the top of the umbrella (or lift the umbrella out first), and when you remove the umbrella the center hole stays open. For most patio tables that stay set up all season, that’s a non-issue — but if you swap your umbrella in and out often, keep reading.

Option 2: The umbrella hole with velcro closure (+$13.50)

This is the upgrade that makes life easier. Along with the center opening, we add a slit that runs from the edge of the tablecloth to the hole, sealed with a velcro closure.

That slit changes everything about setup. Instead of lifting the umbrella or threading the whole cloth over the top, you simply open the velcro, wrap the tablecloth around the pole, and press it shut. Taking it off to wash is just as quick.

Even better: when you’re not using the umbrella, you close the velcro flat and the tablecloth works like a normal cover — no gaping hole in the middle of your table.

Best for you if:

• You put your umbrella up and take it down regularly
• You want to use the same tablecloth with and without the umbrella
• You’d rather not wrestle fabric over an open umbrella every time

Cutout vs. velcro at a glance

	Cutout hole	Velcro closure
Price	+$4.50	+$13.50
Setup	Thread over the umbrella	Wrap around the pole
Umbrella in/out often?	Fine, but a little fiddly	Effortless
Use without an umbrella?	Hole stays open	Closes flat
Best for	A permanent patio setup	Flexible, everyday use

Neither is “better” across the board — it comes down to how you actually use your patio. If the umbrella rarely moves, the cutout keeps things simple and saves a few dollars. If you like the flexibility to open up, close down, and use the cloth year-round, the velcro closure pays for itself in convenience.

Not just plain vinyl

Prefer some color on the table? The umbrella hole isn’t limited to solid vinyl — you can add it to our printed oil cloth styles too, so your patio cover can match your outdoor décor instead of blending in.

Getting the size right

An umbrella hole only helps if the tablecloth fits your table, so measure before you order. Our fitted rounds come in sizes from 30″ all the way up to 120″, and if you’re between sizes or not sure what to pick, our tablecloth size calculator will point you to the right one in a few seconds.

Ready to shade and cover in one move

Add the umbrella hole option directly on the product page — just choose “Umbrella hole” or “Umbrella hole with velcro closure” before adding to cart.

• Shop the Heavy Duty Flannel-Backed Round Vinyl Tablecloth with your choice of umbrella hole
• Browse all vinyl tablecloths for outdoor and everyday use
• Explore our full range of round tablecloths

However you like to set up your patio, we’ll help your table look great — umbrella and all.