A retractable awning is provided with a canopy that is windable around a roller supported at its opposite ends by support arm assemblies that include an adjustable pitch arm linkage that is extendable in length to move the roller in a direction away from a ground surface and retractable in length to move the roller in a direction toward a ground surface. A lever that controls the locking of the adjustable pitch arm linkage at the desired length may be automatically locked during retraction of the adjustable awning from the deployed configuration to a folded storage configuration.

A portable privacy shade apparatus is configured to attach to a railing of a deck or to a fence. The shade apparatus includes a frame having first and second legs. A lateral crossbar connects top portions of the two legs and extends between them. Curtains are suspended from the lateral crossbar to cover an opening outlined by the frame. The transverse member may also be used to mount a rolled-up screen mounted on a spool inside the transverse member, blinds, or other shade or privacy barrier.