Lifestyle: How to Keep Your Cool Through the Summer Months
Try these 10 simple, life hacks for keeping cool at home this summer
With the school holidays in full swing, it can only mean one thing: summer is here! Who doesn’t relish the prospect of long, lazy, days in the garden with friends and family, with work just a distant memory? But when the weather is particularly hot, it can be harder to feel comfortable at home, where – unaccustomed to the heat as we are – most of us don’t have air conditioning. Try these top 10 ideas to make the most of the weather while keeping cool…
Fling open your windows
When you are at home, aim to keep every window in the house open for as long as possible to create a continuous circulation of fresh air. Even the slightest breeze outside will make a difference inside.
And if you have smaller, high-level windows in the bedroom, keep them open throughout the night as you sleep to stop the room getting too stuffy.
When you are at home, aim to keep every window in the house open for as long as possible to create a continuous circulation of fresh air. Even the slightest breeze outside will make a difference inside.
And if you have smaller, high-level windows in the bedroom, keep them open throughout the night as you sleep to stop the room getting too stuffy.
Fit in a fan
If your room feels stifling even with the windows open all night, you may want to try a powerful, bedside fan.
I love the look and functionality of retro-style, chrome fans but the noisy whirr of the blades might not be best suited for the bedroom. So consider investing in one of the new generation of bladeless fans that are safe, powerful and extra quiet – perfect for a cool and restful night’s sleep.
If your room feels stifling even with the windows open all night, you may want to try a powerful, bedside fan.
I love the look and functionality of retro-style, chrome fans but the noisy whirr of the blades might not be best suited for the bedroom. So consider investing in one of the new generation of bladeless fans that are safe, powerful and extra quiet – perfect for a cool and restful night’s sleep.
Cool off with a crisp interior
Bright, white interiors and see-through furniture feel cool and refeshing the moment you step indoors from the sweltering sun.
If you’re planning a revamp, let the weather inspire you and choose continental-style white surfaces and floor tiles which are fuss free and cool-to-the-touch (marble and real stone are great). Lay underfloor heating for the winter months, or be ready for the season change with a large, cosy rug.
Consider installing a discreet built-in ceiling fan for an extra breeze of cool air if your home gets particularly hot inside.
Bright, white interiors and see-through furniture feel cool and refeshing the moment you step indoors from the sweltering sun.
If you’re planning a revamp, let the weather inspire you and choose continental-style white surfaces and floor tiles which are fuss free and cool-to-the-touch (marble and real stone are great). Lay underfloor heating for the winter months, or be ready for the season change with a large, cosy rug.
Consider installing a discreet built-in ceiling fan for an extra breeze of cool air if your home gets particularly hot inside.
Keep drinks on ice
It’s important to keep hydrated when it’s hot, otherwise you can start to feel lethargic.
Stockpile your refrigerator with jugs or bottles of filtered water, light fruit juices and iced tea – a staple in the hot southern states of America – with a plentiful supply of ice on hand to crank up the cool factor. If you have an automatic ice dispenser, even better. If not, buy bags of ready-made ice from the supermarket or replenish ice cube trays regularly.
It’s important to keep hydrated when it’s hot, otherwise you can start to feel lethargic.
Stockpile your refrigerator with jugs or bottles of filtered water, light fruit juices and iced tea – a staple in the hot southern states of America – with a plentiful supply of ice on hand to crank up the cool factor. If you have an automatic ice dispenser, even better. If not, buy bags of ready-made ice from the supermarket or replenish ice cube trays regularly.
Take a cold shower
This might sound like torture, but there is nothing more invigorating than stepping under a flow of tepid, cold or icy water (depending how brave you are) to cool down after a day in the sun.
This luxurious, outdoor shower allows you to step effortlessly from the garden under a quick blast of water, without having to make your way through the house.
Otherwise, nip inside for a rapid drench in the bathroom and get back outside to dry off before the sun goes down (just take it slowly on any slippery floors),
This might sound like torture, but there is nothing more invigorating than stepping under a flow of tepid, cold or icy water (depending how brave you are) to cool down after a day in the sun.
This luxurious, outdoor shower allows you to step effortlessly from the garden under a quick blast of water, without having to make your way through the house.
Otherwise, nip inside for a rapid drench in the bathroom and get back outside to dry off before the sun goes down (just take it slowly on any slippery floors),
Plunge into a pool
Lucky pool owners, this one is for you. Because what could possibly beat diving into a pool of clear, blue water – in your own back garden no less – to stave off the sun.
Set up camp for the day on chic and comfortable loungers and that’s you refreshed until the next dip.
If you don’t have your own pool, seek out your nearest lido or take a day trip to the coast. Or you could always revisit childhood and cool off in a large paddling pool. Why not?
Lucky pool owners, this one is for you. Because what could possibly beat diving into a pool of clear, blue water – in your own back garden no less – to stave off the sun.
Set up camp for the day on chic and comfortable loungers and that’s you refreshed until the next dip.
If you don’t have your own pool, seek out your nearest lido or take a day trip to the coast. Or you could always revisit childhood and cool off in a large paddling pool. Why not?
Relax in the shade
We all want to be outside in the sunshine as much as possible during the summer months, because, let’s face it, we never know how long the good weather is going to last.
But none of us relish the idea of the sun beating directly down on us, so it makes sense to erect a large umbrella where you can sit and enjoy the blue skies from the comfort of the shade.
Alternatively, try a pop-up gazebo – especially good for garden parties, or a contemporary sun-shade sail, if you have somewhere suitable to string one up. (Don’t forget to apply high factor sun cream, even when you’re undercover).
Be inspired by more ways to turn your garden into an inviting room
We all want to be outside in the sunshine as much as possible during the summer months, because, let’s face it, we never know how long the good weather is going to last.
But none of us relish the idea of the sun beating directly down on us, so it makes sense to erect a large umbrella where you can sit and enjoy the blue skies from the comfort of the shade.
Alternatively, try a pop-up gazebo – especially good for garden parties, or a contemporary sun-shade sail, if you have somewhere suitable to string one up. (Don’t forget to apply high factor sun cream, even when you’re undercover).
Be inspired by more ways to turn your garden into an inviting room
Wait until the evening
Of course, the only failsafe way to feel cool is to wait until the sun goes down and then venture outdoors. The balmy, evening air will still feel deliciously warm but without the intense glare of the midday sun.
Make sure your garden is set up for an evening outside with lights embedded near plants and pathways to give a soft glow. For a quick fix, string up outdoor fairy lights and fill glass jars with tealights to illuminate paths and tabletops.
Of course, the only failsafe way to feel cool is to wait until the sun goes down and then venture outdoors. The balmy, evening air will still feel deliciously warm but without the intense glare of the midday sun.
Make sure your garden is set up for an evening outside with lights embedded near plants and pathways to give a soft glow. For a quick fix, string up outdoor fairy lights and fill glass jars with tealights to illuminate paths and tabletops.
Create a leafy shade
For a more permanent source of garden shade, a leafy arbor or pergola will offer just the right amount and still let you enjoy the sun, surrounded by greenery. Some of the best plants and vines to grow around wooden structures include vigorous, flowering climbers such as clematis, rambling roses and honeysuckle, which has the added bonus of giving off a sweet-smelling scent.
TELL US…
How do you keep cool during the summer? We’d love to hear your top tips.
For a more permanent source of garden shade, a leafy arbor or pergola will offer just the right amount and still let you enjoy the sun, surrounded by greenery. Some of the best plants and vines to grow around wooden structures include vigorous, flowering climbers such as clematis, rambling roses and honeysuckle, which has the added bonus of giving off a sweet-smelling scent.
TELL US…
How do you keep cool during the summer? We’d love to hear your top tips.
Natural linen is the number one choice for summer bedding. It is a breathable fabric which keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with a weighty yet soft feel that gets softer with each wash.
Linen is also said to absorb as much as 20% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet, so it always feels pleasant. Choose a palette of earthy, pale neutrals – off white, putty and straw – to enhance the summer vibe.
More decorating tips with linen