Keeping a space cool in summer doesn't require sacrificing style — in fact, the design choices that keep spaces physically cool also tend to make them look more beautiful. Here's how to keep your space cool and stylish simultaneously.
Cool and Stylish: The Natural Alignment
The design choices that keep spaces cool — light colors, minimal clutter, lightweight textiles, maximum natural light — are also the choices that create the most beautiful summer interiors. Cool and stylish are naturally aligned in summer design; pursuing one tends to achieve the other.
Block Solar Heat Gain
The most effective way to keep a space physically cool: block direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Our Cream Linen Blackout Curtains block solar heat gain effectively — their blackout lining prevents the sun's heat from entering the room while their cream linen exterior looks beautiful from both inside and outside. Close them during the afternoon heat; open them in the morning and evening for light and airflow.
Choose Light-Toned Surfaces
Light-toned surfaces reflect heat rather than absorbing it. A light-toned rug reflects more heat than a dark one; light walls reflect more heat than dark walls. Our Runner Rug in Grey introduces a cool, light tone at floor level that reflects rather than absorbs heat — keeping the floor surface cooler underfoot.
Minimize Textile Mass
Heavy textiles retain heat. In summer, minimize the total textile mass in the room: one lightweight throw instead of two heavy ones, fewer cushions, lighter curtains. The reduction in textile mass reduces the room's heat retention and makes it feel cooler even at the same temperature.
Create Visual Coolness
Visual coolness — the perception of coolness created by cool-toned colors and minimal clutter — makes a room feel cooler than it actually is. Cool greys, soft blues, and clean whites create a visual atmosphere that the brain reads as cool. Our Runner Rug in Grey and Cream Linen Blackout Curtains together create a visually cool palette that makes the room feel refreshing.
Shop for cool and stylish spaces: Cream Linen Blackout Curtains | Runner Rug in Grey | Runner Rug in Beige
