Hot Tips, Cool Homes: Summer Survival Design Hacks You’ll Actually Use

☀️ 1. Rethink Your Window Treatments

Sheer white curtains may look dreamy, but in peak summer, they act more like a greenhouse. Swap in thermal blackout panels—they keep sunlight and heat out during the day and help insulate during the winter too. Bonus: they help you sleep in on weekends.

🍃 2. Use Zones to Control Temperature (and Energy Bills)

If your home has a mostly open floor plan, try using bookcases, folding screens, or curtains to create cooling zones. Close off unused areas during the day so your AC can focus on where you actually live. It’s a design move and an energy-saving trick.

🌬️ 3. Fan Placement is a Science (Sort Of)

Here’s a trick: place a bowl of ice in front of a box fan for instant air conditioning. And make sure ceiling fans are spinning counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down. It sounds minor, but it feels major.

💡 4. Switch to Low-Heat Lighting

Still using old incandescent bulbs? You’re not just wasting energy—you’re warming your home. LEDs emit far less heat and last much longer. This quick upgrade pays off in both utility savings and comfort.

🌱 5. Bring the Outdoors In—Smartly

Summer isn’t just about escaping the heat—it’s also about embracing the season. Add indoor plants like aloe, snake plants, or pothos to cool the air naturally and improve air quality. A well-placed plant near a window looks great and works hard.

🧊 6. Small Spaces, Big Chill

If you’ve got a small room that gets extra hot (hello, upstairs bedrooms), consider a mini split system or even just a portable AC unit to supplement your central cooling. Add a light-colored rug, remove heavy throws, and keep décor light and airy to help reflect light and keep things breathable.

Takeaway?
Good design doesn’t stop at what looks good. The best spaces are the ones that respond to how we live—especially when it's 97 degrees and the dog won’t stop panting.

If any of these tips inspired a tiny tweak, show us your summer setup by tagging us on Instagram: @LUDesignBuild!

Stay cool,
The LU Design Build Team