Chill Out: 10 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat Outdoors
Summer doesn't have to send you and your guests clinging to the
comforts of air conditioning, especially if you're willing to make your
backyard a little more inviting with the addition of some welcome shade,
air movement or maybe a splash of water. By incorporating one or more
of these cool features into your outdoor space, you'll find yourself
spending more and more time enjoying your extra square footage outdoors.
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1. Gazebos. Think back to that clubhouse you had a kid; gazebos
are like clubhouses for adults. Serving both as shelter and focal
point, a well-situated and thoughtfully designed gazebo is sure to
become the star attraction of your outdoor gatherings, luring you and
your guests out into the landscape.
While building a gazebo might seem like a big to-do, a well-designed one is like the cherry on top of a sundae. Design yours to coordinate with the style of your home, and be sure to give it enough space to allow for open views. |
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by D for Design
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2. Porches. If your style is to stay closer to home, consider the porch.
Front porches face out and open up to the world and are ideal for
reading the morning's news or enjoying sweet tea at sunset, while back
porches are for parties and barbecues.
You can utilize your existing porch or make modifications if you already have one, or you can build one out as an addition. You can easily dress up an underused porch with comfortable seating and side tables, along with a set of planted hanging baskets. More ambitious projects can include adding gingerbread trim, a tin roof or new wood flooring. 11 Ways to Get More From Your Summer Porch |
3. Pergolas. Though traditionally planted with vines to cover walkways in the garden, many pergolas
today are used as architectural elements and are given the same pride
of place in the garden. Materials run the gamut from rustic and
naturalistic willow branches to the wood or metal seen in modern
interpretations like this modern oceanfront design.
If you do decide to grow vines on your pergola, choose strong and woody vines that can support much of their own weight. A professionally installed pergola can handle a much heavier load than one installed from a kit.
If you do decide to grow vines on your pergola, choose strong and woody vines that can support much of their own weight. A professionally installed pergola can handle a much heavier load than one installed from a kit.
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4. Shade trees. The easiest and most cost-effective way to add shade to your outdoor space is to plant shade trees such as the live oak trees (Quercus virginiana, zones 7 to 11) pictured here, and they certainly do their part to add beauty and charm to the neighborhood.
The biggest downside is that they take time, but a quick fix is to buy balled and burlapped trees from the nursery that are already large enough to offer some shade. Much as with a puppy, you will also have to commit to caring for your new tree by keeping it well fed, watered and groomed, as well as by picking up its droppings. Unlike puppies, however, a well-cared-for tree can last for generations to come. Fall is usually the best time to plant new trees, but you can begin planning for the perfect spot now. |
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5. Awnings. It used to be
that awnings and canopies were confined to the edges of buildings, but
today they've ventured out into the open like the wings of butterflies.
Tensioned shade sails,
like the ones shown here, take on the forms of wings when attached to
nearby structures and bathe the space with captivating light. Other
awnings are installed much like pergolas, but the different strips of
fabric can be rolled up in different ways to shade the desired area.
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6. Fans. If it's still 95
degrees in the shade and too muggy to really enjoy yourself, a cool
breeze will circulate the air to make the heat 8 degrees more bearable,
as well as keep mosquitoes at bay. Available in chic brushed aluminum,
or in styles made to look like palm fronds or rattan, ceiling fans somehow even manage to make an outdoor living area look
more inviting. For the less ambitious homeowner, there are freestanding
and clamp-on models that can be moved to where they're needed most.
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7. Misting systems. Our
bodies produce sweat to act as a natural air conditioning system,
evaporating and cooling the immediate area around our skin. Sweating is
definitely one of nature's little miracles, but wouldn't you rather cool
off without the body odor or salty residue? Misting systems spray a
fine mist over your outdoor space like the fog surrounding a rain forest
waterfall, and the cool breeze provided by a misting fan can make
outdoor living very comfortable on even the hottest days.
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8. Swimming pools. Undoubtedly the most effective way to cool off, swimming pools
have the effect of an oasis in the Sahara and even make landscapes look
cooler by association. It's hard to look at this pool by Raymond
Jungles and resist sighing a little and escaping into your imagination
for a little dip.
A swimming pool surrounded by nothing more than concrete and turf is nice and all, but not nearly as inviting as one that's been lushly landscaped. When planting around your pool, be sure to choose plants that are clean and don't drop too much leaf litter into the pool. Palms, bromeliads and cordylines are great choices for the tropics, while evergreen conifers and grasses work well for most other regions. |
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9. Water features. It
doesn't take an entire swimming pool to cool off a garden; just the
soothing sounds of a small brimming urn or fountain will make a brutal
summer day feel more manageable. Well-designed and maintained koi ponds
provide a welcome distraction and endless entertainment, and water
gardens attract wildlife and make the outdoor space appear cooler.
Pondless water features such as the one shown here are ideal for small
spaces and require less maintenance than full-scale ponds.
Professionally installed water features are ideal where design and longevity are concerned, but budget-conscious homeowners can get their feet wet with a variety of products from precast fountains and brimming urns to plastic pond liners and waterfall kits. |
