The Secret to a Cooler Patio? Focus on These 3 Things

Every year, homeowners invest time, money and effort into creating an idyllic outdoor space, only to avoid it all summer long because of the stifling heat. A little shade and a gentle breeze are often all it takes to restore your deck’s relaxation factor, but they aren’t always easy to come by naturally.

The solution? Create the breezy, shady space yourself. Below, we’ve explained how to keep your patio or deck breezy and cool this summer, including the most effective ways to boost shade, improve airflow and use mist to cool down your patio.

Make Shade Your First Priority

Few upgrades have a greater impact on your patio's comfort than creating shade. Even when the air temperature is the same, a shaded patio often feels dramatically cooler than one sitting in direct sunlight. Here are some of our favorite ways to add shade to a sunbaked deck or patio:

1. Install a patio umbrella. Shade doesn’t come any easier than a patio umbrella. They’re quick to install, affordable and incredibly effective. Plus, if you already have an outdoor dining table, there’s a good chance it is designed to hold an umbrella from the factory.
2. Add a pergola, gazebo or shade sail. While far more involved than a simple patio umbrella, adding a more permanent shade solution like a pergola, gazebo or even a shade sail can greatly increase your patio’s comfort level. These shady structures cover much larger areas than an umbrella, making full use of your deck or patio, while enhancing its appearance.
3. Use outdoor curtains or privacy screens. For intense afternoon or morning sun, simply hanging up an outdoor curtain or installing a privacy screen can provide shade. Many standalone privacy screen options can be mounted with minimal additional infrastructure, whereas an outdoor curtain will require an upper mounting point.
4. Plant trees strategically. While planting a tree is unlikely to give immediate shade and relief from the hot summer sun, if you plan to stay in your home long-term, you can reap serious shady benefits down the road.

Next, Improve Your Patio’s Airflow

After shade, air circulation is the next best thing for improving an outdoor space’s coolness and overall comfort. Here are our go-to ways to improve your patio or deck’s airflow:

1. Add an outdoor ceiling fan. If you installed a patio, gazebo or other variety of covered porch, installing a ceiling fan is crucial. While the shade is immensely helpful, the extra covering could trap warm air, making the heat feel more oppressive.
2. Use portable fans. If you’re unable to mount an outdoor ceiling fan, portable fans are a great alternative. Best of all, you can easily move them around to make use of whichever space you need.
3. Open airflow paths. Before you consider more invasive installations, make sure you haven’t accidentally blocked the airflow in your outdoor space with furniture or plants. Simply redecorating to open up the space to prevailing winds can drastically improve airflow in your outdoor space.

Pro Tip: No ceiling to mount a fan? A wall-mounted fan works well if you're after a permanent alternative to a pedestal fan.

Lastly, Consider a Misting System

After shade and air circulation, misting can be the final piece to your patio’s puzzle. Here are the best ways to use water to cool your patio or deck:

1. Install a misting system. Misting systems can be one of the most effective ways to keep cool on the patio after shade and air circulation. If possible, installing a misting system on your deck or patio can significantly improve comfort, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
2. Use portable misting fans. If a fixed misting system isn’t an option, portable misting fans can do the trick. They’re easier and cheaper than permanent installation, but they also offer the added benefit of portability.

Note: Keep humidity in mind. Misting systems tend to work best in hot, dry climates where water can evaporate quickly. In humid areas, they can still provide relief, but the cooling effect may be less noticeable.

Other Ways to Keep Your Patio Cool This Summer

While shade, air circulation and misting are the top three ways to cool down your deck or patio, there are several things you can do to improve your patio’s comfort level in the summer heat.

• Choose lighter-colored furniture. It’s no secret that wearing a black shirt on a sunny day can be unbearably hot, but even swapping your dark patio furniture for lighter-colored options could drastically change your outdoor space’s comfort level.
• Reduce heat around the patio. Moving grills, griddles and other heat-producing surfaces away from your seating area can make it much more bearable.
• Adjust your routine. Sometimes, just planning your outdoor time a little differently by avoiding direct sun and peak temperatures can help you enjoy your deck and patio more often.