5 Design Tricks That Keep Homes Cooler in Hot Countries, According to Livingetc's Global Editorial Team

Although currently based in London, most of the Livingetc team actually hails from countries across the globe, and coincidentally, most of these home grounds happen to be used to hot summers. So, naturally, I gathered intel on some cooling design secrets from these seasoned landscapes.

Think charming wood shutters from Italy, soothing zellige and terracotta tiling from Morocco, smart dual ventilation from Hong Kong, clever use of white paint from Australia, and dreamy indoor courtyards from India. These subtle details go undercover to cool down a room.

Since this might be our hottest summer yet, these gems of advice from around the world are worth considering if you're looking for a long-term solution to surviving the heat in the absence of air conditioning. Without further ado, let's take a look at how each of these ideas manifests in a home.

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Wood Shutters in Italy — Gilda Bruno, Lifestyle Editor

Italian design trends have always skewed romantic with an effortless livability. And when I asked lifestyle editor Gilda Bruno about a detail that's long cooled homes across the country, she instantly suggested wooden shutters.

"They are a widely overlooked element in Italian homes, both practically and stylistically. A staple in most Mediterranean houses, this crafty addition is fundamental to regulating the temperature of the interior throughout the year, whether on the hottest or coldest days," she says.

"In hot climate countries like Italy, the use of window drapery could cause the house to overheat. Wooden shutters, on the other hand, are ideal to shield your base from it, as sunshine bounces off them rather than filtering through. In my parents’ apartment this week, as the whole family struggles to deal with another heatwave, we’re keeping the shutters of the sun-facing living room nearly closed from 10 AM till 4 PM — or on the worst days, until sunset — to keep sweltering temperatures at bay."

And in many traditional Italian residential settings, Gilda finds that the detail lives on, taking on a refreshed look every so often. "They have been recently refurbished and varnished by a local artisan and, complete with wrought iron details," she says. "Now they look neat and carry a sense of heritage while keeping us all cool and safe."

Tiling in Morocco — Abla Fahmi, Social Media Editor

Moving on to another example of Mediterranean design that contributes to the seasonal armour of a home, social media editor Abla Fahmi speaks to the intelligent use of tiling in Morocco. Beloved for its captivatingly beautiful architectural tiling, she explains that it goes far beyond surface-level aesthetics.

"As much as zellige and terracotta tiles have become some of today's most sought-after design elements, their origins date back centuries across Morocco. And they weren't just chosen for their beauty," she notes.

"Instead, these natural materials carpeted interior surfaces to help homes stay cool by absorbing less heat and perfectly suiting Morocco's warm climate and traditional aesthetic."

Dual Ventilation in Hong Kong — Debbie Black, Deputy Editor

"I lived in Hong Kong for five years when I was young (and Singapore, too, in my teens), and our apartment was the top floor of a high-rise building. So, when summer came around, the comfortable warmth turned to a strong heat," says deputy editor Debbie Black.

"To combat the high temperatures, buildings harness passive design techniques, such as natural and thermal ventilation that actively work to keep the air cool inside, alongside air conditioning, which was always on."

However, since Hong Kong isn't always hot, Debbie points out that you really noticed that the building's design worked to keep it cool on the days that you were trying to make it warmer. "You just couldn't get the heat into it," she adds. "Plus, our apartment had an open layout, too, which is fairly typical in Hong Kong, to help lead airflow."

Think angled layouts to maximize cross-ventilation and higher windows to draw out hot air while lower windows flood homes with a cooler breeze. It's just the kind of idea to inspire heatwave-proof house extensions.

White Paint in Australia — Emma Breislin, Interiors Editor

A surprising note of advice from Australian interiors editor Emma Breislin is white paint. She tells me that the famously coastal country dips into white color palettes as a method of passive cooling.

"While it's partly a style choice, I also think there is some sound logic in choosing white paint, especially when it comes to keeping homes cool during summer. While dark colors absorb heat, white walls — whether inside or out — reflect it, helping to reduce the strain on cooling systems such as air conditioning," she explains.

"Once your walls heat up from the sun, it becomes very hard to cool your home without costly appliances, whereas white exterior walls reflect heat away, reducing the effect. It's simple, but surprisingly effective."

Open Courtyards in India — Home Wellness Writer

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Growing up in the tropical landscape of South India, I've experienced hyper-humid summer days going up to temperatures of 38° C. And while air conditioning is a central part of most contemporary urban homes, there are many thoughtful cooling design details that pop to mind.

Marble flooring, clerestory windows, perforated boundaries, and abundantly lush indoor and outdoor gardens, to name a few. But the architectural concept that truly stands out to me is deep open courtyards.

Designed as a traditionally open-air space in the middle of a home, it allows for active cross-ventilation and a zone of respite. It also offers more privacy than a typical Indian verandah or back garden. And, it's deemed auspicious in the name of Vastu Shastra — an Indian architectural philosophy that aligns interior spaces to cosmic and natural energies.

If you peeked inside a home with an idyllic courtyard, you'd find people lounging on ornate indoor swings, tending to nostalgic wellness rituals like Ayurvedic hair oiling, and, if lucky, watching the rain shimmy down courtyard chains. It cocoons you from the heat and invites a sense of safety that I've not yet experienced otherwise.

It just goes to show how design lends and borrows from across the global diaspora. But if you don't have a home renovation or even a spruce on the horizon, then I recommend removing things that are making your home feel hotter for now.

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