We’re officially entering the dog days of summer. They’re long and hot, and it seems nearly impossible to find any respite from the baking sun. If you still want to spend time outside, your options are limited to water or shade, but at this point even your shady spots may feel too warm.
So, if you’re craving a cool afternoon on your porch but are worried about baking in the heat, then I have good news. Below, I’m sharing the one trick I see designers use again and again to make their porches feel cooler—even on the hottest summer days. I promise it works!
What’s the Trick?
The answer is deceptively simple: Just hang curtains! Not only do they keep your porch cooler, but they add resort-style elegance at a relatively low cost. Curtains are excellent at blocking the sun, creating shade, and keeping your upholstery safe from the scorching rays. If you pick the correct material, they also won’t block any passing breezes that help cool your porch.
How to Do It Like a Designer:
Opt for a Breeze-Friendly Material
Lightweight curtains that billow in the breeze instead of blocking airflow are preferred as they’ll keep your porch cool without trapping heat. Curtains made from natural fibers, like linen, are favored, but be warned, they may need to be cleaned more often than those made from performance fabric.
If you’re looking for something a bit more heavy-duty, popular brands like Two Pages and Sunbrella make curtains for outdoor use. These are usually waterproof and designed to block UV light—just know they may not be as breezy as a classic linen or lightweight cotton.
Choose Light Colors
If you remember learning about Benjamin Franklin’s experiments in elementary school, you may recall that darker materials hold on to heat more than light materials. Apply that principle to curtains and avoid dark colors, which can make your porch feel hotter.
Don’t Forget the Tiebacks
Having a way to secure your curtains is essential in bad weather. You may even prefer the look when you’re not using the porch. Rustic jute rope or cord makes a great DIY solution, but you can level up your design by mounting metal curtain tiebacks on your wall for added architectural interest.
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
