When the temperature rises, most of us reach for the same quick fixes: closing the blinds, switching on a fan or swapping heavy fabrics for lighter, breezier ones. But if your home still feels hot and stuffy, the colour on your walls could also be affecting how cool your space feels.
This summer, one shade designers keep coming back to is sage green. Soft, muted and calming, it has become one of the season’s most popular decorating colours – but its appeal isn’t just aesthetic. Thanks to its cool undertones and connection to nature, sage green can help a room feel fresher, calmer and more comfortable in warm weather.
‘Paint colour won’t change your thermostat reading, but it absolutely changes how a room feels in summer,’ says Simon Mayhew, founder and interior designer at Txtured. He explains that ventilation, glazing and insulation have a far greater impact on actual room temperature, but colour still plays an important role in shaping the atmosphere of a space.
According to Donna Taylor, colour design manager at Johnstone’s Paint, warmer shades can have the opposite effect. ‘Rich, earthy paint colours, such as burnt orange, red and browns that have a warm undertone, can instantly make a room feel warmer; this is largely down to colour psychology,’ she says.
That doesn’t mean you need to rule out warmer shades altogether. If you’re set on a rich brick red or terracotta, cooler-toned accessories can help balance the overall look and stop the room from feeling too heavy.
‘Pairing them with cool toned accessories like white curtains, soft blue or green cushions, or paler furniture can balance the perceived warmth of those richer hues,’ says Donna. ‘Even adding a mirror on the wall to reflect the light around can make the room feel more spacious, lighter and cooler.’
So, if you’re planning a summer refresh, sage green is a good place to start, but it isn’t the only paint colour worth considering. These are the shades and finishes that can help make your home feel cooler in hot weather.
Sage green
Sage green is one of the strongest choices for a summer refresh because it sits somewhere between a neutral and a colour. It has enough depth to feel soft and considered, while its green undertones give it the fresh, calming quality we often associate with shaded gardens, leaves, and cooler outdoor spaces.
Unlike bright white, sage green can also help reduce the harshness of strong sunlight, making a room feel more relaxed during long summer days. ‘Muted sage, dusty taupe and soft mineral tones often feel far more comfortable in summer than a stark, bright white – less glare, more ease,’ says Simon.
White
There’s a practical reason why white remains a popular choice for summer decorating. White surfaces reflect more visible light than darker colours, which can help rooms feel brighter and, to an extent, cooler. While paint colour alone won’t dramatically lower a room’s temperature, a white room often feels cooler because it maximises natural light and creates a sense of openness.
Pastels
Pastels work because they’re associated with naturally cooling environments such as the sea, sky and spring flowers. Soft blues, greens and pinks can make a room feel lighter and more refreshing without looking stark or clinical.
‘If you’re adding a pop of colour, stick to shades with cool undertones like Johnstone’s Floating Castle, a pure, pale blue, or Ballet Slipper, a light baby pink,’ says Donna. ‘These shades create a sense of freshness that we naturally associate with things like the coast.’
Neutrals
While white is often considered the go-to cooling shade, softer neutrals can create a more relaxed atmosphere. Shades such as sage, taupe and mineral-inspired tones absorb some of the harshness of bright sunlight, reducing glare and making a space feel more comfortable.
Cool undertones
Paint colours with blue, green or grey undertones tend to evoke a sense of calm and freshness. ‘Cool tones, soft greens, chalky neutrals and blue-greys create a fresher, calmer feel, particularly in bright, south-facing rooms that can handle deeper, cooler shades thanks to the strength of the natural light,’ says Simon.
Dark colours
Dark shades do absorb more heat, but that doesn’t mean they’re off limits. In north- and east-facing rooms, which receive less intense sunlight, the effect is often minimal.
‘Dark paint won’t make much of an impact in these spaces as you’ll be catching the sun while it’s cooler,’ says Donna. Choosing darker colours in these spaces can add depth and character without making them feel noticeably warmer.
‘Deep olive, charcoal and muddy green can feel genuinely cool – psychologically, at least, conjuring the shaded, slightly hushed quality of a good boutique hotel or an old townhouse in July,’ says Simon.
Think about finishes
Colour isn’t the only factor that influences how a room feels. The finish you choose can also affect the atmosphere.
‘Matt paints, limewash and natural materials soften the way light moves around a room, which helps spaces feel quieter and more settled when it’s warm outside,’ says Simon.
A matt finish can also help reduce glare from strong sunlight, while limewash adds subtle texture and depth that feels organic and calming.
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The Cooling Edit
