As the UK has struggled with multiple heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures this year, we’ve turned our attention to our homes in a desperate attempt to keep cool.
Searches for fans have soared, cooling bedding options are a necessity and we would all be lying if we said we hadn’t looked up ‘how much does it cost to install AC?’ at least once this summer.
Perhaps we should take a page out of neighbours’ book across the Channel, where extended balmy summers are the norm?
There are certainly a few decorating lessons we can steal from The Mediterranean – mainly how clever paint, colour and material choices can dramatically impact not only the look, but the (quite literal) feel of a place.
And with UK summers only getting longer and hotter, due to the effects of climate change, it raises the question: why aren’t we doing this already?
Farrow & Ball’s colour curator, Joa Studholme, tells Country Living: “Mediterranean interiors have long understood that light is one of the most powerful design tools.
"Rather than trying to overpower the sunshine, they embrace it by using soft, nuanced colours that respond beautifully to changing natural light, creating spaces that feel calm, airy and naturally cool throughout the day.”
Embrace light-reflecting colours
Founder of Lick Tash Bradley explains that the biggest lesson we can borrow from Mediterranean homes is to embrace light-reflective colours
“When we think of Mediterranean interiors, our minds almost instantly go to the iconic whitewashed villages of Santorini,” she tells Country Living.
“Those brilliant white buildings with their cobalt blue doors, shutters and domes have become one of the most recognisable colour palettes in the world. Historically, whitewashing was an incredibly practical choice. Lime-based whitewash was inexpensive, readily available and helped reflect the intense Mediterranean sun, keeping homes naturally cooler.”
Ultimately, the lighter a colour, the more light it reflects, whereas deeper colours naturally absorb more light and heat.
“That's why Mediterranean homes are filled with soft whites, chalky creams and warm stone shades rather than harsh, brilliant whites,” Tash adds.
“I'd always recommend choosing a complementary warm white (like Lick’s White 03, 06 and 05) over a pure white. It feels much softer, more relaxed and creates that beautiful sun-washed quality that instantly transports you to a villa overlooking the sea.”
This is something championed by Joa too, who says: “Softer whites are often more effective than brilliant, crisp whites, which can feel harsh under strong sunlight. Shades such as Farrow & Ball's School House White, Pointing and Dimity have a gentle warmth that reflects light beautifully without glare, while Strong White offers a cleaner, more architectural feel for contemporary spaces."
Use natural materials
"Natural materials play just as important a role," adds Tash. "Plaster, stone and matt paints all diffuse light beautifully, creating a softer glow throughout the day. Rather than bouncing light harshly around a room, they create a gentle luminosity that makes a home feel cooler, calmer and effortlessly inviting.”
Paint isn’t the only thing that can help here. Clay or stone floor tiles, commonly found in Mediterranean homes, are cool to the touch and help draw heat away from the lower levels of a room.
Likewise, lightweight curtains – the warm, breezy fabrics you'd typically see adorning windows in Tuscan kitchens or layered over Greek shutters – help prevent heat and moisture from becoming trapped.
Think about how a space feels
“Ultimately, creating a home that feels cooler isn't simply about lowering the temperature; it's about shaping how a space is experienced,” Joa adds.
“A carefully considered palette of light-reflective colours, paired with natural textures and generous daylight, creates interiors that feel fresh, comfortable and connected to their surroundings throughout the warmest months of the year."
One important element not to forgot about is your ceiling, Tash points out.
She adds: “Don't underestimate your ceiling. It's the largest uninterrupted surface in the room, yet it's often left as an afterthought. Keeping your ceiling in a complementary white, or even introducing the palest sky blue, helps maximise the feeling of light and height.
"It's a simple trick that creates that wonderfully open, breezy atmosphere Mediterranean homes have perfected for centuries.”
Cooling summer essentials
Comfortably Cool 1 Tog Duvet
ChillPill 3-in-1 Fan, Mist & InstaChill System
DREO 7500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Emma Premium Pillow
Lizzie is the multiplatform editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
