Backyard Tips to Beat the Heat
Summers are made for fun, and many of us find pleasure in simply being outside in our backyard. Floridians have high temperatures and humidity to contend with June through August, but we also have solutions to survive and thrive outside during these summer months. Here are seven summer ideas for beating the heat in your backyard:
- Lush Landscaping: Invest in premium landscaping for a tranquil, tropical environment. Talk with an expert about shade-providing trees and bushes. Even a short palm tree with wide-spanning palm leaves could add beauty while providing shade for a small area. Also, there are certain plants that will help ward off mosquitos.
- Awnings: Consider installing fixed overhangs or awnings over patio areas to block the sun’s high beams. Some companies offer retractable awning options giving you the best of both worlds for daytime shade and moonlit nights.
- Swimming Pools: A pool home is a no brainer in Florida. It’s worth touting the true value of hanging by the pool, which is the quintessential summer activity. If a pool is not in your backyard budget, we find no shame in splashing our feet in a blow-up kiddie pool when needed.
- Water Features: Water has a cooling effect. Just looking at a cascading water wall or hearing a bubbling fountain can mentally provide cool relief. You can find a broad selection of backyard water features and fountains for your garden, deck, or patio.
- Color Schemes: Color psychology also shows cool shades of blue, green, purple, and grey could help mentally calm and lower temperature. Consider adding weather-resistant rugs, furniture, and decor to include cool tones in our outdoor living spaces.
- Cool Design: Outdoor flooring options go far beyond cement these days. You can find materials that repel the sun as opposed to absorbing it. There are beautiful natural stones with high-heat resistance as well as tile choices that can withstand the elements.
- Outdoor Fans: Cooling fans and misting fans could be a life changer for Floridians desiring to be outdoors during the summer months. Misting fans are proven to lower temperatures in designated areas, which is why so many restaurants and bars have added them to their outdoor dining areas.
We hope these tips help you create an inviting outdoor retreat so that you won’t have to retreat to your indoors this summer. As full-service real estate professionals, we would be happy to align you with local landscapers and interior designers to assist with design projects. Our team would also be happy to help you find pool homes and properties with fantastic outdoor areas. If you’re a Florida resident needing help finding the perfect home, selling your current home, or investing in properties in Florida — Contact Dick and Karla Nielsen at 813-294-5786 today.
