Summer has finally arrived. “Always be prepared”, to borrow from the Scouts, is sound advice when it comes to surviving a typical summer in Pakistan. Aside from a few cooling monsoon showers, us Pakistanis stay in summer survival mode for months on end- often with a cold drink in hand. Local wisdom points toward taking shelter in cool rooms with high ceilings and roshandan windows. With the growing popularity of modern home designs in Pakistan in recent years, chances are your residence has neither the soaring ceilings nor the small ventilation windows in place. Barring a complete home renovation, homeowners can opt to redecorate their houses with climate-ready luxury fittings and fabrics instead. Read ahead as we have assembled a handy guide to help you beat the heat this summer!

“Alvida’ to Darker Tones

You aren’t imagining it and your mother certainly wasn’t exaggerating – darker colors really do absorb more heat than the lighter colors. Swap out brown, maroon and black-toned curtains, carpeting and even wall paint for lighter hues. The addition of pastel-colored sofas, teal-green cushions and creamy-white freshly painted walls makes for a refreshingly ‘cool’ lounge area.

Pull the Drapes

During the fiery summer months, it is an absolute necessity to keep one’s windows covered. Make sure your east-facing windows are covered in the morning and west-facing windows are covered in the afternoon. Interior designers recommend going for thicker-than-average cotton curtains in white-based or pastel hues. Roman blinds and lace curtains can easily be used in a study, bedroom or drawing room area. Draw a thin layer of blinds when you still need some natural light or pull a thicker double-layer of curtains before retiring for the night.

Clean Lines in Minimalist Design

Resist the urge to add to your collection of velvet-covered fainting couches and leather sofa sets, at least from April onwards. These materials are doing you no favors when the heat is on! Shop for more climate-appropriate furniture and fabrics, such as wicker and pure cotton, that work well outdoors and indoors. A rattan patio set, covered with custom-tailored cushion covers in teal-yellow or floral prints, is an irresistible invitation to spend those pleasant summer evenings outdoors.

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