7 colors that can repel the heat and help you keep cool at home – 'Paint isn't just about color, it's about comfort'

Did you know that some paint colors repel the heat?

Incorporating clever cooling tricks – indoors and out – by picking particular shades of paint will help you enjoy a more pleasant and restful summer.

With temperatures set to soar, here we've spoken to interior designers and paint experts, and hand picked seven hues to keep a home cool in a heatwave, and beyond.

7 cool colors to decorate with in a heatwave

As interior designer Rachel Blindauer says, 'Where sunlight is strong year-round, paint isn't just about color – it's about comfort. A well-chosen tone can help reduce heat absorption and soften the feeling of brightness in a space.'

She also adds that heat-reflective color isn’t just about the light reflectance value on paper, 'it’s about how that color performs in context. A well-chosen color can lower the room’s temperature and your shoulders at the same time.'

1. White

It should come as no surprise that white room ideas are high on our list of colors that repel heat. Dark colors retain heat, so white is the best option if you want to stay cool indoors and out, and cool down a room without windows, or with them.

Camilla Masi, interior designer at Otto Tiles & Design, explains, 'White is the most effective color when it comes to reflecting heat, especially in sun-drenched rooms or exterior spaces.

'It's timeless and incredibly effective in keeping surfaces cool.'

Additionally, decorating with white offers a blank canvas that illuminates dark spaces, making it easy to avoid any wall painting mistakes and making your home feel spacious, light, and bright.

That being said, the cool undertones can often look too stark or sterile in some spaces, while off-white tones of beige, eggshell, ivory, and vanilla leave a softer, gentler impression.

'Too often, clients are given stark, high-reflectance whites that make a home feel sterile,' says interior designer Rachel. 'Yes, white reflects heat – but in Florida, bright white can be too harsh. I always steer clients towards creamy, sun-softened whites that bounce light without looking clinical.

'In coastal light, white should never feel like paper – it should feel like sunlight through linen.'

For this, Rachel's top choice is Swiss Coffee available at Benjamin Moore, describing, 'It reads as a warm white with subtle yellow undertones and works beautifully when used across walls, ceilings, and millwork for a seamless, non-jarring finish.'

Additionally, Rachel suggests All White from Farrow & Ball, as it's 'clean but not cold,' and works best in homes with darker trim or stone elements.

White linens, curtains, and plenty of sheer fabric in light tones will also ensure your space remains as cool as possible.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

2. Blue

Whether it’s heading to the coast for a nostalgic seaside break or flying somewhere tropical, there’s nothing like catching that first glimpse of vast blue water. Stretching out to the horizon, the crashing waves can incite excitement or be soothing for the soul.

Coincidentally, pale tones of blue are also among the best colors that repel heat, particularly when paired with cooling a room with fans.

Conjure up endless summer skies and sparkling seas with pale blue, an enduring paint color trend.

These pale shades create uplifting and optimistic spaces that soothe the soul and help you keep cool, especially when combined with crisp white for a coastal chic look.

‘Decorating with blue, especially sky blue, can add such joy to a space with their inherent freshness,' says Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador, Farrow & Ball. 'It’s a wonderful shade for coastal living where it will respond to the light you get near water.’

Importantly, says Carr Lanphier, CEO at Improovy, you want to go for something as pale as possible if you're looking for something that's going to repel the heat and make your home more comfortable in the summer.

'For example, I might recommend Benjamin Moore's Constellation, or Benjamin Moore's Breath of Fresh Air for a slightly more saturated blue,' he suggests.

Rachel also mentions Summer Shower available at Benjamin Moore, which is a 'soft robin's egg blue that works incredibly well in sunrooms or paired with pale wood,' and Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams.

Pale blue makes for a calming backdrop for any room that can be instantly warmed up with reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows in the winter.

However, not all blues are the same. Deeper, green-tinted marine blues can retain heat and make your home feel too hot, making even the fastest way to cool a house less efficient.

To add depth to a watery scheme, take inspiration from ripples and reflections and layer up different textures, including glass, and fabrics with marbled effects and lustrous sheens.

3. Gray

This modern neutral shade goes with every color and can be used when designing a home that stays cool.

Gray is a color that has its own weather system of light levels and hues. From the gentle gray of morning rain clouds to the breathtaking drama of dark stormy ones.

Designer Camilla advises, 'Pale grays work well in hot environments, particularly in cement or microcement finishes where you want something softer than white but still reflective.'

And importantly, adds Rachel, it reflects light without feeling washed out, and creates a calming tonal base for natural textures.

She recommends opting for colors like Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore.

Additionally, Pavilion Gray from Farrow & Ball, or Manor House Gray, from Farrow & Ball are beautiful choices, and work particularly well when paired with creams, beiges, and whites, says Hebe Hatton, head of interiors at Homes & Gardens.

The paler the tone, the more it will reflect the available light. The darker the tone, the more light it will absorb.

4. Yellow

Yellow might seem like an unusual choice, but this bright color works well for handling extreme heat at home, and keeping upstairs cool in summer, absorbing less heat, and reflecting around 90 percent of light and heat waves. It is a surprisingly fresh and cooling color.

‘Yellow is a color that evokes happiness and provides a sense of positivity,' says Andy Greenall, head of design, at Paint & Paper Library. 'It is perfect for areas of the home where there is much activity and socializing, such as the kitchen and dining room, where it adds energy and vitality.’

Rachel agrees with Andy, and adds that yellows are also excellent for hallways that flow into brighter rooms.

'While deep yellows can visually warm a room, certain golden neutrals bounce light beautifully – especially when paired with matte finishes or lime wash.'

For this cool look, Rachel recommends Coriander Seed available at Benjamin Moore. But, as Carr adds, whichever yellow you go for, it's best to stick to paler shades to get the best heat-repelling effects.

In general, as one of the most uplifting colors, yellow invites optimism and positivity into the home, as well as keeping it relatively cool.

Paler, gentler shades will create a calming atmosphere while stronger, sunnier hues offer a more high-octane energy. In terms of complimentary colors, Hebe recommends pairing olive green, dark red and dark blue with muted yellow tones.

Similarly, orange hues are known to absorb less heat, making these colors the perfect choice for decorating during summer.

5. Lilac

Inspiring scenes of trailing wisteria and fields of heather, the many variations of this delicate pastel shade can inspire the most elegant, restful, and cooling interiors and exteriors.

For that reason, opting for painting rooms lighter purple hues – such as lilac, amethyst, and lavender – is an unusual method for staying cool at home.

As interior designer Camilla says, 'Lilac is having a quiet moment. A soft gray-lilac feels unexpectedly calming and fresh, especially when used in north-facing rooms that can otherwise feel flat.

'Look for more muted lilacs with blue undertones as they reflect light beautifully and feel elegant.'

Similarly, Hebe adds, ‘Associated with sociability and open-mindedness, it helps make people feel at ease – perfect for communal areas.

'Lilac also has a slight feminine edge, which reinforces the feeling of comfort and coolness.’

6. Limewash

'In homes with extreme glare or very high ceilings, I often recommend lime wash finishes,' continues Rachel. 'They not only reflect light, but diffuse it – creating a subtle, natural variation that cools visually without going flat.'

She recommends Portola Paints' Leisure Lime Wash and Blondie Lime Wash, also available at Portola Paints, both of which should help to avoid any reasons your home feels hot.

7. Sage green

Finally, sage green is also among the colors that repel heat.

As interior designer Camilla says, 'Earthy greens like sage, olive, and eucalyptus offer a soothing, grounded palette that naturally balances heat.

'These tones have a cooling effect visually and work well across tile, paint, and textiles.'

Amp up the efficacy by pairing sage greens and rearranging a room to make it cooler. Creating moisture channels will encourage good air flow, cooling in the summer, and avoiding the risk of mold in the winter.

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FAQs

What colors should you avoid in hot weather?

Dark colors attract and absorb more heat and light, so it's best to avoid dark-colored furnishings, such as black, maroon, dark brown, navy blue, and forest green. These colors generate more thermal energy when exposed to intense sunlight.

Instead, use these warm colors in the winter to increase warmth and coziness.

Meet our experts

Rachel Blindauer

Rachel is an award-winning interior and product designer known for crafting spaces that feel as good as they look. With over 15 years of experience, her work blends architectural clarity with an artist’s restraint – balancing beauty and function with editorial precision. She’s designed for brands like Williams-Sonoma, Gabby Home, and others with interior design projects spanning from Nantucket to Sarasota. Her firm specializes in elevated residential interiors and destination-level hospitality design.

Camilla Masi

Camilla is a multi-talented interior designer, bringing the Italian touch and style to any space. She helps clients create striking spaces according to their taste.

Carr Lanphier

Carr is the CEO of Improovy, a Chicago-based painting company that believes as we evolve, the way we manage home renovation projects should too, including choosing paint colors to repel heat in summer, and warmer tones for a cozy feel in winter.

Patrick O'Donnell

Patrick has been bringing his impeccable taste to Farrow & Ball since 2012, offering decoration advice to millions of followers on Instagram, with expertise transforming projects of every space and style.

There are also more than a few home remedies to stay cool without spending any money, from installing window films to keeping your AC consistent.