Summers in Riverside, California, are dry and hot, calling for interiors that will help you maintain a cool, stylish home. Riverside, like much of California, bakes and basks in sunshine from June to September. Homeowners must embrace the Mediterranean climate with bright colors, light linens, and plenty of greenery to create an airy and breezy atmosphere.
We suggest switching all dark colors, prints, and textures with light hues to give your home a cool, refreshing aesthetic.

Swapping heavy and thick fabrics, especially curtains, with sheer tulle and lightweight cotton is a great trick to stop trapping heat indoors. You can maintain an inviting ambiance by adding refreshing air-purifying plants to your living spaces.

Homeowners who want to enjoy Riverside’s sunshine with fun-filled BBQs can create an elaborate outdoor space. It all boils down to how much square footage you have to play around and experiment with summer-friendly décor. Read on to explore some practical tips to maintain a cooler and tastefully decorated home this summer.

1. Consider Replacing Your Windows

Most homeowners respond to the summer heat by blasting the air conditioner and refusing to step outdoors. But what difference will the HVAC system make if your windows are absorbing and transferring heat into living spaces? That’s not all. If left untreated during summer, windows allow the cool air to escape and hot air to penetrate.

A window replacement is the most practical solution to maintain a cool indoor temperature without increasing your electricity bills. You can consider multiple options, like vinyl frames and low-E glass windows. We advise enlisting the expertise of a trusted Riverside window replacement company to map out your best options.

Local experts seasoned in providing effective, summer-friendly window replacement solutions can help you find the right materials for a cool indoor temperature. Most experts agree that vinyl window replacement is an ideal solution to add an additional layer of insulation. Vinyl insulates the window pockets to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering. Your home will feel breezy and refreshing even on the hottest summer days.

If you don’t think vinyl will align with your home’s architectural style, low-emissivity or Low-E glass is another great solution. Low-E glass is a thin strand of colorless protection added to glass windows to prevent heat transfer. Again, consulting an expert well-versed in the local market will help you find solutions that work effectively for Riverside’s climate.

2. Add Heat-Dispelling Plants & Trees

Nothing says summer louder than living spaces decorated with green plants and vibrant blooms. A report by NASA reveals that plants create a cooling effect by reducing carbon dioxide and increasing precipitation. Tiny trees and leafy plants block sunlight while creating a rainforest-like setting will increase water vapors in the air.

Simply put, adding more plants to your indoor spaces will release water vapors that cool the atmosphere and dispel heat. But you must find the right air-purifying and cooling plants to achieve this cooling effect.

Ficus benjamina, popularly known as the weeping fig, is an excellent choice for maintaining a cool and moist indoor environment. This low-maintenance broadleaf tree has a lovely tropical vibe; you don’t need to spend much time nurturing it. Green leafy palms are also great at dispelling carbon dioxide and cooling the environment with refreshing bursts of oxygen.

There’s a wealth of variety to explore in palms, such as lady palms, areca palms, Livistona, fern, and fishtail palms. You can give your living room and hallways a rainforest-themed makeover with an elaborate setting of palms. Riverside is notorious for dry heat, and we recommend adding planters of Chinese Evergreen to humidify the air.

3. Lighten Up the Colors & Linens

Did you know that dark colors trap a lot of light and heat, creating a hot and dry indoor environment? That’s right! So, if your house feels hot and stuffy despite the window treatment and HVAC, it’s time to change those magenta sheets. Thick fabrics like suede, wool, and velvet also trap heat and create a warm environment.

We suggest replacing dark hues and thick linens with subtle, pastel-toned colors and lightweight fabrics with a feather-like touch. White is a fabulously summer-friendly color that instantly transforms the indoor ambiance by reflecting off heat. Chalky white walls and crisp white linens are a great way to maintain breezy living spaces.

But if white feels too bland for your taste, consider experimenting with other lighter tones, like pastel blue and blush pink. Pastel yellow is a splendid hue that radiates power and sunshine without absorbing heat. You can also explore eclectic patterns like ikat, chevron, and bold florals without dabbling into dark shades.

Most homeowners make the mistake of using heavily insulated curtains to block out the summer sun. That’s not the right way to address the issue because the sun isn’t the problem. You can enjoy the Californian sunshine and natural light with a lightweight fabric that doesn’t absorb and transfer heat.

4. A Summer-Friendly Outdoor Space

Riverside summers are all about outdoorsy fun in the sun, BBQ evenings, and splashing around in the plunge pool. If you have ample square footage, transform your backyard into a great outdoor space to lounge around and entertain. There’s a wealth of ideas to explore with backyard renovations, such as deck installation and adding a plunge pool.

A rustic wooden deck will create an elaborate seating area with a shade to block out the sun without restricting the breeze. You can create an outdoor kitchen with BBQ equipment and a brick oven to enjoy culinary adventures without drowning in sweat. If you have enough space, adding a swimming pool or a smaller plunge pool will truly transform your property.

Imagine splashing around in the pool all day with a cocktail in one hand and seared chicken legs in the other. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

Final Thoughts

Turning a hot and humid summer into a breezy and exciting one requires little effort. It all boils down to blocking the heat and creating outdoor spaces where you can cool off. Shutting oneself indoors isn’t practical, especially when the Riverside sunshine is bearable and inviting. We strongly advise creating an outdoor space where you can entertain your guests and lounge around without getting sunburnt.