A patio is a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors during the summer months. They are relaxing, private, and a great place to host friends, family, and neighbors. Many lovely memories have been made gathered around a table on a patio, sipping wine at sunset, roasting marshmallows at a fire pit, and getting sunburnt?
Sadly, not all things about patios are perfect. They can get so hot, making what would have been a beautiful day into a steamy, sunburnt, sweaty day. Nobody likes that.
Luckily, there are some super easy solutions to keep your patio cool in the summer! Please read on to find out how to keep your patio cool in the summer!
What Causes Your Patio to Become So Hot?
There are several reasons why your patio might be getting so hot. It is important that you read these and then assess the situation on your patio to determine the best option to deal with it! In addition, while these may be some of the more common causes for hot patios, there may be other causes for your hot patio. Make sure to assess your situation so you know what you are working with!
The first thing is wind-blocking structures. Wind-blocking structures are buildings, trees, neighbors’ houses, fences, or any other type of structure that prevents the wind from blowing in. It is super important to have airflow on a patio. The breeze can move the air around so that it does not heat up in one place.
Plus who does not love a nice summer breeze on a hot day?!
The second thing that could be heating your patio is dark colors. The sun is attracted to darker colors because they absorb more light, which makes them heat up from the sun much quicker. If you have a darker floor, dark furniture, or other items on your patio that are darker-toned, they could be a reason why your patio is getting so hot.
This may seem silly, but it is true!
Your patio might also be getting hot because there are no structures around to block the sun. During the summer, the sun is more intense because of the angle of the Earth. Without any structures to block the sun, the sunbeams can travel straight to your patio and heat it.
How to Keep Patio Cool in Summer?
1. Use the Lasko Misto Outdoor Misting Fan 
The Lasko 7050 Misto outdoor misting fan is a perfect option for hot summer days on the patio. It is an electric fan design that can plug into any outlet. It features a cooling mist that sprays as it fans to provide a gentle wash of cooling mist. It features a 9-foot water supply hose. Additionally, the Lasko 7050 Misto outdoor misting fan features a weather-resistant exterior. It is also UV-resistant and rust-resistant.
This misting fan can rotate 90 degrees and is perfect for use outside on patios, porches, and decks. It is not a ceiling fan, which makes it perfect for patios.
This is a fairly affordable option at approximately $150. You can read more about the Lasko 7050 Misto outdoor misting fan at Amazon.
2. Install a Misting Hose Cooling System
Installing a misting hose cooling system is a perfect way to beat the heat of summer on your patio. A misting hose cooling system can be hung. It is a great outdoor cooling option for a variety of places. A misting hose cooling system can be hung from pergolas, outdoor ceilings, patio umbrellas, or laid on the ground.
In addition, a misting hose cooling system is very easy to install and use. Plus it is fun and very efficient at cooling down the area. Getting the right one is usually pretty easy. You want one that is not too aggressive but not too light.
The Homenote misting cooling system is a 26 ft misting line that features 7 brass misting nozzles. This option is super affordable at approximately $24!
3. Shade from the Sun
Some other ways to beat the heat are to block out the sun. There are plenty of shade ideas that are bound to complete the look of your patio while offering you and your guests shade and respite from the sun. The first option is of course the patio umbrella. Patio umbrellas are great options for people who want something simple and easy to use. Patio umbrellas are also portable, which is perfect for people who do not want to commit to a full structure like a gazebo.
Patio umbrellas are also much cheaper than the other options which are more permanent and expensive. Patio umbrellas are designed to block the sun and provide UV and sun protection to the people who sit in their shade. Some come with umbrella stands well others need stands.
For those who want a more permanent solution, gazebos are a great option. Gazebos provide beautiful and aesthetically pleasing shelter from the sun and the heat of summer. Gazebos are classic and provide an element of rustic luxury to your patio. Gazebos can be more expensive than some of the other options and patio umbrellas, but they are built to last and add some class to your patio.
Pergolas are another great option to protect you and your company from the heat of summer. They provide beautiful shade along with a gorgeous structure that ties together the environment. You can get pergolas that are temporary or that are permanent, so people can usually find something that fits what they want. Pergolas are another expensive option, but they have a wide range of options depending on what your budget is.
For example, you can find a pergola for $480, or you can find a pergola for $2,205.
Awnings are another great option for sun protection and to minimize the heat of the patio. Awnings can be retractable or not retractable, so there’s something to fit everybody’s opinion. Awnings also have a variety of price points, so they are usually within budget for most people.
In addition, planting trees is a great way to increase the shade on your patio. Trees help to block out the sun but they can also help to create a cooler area in general by absorbing some of the sunlight that comes in. Not only are trees great at helping to create a cooler environment for your patio, but trees are also super important to our environment and maintaining our planet.
Planting trees is a great long-term option that is very low maintenance and simple. Plants and trees, let them grow, and for years you have a shady, cool, and eco-friendly patio!
4. Remove Structures Blocking Air Flow and Wind
Another way to optimize the cooling of your patio is to remove structures that block the flow of air. In this case, if you have large unnecessary fences or big bushes that you don’t like that are blocking the flow of the breeze, consider getting rid of them. However, we do recognize that not everybody has this option. Sometimes privacy overrules coolness on the patio and people who live by waterfronts often have more wind.
5. Outdoor Fans
Buy things to introduce airflow on your patio is a great way to cool it down without removing structures around it to boost the breeze. For this, ceiling fans and stand-up fans are perfect. You can find some that are resistant to weather, rust, and UV, which makes them perfect for outdoor use. Some fans have been specifically designed for patio use, but you can usually find them by looking in the outdoor section of your local home improvement store or hardware store.
Read our related article: 10 Best Outdoor Standing Fans
6. Paint Your Patio White or a Light Color
Another way to decrease the heat on your patio is to Painted a lighter color. As stated before, dark colors attract light and also trap it. This makes it hotter. By switching over to a lighter color, the light is not as attracted to it and therefore it stays cooler longer. You can also change darker patio furniture or décor to lighter ones to prevent heat from getting stuck.
Check out this RTG white paint option on Amazon! It is designed for outdoor use and built to last a long time! Choosing a light paint can really help prevent burns on your feet and overall it can cool the area down.
7. Change Your Grilling Location
Moving your grill away from the patio may seem odd, but it will help to eliminate the heat that comes from the grill on the patio, making it a bit cooler. I know cooking inside or outside can really warm you up, it is a good idea to have a specific area to grill, just keep it away from your lounge areas. This will keep the heat away, plus it is a good safety measure as well.
8. Install Some Water Features
Incorporating water features is not only beautiful but is a great way to cool off your patio. Fountains, ponds, and man-made streams are a perfect way to get some water on your patio to cool it off!
Water is reflective and will reflect light away from your patio, resulting in it being a little bit cooler in the summer.
Check out our article on the 10 Most Affordable Outdoor Water Fountains!
9. Get Some Plants to Place on Your Deck!
Plants are another great way to add shade and cover some ground on your patio. They can cool the ground off with their leaves and they add an element of natural beauty to the area as well!
Related Questions
Can You Get an Outdoor Air Conditioner for Your Patio?
You can get an outdoor air conditioner for your patio, however, they are not always the best option because the cold air does not stay on your patio exclusively.
Is Concrete or Wood Decking Going to Make Your Outdoor Space Warmer?
Concrete patios are going to be warmer than wooden decking. Wood defuses heat much quicker than concrete does
Can Installing a Pool Cool Down Your Patio?
It can, but it is not guaranteed. Other options on the list are far more likely to get you cooler.
Are Sprinkler or Misting Systems Better to Keep You Cool?
They are both great, but sprinklers tend to use a lot more water than mist systems, so you end up spending more and your patio is soaked at the end of the day. Misters are a lot more gentle.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are plenty of options to cool down your patio. Any one or combination of the items on our list is sure to help cool off your patio, making it the perfect relaxing and gathering space this summer!
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.