TOP 5 PAINT COLOURS THAT KEEP YOUR HOME COOL ALL SUMMERS
As temperatures increase in India, most of us reach out to buy and repair our AC. But what if you could beat the heat without running your air conditioner 24/7?
Surprisingly, paint colour does more than affect your home’s mood or aesthetic. Choosing the right paint shades for exterior walls or terraces can lower indoor temperatures and even reduce your electricity bills. Lighter shades have what’s called a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV), they bounce off sunlight instead of soaking it in, which helps keep rooms cooler. In general, Lighter shades, like white, beige, and light pastels, reflect sunlight more effectively, keeping your home cooler. Colours like black, dark green, and dark red are not recommended for exterior wall painting because dark colours tend to absorb light and fade quickly. They also make houses look smaller. Dark colours require higher maintenance and touch-ups. So, lighter colours are preferred for exterior paints because UV rays impact darker shades quickly. Another problem with dark paint colours is that it absorbs heat faster than usual.
Here are top 5 paint colours that are scientifically backed to help you with a cooler home all summer long:
1. Cool Grey
Grey might not be a bright summer colour, but cool-toned, light greys with blue or silver undertones bounce off sunlight to keep your walls from heating up. Unlike deep charcoals, which absorb heat. You can pair it with cool blue décor and white add-ons to give your house an ultra-airy feel.
2. Pastel Green
Inspired by nature, pastel greens like mint, sage, or pistachio can bring you some psychological cooling effect. It reminds us of lush green trees or early morning dew, making us feel relaxed and refreshed.
Not only this, but lighter greens also reflect a decent amount of sunlight in rooms that tends to build in more heat.
3. Light Blue
There’s a reason beach houses are often painted in powder blues. These shades mimic the sky and sea that can lower perceived temperature. Blue reflects heat well, especially in its pastel and powdery forms. It’s known to reduces your stress and better concentration.
4. Beige and Off-White
If you’re worried a full-blown white wall might feel too boring, beige or off-whites are your go-to alternatives. These tones are high on reflectivity but subtle to the eye. The subtle balance of the summer warmth and the paint’s coolness makes these shades versatile for your living rooms.
Another reason to choose these tones is that they adapt to changing light. They look cooler in bright daylight and warmer at night, so you can achieve a visual dynamism in your rooms.
5. Pure White
There’s no beating white when it comes to heat reflection. The colour reflects nearly 80% of light, significantly reducing the amount of heat absorbed. From snowy tones to soft eggshells white also has a range to match your taste.
Pro Tip: Your terrace is the hottest spot in the house. Painting it white or with a heat-reflective paint like MRF’s AquaFresh Cool can reduce home temperatures by up to 12°C. It has high reflectance and contains advanced Infrared (IR) protection technology. The MRF’s AquaFresh Cool Paint reflects infrared radiation, which helps keep exterior terrace or wall surfaces cooler, especially when exposed to harsh sunlight during peak summer months.
At MRF Paints, we believe painting homes is more than an upgrade, it’s a strategic, energy-saving decision. That’s why we blend science with aesthetics to offer shades that are perfect for creating a cooler, more inviting home for summers.
By choosing the right colours, you can naturally regulate your home’s temperature. So, when you’re planning your next paint update, think beyond aesthetics.
Explore MRF’s full summer-cool palette and heat-reflective solutions here.
