For a garden to be truly used in a hot climate it needs four things: light-coloured paving that stays cool in the sun, shade over the seating area, a water feature to cool the air, and layered lighting for the evening. Since gardens are mostly used in the late afternoon and at night, lighting matters as much as how it looks by day.
Hard landscaping: walkways, terraces, pool edges
At midday in summer, dark stone and concrete get too hot to walk on barefoot. Choose light-coloured, textured surfaces around the pool and on the terrace: unfilled travertine, brushed limestone or light-toned natural stone. Avoid polished finishes so wet floors don’t become slippery.
- Fall: paving needs a 1–2 percent fall so rainwater does not pool, directing water to the garden or a drainage channel.
- Joints: the joints left between stones absorb expansion between heat and cold.
- Sub-base: stone laid without a compacted fill and sand bed will settle and undulate within a few years.
Shade: pergola, awning, eaves
The seating area and outdoor kitchen must be in the shade. A wood or aluminium pergola with adjustable louvres or a fabric awning can be set to the angle of the sun. Placing the pergola on the west side blocks the scorching afternoon sun.
Water feature
In a dry climate, water cools both visually and physically. The sound of a small fountain or wall spout also masks street noise. With a pool, coping that directs water into a grille rather than outwards keeps the paving clean.
Lighting: three layers
- Path and step lighting: for safety; low, glare-free fittings.
- Accent light: on wall textures, sculptures or water features, with in-ground spotlights.
- Ambient light: dimmable warm white (2700–3000K) light under the pergola.
Outdoor fittings should be at least IP65, and cables should run in corrugated conduit buried deep enough. You can find our scope of services on the landscape page.
Frequently asked questions
Which stone is non-slip for garden paving?
Brushed, sandblasted or natural cleft stone gives good grip even when wet. Avoid polished marble and glossy ceramics around the pool.
Should a pergola be wood or aluminium?
Wood looks warmer but needs regular maintenance. Aluminium needs none and suits motorised louvre systems better. For frequently used, wide-span areas, aluminium is the practical choice.
How much electricity does garden lighting use?
With LED fittings, garden lighting uses little energy. A timer or dusk sensor control stops lights from staying on unnecessarily.
