Peter Dowdall: Garden planting and design ideas to keep your home cool in summer

Homes that feel connected to the outdoors in winter can feel like greenhouses once temperatures soar, says Peter Dowdall who shares ideas on designing the optimum garden

In summer, the same glass that brings in winter light can turn a room into a greenhouse. The same paved patio that looks clean and contemporary can bounce heat and glare straight back into the house, according to Peter Dowdall. File pictures 

Many homes are brilliant in winter. They are well insulated, bright, open and designed to pull in every bit of available light. Floor-to-ceiling glass, large sliding doors, open-plan kitchens and strong links between house and garden have changed how we live. On a cold day, there is a lot to be said for that; the house feels connected to the garden, the rooms are full of light, and even a weak winter sun can make the whole place feel better.

Then summer arrives, and the same glass that brings in winter light can turn a room into a greenhouse. The same paved patio that looks clean and contemporary can bounce heat and glare straight back into the house. It does make you wonder, with some houses, whether the architects remembered that summer happens too.