You’ve survived Fort Worth summers before…but have you ever thought about how much your kitchen helps or hurts your overall comfort?
Even if your kitchen doesn’t turn into a sauna every summer, it might be undermining temperature control in your whole home. The kitchen, after all, is the room that generates the most heat…just count the appliances there, and you can see why.
If just the thought of turning the oven on in June makes you break into a sweat, it’s time to learn where your kitchen design could improve…with summer in mind.
From your design choices to appliance upgrades, there are SO many ways to make your kitchen cooler, more comfortable, and more energy efficient. Here’s an exhaustive checklist to show you how…
Ventilation and Airflow
A heatwave-ready kitchen starts with well-designed airflow for two important reasons: good ventilation pulls heat and humidity out of the space, and it also lowers your energy bill and reduces strain on your HVAC system, keeping your whole home cooler.
Here’s what to focus on when it comes to thoughtfully planned out ventilation…
Powerful, Energy-Efficient Range Hood
The heat from cooking needs somewhere to go…and up and out is the only acceptable direction.
Look for:
- High CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings
- Energy-efficient EC motor fans
- Ducted hoods over recirculating ones for best performance
Ceiling Fans or Wall-Mounted Fans
It’s a simple choice to make: fans are easy to install and will keep air moving so that the heat doesn’t get trapped around you.
Check out this wild fan I saw at High Point Market that minimizes space with clear blades!!
Look for:
- Quiet, energy-saving models
- Smart fans that adjust speed based on room temp
- Sleek finishes that blend into design
Windows Designed for Cross-Ventilation
A well-placed breeze is nature’s air conditioning!!
Look for:
- Operable windows on opposite or adjacent walls
- Casement or awning windows that scoop the breeze
- ESSENTIAL: Screens that allow airflow without letting bugs in
Lighting
How often do you factor lighting in as a source of heat? The wrong bulbs can warm a space fast. Here are the factors to consider for your lighting design…
Cool Temperature LED Lighting (4000–5000K)
Crisp light, lower heat, and less energy all in one selection!!
Start with these VERY COOL bulbs I reviewed at High Point Market…
Look for:
- Bulbs with ENERGY STAR ratings
- Color temps labeled “cool white” or “daylight”
- Dimmable features for versatility
Undercabinet LED Task Lighting
With practical and fashionable add-on, you can focus light where you need it…without warming the whole room.
Look for:
- Slim, low-wattage LED strips
- Plug-in or hardwired models
- Diffused lens to prevent glare
Dimmers and Smart Lighting Controls
Control brightness, reduce heat output, and save energy all at once!!
Look for:
- Systems compatible with voice or app control
- Motion or ambient light sensors
- Scene settings to adjust for time of day
Read more about how tech is changing the design of our homes…
Appliances
Appliances are typically the biggest culprits of heat spreading from the kitchen to the rest of your home. Upgrading to energy-efficient options that also produce less ambient warmth is a win-win.
Induction Cooktops
No open flame, no wasted heat floating into the rest of your home!! Ever think about that???
Look for:
- ENERGY-STAR-certified options
- Responsive temperature controls
- Smooth-top surfaces for easy cleaning (just ‘cause…)
- Bridge elements for larger pans
Convection or Combination Ovens
Another thought…faster cook times equals less heat in your kitchen!! Consider convection or combination ovens for a whole list of lifestyle benefits, not to mention a cooler kitchen…
Look for:
- True convection with third heating element
- Self-cleaning models that use steam, not high heat
- Built-in or wall-mounted for better air circulation
Dishwashers and Refrigerators
Stay cool without racking up your power bill.
Look for:
- ENERGY-STAR-certified options
- High-efficiency modes and settings
- Internal water dispensers to reduce door opening
- Dual compressors for better cooling
Beverage Centers and Icemakers
Hydration is key in the heat…so the heatwave-ready kitchen should make staying hydrated extra easy for you, your family, and your guests.
In your kitchen design, consider:
- Undercounter units in the path of major foot traffic
- Built-in icemakers with extra-fast cycles
- Glass doors with UV protection
Smart Appliances with Remote Controls
Here’s some more cool convenience that saves energy (and generates less heat as a result).
Look for:
- Appliances with apps that sync with your home automation
- Scheduling features for off-peak energy use
- Push notifications for maintenance alerts
Materials and Finishes
What your kitchen is MADE OF matters just as much as how the space is designed. Choose surfaces that reflect light and stay cool to the touch, and you’ll be shocked what a difference it makes.
Light-Colored Cabinets and Countertops
Light colors don’t just feel airy, they reflect heat in a big way.
Look for:
- Warm whites, pale grays, or natural wood (my favorite)
- Non-porous materials that resist heat staining
- Matte or satin finishes for reduced glare
Low-Glare Matte or Satin Finishes
Keep things calm and visually cool, too, for the perfect summer-ready kitchen.
Look for:
- Soft-touch lacquers or acrylics
- Satin hardware with low reflectivity
- Anti-smudge and fingerprint-resistant coatings
Stone, Porcelain Tile, or Polished Concrete Flooring
These materials naturally stay cool underfoot so that North Texas heat doesn’t bounce back up at you!!
Look for:
- Lighter tones for better heat reflection
- Radiant heat compatibility (for cooler seasons, too)
- Large-format tiles to reduce grout lines (because less cleaning means less sweating!)
Layout and Flow
Strategic design will make or break how your kitchen handles extreme heat. You don’t want your oven cooking you while you cook dinner!!
Strategic Work Triangle Placement
If you keep heat-producing appliances separated (as long as it doesn’t disrupt your flow or how you cook), that can make a significant difference in how much heat your kitchen produces.
Follow these design tips to ensure that heat-producing appliances don’t put stress on other appliances and finishes, too.
Tips:
- Don’t place your range next to the fridge
- Avoid positioning the oven near direct sunlight
- Use islands to create buffer zones
Outdoor Kitchen or Cooking Area
Give your indoor kitchen a break and join the wave of high-end home design favoring outdoor living spaces…including outdoor kitchens!!
Tips:
- In an outdoor kitchen area, include a grill, sink, and mini fridge
- Position your outdoor spaces with prevailing breezes in mind
- Shade outdoor entertainment or relaxation areas with pergolas or canopies
- Add wide sliders or French doors connecting your kitchen to the outdoors
- Align indoor pathways with outdoor cooking areas
- Consider retractable screens for flexibility
Dedicated “Cool Zones” (Pantry or Beverage Niche)
Minimize fridge trips and keep hydration close, whether with beverage stations in rooms where you entertain or with outdoor-graded fridges for the patio or pool.
Additional design tips:
- Place near the edge of the kitchen for easy access
- Include open shelving for grab-and-go items
- Keep small appliances here to avoid central heat buildup
Window Treatments
Window glazing is one of the simplest ways to protect your home from unwanted heat. Remember: you don’t need to lose your natural light, you just need to control it.
Here’s your window checklist for summer-ready kitchen design…
UV-Filtering Window Films
Let the light in, but without the heat!!
Look for:
- Film that blocks 80–90% of solar gain
- Solar shades with visible openness factor (3–5%)
- Dual-layer options for day and night control
Smart Shades or Motorized Blinds
Cool down your kitchen, even when you’re not home (hello, remote control)!
You actually have several options to achieve this.
Look for:
- Integration with smart home platforms
- Timers or sensors that react to light levels
- Solar-powered motors
Smart Systems and Lifestyle Add-Ons
Today’s kitchens are smart, responsive, and deeply connected to how we live. Let your systems work smarter for you!!
Temperature-Zoned HVAC with Kitchen Sensors
Save money and stop your HVAC system from producing more heat as a biproduct. In other words, don’t overcool the whole house, just the part you’re using when you’re using it.
Consider:
- Room-by-room climate control
- Sensors that learn occupancy habits
- Integration with your smart thermostat
Smart Thermostats with Learning Features
Save even more energy and stay comfortable, even during those unpredictable Texas heat spikes. New smart thermostats can continually maximize your cooling settings and energy consumptions as they learn about you and your lifestyle—or as the weather changes.
Look for:
- AI-based learning systems
- App-based controls and reports
- Energy usage tracking
So…is your kitchen ready?
Now that you know what goes into a heatwave-ready kitchen, how does yours stack up? If yours is almost perfect OR in need of major help, there’s time to talk to us now and avoid sweating through another summer cooking session!!
We specialize in design that lives as beautifully as it looks—which means we can help you stay cool, have more fun cooking, continue Loving Your Home®…no matter the forecast!!
Let’s design a kitchen that outsmarts the Texas heat!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
