9 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Just Like Traditional Rajasthan Homes

Cool Home Ideas Inspired By Traditional Rajasthani Homes

1. Thick Insulating Walls

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Traditional Rajasthan homes have thick walls made of lime plaster, stone, or mud to insulate the home from summer heat. To upgrade your home and keep it cool, you can use lime wash or natural clay to keep indoor surfaces cool. Moreover, you can choose light-coloured paints that reflect heat instead of absorbing it. 

2. Jaali Design for Natural Ventilation 

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One feature of Rajasthani haveli design is the jaali work or latticed screens made from wood or stone. These jaali designs can regulate airflow and keep your interiors cool and private. In your home, you can add jaali screens to your balconies, windows, or even garden for better and cooler airflow. 

3. Central Courtyard or Veranda Design 

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At the heart of traditional Rajasthan homes is a courtyard also called an aangan. This open central courtyard can be an ideal choice for natural ventilation. Moreover, verandas are also a main feature of these desert homes. You can convert your backyard or patio into a shaded veranda or grow plants like neem or lemongrass for cool air and purification. 

4.Terracotta or Stone Floors

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In traditional Rajasthani houses, you can find terracotta tiles, sandstone, or Kota stone work, as they naturally keep the floors and walls cool. So, in your next home renovation, you can replace synthetic flooring options with terracotta or stone. The benefits of these materials are that they naturally resist heat, are durable and low maintenance.

5. Flats Roofs With Insulation 

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Flat roofs, in particular, are more popular in Rajasthan homes as they help reflect heat and keep the interiors cooler. Some homes even use lime plaster on their rooftops for better thermal insulation. To keep your home cool in summer heat, you can also use lime plaster or reflective paints for insulation. Other than that, you can install a terrace garden to naturally reduce heat.  

6. Water Features for Cooling 

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One thing you’ll often notice in Rajasthani havelis is stepwells and fountains. These water features don’t just add beauty to a home, but also serve as a cooling element. Installing these features in your home can reduce the temperature, so to keep your home cool, you can add a small fountain or bird bath on your balcony or veranda or use matkas with water to absorb heat.  

7. Arch Doorways & Wooden Windows

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In old homes, you might notice more use of wooden shutters and thick wooden doors. This is because wood is a bad conductor of heat. In a typical Rajasthani haveli design, arched doorways and wooden windows help in better air circulation. You can also choose to install wooden shutters instead of metal or use arches in home interiors. Just like a royal Rajasthan haveli! 

8. Decorate with Breathable Fabrics

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Traditional Rajasthan homes use breathable fabrics such as cotton, khadi, and linen to decorate their interiors. These fabrics keep the temperature of the interiors cool, making them ideal for regions with a hot climate. You can switch your curtain, pillow, or bedsheet fabrics to cotton, decorate with bamboo blinds, or install cane furniture. For an aesthetic look, you can choose Rajasthani textile designs like lehriya, sanganeri, bagru, or block prints for upholstery. 

9. Install Overhangs and Awnings

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In Rajasthan havelis, overhangs and awnings are a common sight. These features can reduce sun exposure and give more shade, keeping homes cool. If you want to adopt this feature into your home, then you can install canopies or fabric awnings on your rooftop or windows, grow vines over a mesh fence to block direct sunshine, or use bamboo blinds to protect your home from the summer heat. 

Also Read: Best Windows for Indian Climate: Designs for Every Region

What Makes Desert Architecture Unique? 

• Climate-Conscious Aesthetics

Instead of giving in to the Rajasthan heat, the desert architecture welcomes it. The homes designed with Rajasthani features can include earthy tones, jharokhas, and thick walls that can be considered more climate-conscious than anything else. This natural cooling approach is functional and sustainable. 

• Balanced Space

The design of typical Rajasthan homes with courtyards and verandas is a testament to balanced space sharing. This kind of home design shows a deep appreciation and sense of togetherness without compromising privacy. 

• Styling with Local Materials

Furthermore, Rajasthan homes use local resources such as stone, lime, and wood to build and decorate their exterior and interior. This styling with local materials shows that you don’t need imported goods to make your living space beautiful or functional.