The Cool Down

Welcome to The Cool Down, Hunker's definitive guide for staying cool, calm, and collected all summer long. Whether you want to soak in a pool all day or camp out in front of an A/C, here are our favorite ways to chill out when it's hot out.

By Colette Dazé
Pottery Barn Sunbrella Outdoor Umbrella
8 Alternatives to a Traditional Pool to Keep You Cool
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
Layla copper cooling mattress topper
The Top-Rated Cooling Mattress Pads That Are Way Cheaper Than Buying a New Mattress
Design
By Siobhan Murphy
Honeywell Duval 52-Inch Fan
The Best Outdoor Fans to Add to Your Balcony, Patio, or Backyard ASAP
Design
By Michelle Miley
Awesome water view with hot tub in summer evening.
How to Convert a Hot Tub to a Cool Plunge
Home Hacks & Answers
By Jill Harness
A Nest thermostat on a white wall.
How to Use Your A/C More Efficiently —11 Tips for Staying Cool
Home Hacks & Answers
By Rachel Charlene Lewis
Molleos Giant Inflatable Pizza Slice
11 Over-the-Top Pool Floats That Will End Your Pandemic Blues
Design
By Chris Deziel
An in-ground swimming pool in a natural backyard setting
7 Things to Consider Before Installing a Pool This Summer
Home Hacks & Answers
By Chris Deziel
a living room is dominated by two gray upholstered chairs, a colorful pastel rug, and a leather sectional couch
How to Install a Window Air Conditioning Unit
Home Hacks & Answers
By Anna Gragert
uncommon goods Just Ripe Fruit Bowl
How to Preserve Fruits and Veggies When It's Hot Outside
Design
By Stefanie Waldek
nursery with blackout shade
Do Blackout Curtains Actually Keep Our Homes Cool?
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
best air conditioners on amazon
The Best A/C Units to Buy on Amazon
Design
By Lucy Bedewi
Popsicle mold
20 Hot Weather Home Accessories to Keep You Cool All Summer Long
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
evapolar personal cooler air conditioner
The 10 Best Portable Air Conditioners and Coolers That Don’t Need a Window or Vent
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
ways to keep pet cool dog cooling pad
7 Ways to Keep Your Pet Cool and Hydrated All Summer, According to a Vet
Design
By Chris Deziel
An air conditioner, which costs about $4,000 – $15,000 to install
Here’s the True Cost of Adding Central Air
Home Hacks & Answers
By Stefanie Waldek
Blue Jean Chef Sesame Chicken Tortellini Salad
7 Cold Pasta Recipes You Can Enjoy All Summer Long
Design
By Jamie Birdwell-Branson
An outdoor shower by a white wall surrounded by ivy
How To Build an Outdoor Shower: A DIY Guide
Home Hacks & Answers
By Kirsten Nunez
boba ice pops on white plate
Hunker Recipe: Boba Ice Pops, a Cult-Favorite Costco Product
Design
By Mariette Williams
Host the Toast Color-Changing Slushy Margarita
The 10 Best Frozen Drinks to Keep You Chill All Summer
Design
By Erin Lassner
Fan in kitchen
15 Amazon Products Under $50 to Keep You Cool During the Worst of Summer
Design
By Stefanie Waldek
Coolaroo 13' x 7' Rectangle Shade Sail
The 8 Best Hot Weather Products at Costco
Design
By Stefanie Waldek
Blade LED Standard Ceiling Fan with Fan Control Parts and Light Kit
7 TikTok Cooling Hacks That Will Help You Conquer the Summer Heat
Design
By Katie Maguire
my sheets rocks cooling sheets
My Search Is Over — These Are the Coolest Sheets Ever
Design
By Jessica Kielman
Small oscillating fan on rattan side table
Before You Use an Oscillating Fan, You Need to Do This
Design
By Ariane Moore
Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad by The Modern Proper
11 No-Cook Summer Recipes That Will Save You From Sweating Over a Hot Stove
Design
By Lowe Saddler
walmart GE A/C in bedroom
I Caved and Bought a Window A/C Unit, and Here Are My Thoughts
Design
By Colette Dazé
colorful room with blue ceiling and house plants
11 Cheap and Easy Ways to Cool Your Home Without A/C
Design
By Teo Spengler
Aloe vera plant
6 Houseplants That’ll Cool Your Home Naturally
Design
By Kelly Weimert
Mattress on wooden bedframe
The Best Cooling Mattresses to Help You Sleep During the Heat
Design
By Lucy Bedewi
windmill air conditioner
Stay Cool With These Stylish Fans and Air Conditioning Units
Design
By Leonora Epstein
Olehenriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask, $38
10 Cooling Beauty and Bath Products to Help You Chill Out
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set
The Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Nights
Design
By Erin Lassner
A light wood desk with a computer and containers. A bookcase is beside. A window view overlooking hills and neighboring homes.
Miss Corporate A/C? These 10 Desk Accessories Will Keep You Cool All Summer
Design
By Trisha Sprouse
Green and gold portable bucket air conditioner on an end table next to a couch
DIY Portable Bucket Air Conditioner
DIY
By Stefanie Waldek
sand pool in front of a house
Sand Pools Are the Next Backyard Trend — But What Are They, Exactly?
News
By Morgan Goldberg
lunya cool pajamas
7 Heat-Regulating Pajamas That'll Help You Sleep Cooler and More Comfortably
Design
By Lowe Saddler
Breville No Mess Classic Waffle Maker kitchen appliance for summer
8 Kitchen Appliances That Will Make Summer Cooking a Less Sweaty Affair
Design
By Eva Recinos
Gray sofa with dog and pillows and wood mid-century walls
6 Pet Cooling Products for Your Furry Companion
Design
By Leonora Epstein
Buffy Breeze Comforter (Queen), $210
I Don't Have Air Conditioning, So I Put 10 "Cooling" Products to the Test
Design
By Ryan Tronier
whynter portable ac unit
The Top-Rated Portable AC Units to Buy for Summer
Home Hacks & Answers
By Katie Maguire
decorist forbes + masters
5 Items That Will Instantly Cool You Down, According to This Designer Duo
Design
By Trisha Sprouse
Green PVC pipe water mister over an inflatable pool next to lounge chair and fringe patio umbrella
DIY Easy Outdoor Mister to Keep You Cool
DIY
By Erin Lassner
Fun ice trays
15 Ice Trays That Are Anything But Boring
Design
By Pauline Lacsamana
mylle inflatable pools
15 Inflatable Pools That Are Still in Stock Online
Design
By Adria Greenhauff
MoMA Dip Ice Cream Scoop
10 Ice Cream Makers and Accessories That Will Take Dessert to the Next Level
Design
By Lowe Saddler
Esty indoor hammock
These Indoor Hammocks From Etsy Will Make Your Summer Infinitely More Fun
Design
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