Sun Safety in Your Outdoor Space: Why It Matters

One of the best parts of designing your own home is the ability to create an inviting outdoor space. Whether you set out a fire pit or a reading nook, an outdoor living space where you can enjoy the sunshine and fresh air can make your life feel more vibrant. You can design this according to a specific colour palette or even around a particular centrepiece, such as a large tree that can draw attention and provide shade amidst Australia’s scorching weather. 

However, while spending time in nature is essential for health and wellness, it’s also crucial to consider sun safety while you’re outside, particularly for your long-term health. Below, we’ll take a closer look at why sun safety matters.

The dangers of sun exposure

Spending time outdoors is vital for overall health, including mental well-being and physical fitness. However, sun safety is an important consideration, especially since Australia’s sun is notoriously intense. 2024 research from SafetyCulture found that nearly two-thirds of Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70. This high rate is particularly concerning for outdoor workers with the majority (60%) forgetting to use sun protection at work.

Even brief moments spent outdoors can accumulate harmful exposure. Researchers stress that while exposure to frequent low doses of UV radiation with sufficient time between them can be enough to allow DNA repair, there is ultimately no ‘safe’ dose of UV radiation. This is especially the case for people already susceptible to skin cancer due to genotypic factors. Time outdoors should thus be sufficiently controlled at all times, and measures should be taken through both healthy habits and home design to minimise sun exposure.

Practising sun safety through habits and home design

One of the most basic ways you can control your sun safety outdoors is by adopting protective measures for your own body, from your eyes to your skin. Start with high-quality sunglasses from reputable brands such as Ray-Ban or Oakley to ensure UV 400 protection. You can filter through the catalogue of online retailer OPSM by lens type and find frames that are compatible with photochromatic lenses. These are lenses that darken when exposed to sunlight and clear up indoors and are thus a convenient choice for moving between the outer parts of your home to the inner, shaded areas. 

Additionally, make it a habit to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors. Brands such as Neutrogena or Australia Gold have a minimum SPF of 30, ensuring a lightweight and non-greasy formula that’s perfect for daily use. Top all of these off with a sun hat for an additional layer of defence that reduces the likelihood of sunburn to near zero. You can find fashion-forward designs from local brand Lack of Color that are perfect for wearing in the garden or out on a sunny patio. 

Incorporating these personal protective measures with thoughtful design elements can guarantee sun safety in your outdoor space. If you’re in the process of designing your outdoor space, pay close attention to Standards Australia’s guidelines for the UV protection factors of shade sails, for example.

You can also integrate permanent shade structures such as pergolas and gazebos for robust, year-round protection from the sun. Alternatively, if you find yourself moving around your garden a lot, opt for temporary solutions like the CoolCabana 5 Beach Umbrella or the Shadowspec SU6 Umbrella, which can be strategically placed to offer flexible shade options. You can even maximize natural shade by planting trees or large shrubs from fast-growing species, such as bottlebrush or lilly pilly, to enhance the greenery and beauty of your outdoor space. 

Meanwhile, use lighter-coloured materials like stone, tiles, or fabric for outdoor furniture and surfaces to reflect rather than absorb heat. Position seating areas in naturally shaded parts of your garden or under constructed shade, while movable seating allows flexibility to adjust according to the sun’s position throughout the day. Lastly, incorporating water features like fountains or small ponds can help cool the surrounding area. Just remember that these should also be positioned in shaded spots to prevent water evaporation and to keep the area cooler. 

By combining protective habits with thoughtful design elements, you can enjoy a stylish, comfortable, and sun-safe outdoor sanctuary.  For more on creating a unique and beautiful home, contact our talented design team at Abide Interiors today.