7 Ways to Make Your Home Cooler 09/08/2018 Waking up to endless long, hazy days of blue skies and warm temperatures has been a recent and rare treat for us all. Yet keeping our homes cool in a heatwave is a skill that can be tricky to master. So here are five ways to make your house cooler, in appearance and temperature. Window Treatment Think Provencal country house and fit shutters to block out the sun. Or try insulated window films, which reduce solar heat and glare in summer, while reducing heat loss in winter. Crisp white voiles add shade without blocking out too much light or fresh air, while retractable window awnings can create shade inside and out. Crisp Coverings When it comes to fabrics, pack away heavyweights like velvet, leather, fleece, flannel and fur. Cushion covers, removable sofa coverings and bed linen will feel cooler on your skin in crisp cotton and lightweight linen. Introduce a fresh palette of pastel shades and imagine you’re in a beachfront villa. Also source pieces featuring marble and stone surfaces to inject an instantly cooler home. Go Green Not only are houseplants one of the biggest interiors trends of the moment, they also keep our homes cool, thanks to a process called transpiration. Not to mention the several health benefits of being around plants. When the atmosphere heats up, plants release water into the air through their leaves, cooling both themselves and the air around them. Go for plants with plenty of foliage and big leaves, such as rubber plants, palms and Aloe Vera. Under Foot Pack up those fluffy sheepskins and heavy thick-pile rugs that retain the heat, and embrace simple bare floorboards, tiles or cool stone floors instead. If you prefer some sort of floor covering to enliven your space, try sisal or flat weave rugs that can pack a design punch, without feeling hot under foot. Inside Out Employ the same styling principals outside as you do inside to create an extra ‘room’. Cushions, rugs and lamps; even coffee tables, sofas and kitchens now look as fitting outdoors as in. Create sizeable pockets of shade using awnings, sails, parasols and tall greenery so you can use the space throughout the day. Lights Out It goes without saying, lights run on electricity and are a source of heat, make sure that all the light sources are turned off when they aren’t necessary. The sun shines for longer in summer and so utilise the natural lighting and avoid the extra heat whilst saving money on your bills! Think Sheer Thick, dark coloured curtains and furniture can really increase the temperature within a room because dark colours attract heat. So think about swapping your bold curtains for something more sheer and simple in a white or cream shade, these reflect light and heat from the sun. This allows for natural light to come into the home. Also, close the curtains to get more protection from the heat to give a cool and refreshing feeling to your home. Follow these ways to make your home cooler in the summer and you will be able to relax and enjoy those hot, unpredictable days. Look at our blog for more interior design trends!
