With so much talk around how to insulate your home and keep warm over the cold winter months, it can sometimes feel, in summer, like we are thrown into summer with very little preparation. However, the reality is that an overheated home can be just as challenging and when it comes to maximising comfort – with those living in hot climates relying on architectural brilliance and interior engineering to keep their inside spaces looking and feeling as cool and comfortable as possible.
In this blog post, we’re focussing on how to beat the heat, with insight into some of the residential interior design principles often followed in hotter climates.
1. Maximise the airflow throughout the property
You can tell when a property or specific room has been left untouched for a while, because the air feels stagnant and undisturbed. Not only does this allow heat to become trapped in the room but it gives the room a feeling of being unlived in and uncared for. The solution is to maximise airflow throughout the space, with open plan living a great way of keeping your entire property well ventilated without even trying.
Opening a home to an open plan layout is an instant fix for making the home feel bigger, brighter, more modern, and infinitely cooler even in those hot climates.
2. Cover your windows
This suggestion mimics one which is recommended for those experiencing winter and very cold temperatures. While in cold climates, covering the windows helps to retain heat and insulate the space to greater effect, in the summer it helps to minimise the amount of heat which enters the home as a result of direct sunlight.
Double glazing and UV sun protective window layers can help with this as well, however the low cost and immediate recommendation for homeowners is simply to cover their windows and stop sunlight from penetrating the window surfaces.
3. Think about the best materials for the property
Wooden floors are often regarded as one of the most coveted options for interior design and for upgrading a home with style and character – but did you know that wood actually retains heat? The same is true of glass materials, carpet, and vinyl, all of which are best avoided if you are looking for ways to naturally cool down an interior space.
Opting for materials like natural stone, porcelain, cement, and marble will keep your floors and surfaces bearable in terms of their temperature – and they look great too!
4. Research the best modern technology
While there are a whole series of interior changes and adjustments you can make to naturally bring the temperature of your property down, including changing the surface materials and opening out the layout of the home, technology remains one of the most efficient ways of cooling down an overheated property – with the following some of the best options to consider:
- Smart systems connected to air conditioning units, which allow you to control units remotely or set them on a timer to cool the home down at certain times
- Automatic blinds and shutters, allowing you to keep the heat out even when you’re not at home
Innovative technology means that you can maximise the way you benefit from interior features like air conditioning, without leaving the units running all day long. Not only is this better for the environment but it’s certainly better for your wallet too – saving a whole heap of money on your energy bills.
5. Install a dehumidifier
If the hot climate you live in happens to be a humid one, installing a dehumidifier can help to suck the moisture out of the air surrounding you – keeping the space cooler and much more comfortable for you and your family. In addition, removing excess moisture from the air helps to protect the home from the impact of mould, making this a two-in-one solution to keep your property healthy and happy.
6. Reconsider those dark, feature walls
The darker the walls in your home, the faster it will soak in the heat from the sun and become somewhat of a sauna. To avoid the very walls of your home from turning it into a heated sauna, use light colours throughout your interior design plans and keep the space both looking and feeling lighter and brighter.
Fighting the effects of an overheated home
While there is nothing you can do to turn down the thermostat of your surrounding neighbourhood, interior design and the many modern innovations associated with this service mean that there are certain changes that can be made to maximise the comfort and airflow within and throughout your space.
From changing the colours of your walls and swapping fabrics for natural stone and marble-type flooring, we hope that this article has inspired you to consider little swaps and changes that could just make your life in a hot climate a little more comfortably.