Cool can be a design choice
When temperatures rise, a few simple changes at home can help make indoor spaces more comfortable. From improving airflow to adjusting how you use your space, here are practical ways to keep your home cool.
Cross-ventilate
Open windows to circulate the air. After sunset would be the best time to “burp” out bad air and let trapped heat escape.
Redirect your stand fans
Position one fan facing out the window, but a few feet away, to expel the hot air. Position another fan near a shaded opening, facing inward, to draw in the cool air. This continuous exchange of fresh air will help make the room cooler instead of simply recirculating the same heated air.
Treat the humidity
Position exhaust fans and dehumidifiers near the laundry area, the kitchen and the bathrooms. These can also help prevent mold from forming.
Don’t turn on the oven
Try to schedule your cooking time, and avoid using the baking option of your range whenever possible. Using the oven can make your area warmer, especially if you live in a smaller home or if the kitchen is directly connected to the living room.
There is a reason outdoor barbecue grills are popular during summer and are often enjoyed with a lot of company: the cooking is done outdoors. If you don’t have this outdoor luxury, try switching to induction cookers to reduce the heat in the space.
Fix the fabrics
If your sofa is in leather or another “hot” fabric, try having slipcovers made to conceal it during the hotter months. Slipcovers in linen or cotton are good options because they are cooler to the touch.
Window treatments should provide enough coverage
Make sure your existing window treatments provide enough coverage, whether through sheers with drapes, curtains or shades. These should help block the harsh sun from coming in and reduce the heat entering the room.
I tried having my desk by the window since I love looking out while working, but the sun coming in during the afternoon was a bit too hard to take! Position frequently used furniture near shaded areas for a more comfortable layout. This includes beds, desks, sofas and dining furniture.
areas for comfort.
Fans, fans and more fans
Ceiling fans are a blessing, but they often interfere with my chandeliers. If you don’t have many pendant lights, ceiling fans are among the best options, and they now come in some of the most gorgeous designs. Floor-mounted fans are also cool because they can be moved around easily.
Check your light fixtures
Check your fixtures to see if they use LED lights. These can help save electricity and do not emit as much heat as traditional bulbs.
Clean your lights and chandeliers so they provide better lighting and can therefore help you avoid switching on more fixtures than necessary. Layer your lighting so you have options depending on how bright or cool you want the space to feel.
You can opt to have just the table lamps on for a cozy setting or turn on the ceiling lights when you need a brighter space.
Design your day around a cooler schedule
Design your day according to the heat index. Walk outside early in the morning, cool your house through natural ventilation in the early evening and circulate the air with fans around lunchtime.
Get some indoor plants
Nothing is quite as soothing and relaxing as having beautiful indoor plants around the home.
As per my good friend and landscape designer Bobby Gopiao, one beautiful plant that can fit many design styles is the Philodendron Maxima displayed in a Martaban jar.
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Meanwhile, here are some cool gadgets and finishes that can also help make your space more comfortable.
Window films
Window films can block UV rays. These are usually tinted, but newer versions are available in clearer finishes so you can still enjoy the view outside. For those who like big, modern windows, sleek window systems that can go as high as sixmeters are available at Glassbox (@glassboxphil).
Sheer fabric and window shades
Window treatments are better off remote-controlled so you can easily manage them from a distance without lifting a finger. Expert Interior Products offers sunshades that can block varying percentages of UV rays, with some options reaching up to 99 percent.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fan choices are all over! There’s Spin from Dexterton, which looks good and feels good. The fans come in wood or metal finishes and have a sleek design that makes them barely noticeable in the space.
There’s also Big Ass Fans, despite the rather memorable name, for those who need to ventilate a bigger space.
Stand fans
There are a variety of stand fans that look really good. The Shark Ninja FlexBreeze comes in the cutest colors, and you can bring it almost anywhere since it is rechargeable.
The Shark Ninja TurboBlade bladeless fan pivots, twists and even oscillates to provide wide-ranging airflow. The Vornado Strata Compact Oscillating Tower is one I have all over my home because it somehow blows cool air and keeps the air circulating well.
Exhaust fans and ventilators
I am afraid of mold, so I like having ventilator fans in bathrooms and other hot and wet areas.
I like Himpel because, depending on the model, it can help dehumidify the space, remove unwanted smells and ventilate the room. Some models can even provide warm air for drying. I still use a hairdryer for my hair since some styling is involved.
Improve your AC
Make sure you ask a professional, preferably a mechanical engineer or qualified air-conditioning specialist, to check your AC horsepower.
Sometimes, the AC unit is simply not efficient for the size of the space. Once this is corrected, you can have a cooler space and potentially a smaller electricity bill as well.
The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila
