June 22nd, 2016
The sun’s glare can bring a whole host of problems, from hot and stuffy homes to fading furniture. So when summer finally decides to kick in and rising temperatures make it impossible to sit comfortably or even sleep through the night, why not check out our smart ‘home hacks’ to make your home a more comfortable place to be.
It sounds obvious, but light bulbs give off heat so take advantage of the longer sunshine filled summer days and utilise the abundance of natural light as much as possible. Keep rooms cool after dark (and save energy!) by only using lights minimally or not at all and be sure to unplug electronics and small appliances which also give off heat, even when turned off.
Duette® energy-saving blinds are the original and fully-tested honeycomb blinds that offer unrivalled insulating properties to keep homes warm in winter and also beautifully cool in the summer months. Reflecting up to 78% of the sun’s warmth, Duette® blinds keep rooms at a consistent and comfortable climate, reducing the need for expensive air conditioning systems or electric-guzzling fans.
It’s all thanks to the specially developed honeycomb design that traps air and reflects heat and an innovative coating on the window-facing side of the blind.
Warmer weather is the perfect excuse to switch over to the BBQ grill, as using an oven or stove in the summer will make your kitchen and home hotter. Stick to cooling dishes such as salads or fire up the barbeque when hot food is desired – who doesn’t want to make the most out of being outdoors when the weather is fabulous?
Ensure cool air is able to circulate around your home by keeping doors open and letting air flow naturally as closing off rooms can prevent cool air permeating during the hottest parts of the day.
For a longer-term solution, planting trees in front of light-facing windows and creepers and vines over verandas will help to shade your house and prevent the sun’s glare from entering and overheating rooms.
Switching your sheets to cotton during the summer months is a great idea as this breathable material stays cooler than satin, silk or polyester options. For an especially cool and comfortable slumber invest in ‘smart bedding’ such as The Fine Bedding Company’s Breathe Duvet and Cool Touch pillow, both of which have unique temperature control action.
Another top tip is to fill a hot water bottle with water and put it in the freezer to keep your bed and sheets at a soothingly cool temperature.
Protect your home furnishings from fading from the summer sun with Duette® blinds, proven to block up to up 99% UV rays.
Available in three transparencies (blackout, semi-sheer and translucent) and a kaleidoscope of colours, Duette® blinds are perfect for south-facing rooms, conservatories and summer rooms where the sun’s heat and glare can be a real problem.
The blackout option also helps to provide the perfect environment for cool, summertime sleeping in bedrooms whilst the top-down/bottom-up fitting option offers unique light control which is ideal when watching TV or working from a screen.
With these simple ways to keep cool, now all we need is some decent weather! We’re crossing our fingers for a great summer ahead!
