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How Do I Cool Down My Home This Summer?
Bring back the coolness this summer with simple, clever changes in your home
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
10 May 2018
Houzz India Contributor. Home Decor Enthusiast. True-Blue Bangalorean. Founder & Chief Content Consultant at Mangomonk. I work for sunshine and sandwiches. Visit me at www.mangomonk.com.
Houzz India Contributor. Home Decor Enthusiast. True-Blue Bangalorean. Founder &... More
From fresh decor to indoor greens, summer-friendly LED lights to floaty mosquito net canopies, summer is the perfect season to give your home a pretty (and practical) makeover while keeping unfavourable seasonal elements at bay. Here’s seeking inspiration from these rooms that catch the sunshine, yet keep their cool.
1. Pick breathable fabrics
Pick soft, skin-friendly linens and cottons for cushion covers and sofa drapes. Sofas covered in real or faux leather tend to stick to the skin during hot, humid weather, so consider opting for slipcovers in light-hued, natural fabrics.
Pick soft, skin-friendly linens and cottons for cushion covers and sofa drapes. Sofas covered in real or faux leather tend to stick to the skin during hot, humid weather, so consider opting for slipcovers in light-hued, natural fabrics.
Synthetic bedding can turn your bed into a fiery furnace with the advent of summer. If you don’t already have a separate set of summer sheets, there’s no better time than now to get some. Pick airy linens, cottons and cotton blends like sateen, percale and jersey.
Tip: Mid-range thread counts (between 300 and 400) are ideal for summer, because they encourage ventilation. Stay away from higher thread counts: they can trap heat in your bed.
Worried about maintaining your bed linen?
Tip: Mid-range thread counts (between 300 and 400) are ideal for summer, because they encourage ventilation. Stay away from higher thread counts: they can trap heat in your bed.
Worried about maintaining your bed linen?
2. Craft a mosquito net canopy
Gone are the days of hideous, forever-tangled mosquito nets in garish hues. Mosquito netting fashioned into a canopy can turn your bedroom into a magical haven. This way, you can steer clear of harmful mosquito repellents and, instead, opt for some old-fashioned charm. Suspend your centrepiece from the ceiling, or drape it over a four-poster bed.
Gone are the days of hideous, forever-tangled mosquito nets in garish hues. Mosquito netting fashioned into a canopy can turn your bedroom into a magical haven. This way, you can steer clear of harmful mosquito repellents and, instead, opt for some old-fashioned charm. Suspend your centrepiece from the ceiling, or drape it over a four-poster bed.
3. Install summer-friendly LED lights
With about 75 per cent less energy consumption than regular light bulbs, LED bulbs not only save on electricity but also produce less heat.
Find out why LED lights have got everyone talking
With about 75 per cent less energy consumption than regular light bulbs, LED bulbs not only save on electricity but also produce less heat.
Find out why LED lights have got everyone talking
4. Introduce a green corner
Indoor plants can lift a space and infuse natural energy. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii), snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), areca palms (Dypsis lutescens), aloe vera (Aloe vera) and money plants (Epipremnum aureum) can add a touch of greenery, purify the air and give the space a cooler, calmer look.
Explore five plants best-suited for Indian homes
Keep pesky mosquitoes at bay naturally, with these five plants
Indoor plants can lift a space and infuse natural energy. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii), snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), areca palms (Dypsis lutescens), aloe vera (Aloe vera) and money plants (Epipremnum aureum) can add a touch of greenery, purify the air and give the space a cooler, calmer look.
Explore five plants best-suited for Indian homes
Keep pesky mosquitoes at bay naturally, with these five plants
5. Check for ventilation leaks
The effectiveness of your AC depends on how well your room is insulated, because cool air tends to leak out of gaps. Check your windows and doors for drafts, and call in a mason to fill in the gaps. Ventilation leaks can usually be sealed with caulk or weatherstripping.
Tip: To check for an air leak, shut all the doors and windows in your home. Then, light an agarbatti (incense stick), hold it near the edges of each window and door frame and look for any apparent changes in the movement of the smoke. If there is an air leak, the smoke will waver due to incoming air. If not, the smoke will rise undisturbed.
Waterproof your home before the monsoon with this guide
The effectiveness of your AC depends on how well your room is insulated, because cool air tends to leak out of gaps. Check your windows and doors for drafts, and call in a mason to fill in the gaps. Ventilation leaks can usually be sealed with caulk or weatherstripping.
Tip: To check for an air leak, shut all the doors and windows in your home. Then, light an agarbatti (incense stick), hold it near the edges of each window and door frame and look for any apparent changes in the movement of the smoke. If there is an air leak, the smoke will waver due to incoming air. If not, the smoke will rise undisturbed.
Waterproof your home before the monsoon with this guide
6. Create pop-up elements
Pull together sunny elements to breathe life into your home. A hammock in the balcony, a tangerine pouffe or a fairytale lantern can create a summer dreamland for a season (until next year, that is).
Pull together sunny elements to breathe life into your home. A hammock in the balcony, a tangerine pouffe or a fairytale lantern can create a summer dreamland for a season (until next year, that is).
Feature layered folding mattresses and pillows in eye-popping colours. An impromptu seating arrangement is ideal for a casual summer wind-down.
7. Move furniture away from sunlight
If you have the luxury of space, it would be a good idea to rearrange your sofas to ensure that nobody is seated in harsh sunlight. Opt for cooler spaces in light shade to offer respite from the sun.
Read more:
Building Secrets to a Cool, Breezy Home for Hot Indian Summers
Trending Now: Beautiful Pools To Beat The Summer Blues
Tell us:
How do you plan on making your home summer-ready? Tell us in Comments below.
If you have the luxury of space, it would be a good idea to rearrange your sofas to ensure that nobody is seated in harsh sunlight. Opt for cooler spaces in light shade to offer respite from the sun.
Read more:
Building Secrets to a Cool, Breezy Home for Hot Indian Summers
Trending Now: Beautiful Pools To Beat The Summer Blues
Tell us:
How do you plan on making your home summer-ready? Tell us in Comments below.
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