In a small home, heat can build up quickly. Compact rooms have less space for warm air to disperse, and heat from sunny windows, cooking, appliances and poor ventilation can make the whole area feel stuffy.
The best approach is to keep heat out during the day, stop it spreading between rooms and release trapped warmth once the temperature drops (if you haven't heard of the caveman method for keeping a home cool, be sure to check it out).
Below are a few helpful tips to stop a smaller home building up heat during hot spells.
Close your curtains
Start by closing curtains, blinds or shutters on sun-facing windows, especially in the afternoon. If one side of your home gets strong sun, treat those windows as a priority, as even one bright room can warm the rest of a compact space.
Keep internal doors shut
Where possible, use internal doors to create barriers. Keep kitchen doors closed while cooking, shut off conservatories or sunny rooms and focus on keeping one room cool rather than trying to cool the whole home.
Don't use your oven in the middle of the day
Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest part of the day. Ovens, hobs, tumble dryers and even multiple devices charging can add warmth to a small room. Choose no-cook meals, cook early in the morning, or use smaller appliances where practical.
Ventilate strategically
Keep windows closed when it is hotter outside than inside, then open them in the early morning or evening when the air is cooler.
If you can, open windows on opposite sides of the home to create a through breeze. Make sure you keep airflow routes clear. Move laundry racks, bulky furniture, thick throws or piles of cushions away from windows, fans and doorways so air can circulate more freely.
Think outside the box
Finally, think about shade outside as well as inside. A parasol, awning, climbing plant, bamboo screen or potted tree near a sunny window can help stop sunlight hitting the glass in the first place.
Cooling summer essentials
Comfortably Cool 1 Tog Duvet
ChillPill 3-in-1 Fan, Mist & InstaChill System
DREO 7500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Emma Premium Pillow
Daisy Bendall is the Houses Editor at Country Living and House Beautiful, where she spends her days sourcing some of the most inspiring homes across the country. Prior to specialising in real homes, Daisy worked for Good Housekeeping, Red, Elle Decoration and Prima, styling shoots, covering the latest decorating trends and hunting down the best buys for your home.
