How to Passively and Visually Cool Your Apartment
Arm your home for the heatwave now, and later, with these – literally – cool tips
Install window films
Ideally glass should be double-glazed, well-shaded (by an exterior overhang) or recessed so that heat transfer to the interior is minimised. If it’s not, apply some tinted window film to keep out heat and glare, and help decrease the cooling load on your air-conditioner. Window films are also effective in preserving the colour of upholstery fabrics, wall or floor coverings.
Ideally glass should be double-glazed, well-shaded (by an exterior overhang) or recessed so that heat transfer to the interior is minimised. If it’s not, apply some tinted window film to keep out heat and glare, and help decrease the cooling load on your air-conditioner. Window films are also effective in preserving the colour of upholstery fabrics, wall or floor coverings.
Use blackout shades…
In addition to keeping the sun out, blackout shades help to absorb the heat that your windows are emitting indoors.
In addition to keeping the sun out, blackout shades help to absorb the heat that your windows are emitting indoors.
And sheer curtains
Soften the harsh sunlight, and cut down the heat getting in with sheer curtains. When layered with blackout curtains, you can draw back the heavier window dressing to brighten up your space without completely exposing it.
Stay sun-smart with soft furnishings
Soften the harsh sunlight, and cut down the heat getting in with sheer curtains. When layered with blackout curtains, you can draw back the heavier window dressing to brighten up your space without completely exposing it.
Stay sun-smart with soft furnishings
Select cool-temperature lights
Singapore is already lit with harsh, tropical sunlight, which you wouldn’t want to replicate indoors with artificial light. Check the colour temperature of the bulbs you are buying – warm white light ranges from 2,000-3,000 K (Kelvin), cool white is 3,100-4,500K and daylight 4,600-6,500K.
Singapore is already lit with harsh, tropical sunlight, which you wouldn’t want to replicate indoors with artificial light. Check the colour temperature of the bulbs you are buying – warm white light ranges from 2,000-3,000 K (Kelvin), cool white is 3,100-4,500K and daylight 4,600-6,500K.
Adopt a cool palette
Warm colours such as red, orange and yellow aren’t called ‘warm’ for nothing – they are the colours of fire and the sun. Counter the heat with cool colours such as blue or grey. Light neutrals are also soothing.
Warm colours such as red, orange and yellow aren’t called ‘warm’ for nothing – they are the colours of fire and the sun. Counter the heat with cool colours such as blue or grey. Light neutrals are also soothing.
Look into wallpaper that will make you think of cooler places
An underwater theme, for example, or a wintry scene on the wall will transport you visually to a cooler climate.
See more cooling wallpaper ideas
An underwater theme, for example, or a wintry scene on the wall will transport you visually to a cooler climate.
See more cooling wallpaper ideas
Bring in the greens
Plants freshen the air in your home, and also visually refresh you.
Container plants for the tropics
Plants freshen the air in your home, and also visually refresh you.
Container plants for the tropics
SkyVille @ Dawson by WOHA Architects, Photo courtesy of WOHA / Patrick Bingham-Hall
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How are you keeping cool in this heat? Share your cooling ideas in the Comments section.
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TELL US
How are you keeping cool in this heat? Share your cooling ideas in the Comments section.
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Read urban planting stories
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Photo courtesy of WOHA / Patrick Bingham-Hall