White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
For the summer try going for lighter shades. Any colour can completely block out the sun, but temperature management changes according to the shade you choose. If you want that streamlined feel without the heat, consider a darker shade of blue or green.
For heavy-duty heat blocking, you'll want thermal drapes that are made with thick materials like polyester and microfiber. These also resist moisture and will minimize it from accumulating in between the window and curtain.
For cooling, black is actually worse for cooling a house, because it will actually absorb heat through the window, and re-radiate it into the house. White curtains are better because they will reflect heat radiation back out of the window.
In today's video, we're diving into a fascinating study from the National Institute of Environmental Studies in Japan that reveals the best colors to wear in the heat to keep you cool. The results? White, yellow, and light gray are the shades you need to beat the heat!
1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.
Color Reflectivity
Light Colors Reflect Sunlight: Opt for colors like white, light blue, and pastels. These colors reflect more sunlight, helping to keep your body temperature lower.
Blue: Known for its calming effect, blue is a popular choice for bedrooms. Light blues can create a serene environment, while darker blues add a sense of depth. Earth tones: Colors like taupe, brown, and olive green create a warm, inviting atmosphere that is perfect for a restful bedroom.
The rule of thumb is to choose curtains that are in the same colour family as the walls. Yet, be sure to choose a slightly lighter or darker share of the wall to create a tone-on-tone effect. In the past, the trend was to choose curtain colours in the opposite or complementary on the colour wheel of your wall paint.
'Bright colors like white help reflect the heat away, which will work best for keeping your bedroom cool,' says James.
Normal drapes and blinds will keep the sun out and potentially keep the home cooler, but the most efficient cooling fabric to hang is a blackout fabric. Luckily, so-called “blackout curtains” aren't always black, and they don't always have to be the main window dressing you install.
Lined curtains have an added lining layer of thick, insulating fabric on the back of the curtain which can either be attached to the curtain or can be hung on a separate track behind the curtain. The lining can be a matching or complementary fabric, or plain curtain fabric such as white or ivory.
Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases.
For the best heat-blocking ability, opt for tightly woven, medium-to-heavyweight cotton drapery.
Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun's rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.
Tranquil Neutrals for Versatility
Shades such as beige, ivory and light gray provide a neutral backdrop that complements various color schemes and allows other design elements to shine. Neutral curtains lend an elegant and sophisticated touch to living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas.
Light coloured curtains are good for rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight as they're less prone to fading from the sun. Dark and bright colours tend to fade faster. Good summer options as a white/lighter colour is more likely to bounce the sun's rays away keeping rooms cooler.
No law states that you can only match your curtain depending on the colour of your couch and wall. At the end of the day, it all depends on your style and preference.
The curtain colors you choose can have a dramatic effect on your environment and your mood. Warm colors like reds, oranges and golds tend to feel inviting. Cool colors like blues and greens incite relaxation. Stark colors like black, white and gray are refreshing to some, but unsightly to others.
Vibrant oranges, cozy reds, and sunny yellows infuse spaces with energy and warmth, two things that are always good to have in a room, no matter the season. For an instant and impactful transformation, pick warm paint colors or go the subtle route with warm-hue curtains, pillows, and upholstery.
An appropriate way of decorating your bedroom is to choose to fit your curtains with your bedding. They should compliment your bedding and not overtake your bedroom as the spotlight when selecting your curtains.To make your room feeling like a refuge, it needs more than just a fluffy duvet and a luxurious carpet.
Light colors like white, beige, pastel and pale tones are the best choices for staying cool during heat waves. These colors reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it, reducing the heat felt on your body. So opt for tops and dresses in light tones to stay comfortably cool.
White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.
Dark colors absorb more radiated heat from the sunlight while lighter colors reflect it. That's why wearing a black shirt on a sunny day makes you feel so much hotter than when you're wearing a white shirt!