This Easy Decorating Trick Can Cool Your Home During a Heat Wave

One simple addition can have a major effect on your home's temperature.

Published on June 25, 2025

Credit: Gordon Gregory

With summer in full swing, people are looking for any way to beat the heat. If your air conditioning is running but you’re still feeling overheated, or you don’t have access to cool air, one decor hack may benefit you this season.

Keeping Your Home Cool with Curtains and Blinds

One of the best ways to keep your home cool during a heat wave is by closing all of your blinds and curtains. Expert John McGaughey, vice president of sales at AUX AIR USA, says blocking out the sun is key for keeping your home cool, regardless of whether you have air conditioning.

"Close curtains or blinds during peak daylight hours, especially on south- and west-facing windows," said McGaughey in an AUX AIR USA press release. "Direct sunlight can raise indoor temps by 10–15°F and force your system to work overtime."

The Best Types of Curtains for Blocking Heat

Sunlight heats a room, which means you ideally want to opt for curtains that block sunlight rather than absorb it. Light-colored curtains are more effective than dark-colored curtains; light colors will reflect the sunlight outside of your home, whereas dark colors will absorb the heat.

While blinds and airy cotton curtains might look nice, blackout curtains that block sunlight from entering your room will be most effective at keeping things cool. Sheer curtains still let light into your room, causing it to heat up; blackout curtains will give your room a thicker layer of sun protection.

Regardless, even a bit of shade from a sheer curtain or blinds is better than nothing at all. The darker you keep the rooms in your home, the cooler it will be. While it might not be attainable to block out light all summer long, during a heat wave, it’s best to use the extra protection.

Keep Your Plants in Mind

Along with room-darkening curtains, consider moving indoor plants outside or behind your hanging curtains, so they can still get some sun. Also, keep your window sills clear of items that could prevent your curtains from fully blocking out the light.

It’s most essential to keep your curtains closed when faced with direct sunlight. As the day comes to a close, you can open them again, though the room may become slightly warmer.