Interior designers Nada El-Sheikh and Ahmed Shalaby told Ahram Online that simple adjustments inside the home, such as changing furniture colours or replacing heavy fabrics with natural ones, can help reduce the feeling of heat and improve cooling efficiency, which in turn reduces electricity consumption during the summer months.
El-Sheikh says colours affect more than aesthetics, as they also influence how heat is perceived indoors. Dark colours absorb more light and heat, while light colours reflect light and create a cooler, more spacious feeling. She recommends using white, ivory, beige, light blue, and soft green in summer for curtains, sofa covers, and bedroom textiles.
She adds that replacing heavy items with lighter-coloured ones is one of the simplest ways to give the home a fresher look without costly changes such as repainting walls or replacing dark upholstery. Even changing cushions and covers can be enough to achieve the desired effect.
She also notes that replacing heavy winter carpets with lighter alternatives made of cotton is another simple seasonal change that gives the home a fresher feel, while also improving the sense of coolness and reducing heat retention inside rooms.
For his part, Ahmed Shalaby explains that the materials used inside the home play an important role in managing heat. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen allow better airflow and help reduce heat and humidity retention compared with many synthetic fabrics.
Therefore, he recommends replacing heavy curtains and winter furnishings during summer with lighter and more breathable materials, which helps create a more comfortable indoor environment.
He says the global trend towards natural materials is no longer linked only to environmental sustainability, but has also become part of a strategy for adapting to repeated heat waves.
Since windows are among the main sources of heat entering buildings, especially in sunny areas, El-Sheikh stresses the importance of using thermal-insulating curtains or light-coloured curtains that reflect some of the sunlight. She recommends keeping them closed during peak hours from 12 noon to 4pm and opening them early in the morning or after sunset to benefit from natural ventilation.
Shalaby adds that smart management of natural light, along with the use of natural daylight and mirrors to reflect light inside rooms, can reduce the need to operate cooling and artificial lighting for long periods, which directly leads to lower electricity consumption.
Plants, airflow, and sensory design for indoor comfort
Energy-saving methods are not limited to the materials used, but also extend to the organization of interior spaces. According to Shalaby, too many pieces of furniture and large decorative items can block air movement inside rooms, increasing the feeling of heat and reducing ventilation efficiency.
Therefore, he recommends rearranging spaces during summer and removing unnecessary items, especially near windows and air outlets, to allow better airflow inside the home. He points out that designing layouts that leave clear air pathways and create a kind of “natural cooling” is one of the smart ways to reduce dependence on electrical appliances.
With growing interest in biophilic design, indoor plants have become an essential element in modern homes. El-Sheikh says plants not only add an aesthetic touch to indoor spaces, but also help improve air quality and enhance feelings of psychological comfort and freshness.
She notes that recommended indoor plants include areca palms, peace lilies, and snake plants because of their ability to adapt to indoor conditions and their ease of care. Other plants, such as aloe vera and sansevieria, also help purify the air, giving the room a greater sense of freshness and coolness, although they do not have a direct effect on temperature.
She explains that the impact of summer interior design is not limited to visual elements, but also extends to sensory effects. In this context, aromatic scents play an important role in enhancing the feeling of freshness.
Fragrances inspired by citrus, mint, and eucalyptus create a psychological sense of coolness and cleanliness, making them popular choices inside homes during summer months, even though they do not directly affect room temperature.
As part of efforts to reduce energy consumption, experts recommend using energy-efficient LED lamps, which produce much less heat than traditional bulbs.
Design and energy experts agree that the most comfortable homes are not necessarily the most expensive, but those that make efficient use of natural light, airflow, and suitable materials to reduce electricity use.
With rising energy costs worldwide, small changes in interior design can help lower household expenses and support sustainability without compromising comfort or beauty.
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