When a heatwave hits, most of us focus on keeping ourselves cool, but high temperatures and strong sunlight can also take a toll on our homes.
Carpets, curtains, upholstery, paintwork and wooden furniture can all fade or discolour when exposed to bright sunlight for long periods, while more everyday accessories such as candles, artwork, and books may soften, warp, dry out or crack.
The rooms most at risk are those with large windows, glass doors or south-facing aspects, where sunlight reaches the same areas of flooring and furniture for several hours a day. Fortunately, just a few simple changes can help reduce the damage.
Here's what to watch out for and how to prevent it.
Candles can melt or stain surfaces
Candles are unlikely to be at the forefront of your mind during a heatwave, so it is easy to forget about those sitting on mantels, windowsills or open shelving. Heat and direct sunlight can soften wax surprisingly quickly, leaving candles misshapen, leaning or completely melted.
Our commissioning editor, Cara Laskaris, discovered this first-hand when a pair of dinner candles took a rather sad turn after being left in a warm spot (see below). As well as losing their shape, candles can also leave waxy residue or staining on painted shelves, stone, wood or fabric surfaces.
To protect them, move candles away from windowsills, mantels and sunny shelves during hot weather, or store them away completely in a cool, dark place.
Fabrics can fade faster than you think
Carpets, curtains, upholstery and darker fabrics can all fade when exposed to strong sunlight, and the effect can happen fast during a heatwave. Rooms with large windows, south-facing aspects or skylights are especially vulnerable, as UV rays can gradually bleach colour from fibres.
Silk, linen and dark colours are particularly prone to visible fading, so it's worth considering this when buying pieces for sunlit rooms.
The best prevention is to use UV linings on curtains and blinds, close blinds or shutters during peak sun, and rotate cushions or rugs so that fading happens more evenly rather than in obvious patches. Alternatively, if you have throws or fabric remnants that you're less fussed about, these can be used as throw-on covers.
Wood can warp or bleach unevenly
Wooden furniture, flooring, veneers and picture frames can also suffer in strong heat and sunlight. Direct sun can bleach wood unevenly, while repeated exposure to high temperatures may cause certain pieces to dry out, warp or crack over time.
This is especially noticeable on dining tables, sideboards and floors where books or rugs have been left in the same position for months. When moved, they can reveal pale patches or darker outlines where the sun has reached one area more than another.
Where possible, keep wooden furniture out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day. It is also a good idea to move vases, trays and decorative objects around occasionally so they do not leave permanent marks or pale patches behind.
Leather can dry out and crack
Leather sofas, armchairs and accessories may look hardwearing, but they can be surprisingly sensitive to heat. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can dry leather out, causing it to fade, stiffen or crack.
This is particularly important if you have a leather sofa positioned close to a sunny window or a leather chair in a conservatory, garden room or bright bay window. Hot glass can intensify the heat, making the material dry out more quickly.
To protect leather, move pieces away from sunny windows where possible, use throws during the brightest part of the day, and avoid placing leather furniture directly against hot glass. Leather balms and conditioners can also help protect against sun exposure.
Artwork, books and photos can fade or curl
Framed prints, paintings, books and photographs can all be damaged by strong sunlight. Colours may fade, paper can yellow, and heat can cause pages or photographs to curl. Even framed artwork is not always fully protected unless it has been fitted with UV-protective glass.
Sun-facing shelves are a particular risk for books and photo frames, especially during a heatwave when blinds and curtains are often left open for longer periods.
Move delicate artwork, books and photographs away from direct sunlight where possible. For pieces that need to stay in a bright spot, consider UV-protective glass, specialist framing or clear UV-blocking window film.
Top tips for protecting your interiors from sunlight
- Line your window treatments
Blackout or UV linings can help reduce fading by limiting the amount of sunlight that reaches your interiors. They are especially useful for curtains, blinds and rooms where upholstery, rugs or wooden furniture sit close to windows. - Choose more resilient fabrics
Fabrics with some synthetic fibres in their make-up are often less likely to fade than fully natural materials. Darker-coloured fabrics, silk and linen can be more prone to losing their colour, so try to keep these pieces out of direct sunlight where possible. - Apply a clear UV-blocking film
Adding clear UV film to windows or glass doors can help minimise the rays that reach your furniture, flooring and soft furnishings without dramatically changing the look of the room.
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.
