insideKENT Issue 172 - AUGUST 2026 | Page 163

HOME + GARDEN and materials from your existing space and mirror furniture style and tones to tie it together.

BEDDING MATTERS Just like furniture materials, bedding matters too. Natural materials like wool actively draw heat and moisture away from the body, helping maintain a comfortable sleep environment, while Luff Sleep’ s new Honeycombe Cooling Pillow( RRP £ 49.99, luffsleep. co. uk) has been hailed as the ultimate heatwave sleep hack as it helps to keep your neck and head temperature down thanks to its gel honeycomb grid and waffle-like bamboo finish.

WFH HEATBUSTING Suddenly, as the temperature rises, the allure of hybrid work with no office A / C is as appealing as a mid-afternoon melted Magnum. Emma Mundy, sales manager and ceiling material expert at Ceiling Tiles UK( ceilingtilesuk. co. uk) has some top tips for cooling your home office:

Reduce heat from your work set-up- laptops, computers and chargers are an actual heat hotbed; reduce your heat by unplugging chargers and unused equipment and close down unused apps. Relocate your desk space away from windows or to a lower floor- your home-office bedroom corner with views of the garden won’ t work so well in a heatwave! Instead, avoid south-facing windows and move to a lower floor space away from direct sunlight. Block direct sunlight- blocking the light completely between 11am- 3pm can help lower heat levels. Close blinds and leave them closed overnight and into the morning sun to cool your workspace early. Open windows on opposite sides of the room- even on low breeze days you can create airflow by creating cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of the room.

SHOWER SHORTCUTS Showers have become one of the quickest ways to cool down, whether you’ re getting ready for the day or trying to sleep comfortably at night. It’ s no surprise that many people instinctively turn the temperature right down in the hope of instant relief.

When temperatures soar, many of us opt for an ice‐cold shower. It feels like the quickest way to cool down, but according to Karen Wise, shower expert at Triton( tritonshowers. co. uk), very cold water can have the opposite effect:

“ When your skin is exposed to cold water, your blood vessels tighten. This traps heat inside the body rather than releasing it, which means your core temperature can rise again once you step out of the shower. You may feel cooler for a moment, but the effect does not last. A lukewarm or cool shower is far more effective in a heatwave. It helps your body lower its temperature gradually, without triggering that shock response.”

Instead, Karen advises that you choose lukewarm water, shower in the evening, keep your showers short, ensure good bathroom airflow by maximising ventilation and opt for a shower head that offers multiple spray settings including soft rainfall and misting to aid cooling, and high pressure jets for muscle ease.

THE ULTIMATE FANZONE No, we’ re not talking World Cup madness, but actually how to use your fan correctly. Matt Ladell, brand manager at Duux( duux. co. uk), explains:“ The key to getting the most out of a fan lies in understanding how they actually work. Many people think a fan will lower the temperature of a room, but in reality, it’ s airflow that creates a cooling effect. With that in mind, a few simple adjustments can make a dramatic difference to comfort during hot weather.” can make the difference between simply moving air and actually improving comfort. Higher speeds can be used to quickly move hot air out of a room, while lower settings help maintain a comfortable environment once the temperature stabilises. Oscillation is another key feature that often goes underused. By sweeping air across a wider area, it helps distribute airflow evenly rather than concentrating it in one spot- particularly useful in larger or shared spaces.

Enhance the cooling effect. While fans don’ t actively lower the temperature of a room, there are small adjustments that can make them feel more effective. Placing a bowl of ice or cold water in front of a fan can help create a cooler breeze as air passes over it. Similarly, a damp cloth positioned in the airflow can produce a subtle evaporative cooling effect. Consistency also plays a role. Running your fan strategically throughout the day, rather than only when a room feels too warm, can help maintain a more stable and comfortable environment.

BEAT THE HEAT! iK’ S TOP PICKS

The Bamboo Honeycomb Pillow, £ 49.99, luffsleep. co. uk

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