Heatwave Furniture Care: 5 Ways to Protect Your Furniture in Extreme Heat
With another heatwave on the way, most of us are thinking about keeping ourselves — and our homes — as cool and comfortable as possible. But have you thought about how prolonged heat and strong summer sunshine can affect your furniture?
Natural materials such as wood respond to their surroundings. Changes in temperature and humidity, combined with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, can lead to drying, fading, movement and, in some cases, cracking or warping.
Upholstered furniture can also suffer during particularly sunny spells, with strong UV exposure gradually fading fabrics.
The good news is that a few simple precautions can make a real difference.
1. Keep Wooden Furniture Out of Direct Sunlight
We all love a bright, sunny room, but hours of strong sunlight aren't necessarily good news for your furniture.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can gradually alter the colour of timber and affect its finish. Depending on the wood and finish, you may notice areas becoming lighter, darker or uneven in colour over time. If your dining table, coffee table, cabinet or sideboard sits close to a sunny window, consider closing curtains or blinds during the hottest and brightest part of the day.
You don't need to spend summer sitting in the dark! Simply reducing the most intense periods of direct sunlight can help protect your furniture while keeping your room light and inviting.
Kayu Home tip: Pay particular attention to objects left permanently on a wooden surface. If one area is exposed to sunlight while another is covered by a vase, lamp or ornament, the difference in colour can become more noticeable over time. Occasionally repositioning accessories can help the surface age more evenly.
2. Avoid Sudden Changes in Temperature and Humidity
Wood is a natural material, and one of the things that makes it so beautiful is that it continues to respond to its environment. As humidity rises, wood can absorb moisture and expand slightly. In very dry conditions, it can lose moisture and contract. Extreme or rapid changes can therefore put additional stress on furniture.
During a heatwave, try to maintain a reasonably stable environment rather than subjecting furniture to dramatic changes. If you're using fans or air conditioning, for example, avoid directing very cold air continuously at a piece of wooden furniture.
The same principle applies throughout the year: positioning furniture immediately beside radiators, heaters or other strong heat sources isn't ideal for natural timber.
3. Give Dining and Coffee Tables a Little Extra Protection
Summer often means more entertaining — cold drinks, long lunches and evenings spent around the table. Avoid placing hot pans, serving dishes, mugs or plates directly onto a wooden tabletop. Heat can damage some finishes and may leave unwanted marks.
Cold drinks deserve attention too. On a hot day, condensation can quickly collect around a cold glass or bottle and leave moisture sitting on the surface. Use a coaster and wipe up spills or condensation promptly rather than allowing moisture to remain on the timber.
A beautiful wooden dining table is designed to be enjoyed, not treated like a museum piece — a few simple habits just help it stay beautiful while you use it.
4. Don't Forget Your Upholstery
It's not only wooden furniture that deserves some extra care during a heatwave. Strong sunlight can gradually fade upholstery, particularly when the same part of a sofa or armchair receives direct sunlight day after day. Curtains, blinds and shutters can all help reduce prolonged exposure during the brightest hours. If practical, you can also occasionally rotate cushions so that one side isn't permanently exposed to the sun.
And while it might be tempting to position your favourite chair in the sunniest spot in the house, consider how many hours of direct sunlight it receives each day — especially during the height of summer.
5. Protect Outdoor Wooden Furniture from Prolonged Heat
Garden furniture is naturally exposed to much tougher conditions than the furniture inside our homes. During prolonged periods of intense sunshine, providing some shade where possible can help reduce exposure. A parasol, covered terrace or naturally shaded area can make a difference.
When outdoor furniture isn't being used, a suitable breathable furniture cover can provide additional protection. Always follow the care instructions for your particular furniture, however, as the correct treatment will depend on the timber and finish. Outdoor wooden furniture may also require periodic cleaning and re-treatment with an appropriate product to maintain its appearance and protection.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
One of the pleasures of owning natural wooden furniture is watching it develop character over the years. Variations in grain, colour, texture and natural ageing are part of what makes each piece individual. The aim isn't to prevent your furniture from ever changing — it's to protect it from unnecessary damage and help it age beautifully.
Please note: Furniture care varies according to the type of timber, upholstery and finish. Always follow the specific care instructions supplied with your furniture before applying oils, waxes, cleaners or other treatments.
