5 easy ways to cool a living room quickly without air conditioning, according to pros – feel comfortable even during extreme heat

Usually, a living room is the best place in the home to engage in some leisure time. But with the June heatwave having reached almost unbearable temperatures this week, if your living room is hot and stuffy, I can imagine you’re avoiding it. However, experts have revealed five tips to cool your living room without air conditioning, so you can enjoy it all summer long.

Sadly, the best portable air conditioners are selling out fast, and while air coolers make an excellent alternative, it’s a good idea to learn some handy tips to cool a home without relying on an AC unit.

So, I reached out to the experts to find out how to turn your living room ideas into a cooler space during a heatwave. This is what they said.

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1. Check your furniture placement

First things first, you should consider where your sofa and bulky furniture items, such as armchairs, are positioned in your living room. Because a lesser-known furniture trick is that by moving your furniture away from walls and windows, you can improve airflow, which contributes to cooling.

‘One of the biggest mistakes I see is placing large furniture directly in front of windows or too close to natural light sources,' Ellie Brown, Interior Designer at Oak&More, explains.

‘Natural light is important, but so is airflow. During warmer weather, blocking the movement of air around windows can make rooms feel noticeably stuffier. Many homeowners place sofas directly in front of bay windows because it feels like the most practical use of space. But allowing light and air to move freely through the room often creates a much more comfortable environment.’

2. Turn off appliances

‘Obviously, we've all still got households to run during a heatwave, but appliances like tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens and even gaming PCs generate extra heat, which can really add up, especially in smaller homes or flats,’ says Angus Struthers, Managing Director at BOXT.

‘It's worth avoiding these kinds of heat-producing appliances during the hottest part of the afternoon, especially in smaller homes or flats where heat builds up quickly.’

In a living room, there are plenty of appliances that can cause excess heat in your home. From TVs to stereo systems, consoles, smart home devices, and even lighting. To prevent overheating and save money on your energy bills, ensure all your living room appliances are unplugged when not in use.

3. Block the heat at the window

If you have a south-facing living room, you’ll probably already be aware of using thermal curtains and blinds to block out heat and sun glare. During a heatwave, it is a good idea to keep your curtains drawn during the hottest part of the day to keep heat out. Using blackout or thermal curtains does this job more effectively.

‘For me, this is always the first step: stop the heat getting in. I keep blinds or curtains closed on any windows getting direct sun during the day. Something like Duette blinds works really well because of the honeycomb design as it traps air and acts as an extra layer of insulation at the window, which helps keep rooms noticeably cooler,’ says Simon Browne, product expert at Luxaflex.

4. Consider fan placement

Even if you have one of the best fans at your disposal, if you position it wrong, all you will do is blow hot air around your living room.

‘With hotter days, many households also rely more heavily on fans. While fans are far cheaper to run than air conditioning, their placement still matters. A fan placed near an open window during the hottest part of the day can actually pull warm air inside, making the room feel hotter. Positioning fans to circulate cooler air in the evening or directing airflow across your body rather than the whole room can keep you comfortable without unnecessary energy use,’ says Stuart Middleton, consumer energy expert at So Energy.

You can also place a frozen bottle of water or a bowl of ice in front of your fan to create your own air conditioning effect. As the air is blown over the ice, it evaporates, cooling the air around it.

5. Check windows and doors are sealed properly

Lastly, if your living room is constantly getting too hot, despite your best efforts, you should check to see whether heat can enter through any window or door seals.

‘If a room never seems to stay cool, even after you’ve kept external windows and doors shut, it’s worth checking the actual windows and doors. Old windows, warped doors, failed seals, or poor glazing can all let warm air in. A well-fitted window or external door should help control the temperature indoors. If there are draughts in winter, there’s a good chance heat is getting in during summer too,’ says Darren Coates, windows, doors and roofing expert at SolarFrame.

Air conditioning alternatives

If you haven't been able to get your hands on a portable AC, these tips can help cool your living, making it a more comfortable area of the home this summer.