As the UK continues to enjoy ‘Ibiza-like’ heat this week, homeowners are being advised to close their curtains to protect their furniture.
As the Met Office predicts highs of 22°C this week, experts are advising Brits to close their curtains between 12 PM and 3 PM when UV rays are predicted to reach their peak intensity.
While the sun is great for us, it can be damaging to the furniture in our homes, especially those made of fabrics and wood – as Sam Tamlyn, product expert at Shutter Store, explained.
“Try to close your curtains or blinds in rooms you aren’t using on days when sunlight and ultraviolet rays are high,” he said. “When sun beams through the windows and onto furniture, the UV rays can bleach or warp the item”, he explained.
Even though keeping your curtains open on a couple of sunny days may not cause immediate damage to your furniture, if it’s continuously exposed to UV light, you may start to see the effects.
Sam explained that the extent of sunlight damage to your furniture depends on the item’s material. “Fabric and wood are the most likely to see significant damage from sunlight.”
He lists the signs that your furniture may already be experiencing damage from UV rays coming in through your windows:
Fabrics: If your rug, fabric couches or lampshades are looking lighter and washed out, this may be because they have been exposed to too much sun. This can weaken the fibers in the fabric, leading to tears and frays.
Wood furniture: If your wooden furniture, such as tables or chairs, are losing their colours, appearing lighter, bleached, or even greyish, this may be due to UV. Sun damage can cause wooden furniture to dry out and crack.
Laminate flooring: If your laminate flooring has started to warp or bend, this could be due to sun exposure. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the laminate to expand and contract, leading to cracking or lifting.
Sam mentioned that the furniture in rooms most likely to be affected are conservatories or any south-facing rooms with large windows.
Yarl Christie, Founder and Flooring expert at Stories Flooring, said, “It’s beneficial for your furniture to rearrange them periodically to ensure even exposure across the flooring.” He advised turning your larger sun-facing furniture once a year, if possible, to “balance the contrast between sunlit and shaded areas”, and the same goes for rugs.
So, whilst you try to get out in the sun this week, maybe draw a curtain or blind in the especially sun-heavy rooms to protect the furniture inside.
