protecting furniture from the sun
Natural light is a wonderful feature to have in any home – it brightens a room making colours and design elements stand out, brings a sense of warmth and creates a feeling of space, however it comes with some challenges, particularly in a country like ours where the sun can be quite harsh.
The UV rays from the sun can cause damage to furniture and other interior features… Sunlight fades bright colours of carpets, couches, chairs and other pieces of furniture that aren’t leather. cause damage to wood, sometimes causing permanent discolouration. UV light can either fade or darken wooden furniture, depending on the type of wood, so it is also important to think about furniture placement in rooms that receive a lot of natural light.
Although it is virtually impossible to completely prevent damage over time, one can minimise the impact of UV rays.
1. Window coverings
Decorating your living room, kitchen and dining area with window treatments can be an effective way to keep out some sunlight and protect furniture from sun damage.
However, for this method to be most effective, nearly 100% of the window has to be covered, which is not always possible, especially when you want to let in some light. Some window treatment options, however, give you control over the amount of light entering into the room. Options include:
- Blinds which enable you to change the angle of the slats and raise and lower their level
- Shades that block out the sun from the top half of the window but permit light to come through the bottom half
- Window-length or floor-length curtains that can be closed or opened to regulate incoming light levels
2. Avoid sunlight
This tip may seem obvious but keeping furniture away from direct sunlight in the first place is one of the best ways to preserve their condition and colour. Try to place more valuable pieces in shaded areas of the room away from windows and skylights.
3. Add window film
This can be applied on the inside of windows. When applied tinted window film can help block the vast majority of the sun’s harmful UV rays and hopefully prevent your furniture from fading. Most window film doesn’t restrict your view of the outside, either so you can see in and out providing a clear view of the outdoors.
4. Consider solar blinds or sheer weave blinds
Solar blinds or sheer weave blinds can block up to 95% of UV rays but still allow natural light into a room. These blinds are tightly woven to protect against sun damage but still provide a good view of the outdoors.
5. Keep fragile furniture covered
This is not ideal but if you have no other option, you can use a beautiful throw to keep fragile furniture covered when in direct sunlight, removing the cover when the sun moves or is not so harsh. A beautiful throw draped neatly over a couch or chair can be a design feature rather than an eye sore.
Mary Interior Decorators has more than 4 decades worth of experience in décor and design and can assist you with finding ways to ensure that you maximise the light in your home whilst still protecting your furniture and interior.
Give us a call on 011 268 0329 or visit our showroom for more information. You can also email nikos@marysinteriors.co.za.
