The dos and don'ts of designing for comfort
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Loading... - Milenka Pierre
- 12 Aug 2022
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t takes more than plush fabrics and soft mood lighting to make a home comfortable. Beyond aesthetic and decorative touches, factors like humidity, air quality, and even temperature play an important role in how welcoming a space feels.
To better understand how to create holistic comfort, we turned to the pros— designer Emily Riddle and Trane Residential Senior Product Manager Darcy Lee—for advice on how to keep these factors and more top of mind when designing your interiors. Here's everything you need to do—and what to avoid.
DO: TAKE CONTROL OF THE TEMPERATURE
Installing a smart thermostat like the ComfortLink II XL1050 Thermostat from Trane is an easy way to ensure your home is always at your preferred temperature—and to control energy usage.
“It’s possible to save hundreds on energy costs by setting the temperature a little warmer or colder, depending on the season, when leaving the house for work or on vacation,” Lee says. “If you’re worried you’ll forget to do that, a smart thermostat takes the pressure off and helps maintain the perfect internal temperature of your home, no matter how much the external temperature fluctuates.”
In addition to having a network of controls and sensors to help optimize temperature and humidity levels, the ComfortLink II XL1050 offers real-time adjustments, scheduling, and remote controls for maximum comfort.
DO: FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY AND FLOW
Creating cohesive spaces helps people feel comfortable as they move around, according to Riddle. “Focus on making each area cozy and functional in its own way so guests can clearly see how to use it and where to sit,” she suggests. For example, on a patio, plush seating will encourage guests to relax and chat, while a table with chairs is better for eating and drinking.
“I also like to think about all of the practical elements in a space, like side tables for setting down a drink or a footstool in just the right spot,” Riddle adds.
DON'T: SLACK WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE
The Energy Information Administration found that more than half of energy use in homes is for heating and cooling. That’s why choosing the right HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system—and then maintaining it—is just as important as other money-saving choices, like insulating your home or using water-saving faucets.
Lee advises homeowners to work with a certified Trane dealer who will find a unit that meets their needs and who can ensure that the system is properly installed. “This way, you can trust that you will have someone to maintain it throughout its life,” she says. “A Trane dealer can make bi-annual visits to your home to ensure the system is working properly and doesn’t need any repairs.”
Make sure you schedule the appointments in early fall before the temperature drops and in early spring before it warms up.
DO: CONSIDER AIR QUALITY
Although sometimes overlooked, the quality of your home’s indoor air can impact your overall well-being. So consider installing an air purifier like the Trane CleanEffects Whole Home Air Cleaner. It can remove up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles that can affect asthma or allergies, according to Lee. Read More...
