The art of siesta-proof living (and why air conditioning isn’t the hero)

There was a time I believed air conditioning was the holy grail. One press of a button and your house becomes a cool cocoon. Until I realised that cocoon doesn’t just drain your electricity bill — it dulls your senses too. Everything goes quiet, dry, and vaguely unnatural.

Worse still: you lose the rhythm. Regular readers of this column will know I gave up on air conditioning a while ago. In Andalusia, you learn quickly: siesta-proof living isn’t about technology — it’s about temperament. And that requires a different way of looking at space, light and silence.

Your home as ally, not adversary

As the sun reaches its peak, your home becomes part of an ancient ritual. Shutters close, doors stay ajar, and the world quietly pulls back. Your house will do this instinctively — if you let it.

Instead of bolting air conditioners to every wall, you’re better off investing in natural shade. Think retractable awnings, thick curtains with a linen lining, or a big tree that shields your façade at the hottest hour. Siesta-proof living starts with letting coolness in — not fighting heat out.

Rhythm is everything (and mornings count twice)

Living in this climate requires a different kind of schedule. You do things before ten — and after that… as little as possible. Working, moving, thinking — all of it runs smoother if you shift it to the early hours. After that, it’s time to slow down.

A siesta-proof house supports that rhythm. With places to lie down, undisturbed by sun, noise, or your own thoughts. A simple hammock strung between two pillars, a room where screens are banned, or a quiet reading nook in the coolest part of the house.

Fans: the unsung heroes that keep on spinning

Air conditioning might be the superstar, but the fan is the drummer in the background band: steady, reliable, and never complaining. A ceiling fan on a low setting is often all you need to keep the air moving — without feeling like you’ve been locked in a walk-in freezer.

Besides, a bit of air movement makes everything more bearable. Even a midday nap. Even yourself.

Learn to live with light (but not all of it)

Not every window needs to offer a view. Sometimes you want the daylight filtered — through blinds, wooden shutters, or a climbing plant that’s free to do its thing. Siesta-proof living also means choosing where the light gets in — and where it doesn’t.

And no, a blackout roller blind with a tropical print does not count as a thoughtful sun strategy. Let your house write itself into your daily rhythm — not push against it.

Stillness is space

Most homes are designed around activity: a sitting area, a dining table, a desk, a place to cook. But where’s the place to do nothing? A siesta-friendly home has a corner that serves no purpose at all — except to disappear into for a while.

No distractions. No screens. Just presence. And if you add a soft breeze to that, you’ve gone further than technology ever will.