Living in Europe taught me a lot about staying cool when summer hits, and it’s not always easy. Especially in a small apartment with no air conditioning.
In cities like Paris, Rome, or Barcelona, traditional buildings often don’t have built-in AC, and portable units aren’t always an option (they’re bulky, loud, and expensive to run). So, what do you do when the temperature climbs but your apartment feels like a toaster?
Here’s what I’ve learned: You can keep your apartment cool inside without relying on AC. It just takes a mix of smart airflow tricks, mindful habits, and some sustainable home ideas.
Whether you’re a renter, trying to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply trying to make it through the next heatwave, these strategies work.
Let’s dive into the most effective (and affordable) ways to stay comfortable, even when the sun won’t quit.
Optimize Airflow in Your Apartment With No Air Conditioning
One of the first things I learnt, the key is airflow. Without having AC inside, your goal is to keep the air moving and letting the hot air escape; that is what will help your apartment feel cool inside.
1. Create a Cross-Breeze
If you have windows on opposite sides of your apartment with no air conditioning, you’re in luck. Open them both to create a cross-breeze and natural airflow. Even if you have windows only on one side, cracking open the door and placing a fan nearby can help circulate the air throughout your space
To give it a boost, place a fan near one window facing outward to push hot air out, and keep another window open to let cooler air flow in. This allows cooler air to flow in and pushes the hot air out, especially in the early morning or late evening.
2. Use Fans Strategically
Here’s a common mistake: don’t place a fan in a sunny window, it only lets more heat in. Instead, put a box fan or small table fan near the hottest room, facing out. This helps get hot air from the apartment rather than just moving it around.
Fans cool by circulating air, but they work best when they’re not just recycling the same warm air. You’ll get the most relief when they’re placed thoughtfully to pull heat out or bring in cooler evening air.
Want a bonus? Look into solar-powered fans, a great eco idea that uses energy from the sun without adding to your power bill.
Block Out Heat Before It Enters
Once heat gets in, it’s much harder to cool your space. The trick is to block sunlight and hot air before they flood your apartment.
3. Use Shutters (If You Have Them) in an Apartment With No Air Conditioning
Many European apartments have shutters, and they’re a game-changer. If your place has them, use them during the hottest parts of the day. The reason shutters work so well is that they stop sunlight before it hits the glass, keeping heat outside instead of letting it radiate inward.
Pair shutters with blackout curtains to create a terrific heat barrier. This combo can cut down on solar heat gain dramatically, especially if you’re living in an apartment with no air conditioning.
4. Time Your Window Openings
This is one habit that made the biggest difference for me: taking the time to close everything up once the sun starts heating your space.
Shut windows, draw curtains, and keep shutters tight. Then, once it cools down, usually in the evening or early morning, open everything up and let fresh air in.
Leave them open as long as possible to flush out the trapped heat.
These rhythms mirror how homes in Mediterranean countries are traditionally cooled and trust me, they work.
Other Ways to Block Heat in an Apartment With No Air Conditioning
Not all apartments come with shutters, but there are still smart ways to block the heat and stay cool inside without home AC. Using a combination of these means less sunlight enters, your fans work better, and you rely far less on energy-draining cooling alternatives. They’re also easy to remove at the end of summer or if you’re in a rental apartment without AC.
Tinted UV Window Vinyl: This easy-to-apply film reflects UV rays while still letting in some natural light. It reduces solar heat gain and helps keep your apartment cool inside without fully darkening the room. It’s renter-friendly and a great eco idea for long, hot summers.
Thermal Curtains or Liners: If blackout curtains aren’t enough, thermal curtains offer an extra layer of insulation. Some are made with reflective backing to push heat away, while others help trap cool air indoors.
Magnetic or Velcro Window Covers: These DIY or budget-friendly options attach directly to the window frame, blocking sun completely. They’re especially helpful for rooms that face direct afternoon sun.
Swap Out Heat-Trapping Materials
Some materials retain heat more than you’d expect. From bedding to kitchen tools, switching them out for lighter, breathable options can help keep your apartment cool inside.
Switch to Breathable Bedding
Synthetic sheets can make summer nights miserable.
We swapped our sheets over to linen and lightweight cotton; it really made a difference. They wick away sweat, breathe better, and don’t hold onto heat the same way other fabrics do.
If you’re trying to keep your apartment without AC more livable at night, this is one make the nights easier.
5. Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances in an Apartment With No Air Conditioning
Another lesson I learned: cooking adds serious heat to a small space. Ovens, stovetops, and even dishwashers give off warmth that lingers for hours. Instead, I lean on no-cook meals, cold plates, and even prepping in the morning before things heat up.
This isn’t just a summer survival tactic; it’s also a smart, sustainable idea. You’ll use less electricity and generate less heat overall.
Skip the dryer and embrace a cooler (and more sustainable) routine by air drying your laundry in your apartment it’s one of the easiest ways to cut both heat and energy use.
Sustainable Cooling for an Apartment With No Air Conditioning
If you want to stay cool inside while also thinking green, try these low-impact, highly effective tricks. They’re ideal for anyone in an apartment with no air conditioning, and most won’t cost much to implement.
Want to make longer-term changes that benefit both your comfort and your wallet? These sustainable swaps for small apartments are practical, low-waste, and often surprisingly affordable.
6. DIY Cooling Hacks
Try this classic: place a bowl of ice in front of a fan. As the fan blows over the ice, it creates a chillier airflow that makes your room feel instantly cooler. It’s not high-tech, but it works—especially if you’re sitting close by.
Another idea? Soak a light cloth in cold water and hang it in front of an open window. As the breeze comes through, it’ll create a natural cooling effect similar to a swamp cooler.
7. Add Houseplants for Passive Cooling
Some indoor plants release moisture into the air and even help regulate temperature. Snake plants, aloe vera, and ferns are great choices. They’re also good for air quality, which can get stale in a closed-up apartment without AC.
Think of this as one of those eco ideas that adds beauty and function to your space.
Beyond cooling benefits, adding greenery to your home is part of embracing biophilic design, a philosophy that brings nature indoors to boost well-being and comfort.
Adjust Your Routine for an Apartment With No Air Conditioning
Even the best tools won’t help much if your daily routine is working against you. Simple behavioral shifts can make a big impact, especially in an apartment without AC.
8. Stay Hydrated & Dress for the Heat
Make cold water your best friend. There is always a stack of reusable bottles chilling in the fridge, cold and ready to be drunk. Opt for loose, breathable clothing made from natural fibers like linen, cotton, and bamboo.
9. Cool Your Pulse Points
Run cold water over your wrists or wrap a damp towel around your neck. You can also press a cold bottle to your ankles or behind your knees—any spot where blood vessels are close to the surface.
No fancy gadgets, no home AC, just smart, sustainable ideas that cool the body directly.
A Cool, Comfortable Apartment With No Air Conditioning Is Possible
Beating the heat in an apartment with no air conditioning might take some adjustment, but it’s completely doable. By using these sustainable home ideas, smart airflow strategies, and day-to-day habit tweaks, I’ve learned to stay cool inside even during Europe’s worst heatwaves.
These cooling strategies are just one part of a broader shift toward eco-friendly apartment living—check out more practical habits that reduce waste and energy year-round.
It’s not just about surviving summer; it’s about creating a space that feels comfortable, breathable, and balanced. And if you’re eco-minded, these eco ideas also reduce your energy footprint, making your home a little kinder to the planet too.
So skip the AC if you can, and give these strategies a try. Your body (and your power bill) will thank you.