Struggling with a hot bedroom? Keeping it cool and comfortable during summer often comes down to a few simple tweaks — from blocking out heat during the day to improving airflow at night. Even small changes can make a noticeable difference, helping your bedroom feel fresher, cooler and far more comfortable for sleeping on warm nights.
‘One of the biggest impacts of heatwaves is on sleep,’ says Dr Ben Roberts, specialist in indoor environments at Loughborough University. ‘On hot nights, people struggle to fall asleep, and that sleep deprivation adds up – reducing productivity, increasing illness risk, and potentially even contributing to long-term conditions.’
Below, we explain the most effective ways to keep your bedroom cool, comfortable and far more sleep-friendly — even during the height of a heatwave.
1. Switch to breathable bedding
With fluctuating temperatures becoming increasingly common, it’s worth reconsidering your bedding setup for summer. Swapping out heavier layers can make a huge difference when it comes to getting a better night’s sleep.
‘One of the simplest ways to stay cool is by swapping out heavier winter bedding for lighter, more breathable fabrics,’ says Josh Branigan, interiors expert at Bed Kingdom. ‘Materials like cotton and linen allow air to circulate and help absorb moisture, which can make a noticeable difference on warmer nights and help you feel fresher when you wake up.’
Cambridge 200 Thread Count Duvet Cover
Using a lower tog duvet during summer is equally important. Ideally, you should have one duvet for spring and summer, and another for autumn and winter. ‘A tog rating between 2.5 and 4.5 is usually ideal, as it provides enough comfort without trapping excess heat,’ adds Josh.
Mattresses can also retain warmth, making already hot nights feel even more uncomfortable. ‘Choosing breathable materials or investing in a cooling mattress can help regulate temperature,’ Josh tells us. ‘This will create a more comfortable sleep surface, especially during heatwaves.’
If you tend to overheat at night, swapping to a lightweight blanket or even just a breathable sheet can make a big difference during warm weather, helping you stay cooler and far more comfortable while you sleep.
2. Cool down your bed before you get in it
Cooling down your bed won’t keep it cold all night, but it can bring welcome relief during the hardest part of the evening — when most people struggle to drift off in the heat.
‘My favourite thing to do when the warmer months set in is to freeze a hot water bottle,’ says Bill Parkinson, bed expert at Sleepy Piglet. ‘It is a well known trick because it’s so simple yet so effective.’
Place it in your bed a few minutes before getting in to quickly lower the temperature, then move it towards your feet, as this part of the body is especially sensitive to temperature changes.
‘For a really quick fix, keeping an old cotton T-shirt or towel in the freezer to lay over your pillow or chest offers a surprisingly effective burst of relief on the worst nights,’ adds Stephen Day, director at iHeat.
3. Keep sunlight out during the day
As lovely as waking up to sunlight can be, during hotter weather, it’s best to keep your bedroom shaded throughout the day to stop heat from building up indoors.
‘Keeping blinds or curtains closed during peak daylight hours helps block out direct sunlight and stops your bedroom from becoming too warm, especially if it gets a lot of sun throughout the day,’ says Josh.
It might feel natural to open the windows for extra airflow, but during a heatwave, this can actually trap more heat indoors if the temperature outside is warmer than your bedroom.
‘The best time to open windows is when temperatures are cooler at night for cross ventilation, as this will draw cool air inside and push hot air out,’ adds Steve Larkin, interiors expert and CEO of Lark & Larks.
Creating a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home can be especially effective, helping cooler air circulate through the room and refreshing the space before bedtime.
4. Use fans effectively
You may already rely on a fan during warmer weather, but if your bedroom still feels stuffy, trapped heat could be to blame. Fans circulate air rather than cooling it directly — unless you pair them with a few clever tricks to help lower the temperature.
‘Placing one near an open window can help pull cooler air into the room, while another across the space helps keep air moving,’ explains Josh.
For an instant cooling boost, try placing a bowl of ice or a cold, damp cloth in front of the fan to make the airflow feel cooler.
‘You can also use it in combination with a damp sheet hung in front of the window to create a DIY evaporative cooler,’ adds Isabella Forgione, small appliance expert at AO.com.
Plus, while dehumidifiers won’t actually lower the temperature, they can help the room feel less sticky and much more comfortable.
5. Declutter your space
Refreshing your bedroom for spring and summer isn’t just aesthetically pleasing – it can also help your room feel cooler and less stuffy.
‘Reducing excess items improves airflow and stops the room from feeling stuffy or overcrowded,’ says Josh. ‘It also creates a calmer, more relaxing environment, which is especially helpful when you’re trying to wind down in the heat.’
If you don’t have time for a full bedroom reset before a heatwave arrives, try a quick declutter with two bags – one for items to throw away and another for donations. Afterwards, give surfaces a quick wipe down to clear away dust and finish with a citrus-scented diffuser for a fresh, summery feel.
6. Choose lighter colours
‘Bringing in lighter colours can instantly make your bedroom feel brighter and cooler. Darker tones tend to absorb heat, while lighter shades reflect light and help open up the space,’ says Josh.
Switching to pale bedding, cushions, or throws in whites, creams and soft pastels can instantly give your room a fresher seasonal update. And if you’ve been thinking about repainting dark walls, summer is the perfect excuse to opt for a lighter paint shade.
7. Cut hidden heat sources
Bedrooms often double up as workspaces or entertainment zones, but electronics can quietly add unwanted warmth to smaller or poorly ventilated rooms.
‘Try to avoid using laptops or hairdryers in the bedroom close to bedtime, switch to low-heat LED bulbs, and turn devices off at the socket rather than leaving them on standby,’ explains Stephen. ‘Even a television, games console or charger left on standby emits small but compounding amounts of warmth.’
It’s a surprisingly easy way for room temperatures to creep up – contributing to that stuffy, overheated feeling that can make drifting off far more difficult.
What is the ideal bedroom temperature?
If you’re wondering how cool your bedroom should actually be, experts say the ideal sleeping temperature sits between 14°C and 18°C.
‘This is cooler than most people would expect, and roughly the equivalent of a brisk spring morning,’ says Stephen. ‘That's because your body naturally lowers its core temperature at night to prepare for sleep.’
Keeping your bedroom within this range helps support that natural process, making it easier to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for longer.
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The Cooling Edit
