1. Keep Heat Out of the Bedroom
The easiest time to cool a bedroom is before it gets hot.
During The Day
- Close curtains or blinds before direct sunlight reaches the room.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical equipment.
- Use blackout blinds in rooms that receive strong afternoon sun.
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Keep your windows closed when it's hotter outside than indoors.
In The Evening
Once the outdoor temperature begins to fall, open the windows and let cooler air circulate. Opening windows on opposite sides of the home can create a better flow than relying on one window alone.
A fan will not lower the actual temperature of the room, but moving air across the skin can make it feel noticeably cooler. Put your fan near an open window to bring colder air in or angle it across the bed rather than directing it at one spot throughout the night.
A bedroom temperature of around 16 °C to 18 °C works well for many sleepers, but there is no need to become overly precise. The aim is simply to create a room that feels cool, shaded, and well-ventilated.
2. Be Mindful of Your Evening Routine
The temperature you bring into the bedroom matters too.
| Early Evening | Before Bed |
| Eat a lighter meal on particularly warm days | Drink water rather than catching up once you are in bed |
| Switch to morning exercising or try to finish a bit earlier | Give your body time to cool down |
| Limit alcohol as it can make you feel hot and restless | Take a cool or lukewarm shower/bath |
| Prepare lighter bedding before the room heats up | Choose loose, breathable nightwear |
Heavy or spicy meals can make some people feel warmer, while alcohol may leave you sleepy initially but restless later in the night.
There’s no need to overhaul your entire routine. A light dinner, avoiding alcohol and more time to cool down may be enough to make the bed feel noticeably more comfortable.
3. Cool Down Before Bed
A lukewarm shower or bath can help you unwind without leaving you overheated. A cold shower might be refreshing at first, but it can also be stimulating just before you go to bed.
Keep the rest of your routine simple:
- Dim the lights.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Choose light, loose-fitting nightwear.
- Keep a fresh pillowcase nearby during a heatwave.
You’re not trying to make yourself cold; the goal is to arrive in bed feeling comfortable rather than carrying the heat to bed with you.
4. Create a Cooler Bed
The duvet often gets the blame for an uncomfortable night, but every layer has a part to play.
| Layer | What To Look For |
| Bed linen | Breathable cotton percale or linen |
| Duvet | A lighter tog or naturally temperature-regulating filling |
| Pillow | A breathable cover and moisture-managing filling |
| Mattress protector | Lightweight rather than heavily padded |
| Breathable sleepwear | Loose shapes and breathable fibres |
| Avoid unnecessary layers | Remove throws and blankets; replacing your duvet with a flat sheet can make a huge difference. |
For us, the best materials are those that quietly adapt. They allow air to circulate, help moisture disperse and create comfort without holding onto unnecessary heat.
Check out our guide to finding the perfect bedding for each season for more on different fillings, fibres and weaves that perform as temperatures change.
5. Choose Bed Linen That Breathes
Cotton percale and linen are both excellent choices for warmer nights, but they offer a different feel.
| Bed Linen | How It Feels | Best For |
| Cotton percale | Crisp, smooth and fresh | Hot sleepers who prefer classic crisp and cool hotel-style bedding |
| Cotton sateen | Smooth, soft and more enveloping | Cooler sleepers or transitional weather |
| Linen | Airy, textured and relaxed | Warm, humid nights and moisture management |
Extra-long staple cotton percale has a light, simple weave that feels crisp against the skin. Linen has a softer, more relaxed character and becomes increasingly supple through use and washing.
On the hottest nights, try using a flat sheet in place of the duvet. It provides light coverage without adding unnecessary warmth.
6. Switch To A Summer Duvet
A duvet’s tog rating tells you how much warmth it retains. If your current duvet works well for most of the year but becomes uncomfortable in summer, changing to a lighter weight may make the greatest difference.
| Summer Option | Best For |
| Lightweight wool duvet | Hot sleepers and summer use. A 4.5 tog duvet is the perfect choice. |
| Lightweight down | Those who prefer an airy, lofty feel |
| Flat Sheet | Heatwaves and especially warm bedrooms |
Sleeping cool does not have to mean stripping the bed completely. The right summer duvet should still feel comforting, just without holding onto more warmth than you need.
How Does Wool Keeps You Cool in Summer
Wool is often considered a winter material, but in reality it's much, much more. Wool's ability to adapt is what makes it useful during summer.
Its fibres help moisture move away from the body while releasing excess warmth when it is not needed. The result is a bed that feels drier and more balanced, particularly on humid nights.
Our 4.5 tog British wool duvet is made for sleepers who still want the reassuring feel of a duvet without heavy insulation. It is also a useful choice for anyone whose temperature changes throughout the night.
Read more about why wool bedding is perfect for summer.
7. What to Do When You Wake Up Too Hot
Once you are awake and frustrated, keep the solution simple.
- If you have more than one layer, remove it.
- Turn the pillow or move to a cooler part of the bed.
- Stretch out your arms and legs to allow more air around you.
- Place a cool, damp cloth on your face, neck or wrists.
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Take a few sips of water.
- Reposition the fan so that air moves across the bed.
A wrapped cool pack or frozen water bottle can provide quick relief. Avoid placing frozen items directly against the skin.
Changing position may help too. Keeping your arms and legs slightly apart allows more air to circulate than curling tightly beneath the covers.
Our Guide To A Cooler Night
You might be hot at night because the room is too warm, the duvet is too heavy, or the bed is not allowing enough air to circulate.
What you do before bed can also play a part. Heavy meals, alcohol and late exercise may leave you feeling warmer just as you are trying to settle down.
Staying cool at night does not require an entire collection of gadgets or a complete bedroom overhaul. Here’s a guide on what to change for each problem you may be facing this summer.
| The Problem | What To Change |
| Your bedroom holds onto heat | Block direct sunlight during the day and ventilate in the evening |
| Your duvet feels too warm | Choose a lighter summer weight or use a flat sheet |
| Your bed feels clammy | Look for breathable materials that help moisture escape |
| You feel hot before getting into bed | Adjust late meals, alcohol, exercise and shower temperature |
| You wake up overheated | Remove a layer, change position and cool the skin |
| You regularly experience night sweats | Improve your sleep environment and speak to your GP if they continue |
Build a Bed Ready For Warmer Nights
Start with the part causing the most discomfort. It may be a heavy duvet, a padded mattress protector or sheets that begin to feel warm once the temperature rises.
For us, the best summer bed still feels generous and inviting. It simply uses breathable materials and thoughtful layers to create comfort without holding onto unnecessary heat.
FAQs
1. What bedding is best for hot sleepers?
Lightweight wool bedding alongside pure cotton percale or linen bed sheets are all strong choices. Remember to consider the whole bed, including the duvet, pillows and mattress protector, rather than changing the sheets alone.
2. Should you sleep without a duvet in summer?
On particularly warm nights, a breathable flat sheet may be enough. Those who prefer the weight of a duvet can choose a lightweight summer option instead.
3. Does a fan cool the bedroom?
A fan moves air rather than lowering the room’s temperature. This movement can still make the room and bed feel considerably more comfortable.
4. Should windows stay open throughout the day?
Keep them closed when it feels hotter outside than indoors, particularly in rooms exposed to direct sunlight. Open them once the outdoor temperature begins to fall.
Another trick is to hang your duvet cover over your curtain poll, between the window and your curtains. This allows the heat to be absorbed straight into the cover as opposed to your thicker curtains which retain the heat for longer.
5. Why do I wake up sweating?
Your bedroom or bedding may simply be too warm. Persistent night sweats may also be linked to menopause, medication or an underlying health condition and should be discussed with your GP.
