SerpApi.Org
There's nothing quite like lying awake in your bedroom when it's too hot to sleep. You toss and turn, throw back the covers, and try everything you can think of, yet nothing seems to help. The culprit may not just be the weather—it could be the everyday bedroom habits that are trapping heat and keeping your room warmer than it needs to be.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make during a heatwave is focusing on cooling themselves down at bedtime, rather than stopping the bedroom from overheating in the first place,” says Tom Coleman, sleep expert at Hillarys. “If the room has been soaking up heat all afternoon, you're asking your body to sleep in an environment that's already working against it,” he says.
Spending all day in the heat is draining enough, but when your bedroom stays too hot to sleep, it can be the final straw. That's why we asked experts to reveal the common mistakes that could be trapping heat and making your bedroom feel even warmer.
From choosing synthetic bedding to under-bed clutter, these are the everyday habits that could be raising the temperature in your room—and what to do instead for a cooler, more comfortable night's sleep.
Sleeping in Synthetic Fabrics
“A lot of people overlook their bedding,” says Coleman. “If you're sleeping under synthetic fabrics or a high-tog duvet, you're effectively wrapping yourself in extra insulation. Switching to breathable natural materials such as cotton, linen, or bamboo can make a real difference to comfort levels on hot nights.”
Keeping Your Blinds Open All Day
“Sunlight streaming through windows can quickly turn your bedroom into a sauna, causing the temperature to rise and making it difficult to cool down later. By blocking direct sunlight, you prevent the room from heating up during the day, ensuring it remains cooler and more comfortable at night,” says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
Putting Down Dark Carpets
“Hard flooring surfaces such as wood, laminate or vinyl naturally stay cooler underfoot than heavier textiles,” says Johanna Constantinou, interiors trends expert at Tapi. “If you do have carpets throughout the home, choosing lighter colours can help create an airier feel without compromising comfort, but always make sure to balance your flooring choice with what is right for you.”
Having Too Many Things Under Your Bed
“Cold air sinks, so the coolest air in any room is near the floor. If you have lots of stuff stored under the bed, you're blocking cooler air from circulating and trapping warm, stagnant air right where you're trying to sleep. Clearing that space lets air move naturally,” Kevin Pennington, a home cooling expert, told Sharps.
Sleeping on the Wrong Type of Mattress
If you want to keep cool, Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung, recommends staying away from memory foam mattresses. “It may feel cool to the touch in a retail showroom, but as soon as that memory foam gets into contact with your body heat, it will simply make you hotter,” he says.
“When the temperature rises and nights get uncomfortable, a natural mattress is your best sleep accessory,” Black adds. “Sleeping on natural fibres is the simplest option; choosing materials such as wool and cotton, which are inherently breathable and wick heat and moisture away from the body.”
