Do you sleep with your bedroom door closed? According to experts, you really shouldn't

We break down the long-debated question

White painted bedroom with wall art above bed and grey bedding
(Image credit: Future PLC./James Merrell)

Is it better to sleep with the door closed or open? While many of us would always prefer the former (for our own security and comfort), sleep experts reveal that you might sleep better with your bedroom door open.

The seasons are changing and you know what that means: having to once again welcome the saga of hot, sleepless nights and desperately finding ways to keep your bedroom cool.

White bedroom with rattan headboard

(Image credit: Future PLC)

While opting for the best fan is always a surefire way to curb the heat, as well as the tried and true method of opening a window, leaving the door open when you sleep can further improve air circulation (aside from investing in the best air purifier) in your room so you can have a restful night's sleep ahead of the stifling summer.

Is it better to sleep with the door closed or open?

'Everyone has an opinion on whether you should or shouldn’t sleep with your door open, but have you ever wondered what’s most common? Surprisingly, only 60% of adults sleep with their door closed meaning that 40% sleep with their door open,' says Rex Isap, CEO and sleep expert at Happy Beds.

'However, what’s even more surprising is that many people are unaware of the benefits of leaving your bedroom door open as you sleep.'

White painted broom with white bedding and greyscale cushions and heardboad

(Image credit: Future PLC / Anna Stathaki)

Rex continues: 'Firstly, a study found that those who slept with the bedroom door open reported a better and longer night’s sleep than those who slept with the door close. The reasoning behind this is that leaving the door open helped regulate the temperature in the room by making the temperature slightly lower, averaging 19 degrees Celsius.'

'Given that between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius is the ideal bedroom temperature, this naturally makes it easier for a person to fall asleep. It also makes it the ideal thing for a person to do if they suffer from night sweats, are going through menopause, or are generally overheating from the hot weather.'

White painted bedroom with wall art above bed and grey bedding

(Image credit: Future PLC / David Cleveland)

Sammy Margo, sleep expert at Dreams adds, 'Keeping your bedroom door open can promote better airflow within your living space; this can be particularly beneficial if your room tends to get stuffy or lacks proper ventilation.'

'Better air circulation can contribute to a more comfortable and restful sleep environment. Having cool air flowing in can also help cool down our bodies throughout the night, which is what we need to have a restful night’s sleep.'

It's probably the advice we need to hear, given that we can expect hot summer nights ahead of us again.

Attic bedroom with skylights in roof and small gallery wall area

(Image credit: Future PLC)

I'll admit, I'm usually 'team sleep with the door closed', but during last year's heatwave I didn't think about buying a fan ahead of time, and by the time the heat was at its highest, I didn't even want to leave the house.

I was essentially left with no choice but to keep both my windows and bedroom door open if I wanted even the slightest bit of comfort during my sleep – and honestly? It was the best decision I could've made as it made my summer nights bearable. Don't get me wrong, I don't sleep with my bedroom door open all the time, nor am I telling you that you have to, however, I haven't been so opposed to leaving my bedroom door open when other methods fail me.'

White bedroom with bed with green bedding and large windows and blinds

(Image credit: Future PLC / Julia Currie)

Sammy Margo at Dreams adds, 'Sleeping with an open door can also create a sense of openness and connection to the rest of your living space. It can alleviate feelings of isolation or confinement and promote a more positive and harmonious atmosphere in your home. It also opens the bedroom up to natural light from other areas of the house which can help in the morning!'

Of course, if the thought of sleeping with your bedroom door open doesn't sit well with you, or you're in a living situation that doesn't allow for that option, at the end of the day you have free rein with your own sleeping habits – stick with what works for you.

Additionally, please do remember that a key benefit of sleeping with the door closed is to help protect against house fires, so do bare this in mind if you want to give this tip a go and always prioritise your safety above all.

Jullia Joson
Junior Writer

Jullia Joson is Ideal Home’s Junior Writer. She’s always loved all things homes and interiors, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Nottingham in 2022. Previously, she was an Intern Editor for ArchDaily. Now focused on news stories, Jullia can be found down the TikTok and Pinterest rabbit hole scrolling through any new and upcoming trends, hacks, and home inspiration.