How to keep a bedroom cool — 9 ways to beat the heat and create a comfortable sleeping space during hot weather

I don’t know about you, but my bedroom always seems to be the hottest room in the house. And while this makes things nice and cosy during the winter months, things can get pretty sweltering during the summer, and my sleep suffers as a result. That’s why knowing how to keep a bedroom cool can come in handy.

According to Stephen Day, Heating Engineer at iHeat, ‘The ideal bedroom temperature for sleep sits between 14°C and 18°C - cooler than most people would expect.’ And while there are many ways to stay cool in bed, this typically revolves around keeping the person cool rather than the room itself.

So, I’ve spoken to industry experts on the best ways to keep a bedroom cool when the temperatures start to rise, so you can sleep easily and ensure that your sleeping space is as comfortable (and cool) as possible.

1. Keep blinds and curtains closed

While constant airflow can help to keep a bedroom cool, it’s also important to note that your window treatment ideas can actually make a bedroom warmer - especially during the hottest points in the day. That’s why experts suggest keeping blinds and curtains closed to lower the temperature of a bedroom.

Blinds Direct’s trend specialist Ana Zuravliova explains, ‘This may seem counterproductive, but it works well together with creating airflow. When the sun is out in full force, it’s often magnified through windows, and the heat intensifies in the home. And while you may want your rooms to be bathed in natural light, often that comes at the cost of warmer temperatures inside.’

She adds, ‘During the day when the sun is at its hottest, try and keep blinds and curtains closed, to keep as much sun out of the room as possible. Thermal blinds would be ideal for this, as their lining helps keep inside cooler during summer.’

Yes, this may seem even stranger, but thermal blinds do actually keep the heat out, rather than just keeping the heat in. So, it might be worth switching them up during the summer months.

2. Open the loft

It’s a well-known fact that heat rises, which is why those who live in both houses and flats will struggle to keep a bedroom cool during the summer months. But most people forget that there is almost always another space that’s higher than the bedroom - and it’s well worth making use of it.

Yes, one way to move some of the heat away from your bedroom is by opening up the loft. According to James Wilson, sleep expert at MattressOnline, 'Opening your loft hatch is one way to allow heat to escape somewhere else'.

These loft spaces are often cooler and darker, so it's a great way to add some extra ventilation to the top of your home. But this bedroom cooling hack does so much more than offer the heat an escape route.

By opening up the loft hatch, it also creates a natural airflow that draws the colder air from the ground floor of your house towards your first-floor bedroom. This will also make the whole room feel cooler.

3. Enlist the help of a fan

The best fans are quite literally designed to cool things down, so why wouldn’t you use one to keep a bedroom cool? There are so many different options to choose from, too, whether you prefer the space-saving aspect of the best desktop fans or you like the sleek aesthetic of bladeless fans.

However, there’s a technique for using a fan to cool down a bedroom, and it’s essential to understand where you shouldn’t put a fan to ensure you’re making the most of it. And most experts agree that the best position is facing outwards with the windows open to create a channel of airflow.

‘This little-known hack relies on air pressure to effectively push hot air outside of open windows while simultaneously pulling in cool air,’ adds Core Sash Windows’ managing director, Sean Mac Anbhaird. ‘While the fan blows warm air outside the window, open any windows on the opposite side of the house. This will create a wind stream, allowing a cool, fresh breeze to flow through your home.’

And as it’s better to have an oscillating fan rather than a still fan, it’s also a good idea to choose a model that comes with this oscillating function so you can keep your bedroom cool even when the temperatures are soaring.

4. Turn off tech and switch your bulbs

Warm weather is a great opportunity to save money on your energy bills, and making the simple switch to LED lightbulbs (like these Amazon Basics LED B22 Bayonet Cap Bulbs) will also help your bedroom to stay cool - which is a win-win if you ask me.

'Traditional light bulbs give out most of their energy as heat, and in an already baking hot room, additional heat is the last thing you need,' says Greig Millar, energy expert at OVO.

The warmth of your lightbulbs might be a small factor, but every little helps when it comes to sleeping better through the summer. Greig recommends, 'Check which bulbs need a replacement throughout your house' as it could just cool a room down enough to make you sleep peacefully.

It’s also worth turning off unnecessary technology if you want to keep a bedroom cool, too, as all of these appliances can emit extra warmth that can impact your comfort.

5. Welcome nature into your bedroom

House plants have never been so popular, and the hot weather gives us even more of an excuse to add to the collection, as the best plants for the bedroom can actually help lower the temperature of the space.

'Indoor plants can help cool a house in warm weather, as they consume hot air for their natural processes,' explain the team at Stelrad. It’s pretty impressive how they do this, too.

'When an atmosphere heats up, plants will often release excess water into the air from their leaves – as a result, they cool themselves and the surrounding environment. Some of the best ones include rubber plants, Chinese evergreens, palms, mother-in-law’s tongues and ficus benjaminas.'

Not only that, but there are also many air-purifying plants out there that will help to remove airborne pollutants like dust, pollen, and pet dander from your bedroom, too.

6. Use an air conditioner

The best portable ACs are becoming more and more popular in the UK, especially as temperatures are rising year on year. And they’re one of the most effective ways to keep a bedroom cool without making too many changes to your sleeping space.

Noel Fok, CEO and co-founder of EcoAir, explains, ‘A portable model works well as you avoid the costs of installing a wall mounted unit, it can be stored away on the 350+ days that the Great British weather is not hot, and it can be moved from room to room depending on where it is needed most.’

Of course, it’s worth weighing up the fan vs air conditioner debate here to decide which one you really need. And if you only have a fan available and don’t want to shell out for an air conditioner, there is a DIY trick you could try instead.

‘Making a budget home-made air conditioner is a simple and effective way to keep cool,’ says Nick Small, small appliances expert at AO.com. ‘Place a container of ice in front of your fan and lay down a towel underneath to absorb any condensation. The ice-cold air will circulate around the room, keeping you nice and cool.’

7. Embrace the perks of a dehumidifier

Most people assume that the best dehumidifiers should only be used when temperatures drop and British homes struggle with the damp and mould that comes with the winter months. But embracing the perks of a dehumidifier can also help you during the summer, as dehumidifiers can cool a room… in their own way.

‘Dehumidifiers eliminate moisture from the air, making the warm temperatures feel more bearable as moist heat causes the most discomfort,’ says Quotezone.co.uk’s expert Helen Rolph.

‘A room will feel cooler and more comfortable if the humidity is low,’ she continues. But it is worth bearing in mind that ‘dehumidifiers increase electricity costs, so it’s best to opt for a model that conserves energy by switching off when the humidity drops below a specific temperature.’

So, if you’re looking to cut costs and keep your energy bills as low as possible, it might be worth opting for one of the best dehumidifiers under £100 instead.

8. Think about your flooring

If you’ve been meaning to upgrade your bedroom flooring ideas for a while now, take this as your sign to finally get the job done - especially if you have carpet and you’re looking to keep a bedroom cool. After all, carpet could be making the situation worse.

This is echoed by Natalie Mudd, Co-founder of Knot & Grain, who says, ‘The right flooring plays a big part in maintaining the ideal temperature in your home. During summer months, carpeted floors can increase the temperature in the home as they are known for absorbing heat.’

She adds, ‘Meanwhile, wooden floors remain cool, providing you with a much more comfortable environment. In addition, they offer the added benefit of retaining heat during the winter, ideal for those looking to save on heating costs.’

If this is something you do want to consider, it’s worth taking a look at our guide on how to plan wooden flooring so you can truly make the most of this investment.

9. Make yourself cooler in bed

While keeping a bedroom cool may be enough to help you through the summer months, you may also need to go the extra mile and cool yourself and your bed down, too. You can do this by making some simple bedding switches - like opting for natural alternatives.

It’s not just about the covers of your best pillows and best duvet for the summer that will benefit from being made of a natural material. The filling itself will further enhance that benefit. Holly Castle, brand manager at John Cotton, explains, ‘Cotton, for example, is a natural, breathable material that allows for air flow to pass through.’

‘Cotton has a lower thermal conductivity than synthetic and other natural materials, meaning that it does not conduct heat and therefore is the ultimate choice for bedding materials during the warmer summer months. It’s important when purchasing your cotton duvets and pillows that you ensure the filling is also made of natural and not synthetic materials,’ she adds.

Another natural material, as far as bedding filling goes, that is highly recommended for summer is wool, which allows for heat and humidity to disappear and lets the body better regulate its temperature.

FAQs

Why is my room so hot even with a fan on?

Contrary to popular belief, a fan doesn’t actually cool a room, but it can make you feel cooler and help to lower the temperature when used in conjunction with proper airflow. So, if your room is hot even with the fan on, it’s best to check whether the other doors and windows in your home are open.

If they’re not, you should open them immediately and allow the fan to push the hot air out and circulate the cold air back into your room.

Does putting a wet towel over a fan make it cooler?

Yes, putting a wet towel over a fan can make it cooler - but this trick should be done with caution. That’s because water and electricity don’t mix, and so you need to make sure that your towel is damp and not dripping wet to avoid any nasty surprises.

If you want to prevent any problems, another hack is to place a container of ice in front of the fan and allow it to blow the cooler air towards you. This is more effective and much safer.

So, how will you be keeping your bedroom cool this summer? Let me know if you have any other tips or tricks in the comments!