As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've been fortunate enough to test all sorts of products aimed at improving sleep, and, with temperature such a key component of a good night's rest, that means I've tested a *lot* of cooling solutions.

From the best fans to the best portable air conditioners, I've tried out several expensive cooling products that I wouldn't have been able to afford were they not test samples.

However, despite currently having a brand new £500 portable air con unit on test, and even though my south-facing dormer bedroom reached a sweltering 35°C last night, I'm still choosing to ditch the air con and use an under £10 solution to stay cool in bed instead. Here's why.

First up, it's worth pointing out that choosing to leave the air con unit unplugged is a personal decision. When it comes to whether a portable air conditioning unit is worth it, we all have different circumstances, and for many people, an air con unit might be the best solution to prevent dangerous overheating.

The UK is currently facing extreme temperatures, and if the climate crisis is allowed to worsen, heatwaves are going to become more common, so it's little wonder air con units have virtually sold out this June. (Ideal Home's live blog has the latest updates on in-stock air con and cooling fans, by the way).

But in my case, I've tried battling heatwaves with the air con unit, and I've tried staying cool in bed without, and I've decided some good old-school low-technology solutions are the way forward. With the bonus being that they're also a *lot* more affordable and energy-efficient.

So why am I not an air con convert, even when a portable unit has become *the* must-have product of the moment? A few reasons.

First, even the best portable air conditioners are difficult to vent properly. They're not like the air conditioning unit you'll likely have experienced in a hotel room or on holiday.

In order to vent the heat from a portable air conditioner, you have to put the venting hose out of an external window, and it's then very tricky to seal the window so that hot air can't simply flow back inside at the same rate you're expelling it.

Amazon has all sorts of air con venting kits available, as do many specialist air con manufacturers, but having tested pretty much every solution out there (other than cutting a vent-hose-shaped hole in my double-glazed window), none of them has actually sealed the gaps around the window 100% succesfully.

And I have fairly standard windows; those with more unusual designs, such as a hinged loft window, will have an even trickier time venting successfully.

Second, every portable air conditioning unit I've tested has been *very* noisy. Yes, some are quieter than others, but whilst you can avoid cheaper units that sound like a truck's engine running in your bedroom, even the most expensive (and therefore quietest) options I've tested are still way too loud for me to comfortably sleep next to.

The common solution is to run the air conditioner for a few hours before bed and then turn it off when you want to sleep. However, part of the reason so many of us are struggling with overheated homes in the first place is that a lot of British homes are badly insulated, and I've always found that after an hour or so of the air con being switched off, my room will quickly reheat, and I'll wake up boiling again.

Third, for at least 50 weeks of the year, I don't actually need air conditioning. Yes, it's hot and uncomfortable for a few days in the summer (in this case, an extremely uncomfortable week), and certain people definitely need extra help to cool down and regulate their body temperature. But, an air con unit is big, *heavy* and bulky to move, and my small home really doesn't have anywhere to store it for the eleven months of the year it wouldn't be in use.

And lastly, a portable air conditioning unit uses a staggering amount of energy. Ideal Home's cooling expert, Sarah Handley, tells me that 'portable air conditioners can use anywhere between 780-2600W, which, based on the July 2026 energy price cap, means they can cost between 20p and 68p per hour to run'.

And that's only the personal cost of running an air conditioning unit. That high energy usage is also worsening the global environmental problems that are causing the extreme heat in the first place. So, where I can avoid adding to those problems, I'll do my best to find less energy-intensive solutions.

All in all, I now have three go-to solutions for surviving hot and humid heatwave nights, and the first, and arguably the most effective solution of the hundreds of cooling products I've tested, is also the most low-budget.

What is it? An under £10 ice pack. And yes, I know, it's a disappointingly dull answer. Unlike an air con unit, it doesn't come with a clever app to download whilst you sweat, or an LED display to tell you just how hot you are, but... it works.

I pop a couple of these ice packs in a freezer bag and then a pillowcase and add them to my bed in extreme hot weather. You can use a bag of frozen peas, of course, but I find they tend to defrost a *lot* quicker and leave you with puddles of water. These gel packs freeze much quicker and stay frozen for much longer. Mine stays icy cold all through the night, even in hot temperatures.

Second, I've accepted that I may have to camp out downstairs at night during a heatwave. Heat rises, and my first floor becomes stifling hot in the evening. My ground floor stays cooler, so I camp out on a good air bed in my living room for a few nights when it's most sweltering.

I might even invest in one of the best sofa beds or best chair beds to make a downstairs campout more comfortable. This won't work for everyone, I realise, but for me, a few nights on my ground floor is a lot simpler than the air con battle I'd need to embark on to cool things enough to sleep upstairs.

Third, and this is definitely the most expensive solution, I've invested in a very good fan, and it makes a *huge* difference.

In the UK, our biggest issue with cooling down is humidity. When it's hot *and* humid, sweat stays on the skin, making it difficult for the body to cool itself down. A breeze, whether through an open window during the cooler parts of the day or night, or from a fan, dries this sweat, making the body feel instantly cooler.

I recommend investing in a fan with a DC motor. These are generally super quiet (none of that horrendous whirring you have to endure with a cheaper AC fan), extremely powerful, and very energy efficient. Unlike an air conditioning unit's average 780-2600 watts per hour, many energy-efficient DC fans use well under 10 watts per hour.

I've rounded up some of my top-rated recommendations below, and, if you're considering air con but on the fence, or you know that air con is way out of your budget, I thoroughly recommend these as an alternative.

A fan doesn't actively cool the air, but the breeze it creates cools your body, and personally, I've been amazed at the difference they've made to my comfort levels.

Plus, you can always do the double whammy and sit a bowl of ice, or an ice pack in front of your fan to cool down the air as it blows at you as well. Compared to faffing around with an air con venting hose, getting more hot and bothered by the minute, I find it's the best solution for me right now.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor I've spent the past five years testing the best bedding, mattresses, and bed linen on the market.

And during the past five summers I've tested more cooling bedding products and ways to stay cool in bed than I can count.

Some have worked, most haven't, but faced with this week's 35°C heatwave and a south-facing dormer bedroom, there's only one thing that's actually helped me cool down enough to sleep.

Don't get me wrong. Opting for cooling bedding materials definitely helps me to sleep a *lot* cooler.

Before I understood the impact of different fibres, I used to sleep on a memory foam mattress and under a microfibre duvet filled with polyester. As a hot sleeper anyway, and as a woman whose temperature fluctuates every month, I hadn't realised just how much those synthetic fibres were making me overheat and subsequently, disturbing my sleep.

Switching to a pocket spring mattress filled with natural materials and swapping to a breathable wool duvet has been a game-changer.

(I now sleep on the Hypnos Pillow Top Select mattress, and I always recommend the Woolroom Deluxe Wool Duvet to anyone looking to swap to a wool duvet, but there are cheaper options available – my guide to the best duvets has more info.)

Those natural fibres offer such great breathability compared to polyester, which many experts dub a hidden sleep thief. Pair a wool-filled mattress with a wool-filled duvet and top it with breathable cotton or linen bedding, and I now sleep at the perfect temperature at least eleven months of the year.

However, the recent heatwaves that the UK has encountered are a different story. This is extreme heat, and it's not a temperature that my south-facing dormer bedroom is equipped to deal with.

I've tried cooling pillows, cooling sheets, cooling pads, and, having been lucky enough to test out many of the best fans on the market, I also have a top-of-the-range £150+ Duux Whisper Flex fan that genuinely works miracles most summers by keeping me cool at night.

After testing numerous options for Ideal Home's buying guide, I even own one of the best portable air conditioning units.

And yet, despite air con flying out of stock this year – our live blog is keeping you updated on where to find an in-stock air con unit or a fan if you're considering shopping – before I reach for this £500 air con unit, I find again and again that every time we have to endure a heatwave, I choose a £15 solution to beat the heat and get a cooler sleep instead.

What is it? The humble air bed, one of which you can buy at Amazon, Argos, or any of the camping stores for well under £20.

The reason for this choice is that heat rises, so the top floor of my home – and the level that most of us in two-storey houses have our bedrooms on – is always *much* hotter than the ground floor.

I still take all the steps to cool down a bedroom – from keeping the blackout blinds closed all day to creating a cross-breeze when the outside temperatures are cooler than inside – and they do help, but nothing makes it cool enough to sleep well up there when outside temperatures top 35°C.

Instead, rather than battle endlessly to cool down the top floor of my home with an air conditioning unit that's noisy, expensive to run, heavy to move, and whose energy use is making the climate crisis (and resultant heatwaves) worse, I've accepted that in heatwave weather I move downstairs to sleep, and camp out on an air bed in my significantly cooler living room.

Of course, this solution doesn't work for everyone. I live in a two-storey house, so I have a downstairs. Many of us don't. I don't have a large family, so there aren't five of us all camped out in my small living room. And I'm still limber enough to get on and off an air bed, which isn't the case for everyone.

However, if you too are struggling with the heat on your top floor this week, I definitely recommend this option if you can. Plus, whilst fans and air con are almost sold out, the best air beds are (currently) still in plentiful stock.

To make things more comfortable, you can now get double-height air beds that make getting in and out of bed easier, plus camping bed bases, and even folding mattresses you could stash under the stairs if you have more space than I do.

I've rounded up some of the best options I've found below, and many – especially if you shop for an air bed on Amazon and you're an Amazon Prime member – can be delivered with super-fast delivery. (Although we should be mindful that any orders currently mean delivery drivers have to face the heat of the day to deliver.)

Plus, if all else fails, you could always sleep on the sofa for a few nights.

In fact, now that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, I'm even considering swapping my sofa for one of the best sofa beds or best chair beds so that hot-weather living room camp-outs can be even more comfortable.

The UK has just celebrated the summer solstice, the day with the most daylight hours of the year, and on top of that, many parts of the country are currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures predicted to soar to 36°C to 40°C.

That's a *lot* of heat and light, and whilst we don't want to wish away the summer weather, there's no denying that when it comes to how to sleep better, a bedroom that's too hot and too bright can play havoc with a good night's rest.

Little wonder then that savvy Dunelm shoppers have been quietly snapping up a £6.50 solution that transforms a hot, bright bedroom into a blissfully cool, dark oasis.

In many parts of the UK, the sun will rise before 5am during the remainder of June, and when the weather is as hot as it is right now, that means four whole hours of blazing hot sun shining into your bedroom pre-9am.

Curtains and blinds help, of course, but they can still let plenty of heat and light into the room, and with experts keen to point out that blocking light from a room is one of *the* best ways to keep a bedroom cool during a heatwave, it's no surprise that many of us are looking for additional solutions.

The Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind is just that. This pleated paper blind is no-drill and can be trimmed to size and stuck to a bedroom window in a jiffy. And, if you have a tiny bit more to spend, but want one delivered faster, Amazon has a similar no-drill pleated blackout blind for £11.99.

Super quick and easy to install, they're the perfect solution if you're looking for a temporary fix to the excess heat, and equally useful if you rent and want to avoid a permanent blind, or aren't yet confident in your DIY skills.

No wonder Dunelm shoppers can't stop raving about them. 'Worth every penny,' says one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website, 'they block the light and heat out really well and are easy to trim to size. I am genuinely really impressed by them. They are a bargain too.'

'Absolutely perfect to block out the morning sun and such an amazing price,' says another happy owner. 'These honestly work so well,' shares another reviewer, 'brilliant at keeping the bedroom dark and cooler.'

And as Dreams sleep expert and author of the Good Sleep Guide, Sammy Margo explains, a dark bedroom is exactly what's needed to combat the high temperatures of this week.

In a heatwave, 'the best way to prevent your bedroom from turning into a greenhouse is by blocking out direct sunlight during the day,' advises Sammy. 'You can use blackout curtains or blinds to help keep the heat at bay and reduce overall room temperature.'

'Keeping windows closed during the hottest parts of the day and only opening them once the air cools in the evening can also make a noticeable difference,' adds Sammy.

And whilst Dunelm shoppers might be applauding the performance of the Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind, it isn't the only option on the market. I've rounded up a few quick delivery options below that will help you to darken your bedroom and beat the heat this week.

Alternatives

As a perimenopausal 46-year-old mum, I struggle with overheating in bed at the best of times, let alone during a heatwave that's seen temperatures in my area reach 30C plus.

Our home doesn’t have air-con, so my kids are often too hot to sleep during the summer, too. As such, staying cool in bed becomes a real battle during hot weather.

As a result, when I came across the Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket for under £40 on Amazon, I hoped it would be the solution I needed to keep us all cool.

Described by Silentnight as ‘cool to the touch for instant heat relief' and helping 'to regulate body temperature’, it sounded like *exactly* what I needed to beat overheating once and for all.

And, unlike many cooling bedding products I've tested in the past few years, I wasn't disappointed when I unpacked it.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up this blanket was how cold it felt to the touch. One side in particular felt noticeably colder than any other bedding in our house, and its coolness was something that both of my sons immediately commented on.

Sleeping under it the first night of warm weather, I felt instantly cooler. Initially, I missed the weight of my regular duvet, but if, like me and my children, you don’t like the idea of sleeping with no covers at all, this hot-weather duvet alternative offers a perfect in-between solution.

I fell asleep quickly, and I didn’t wake up in the night due to overheating. Plus, in the morning, I didn’t feel sweaty or clammy at all like I sometimes do.

Whether that’s down to the innovative composition of the blanket or the fact that it’s thinner than my usual duvet, I can’t be sure, but my children both noticed that when they slept under this blanket, they felt cooler than when they slept under an empty duvet cover like they usually do when it’s hot.

Possibly the biggest test came from my youngest son, who is the clammiest sleeper I know and always wakes up sweaty! He loved falling asleep under this and slept soundly. When he woke up in the morning, he felt a lot cooler and less clammy than usual.

In fact, the one night I tested this blanket pre-heatwave I had to swap it for my usual quilt because I felt too cold!

And it seems I'm not alone in being impressed by the blanket's cooling powers. One reviewer of the Silentnight Restore Cooling Blanket on the Argos website says, 'what is this wizardry? I bought this for the summer, and I literally can't believe the difference it made to my sleep. How it works, I have no idea, but it remains cool constantly – it's literally like magic. I can definitely recommend this cooling blanket.'

'Surprised how effective this lightweight cooling blanket was,' says another owner. 'I’m at “that age” where I get so hot in the night... my duvet is too hot, but I still need something on me to sleep; this blanket really helped and really worked! It’s lightweight but feels enough weight on you; it’s definitely cooling and quite cool to the touch. I slept so much better.'

Another big bonus is that the Restore blanket is machine washable at 40C, and I've found it fits in the washing machine easily and dries quickly on the line (the care label says it can be tumble dried on low, but I haven't needed to test that in this heat!). It looks as good as new after being washed and didn’t lose its shape at all.

The only downside is that it only comes in one size. On a double bed, it was just big enough to cover two people, although there wasn’t much extra space at the edges if either of us moved around.

Personally, I'd definitely recommend The Silentnight Restore Cooling Blanket for keeping cool on warm nights, as well as for anyone who struggles with hormonal temperature changes during the night.

That said, it's not the only option out there. I've rounded up a few alternatives below, all of which can help you beat the heat on hot, hot summer nights.

It's hot outside and predicted to get hotter, and whilst many of us might enjoy the sunshine during the day, most of us are less keen on the sticky, humid nights that go hand-in-hand with a UK heatwave.

I sleep warm anyway, and, whilst I've already invested in one of the best duvets for hot sleepers, on nights like these, even the most breathable duvet can still be far too warm.

Personally, I think there's nothing worse than tossing and turning in a sweaty bed when the mercury soars, which is why I've made it my mission to track down the best duvet alternatives for hot weather.

As I've learned during the past five years as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, when it comes to how to stay cool in bed, it's all about choosing cooling bedding materials, and the experts agree that these are your best bets if you're looking to swap out your duvet for a cooler sleep this summer.

1. Cotton throw

First up, cotton. Whether you opt to sleep under a simple flat cotton sheet during the sky-high temperatures, or a slightly thicker cotton throw, this natural fabric is the ideal duvet alternative for hot summer nights.

'A cotton throw is such a good swap for a duvet when the nights get warm,' agrees Molly Freshwater, co-founder of bedding brand Secret Linen Store. 'Cotton is breathable, soft, and naturally good at soaking up any overnight warmth or moisture.' And that's exactly what we need in the UK, when high temperatures tend to mean sticky, humid, moisture-filled nights.

'Because most cotton throws have a looser weave than a duvet cover, they let air move around you rather than trapping it,' explains Molly. 'You still get that comforting “I’m covered” feeling, just without the heat. Bliss when the temperature doesn’t drop outside and the open window doesn’t help one bit.'

'A cotton throw or even a flat cotton sheet is an excellent alternative to a duvet in hot weather,' agrees Charlotte Hill, technical manager for homeware at Marks & Spencer.

'Cotton is naturally breathable and lightweight, helping air to circulate and preventing heat from becoming trapped overnight. For many customers, it offers just enough coverage without the weight or warmth of a traditional duvet.'

2. Flat linen sheet

Next up, and probably one of the most breathable options I've tried, is linen. Again, either in the form of a flat linen sheet or a more weighty linen throw.

'A linen throw or flat linen sheet is my personal favourite for hot weather,' agrees Molly. 'it's the fabric I always come back to, and for good reason. The fibres are super clever, so they wick moisture away quickly and let air flow beautifully.'

'Linen feels cool the moment you get into bed and stays that way,' explains Molly. 'A flat sheet is the lightest option; a linen throw gives a little more weight without adding warmth. Linen also has the bonus of looking amazing. If someone asks me what I use at home in summer, it’s always always 100% linen.'

'Linen is a particularly strong choice for warmer nights,' agrees Charlotte at M&S. 'Its fibres are highly breathable and naturally temperature-regulating, meaning it feels cool against the skin while helping to dissipate heat. Linen is also very effective at wicking away moisture, making it ideal for those who tend to overheat. A linen throw or flat sheet can provide a relaxed, airy layer that still feels premium and comfortable.'

After testing every bedding material under the sun during the past five years, it's certainly now become the only fabric I choose for hot nights. And it's genius fibres somehow also work brilliantly to keep me cosy without overheating in winter, so although the best linen bedding is expensive to buy, I do think it's a great long-term investment, as it isn't a material that's just for hot weather.

3. Muslin throw

Muslin is another useful warm-weather option. 'A muslin throw is a great option for hot weather, especially for those looking for something ultra-lightweight,' agrees Charlotte at M&S.

'Typically made from loosely woven cotton, muslin allows for maximum airflow and creates a soft, lightweight feel,' explains Charlotte. 'It’s ideal for the warmest nights where a customer still wants a light layer for comfort, without adding any noticeable warmth.'

'Muslin's open-weave structure promotes continuous ventilation and heat dissipation during sleep, making it a great alternative to duvets during hot weather,' agrees Dony Wang, senior director of product development at bedding brand Bedsure.

'A muslin throw can be a lovely, very lightweight option because muslin is loosely woven and airy, agrees Molly, 'soft, breathable, and great if you want the lightest possible layer.'

In fact, muslin is increasingly growing in popularity as a summer bedding fabric, with brands such as Simba launching muslin bedding sets, and even a muslin dressing gown that's perfect for hot weather.

4. Cooling blanket

Whilst all of our experts suggestions so far have been for natural fibres, such as cotton or linen, there are also synthetic options which have been designed to offer a cooler sleep, such as cooling blankets.

'Unlike a traditional duvet, which is designed to trap warmth, a cooling blanket helps draw excess heat away from the body, creating a cooler and more comfortable sleep environment,' explains Dony. They're designed with 'fibres that feel cool to the touch, and help transfer body heat away from the skin more efficiently than many conventional bedding materials.'

These can be a good option if you're someone who struggles to sleep without a certain amount of weight on top of them, as all the options we've tested at Ideal Home tend to be more weighty than a cotton, linen, or muslin throw.

'Delivering a noticeably cooler sensation on contact, a cooling blanket also helps wick moisture away from the skin,' says Dony, 'promoting a drier, fresher sleep environment throughout the night.'

Whichever duvet alternative you opt for, all of these options will deliver a cool and breathable sleep compared to your standard duvet, which is exactly what's needed in this hot weather.

My Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress review puts the much-loved sleep brand's new Amazon-exclusive mattress to the test to see how it performs compared to the best mattresses on the market.

In a nutshell

First things first, this is a very affordable mattress. It's sold exclusively on Amazon, rather than on Simba's own website, which, to my mind, suggests the brand is aiming to deliver a budget-friendly option that suits shoppers with an under-£500 budget.

A double of the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress costs £399 and a king-size £429 as of writing, which is about as affordable as you can go and still get a decent mattress.

And all in all, I do think this new launch is one of the best budget mattresses out there, other than a few niggles. Especially because, even though this mattress is sold through Amazon, Simba is still honouring its usual 200-night sleep trial, which means you can test this mattress out at home to see if it suits your sleeping style before you have to commit to keeping it.

As a back and side sleeper, I found its medium-firm foam sleep surface very comfortable, and enjoyed its light cushioning around my shoulder and hip. My husband and I share a bed with our toddler most nights, and we also really appreciated its motion isolation, which meant we didn't notice when one of us in the bed tossed or turned. And, it has a nice amount of bounce to say it lacks springs.

On the downside, I didn't feel it really lived up to its name in the cool stakes. It didn't cause us to overheat, but it definitely wasn't as cooling and breathable as I would have liked either. And its edge support was lacking, which meant my leg could slip out of bed when I was pushed to the edge by our star-fishing toddler!

However, if you're not a hot sleeper and there aren't three of you crammed into one bed, I'd definitely recommend this mattress for most sleepers. If you're on a budget and are searching for a king-size mattress for less than £500, I think this is a great choice that you won't be left unimpressed with.

Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress Review

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Construction materials: Breathable cover, graphite-infused Simbatex cooling foam, foam support layer, zoned CertiPUR foam base
• Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
• Tensions available: Medium-firm
• Height: 23cm
• Side handles: Yes
• Flip or rotate: Rotate
• Manufacturers sleep trial: 200 nights

1. Comfort

Having finally managed to nail my sleep setup – the perfect combination of a medium-firm mattress, a thick mattress topper, and some sumptuous pillows – I've been snoozing well for a few years. Despite my toddler getting in with us every night and my husband turning into a breathing radiator past the hour of 10 o'clock!

As such, I have to admit I was slightly apprehensive about changing my sleep setup to test the Simbatex Cool mattress. However, I worried for no reason – luckily, I instantly clicked with this mattress from the first night I slept on it.

It's crafted from three main layers in total. There's a Simbatex foam layer, and below this, you'll find a wedge of foam support, above the final layer, which is zoned CentiPUR foam.

I'm mostly a back and side sleeper, and I found this mattress to be instantly comfortable. It's a true medium-firm feel, and I found it lightly cushioned me at the pressure points of my shoulders and hip, where I need it most. It also kept my spine well-aligned in both positions.

I never suffered from any aches while sleeping on this mattress, not even once. The same goes for my husband, who was initially annoyed that I was changing our much-loved mattress, but now knows he overreacted a little and had nothing to worry about.

As this mattress is foam only, that means there are no springs inside, and we were initially concerned that might mean a lack of support, especially for my husband, who is heavier than I am. However, he sleeps on his back and side, but mostly his side, and he also found this mattress ultra-comfortable from day dot.

2. Motion isolation

As an all-foam mattress with no springs in sight, the motion isolation of this mattress is impressive.

I share a bed with my husband, and very often our toddler, and when my husband moved off the bed, I barely felt it. And the same goes for him, as he rarely felt me tossing and turning at night.

Even with our toddler in tow, the motion isolation proved to be very impressive, especially for the affordable price tag.

3. Responsiveness

I was also super impressed by the responsiveness of this mattress. I found its cushioning cradled my pressure points perfectly, but unlike some memory foam mattresses I've tested, it doesn't feel so foamy that you can't roll around or get out of bed with ease.

It was easy to move around on, and even more fun for my toddler to bounce on top of! I never struggled to switch positions on this mattress, although when I pressed my hand on it, it did leave a visible print for a few minutes.

4. Temperature regulation

Since this mattress is specifically called 'cool', I had high hopes that it would give us some sort of relief in the heatwave we were baking in during testing. I put it to the test during one of the hottest Mays on record, with the temperatures where I live reaching 32C.

Our bedroom is very warm, so most nights from around April, we need to sleep with a fan on, regardless of whether it's 15C or 30C outside. And perhaps we were expecting too much, but on nights when we didn't sleep with a fan on, we were both still very warm and sweaty.

That said, it didn't actively cause me to overheat like some budget memory foam mattresses I've tested. It just didn't keep us that cool either.

Simba uses its trademark graphite-infused foam in the top layer, and according to the brand, that Simbatex foam also offers five times more airflow than standard memory foam, so I don't doubt this mattress is more breathable than many cheap foam options.

From its name, I guess I just expected it to be a little cooler to the touch. My husband, as a hot sleeper, has a cooling pillow which is impressively cold when you lay your head on it.

Overall, if you're a hot sleeper, this mattress may not be as cooling as you'd hope. A natural fill mattress such as the Hypnos Pillow Top Select is definitely your best bet there, but if you're looking for an under £500 mattress that won't actively overheat you, the Simbatex Cool did 'okay' for temperature regulation. Not brilliant, but definitely not awful either.

5. Edge support

When I unboxed this mattress, I didn't have high hopes for its edge support, mostly because the mattress is slightly rounded at the edges and doesn't feature an edge trim, as more expensive mattresses generally do.

One of the main USPs of this mattress is also its affordability, and having put numerous budget mattresses through their paces, the one area they do all tend to scrimp on is edge support.

As you can see, the mattress sinks quite a lot at the edge when I'm sat on it, and – as a parent who is regularly joined in bed by our toddler – I found this a bit of an issue when sleeping too.

During the night, if my toddler fancied sleeping in the starfish position and I found myself at the very edge of the mattress, I found that my leg would slip off the mattress and onto the floor. This was only when I was pushed to the very, very edge, though.

6. Sleep trial

As this mattress is sold via Amazon rather than direct from Simba, I was really pleasantly surprised to find out it still comes with Simba's usual 200-night sleep trial.

That's important because it can be tricky to tell if a mattress is really going to suit you when you're buying online, so it really helps to take some of the risk out of the purchase.

7. Ease of care

Similarly, considering this is a purse-friendly mattress, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it still comes with a removable cover that unzips for easy cleaning.

You can add a mattress protector to any mattress, of course, but, personally, I think that the removable cover is a total game-changer, as I like to wash all of my bedding, pillow protectors, and everything else I sleep on, a good few times a year. Especially since my dog sometimes comes up on our bed while we watch TV in the evenings.

Once unzipped and removed from the mattress, the washing instructions say to wash the cover at 40C; you just can't tumble dry. This makes the job of cleaning your mattress a breeze, plus it is easy to unzip and fit back onto the mattress.

It also comes with sturdy side handles – again, something many under-£500 mattresses lack – and they make rotating the mattress every few months a dream. It's not that heavy either, plus there's no need to flip this mattress, so it's very easy to care for.

8. Delivery

When it comes to the Simbatex Cool mattress delivery process, you get free shipping, and this can be as fast as three days. You have the option to also buy service add-ons, which include unpacking (£5) or unpack and recycle (£20), in which they will take your old mattress and recycle it.

You will be contacted by a carrier to choose a delivery date that suits you. I chose a day I knew I would be working from home. Unfortunately, I also received a text the day before this, alerting me that my delivery was en route, but this turned out to be a glitch in the system.

I was assured by my contact that this was wrong and it would still arrive the next day. However, unlike a normal order from Simba's own website, I couldn't use any online tracking capabilities, which did make things a little more stressful.

On the delivery day, I did receive a tracking text with a link that gave me a more specific timeframe for delivery, and it informed me I needed to be home to sign for the mattress.

The mattress arrived rolled, although not boxed. And unlike a normal Simba delivery, which is delivered to your room of choice, I needed to get it into our bedroom myself.

I received a king-size mattress, which is heavy, so I wouldn't have been able to lift it on my own, but luckily I had help on hand.

This mattress did initially have a strong chemical smell after being unwrapped. This lingered for around a day. It wasn't unbearable, and rest assured, my bedroom air purifier didn't flag it, but I did leave the windows open whilst it was offgassing.

The plastic that this mattress was protected in was labelled as '4 LDPE', which is recyclable. This does depend on your local authority, though, as in some places you can leave it kerbside with the rest of your recycling, while in other areas, it may need to go to your local supermarket.

9. Third-party reviews

The only way to buy one of these mattresses is via Amazon. Since it's a pretty new product, there aren't a huge number of reviews yet – 24, as of writing, to be exact.

Overall, it's given a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, and shoppers rave about how supportive it is, plus mention it being budget-friendly and noticeably cooling. I agree with the support and purse-friendly pricing, but I can't relate to the cooling comments, unfortunately, and my husband agrees.

Some shoppers complained about the chemical smell after unwrapping their mattress, which I can definitely relate to, as this does linger for a day or so.

10. Value for money

Starting at only £349 for a single size, I think this mattress is a true steal. The most you'll pay for one of these mattresses is £479, and that's for a super king size.

In comparison with our best-rated mattress, which is the Simba Hybrid, you'll be saving 50%. This mattress comes in at £999 for a king-size (when it's not on sale).

I do think the Simbatex Cool feels like a cheaper mattress when compared directly to the Simba Hybrid, but then, it is. And you still get a lot of the bonuses of a 'normal' Simba mattress, such as the cooler graphite-infused foam and 200-night sleep trial.

Even our best-rated affordable mattress, which is the DreamCloud Hybrid, is still £599 for a king-size. So, overall, if you're looking for an under £500 mattress, I think the Simbatex Cool is a very good option.

11. Environmental impact

This mattress perhaps doesn't scream green in the same way as Simba's more expensive range, but it is made in the UK, meaning it won't travel far to get from production to your doorstep. It also has CertiPur-approved foams inside – these are certified for safe sleep, meaning these foams have been tested for environmental, health and safety properties.

How I tested

My sleep stats:

Sleep position: Back/side
Tension preference: Medium-firm
Sleep problems: None

In putting the Simbatex Cool Mattress through Ideal Home's mattress testing process, I considered the eleven factors that we deem vital to any mattress purchase.

I tested the mattress for comfort, motion isolation, responsiveness, temperature regulation, and edge support. This means that my husband and I, (plus quite frequently my 2.5-year-old and dog!) slept on the mattress for a month before I wrote my review.

I also took into consideration ease of care, any sleep trials available, the delivery process, its value for money, and, where possible, researched the mattress's environmental impact and any third-party customer reviews – to see if they aligned or were at odds with my own experience – before writing my own review and giving this mattress a star rating.

Sage green is one of the most popular paint shades for a bedroom, and with its soft, calming tones, it’s easy to see why. This classic colourway has earned a reputation for being a ‘safe’ choice, but it's a classic for a reason. Millie Mackintosh’s sage green bedroom is proof that this timeless paint shade can be both calm and characterful.

Sage green is one of the best shades of green for a bedroom. It’s calming and grounding - exactly what you’d hope to achieve when creating a sleep environment. But due to the popularity of this green bedroom idea, many now avoid the safe choice, for fear that it comes across as boring.

If Millie Mackintosh’s bedroom proves anything, it’s that safe doesn’t equal boring. Opting for a soft sage shade and matching Chinoiserie wallpaper, Millie’s bedroom is the perfect balance of comfort and character.

Millie Mackintosh's sage green bedroom

I love the opportunity to have a snoop into celebrity homes, and Millie Mackintosh’s was definitely a treat for the eyes, as the Made in Chelsea star is not scared to embrace colour. Millie frequently shares glimpses of her homelife and motherhood via TikTok and Instagram, and it was here that I spotted her stunning green bedroom.

‘Green has been an incredibly popular choice in interiors for a few years now, and it’s definitely not going anywhere. What we’re seeing is a shift towards more nuanced, sophisticated tones, like earthy, muted greens and warmer, nature-inspired shades, so the colour still feels fresh but also timeless. Millie’s bedroom is a great example of how green can feel both calming and elevated,’ explains Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys.

‘What I particularly like about her space is how layered it feels. The combination of painted walls with wallpaper adds depth and interest, which is key when working with a single colour family. It stops the room from feeling flat and instead creates a really cocooning, considered look which is perfect for a bedroom.’

Millie’s bedroom has been colour-drenched in the soft sage, which gives a cocooning feel that’s perfect for relaxing. I’m also a fan of the freshness of the tone, which maintains an airy look. Green remains one of the biggest colour trends of 2026, but Millie’s bedroom looks more timeless than trendy.

‘The soft chalky sage green used in Millie’s bedroom is a particularly timeless choice. Botanical greens such as Dulux Heritage’s Sage Green and Waxed Khaki have a wonderfully grounding quality, helping spaces feel relaxed, restorative and supportive of our wellbeing. They also sit right in the middle of the visual spectrum, which is part of what makes them so balanced, versatile and easy to live with in our homes,’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Dulux.

‘What I love most about this room is how naturally it brings the outdoors in. The soft sage green decorated with delicate Chinoiserie patterns creates a calm, restful space that's full of character while still feeling light and relaxed. The Chinoiserie effect and colour work beautifully together because they complement each other so stylishly. The pale sage green and delicate floral pattern create a look that feels tranquil, elegant and full of character.’

How to get the look

Here, sage green’s reputation as a ‘safe’ shade works in your favour. It is considered safe because it is so easy to use, and the end result is always so beautiful.

‘This bedroom is a wonderful reminder that a calming, neutral backdrop doesn't have to mean white, grey or beige. Green can work in much the same way, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation while adding more depth and personality to a space,’ says Marianne.

‘Green is one of the easiest colours to live with because it feels so familiar and reassuring. This room shows how this colour and pattern can be layered together in a way that feels uncluttered, inviting, characterful and restful, proving that embracing a little more colour doesn't have to come at the expense of calm.’

The key to achieving a bedroom such as Millie’s is to ensure that your paint shades, wallpapers or furnishing match and at the very least complement each other.

‘The wallpaper and paint work well together here because they sit within the same tonal palette. That said, achieving this balance can be tricky. If the undertones don’t quite match, it can clash rather than complement. The easiest way to get it right is to choose shades that have a similar base, for example, pairing warm greens with other warm greens, and always test samples in the space before committing,’ explains Victoria.

‘If I had one note, it would be to ensure there’s enough contrast to keep the scheme feeling dynamic. When everything sits very closely in tone, you risk losing definition, so bringing in different textures or slightly lighter and darker accents can really help.’

Shop sage green

Millie Mackintosh’s bedroom is proof that sage green is more than a safe option. When used well, it can create a calming sleep space that is packed with character and style.

Gingham is having a moment. This interior trend started in the fashion world, but in the past few years, the playful checked fabric has become big news for bedrooms, too.

Gingham bedding is now all over the high street, and it's a bedding trend that shows no signs of waning anytime soon.

In fact, this is a bedroom trend that's rapidly growing, with interior stylists and decor experts saying that gingham is fast becoming one of this year's most popular children's bedroom ideas.

Yep, gingham is no longer just for the bed. In playrooms and bedrooms alike, the checks are now taking to the walls, and I personally think it's a great look if you're considering decorating or redecorating your kids' bedroom.

Whether you're pondering girls' bedroom ideas, boys' bedroom ideas, or looking to create a gender neutral nursery, as Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing recently demonstrated in an Instagram post that shared their newly decorated nursery, gingham – and, in particular, gingham wallpaper – is a look that just *works*.

The gingham kids' bedroom trend is also a look that can work for all ages, and, as our style experts are about to explain, this anti-trend style has timeless longevity.

Is gingham one of this year's fastest growing kids' bedroom trends?

'As seen in Sophie Habboo’s baby nursery, gingham wallpaper is becoming an increasingly popular nursery choice,' says Mike Allison, nursery furniture expert at Silver Cross.

'This year, we've seen a significant rise in the popularity of gingham wallpaper alongside a growing demand for gingham textiles and soft furnishings,' agrees Lauren Kavanagh, art director at wallpaper brand Hovia

'We’re definitely seeing gingham used more and more in nurseries and children’s rooms,' confirms Jessica Hanley, founder and CEO of bedding and interiors brand Piglet in Bed.

'It feels like part of a wider shift away from overly themed, childlike spaces, towards rooms that are calmer and more versatile in the long run,' says Jessica. 'Spaces that grown-ups love just as much as kids do.'

Why is gingham such a good look for a kid's bedroom?

Clearly, newlyweds Sophie and Jamie are sold on the playful checks, but why is it that gingham works *so* well in kids' bedrooms?

'Gingham strikes a balance between playful and timeless,' explains Jessica. 'It feels familiar, nostalgic and comforting, yet structured and grown-up enough to work well beyond the early years.'

'It's a timeless pattern that feels both nostalgic and fresh, making it a versatile choice for modern nurseries and children's bedrooms,' agrees Laura.

'This style is simple, calming and incredibly nostalgic, often evoking memories of the past,' agrees Mike. 'Plus, it's particularly suited to nature-inspired or gender-neutral nursery themes.'

'There’s something inherently joyful and slightly whimsical about gingham,' adds Jessica, 'it's a pattern that’s been loved for generations. It also brings colour and character to a room without ever feeling over the top.'

How to style the look

And, of course, that leads us on to how to style the look. This is a trend that you can make as bold or muted as you like by playing with colour, scale, and the pieces you pair with your gingham walls.

If you're looking to create a more muted look, then 'Sophie’s nursery is a great success,' say interior stylists Laurie Davidson and Aurélien Farjon of the @stylemakerspresent. 'She has definitely achieved the serene and timeless feel she was after through a lovely Scandi scheme with muted tones, light wood furniture accents.'

'I particularly like the playful mix of patterns Sophie has used,' says Laurie, 'from the gingham on the wallpaper, chequerboard on the rug, zigzag on the curtains, and stripes on the rocking horse.'

'Muted shades, such as sage green or pale blue, paired with bold patterns, checkered rugs and striped storage units, create a cosy, nostalgic feel without disrupting the calming ambience of the room,' agrees Mike.

'Soft, muted colours such as beige, sage green, dusty blue and blush pink create a calming scheme that can grow with your child,' agrees Laura, but if you're happy to go bolder, 'butter yellow offers a cheerful, on-trend alternative.'

'I used our Piglet in Bed Dusty Blue Gingham wallpaper in my little boy’s bedroom,' says Jessica, 'paired with our playful illustrated Mushrooms wallpaper. It’s transformed the room into a beautiful space we both love spending time in.'

And don't forget that the scale of check you opt for can also affect the room's mood.

'There are lots of options around with different scales of pattern,' says Aurélien, 'you could go for a very small scale like Sophie, giving a subtle and discreet pattern, or you could opt for the larger scale option for a bolder and more impactful look.'

If you're using a brighter colour, then Laura says that 'a medium-scale gingham check is often the easiest to work with, as smaller checks can feel busy on large wall surfaces. For a more contemporary feel, opt for a larger-scale pattern.'

Then, 'pair gingham wallpaper with complementary blocks of colour through bedding and soft furnishings,' says Laura. 'Stripes and delicate floral prints also work beautifully alongside gingham, helping to create a layered, cottage-inspired look.'

'For bedding, either echo the wallpaper colour for a soft, tonal look, or contrast with complementary shades,' advises Jessica, 'for example, soft green with blush pink, or dusty blue with buttery yellow. Keep everything else quite simple and natural: linen, rattan, light or dark wood, and subtle detailing in the furniture keep the space feeling balanced.'

Or, 'to complete the scheme, consider incorporating vintage or vintage-inspired furniture,' suggests Laura. 'Pieces such as wardrobes and chests of drawers add character, especially when updated with soft paint colours or new hardware for a fresh, modern finish.'

However you style it, I think gingham is *the* choice for a stylish kids' bedroom in 2026. Are you tempted to give checks a try?

My Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review puts the brand's latest launch, and its most affordable topper yet, to the test.

The Cool Foam claims to allow five times more airflow than standard memory foam mattress toppers, and as someone who has spent four years testing the best mattress toppers and best cooling mattress toppers on the market, I wanted to put that claim to the test.

In a nutshell

After sleeping on top of the Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper for the past three weeks, I think this topper is a brilliant option if you want to add some extra cushioning to your bed.

My husband and I also appreciated the improved motion isolation it added to our bed. We couldn't feel each other toss or turn at night, and when our kids jumped into bed, I wasn't bounced awake as I usually am.

However, I did find it fairly soft – if you crave a more solid sleep surface, this might not be the mattress topper for you. In terms of the name “Cool Foam”, I’m also not totally sold that this is more cooling than most other mattress toppers I’ve tried.

However, it didn’t cook me while I slept as some memory foam toppers have in the past, so although it wasn't as cool as the natural materials in the Woolroom Deluxe Mattress Topper I usually sleep on, if you're not a hot sleeper this likely won't be an issue, and even if you are, this topper still didn't actively cause me to overheat.

Overall, I think the generous 200-night sleep trial, Simba's excellent customer service, and this topper's cushioning comfort and excellent motion isolation will make it a good buy for many.

Simba Hybrid Essential Topper review

Specifications

• RRP: £149 / £199 / £199 / £249 / £299
• Sizes: single / small double / double / king / super-king
• Depth: 6.5cm
• Construction: foam
• Care instructions: removable cover is machine-washable at 40ºC, do not tumble dry
• Manufacturer sleep trial: 200 nights

Attaching the topper to the bed

When the Simba Cool Foam mattress topper arrived on my doorstep, it was in a tiny box. As a seasoned mattress-topper reviewer, I was genuinely mystified as to how a king-size topper could fit in such a small box. But it did – probably because this mattress is pure foam, rather than hybrid, so it can squash down a lot smaller.

Inside the box, the topper was vacuum-packed in plastic, which was easy to remove. Just be careful not to cut into your topper while executing this move. The mattress topper then unfurled. I would suggest unboxing your topper as far in advance of sleeping on it as you can – a day or so. This is because the topper slowly reshaped and expanded over time.

It also allows time for off-gassing – the release of VOCs from the manufacturing process. The off-gassing smell from this topper was quite strong – I left the room well ventilated, but it still took a while to dissipate.

There are thick elasticated straps on the corners of the topper to attach it around the mattress. Plus, there is an anti-slip underside of this topper, but I found this to be almost imperceptible. However, the elasticated straps were generous enough to fit around my extra-thick Brook + Wilde mattress underneath with ease, so it should fit most mattresses.

Comfort

The main difference between the Simba Cool Foam mattress topper and Simba's other toppers is that it's made from three core layers rather than four, and that 'missing' layer is the microsprings the other toppers use. Instead, the Cool Foam is a foam-only topper.

The uppermost layer is Simbatex – this is Simba’s own comfort-engineered memory foam. This foam is infused with graphite particles. The idea is that the graphite will draw heat away from the body, while the open-cell structure will allow fresh air to flow into the topper to keep you cool.

We’ll dive into temperature regulation in the next section, but in terms of comfort, Simbatex is meant to be bouncier and more elastic than regular memory foam. This layer is the cushioning element of the mattress, offering pressure relief on hips and joints so you feel gently supported without that sinking feeling you get from a lot of old-style memory foams.

Underneath this layer is a foam base. This section is doing the heavy lifting in the topper – it should distribute your weight evenly over the mattress topper so no spots get overloaded. This means you feel supported and your spine stays in good alignment (the holy grail in terms of minimising discomfort while sleeping).

This topper is 6.5cm deep, and Simba says that it's medium-firm, although I found it fairly soft.

However, despite usually preferring a firmer mattress, I really enjoyed sleeping on the Simba Cool Foam topper. I found it responded well to my body, cocooning me and contouring around my body. I woke without an ache or pain – many soft mattresses leave me with lower-back pain.

During testing, I also really appreciated the motion isolation it added to our bed. Even when my children bounced into bed in the morning, I found that I remained asleep – we call that in the parenting trade “an absolute win”. But it shows that the topper does a good job at limiting the transfer of movement across the bed. This is also essential if you’re disturbed by your partner fidgeting next to you.

I have tested many other mattress toppers – including the Simba Hybrid Essential Topper, which costs £299 for a double, and the premium £349 Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, both of which incorporate supportive springs. In comparison, I would say this £199 all-foam topper does feel a little less robust and a little less supportive.

However, if you're simply looking to add an extra layer of comfort and cushioning to a mattress, or to mask the movements of a fidgety partner, the Cool Foam topper did a great job.

Temperature regulation

I err on the side of being a hot sleeper and often find myself overheating in bed, which then disturbs my sleep. I usually find memory foam is a particular problem for this.

As previously explained, the Simba Cool Foam mattress topper has a layer of Simbatex foam on the upper part of the topper. This foam is designed to draw heat away from your body via the graphite particles and then allow fresh air to circulate underneath you.

I slept on this topper under my usual Woolroom wool duvet during some fairly temperate nights. I did find that I felt warmer sleeping on this topper than I do on my usual Woolroom deluxe mattress topper. I think it would be hard for a synthetic foam to outdo natural materials, especially temperature-regulating wool, when it comes to breathability.

However, by no means was it intolerable heatwise, and there was no overheating that kept me awake. I was aware I was slightly warmer than I was used to, but I do think this topper slept cooler than other non-graphite-infused memory foam toppers I've slept on.

Care instructions

Looking after this mattress topper is fairly easy. There’s a zip-off cover that is machine washable cover at 40ºC on a reduced spin cycle. You shouldn’t tumble dry it though, so pick a sunny day when you can dry it on the washing line.

If you want a deeper clean, you can spot clean the foam using a soft damp cloth. You should make sure the foam is absolutely dry before sleeping on it though.

However, it is worth noting that 40ºC isn’t always hot enough to kill those pesky dust mites that cause a lot of allergies to flare up. Personally, I'd always recommend using one of the best mattress protectors over the top.

Sleep trial

Simba offer a 200-night sleep trial on this topper. This is more than enough time to figure out if the topper is right for you.

It’s worth noting that this sleep trial kick starts as soon as your topper is delivered. So if you don’t try it for 199 nights and find out that it’s not for you on night 201, you’re out of luck. And, of course, you will need to actively notify Simba of your plans to return the topper if you’re not keen on it.

If you’re buying through a third party, double check that this offer extends to you. Not all retailers will have the same offers in place.

Value for money

The Cool Foam is now Simba’s most affordable topper. A double of this topper costs £199, while Simba's Hybrid Essential Mattress Topper costs £299 and the premium Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper is £349 for a double.

In order to achieve that lower price point, this mattress topper has been “streamlined” by Simba, so it’s foam only. The brand's other toppers are hybrid and include springs.

I found that meant this topper is a little softer than the brand's two sprung options, but I still found it very comfortable, and it added some welcome cushioning and motion isolation to our bed.

That said, I do think its £199 price point is still quite expensive. This is a pretty thick topper, at 6.5cm, but the 5cm deep Panda Topper is only a tad thinner, and the Panda Topper costs £134.95 for a double. Similarly, the Dunelm Gel Fusion Mattress Topper costs £135 for the 6cm deep option and £175 for the 10cm deep option.

We've reviewed both the Panda Topper and the Dunelm Gel Fusion Mattress Topper and found both similar in terms of temperature regulation and comfort. The main difference is that the Dunelm option doesn't come with a sleep trial, whereas the Simba and Panda options both offer 200 nights to test out on your own bed.

Overall, do I think the Simba Cool Foam mattress topper is good value for money? I think it's still a little on the expensive side. Personally, I'd wait for some Simba deals to drop and hope there's a discount before I shopped.

How I tested

Usual sleep position: side
Tension preference: medium-firm
Sleep problems: hip pain

In order to test out this mattress topper, I slept on it for three weeks in my own home on top of a hybrid mattress. I assessed how easy it was to attach to the bed, how comfortable it was when sleeping on my back and side, and whether it offered good temperature regulation. I also took into account how easy it was to care for and any sleep trials on offer.

Warm summer evenings are made for open windows, but they're also when outside noise tends to be at its loudest. Late-night garden gatherings, children playing outside, or bass from a nearby speaker can quickly leave you wanting to block the sound of noisy neighbours from your bedroom.

The good news is that you don't need to invest in a huge renovation to soundproof your bedroom and help you sleep better. 'Even quiet sound from next door stops your brain switching off properly,' explains Ben Hancock, managing director of Oscar Acoustics. 'Bedrooms feel worse because we expect peace there. The daytime hum is gone, so every creak or thud upstairs lands harder.'

From strategic furniture placement to simple upgrades that absorb sound, these expert-approved fixes can help block out neighbour noise and create a more restful sleep space.

1. Seal gaps around doors and windows

One thing you shouldn't do, says Ben, is treat only one surface when trying to block out unwanted noise.

'Sound behaves like water, it pours through any opening,' he says. A gap under the bedroom door, poorly fitted window frames or spaces around skirting boards can let in a surprising amount of airborne noise - the sound of the TV, the radio and neighbours' voices - even when everything appears shut.

Ben is clear on where to start. 'Seal every gap. Acoustic sealant or draught excluders around doors and skirting will cut airborne noise.'

In practice, this means working around the room methodically. As well as using draught excluders around doors, draught-proofing your windows can help reduce gaps that let sound travel indoors. A brush-style or rubber door sweep tackles gaps at the bottom of the door.

For small cracks around skirting boards or window frames, acoustic sealant is worth choosing over standard filler because it stays flexible and won't crack over time.

2. Layer your windows with heavy curtains

If outside noise is disturbing your sleep, your windows are often the first place to look. While shutting them can help reduce the sound of neighbours chatting in the garden or hosting a late-night gathering, your bedroom curtain ideas can make a surprising difference.

'One of the most effective budget-friendly updates is adding heavier curtains, particularly if you currently have blinds or lightweight window dressings,' advises Martha Ferreira, interior designer at built-to-rent neighbourhood, Present Made.

Look for dense, lined fabrics, such as velvet, thermal-lined curtains or heavyweight woven material. 'Soft, dense materials are your best allies when it comes to sound absorption,' says Martha. 'They help to create a bedroom that feels noticeably calmer and quieter.'

If replacing your curtains isn't an option, adding a thermal or blackout blind can also help.

3. Use upholstered furniture and textiles to soften shared walls

Hard, bare surfaces such as painted walls, wood floors and large mirrors reflect sound rather than absorb it, which can make any noise from next door seem louder and more noticeable.

When designing a quieter bedroom, Martha says she focuses on creating layers between the sleeper and the source of the noise.

'Upholstered headboards, full-height curtains, large rugs, and well-filled bookshelves can all help soften sound within the room,' she says.

Ben echoes this. 'Heavy soft furnishings, like thick rugs, a padded headboard or a bookcase packed with books along a shared wall, can cut airborne noise.'

4. Rearrange your layout to create distance between you and the noise

This is the fix that often costs nothing but can be easily overlooked. If your bed is pushed against a wall shared with your neighbour, you're sleeping as close as possible to the source of the problem.

'Positioning the bed away from a shared wall where possible can make a noticeable difference,' Martha points out. 'The goal isn't necessarily to eliminate every sound, but to create an environment that feels calmer.'

Placing a large wardrobe, chest of drawers or bookcase against a shared wall before repositioning the bed can also help. Large, solid furniture pieces create an extra layer between you and the source of the noise.

5. Mask disruptive sounds while you sleep

Even with all the above in place, some noise will inevitably find its way through the walls and into your bedroom. While a white noise machine won't stop sound travelling through walls or floors, it can be surprisingly effective at disguising low-level disturbances such as distant TVs and muffled conversations.

'A fan or white noise machine masks low-level hum,' says Ben. A dedicated sound machine, like the Dreamegg available on Amazon, offers more consistent, non-looping audio than a phone app - with many including multiple sound options, from fan noise to rain. Alternatively, the best bedside fan serves a dual purpose in the summer; it keeps the room cooler while producing a gentle, consistent background noise.

What to buy

Even just tackling one or two of these fixes can help block the sound of noisy neighbours from your bedroom, and make a noticeable difference to how peaceful your bedroom feels.

Nothing in life stays the same forever. Spring changes into summer, and then transitions into autumn and winter, before the whole cycle begins again.

The same is true for bedroom colour ideas. Yes, there are definitely bedroom trends that have a lot more longevity than others – and pink bedroom ideas are certainly one of them – but even the most timeless hues still shift over time, and that's exactly what interior experts say is happening to pink this year.

Are pink bedrooms still on trend? Yes, but there's a new grown-up spin on the shade. These are the three alternative colours that design experts say all the best-dressed bedrooms will be wearing as we head into the last half of the year and onwards into 2027.

Are pink bedrooms still on trend?

'Are pink bedrooms still on trend in 2026? Yes,' says founder of interior design studio K’Arte Design, Katerina Tchevytchalova, 'but the trend has evolved.'

'In 2026, pink bedrooms feel softer, earthier and more sophisticated than the sugary blush tones we saw a few years ago,' shares Katerina. 'We’re moving towards nuanced pinks with warmth and depth, which create a calming, cocooning atmosphere while still bringing personality into the space.'

'Pink bedrooms are still very much on trend,' agrees Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at paint brand Fenwick & Tilbrook,' but they have definitely evolved.'

'Instead of the cool-toned pastel pinks that dominated for years, we’re now seeing a shift towards warmer, earthier hues such as plaster pinks, clay tones and soft terracottas that feel far more grounded and sophisticated,' says Anna.

So, without further ado, let's dig into the 'new' pinks of 2026 and beyond.

Sun-baked plaster pinks

First up, the lightest shade of the bunch, a colour our design experts are dubbing plaster pink or sun-baked pink. These shades are a brilliant option if you're after a 'barely there' injection of colour in your bedroom.

'In 2026, pink has become much more of a “neutral” in interiors,' says Katerina, 'especially in bedrooms where people want warmth and comfort without relying on beige or grey. Sun-baked pinks create warmth without feeling too feminine or girly, and they work beautifully with natural textures like linen, wood, and plaster finishes.'

'Plaster pinks offer a more grown-up spin on pink because they balance softness with subtle depth,' agrees Anna, 'they create spaces that feel nurturing and calming without veering into anything overly sugary or feminine.'

Warm clays

Next up, our design experts say warm clay shades should be firmly on our radar as a pink alternative in 2026 and beyond. These earthier colours have more brown tones than your average pastel-toned pink.

'The more earthy tones of clays turn a bedroom into a space that feels cocooning and organic rather than "pretty",' says Lara Clarke, founder of interior design studio Lara Clarke Interiors. 'We’ve recently painted a bedroom in 'Masquerade' by Little Greene, which is a really restful shade of pink and not too "shouty" at all. It’s a grown-up pink that behaves more like a neutral.'

'Clay tones are a lovely choice for bedrooms as they bring an earthy, natural, and organic feel to a space,' agrees Sarah Ferreira, founder of design studio Sarah Ferreira Interiors.

'Bedrooms that reflect nature, even subtly, tend to feel much more calming, and these tones do that effortlessly,' explains Sarah. 'Clay-toned walls paired with natural materials like oak and linen create a really balanced look that feels warm.'

'They add warmth and a grounded, comforting quality, while still being easy to live with,' says Sarah. 'When you layer in materials like wood, linen, and stone, it creates a soft, relaxed, and cocooning atmosphere that just feels easy and considered.'

Terracotta

And if you're looking for a bolder pink alternative, our colour experts say terracotta is the colour to choose.

'Terracotta tones, such as 'Red Earth' by Farrow & Ball, are ideal if you want that clay-inspired pink with depth,' says Katerina. 'These tones also have a very Mediterranean quality, and they instantly make a room feel sunlit, relaxed, and comforting, which is exactly the mood many people want from a bedroom in 2026.'

'Terracotta shades instantly bring warmth and a sense of ease,' agrees interior designer and Pringle & Pringle founder, Sophie Pringle. 'They feel sun-baked and natural, which helps a space feel relaxed rather than overly styled. I tend to use them with softer neutrals or chalkier tones to keep the look balanced and not too intense.'

'Terracotta hues, like Dulux Heritage’s Red Sand, bring a natural warmth that feels grounding and nurturing,' concurs Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux.

'These shades are rooted in the earth, so they make a space feel settled and safe,' says Marianne. 'They’re especially lovely if you want to create a bedroom that feels like a retreat – somewhere that gently restores you. The warmth they carry means they’re comforting without being overpowering, which is exactly what you want in a space designed for rest.'

So the good news is, pink is definitely still on trend, and this certainly isn't a bedroom colour that will be going out of fashion in 2026, or beyond.

Instead, we're simply leaving cool-toned pastel pinks behind, and embracing some subtle shifts towards warmer, nature-inspired pink hues that bring an earthier and more grounded feel to the bedroom.

My Sealy Side Sleeper pillow review puts this affordable option through its paces to see how it measures up to the best pillows on the market.

In a nutshell

As a side sleeper, I found this the perfect pillow. And I've tested a fair few, so that's really saying something.

I found the supportive foam centre cushioned my head and neck at just the right height, enabling my spine to remain in a straight and neutral position when I lay on my side.

And because that foam core is wrapped in hollow fibre polyester strands, it also has a nice degree of softness. Not a firm block like many side sleeping pillows I've tested.

What's more, this pillow is very reasonably priced. Sealy advertises it as £59.99 on its own website, but I've found the Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow sold at Argos for just £25.

The downsides are that there's no sleep trial to test it out before you commit to keeping it, plus, it's only available in one height, and the filling isn't adjustable. That means that, although it suited me perfectly, smaller or larger body frames may find it doesn't fit the gap between their ear and the mattress quite as perfectly as it did me.

Still, if you can snap it up at its £25 price point, I think this pillow certainly gives the best pillows for side sleepers a run for their money, and it's definitely the best value side sleeping pillow we've tested at Ideal Home.

Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow review

Specifications

• RRP: £59.99
• Best for: side sleepers
• Materials: inner: hollowfibre polyester with polyurethane foam core, cover: cotton
• Dimensions: H19 x W50 x L78cm
• Care instructions: cover is removable and machine washable at 40°C (on a delicate cycle) and can be cool tumble dried
• Manufacturer sleep trial: none

Comfort

The Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow has a foam centre, which the brand says is designed to cushion and support the neck and spine in an optimal position for side-sleeping.

That foam core is then surrounded by hollow fibre polyester fibres and a quilted cotton cover. When I unzipped the pillow outer and looked inside, these fibres looked like candy floss and felt as soft, but were bouncier to the touch.

The effect is that I found this pillow had a softer, bouncier feel than most memory foam pillows I've tested, which can tend to feel a bit block-like under the head.

I’m a very fussy pillow person, fuelled by years of testing them! And, personally, I don’t like a pillow to feel too hard, so a lot of the dense memory foam pillows are too rigid for me. However, as a side (and occasionally a back) sleeper, I also like a pillow that isn’t too soft, otherwise, my head and neck dip too low, and the neck and spine lose their alignment.

According to Sealy, this pillow offers a medium level of firmness – ideal for people who side-sleep. And overall, I'd agree.

When I lay on this pillow for the first time, my overriding impression was how soft and comfortable it felt, whilst also being supportive enough to keep my neck and spine aligned (thanks to the foam centre).

One of my sons described it as like a piece of giant sponge wrapped in cotton wool, because the outside was so springy and light, but the inside was firmer and more supportive!

My head sank into the pillow a bit and didn’t sit on top of it as it has with other side-sleeping pillows I’ve tested. Overall, I found it offered the perfect combination of comfort and support for side sleeping, and it didn’t let my head sink too far down towards the mattress - just enough to feel comfortable whilst also keeping my neck and spine in alignment.

I often wake up in the morning with neck and shoulder aches, but when I slept on this pillow, I didn’t notice any pain in the morning.

The only downside is that, unlike pillows such as the firmer Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow, or softer Simba Hybrid Pillow or Cloudpillo Original Pillow, this pillow isn't adjustable. So, although its height suited me perfectly when side sleeping, sleepers with different body frames may find it a little too low or too high, and there's no option to tweak its height to suit individual users.

Temperature regulation

The Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow does have a cotton cover, but the rest of the pillow is synthetic, so I wasn't sure how warm it would get under my head.

However, the foam comfort layer inside the pillow is ventilated to encourage air to move around the pillow to keep you fresh and comfortable, and the hollow fibre outer has air pockets to add some breathability too.

I often wake up in the night feeling hot and clammy around my neck and head but when I slept on this pillow I noticed that I didn’t wake up during the night, and my head and neck area didn’t feel as hot and clammy as usual.

Whether that breathability will change over time as the fibres become a little more compressed, I'll have to keep you updated on, but during my testing period this pillow offered decent temperature regulation. It's not as cool as a feather and down or wool-filled pillow, but I didn't overheat, either.

Ease of care

The foam core of the Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow can't be washed, but it does have a removable cover that is machine washable at 40 degrees. The cover can also be tumble dried on cool.

The zip is so well concealed and discreetly tucked under the edge of the piping on one side that I initially struggled to find it but once I did it was easy to remove.

The fact that the cover can go in the washing machine makes it very easy to care for, and will definitely help to extend its life in terms of keeping it fresh and clean. It came up well after washing and looked as good as it did before. It was easy to put the cover back on too.

Sleep trial

The one downside of this pillow is that unlike a lot of its competition, there is no sleep trial offered.

It can be hard to gauge whether a pillow is right for you before you actually sleep on it, so it is a shame there isn't the option to test it out before you commit to keeping it, especially because its £59.99 retail price – although not the most expensive pillow I've tested – is still a significant outlay.

This said, as we'll come onto below, I have found it on sale for significantly less at a few retailers, in which case you may be more willing to take a punt and see how it works for you.

Value for money

As I mentioned, the Sealy website lists the retail price of this pillow as £59.99. However, I've found the Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow sold at Argos for just £25, and the Sealy Side Sleeper Pillow is currently available at Dreams for £35.

Compared to most side sleeping pillows I've tested, this is very reasonable. For comparison, Panda's Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow costs £44.95, the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow costs £113.99, and the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow retails at £80.

Overall, I think it's a very good buy. It's certainly one of the best pillows I've found for comfortable side sleeping, and although it isn't adjustable (so may not suit everyone height-wise), if you can snap it up at £25 then I think it's a good all-rounder that's well worth a try.

How I tested

In order to test out this pillow, I slept on it for two weeks on my own bed to assess its comfort and temperature regulation. I also assessed its ease of care, any sleep trials available, and how it compares to similar products on the market to see if it offers good value for money.

When it comes to decorating your little one's bedroom, there are plenty of great children's bedroom ideas out there. However, in my opinion, there's one kids' bedroom trend that never seems to date, and that's the Scandinavian look.

Think warm wood, muted colours, clean lines, and simple yet well-considered design details.

Because of its simplicity, this design style is also perfect for a room where we want to encourage calm and rest and reduce overstimulation.

And luckily, right now the high street is full of some great Scandi-cool kids' bedroom furniture and decor. I've rounded up some of my top picks below.

To my mind, Scandinavian style is also a kids' decor scheme that will grow with your child. Whilst investing in a dinosaur or princess-themed bedroom is great fun whilst they're little, a few years down the line, you're likely to be redecorating. And that isn't cheap.

Instead, the Scandi look can be tweaked and restyled to suit your child's growing needs and maturing tastes as they get older. That means this kid's bedroom decor idea has longevity.

Not only is this look contemporary and fun, but it also has timeless appeal. And I think that's exactly what you want for a children's bedroom.

If you're feeling tired this month, you're not alone. Not only has Britain been bathed in a heatwave – which tends to mean hot and humid nights and a restless sleep – but mornings are getting lighter too.

As May ends and we head towards the summer solstice on June 21st – the day with the most hours of daylight and the shortest night of the whole year – the sun rises before 5 am in most parts of Britain.

And whilst the lighter evenings and brighter mornings are something to celebrate, that extra daylight can have an impact on our sleep. In fact, as sleep scientists point out, we could lose over 22 hours of sleep across the next month alone.

Luckily, when it comes to how to sleep better during the summer months, there is help on hand, and there's one easy bedroom update in particular that can turn around that summer tiredness before it has an impact on our mood and wellbeing.

The problem

As Tom Coleman, sleep scientist at Hillarys, points out, 'when May draws to a close, the sun is rising before 5 am and not setting until past 9 pm across much of the UK.'

'Research by Hillarys measured exactly how many hours of darkness 20 major UK cities receive on 31 May 2026, and not one of the cities achieves the eight hours of darkness sleep experts consider the minimum for an uninterrupted night,' says Tom.

'In Aberdeen, the sky begins to lighten as early as 3:50 am, before sunrise at 4:22 am. Edinburgh and Newcastle see the sun before 4:35 am – more than an hour before most people's alarms. Even in London, at the bottom of the disruption table, the sun is fully up before 4:50 am by the final week of May.'

For many sleepers, 'this early light intrusion means lost sleep,' explains Tom. 'Waking just 45 minutes earlier than intended every night across May amounts to over 22 hours of sleep lost across the month alone.'

'We’re wired to sleep in darkness, so when that window shortens, it can disrupt your rhythm quite quickly. Losing 30 or 45 minutes a night might not feel dramatic at first, but over a few weeks, it really adds up.'

'It can be particularly challenging for light sleepers, shift workers, or parents of young children, where even small changes in light can trigger earlier wake-ups and more broken sleep,' says Tom.

But thankfully, there are measures we can take to protect our sleep during the next few months, and, even better, they're simple to adopt.

The solution

'The most important thing is taking control of your sleep environment,' shares Tom. 'I always come back to blackout curtains or blinds, and it’s something I use at home myself. A well-fitted blackout blind can make a genuine difference, keeping the room properly dark and helping you hold onto those deeper, more restorative hours of sleep.'

And a blackout blind isn't just a top tip for how to make a bedroom darker, 'it also helps with something people often overlook,' says Tom, 'it stops the early morning sun from heating the room, which can make it much harder to stay asleep on warmer summer mornings.'

'For most of us, sleeping in a bright room can be a challenge,' agrees Ian Rowell, head of product and development at Blinds2Go, 'light filtering through eyelids can not only make it tricky to get to sleep, but to stay asleep too. This can result in fragmented rest and less of the deep sleep that your body needs.'

'Naturally, blocking light at the source is the most effective way to keep your bedroom dark, which is why blackout blinds become so popular as the mornings get lighter in the spring,' says Ian.

'Blackout blinds are made from a specific fabric that keeps external light out of a room and offers thermal efficiency. For maximum darkness, I’d recommend a blackout blind with side tracks that clip to your window frame or fit neatly into the recess, preventing any light from creeping in.'

'If you’re looking to improve your sleep, I’d recommend starting with a quality set of blackout blinds,' agrees Helen O’Connor, product and trends manager at 247 Blinds.

'Blackouts completely manage the natural light for a whole night's sleep, no matter the time of year. By removing the possibility of unwanted light, you create the ideal conditions for consistently getting that deeper and more restorative rest.'

'Layering window treatments is another foolproof way to keep your bedroom dark,' adds Ian. 'Pairing a blind with heavy, complete blackout curtains ensures your room stays dark, even after sunrise. They’re particularly popular with our customers who are parents or work nightshifts – and they work brilliantly every single time.'

'And, for an immediate fix, while you wait for your blackout blinds or curtains to arrive, you could try a blackout window film, or temporary, portable blinds that stick to the window,' suggests Ian.

Ultimately, the key is to choose a solution that blocks out as much morning light as possible, until *you* decide to let the sun shine in. That way, you can enjoy the good weather and sunshine, without tiredness ruining the fun.

And as Helen points out, 'quality sleep isn’t just great for your physical health; it’s also essential in supporting your wellness, mental wellbeing, and in making you better equipped to take care of yourself and show up for the people around you. Protecting your sleep routine is one of the most important investments in your wellness.'

This week, Aldi relaunches its cooling bedding range in-store, and after a week where Britain saw temperatures soar to over 30C, I don't think there could be any better timing.

Whilst many of us are probably only too happy to enjoy the sunshine during the daytime, the hot and humid nights can be a very different story.

Most people are eager to find ways to stay cool in bed during hot weather, and with prices starting from just £3.99, Aldi's cooling bedding collection aims to be an affordable way to do so.

The Aldi collection features numerous cooling solutions. There are breathable and lightweight muslin duvet covers priced at £24.99 and available in three colourways of white, sage and beige.

And then there's the £7.99 Cooling Fitted & Flat Sheet and £3.99 Cooling Pillowcase 2 Pack that Aldi says are 'designed to draw moisture away from the body for a fresh and restful night'.

The budget-friendly retailer is also stocking a £12.99 Silentnight Thermal Regulating Pillow. This features 'heat sensor technology that helps to regulate temperature, by absorbing extra body heat, wicking away any moisture, and keeping bodies at the optimal temperature so shoppers can sleep soundly'.

That certainly sounds like exactly what I've needed these past few nights when I've been using every trick in the book for how to keep a bedroom cool.

I already have the space-saving Silentnight Cooling Gel Pillow Pad and the larger Silentnight Cooling Gel Body Pad, which I pop in the fridge before bed on the unbearably hot nights so it can cool down my sheets before I get in.

But when it comes to how to sleep better in hot weather, it's your whole sleep setup that needs thinking about.

Thankfully, there are lots of bedding materials that can help you sleep cooler, from breathable linen duvet covers, to temperature-regulating wool-filled duvets and cooling mattress toppers that can save the day if you have a synthetic or memory foam mattress that's causing you to overheat.

That said, whilst opting for bedding made from natural fibres has been game-changing for me as a hot sleeper, they are an investment. Although, to my mind, it's an investment worth making, as temperature plays *such* a big part in how well we sleep.

And, like most women, my temperature fluctuates throughout the month much more than most men's, so having bedding that supports the way my body operates has resulted in far deeper and less disrupted sleep.

That's also been the case for every woman I know who's switched to wool bedding and natural-fibre bedlinen, such as cotton or linen sheets.

By the looks of it, Aldi's cooling bedding range fixes a mix of natural fibres and synthetic fibres.

Many sleep experts do warn that synthetic fibres, such as polyester, can become 'sleep thieves' due to their less breathable make-up, but the bonus is they are very easy to care for (you can usually wash and dry polyester bedding in the same day) and they are *much* more affordable.

So if you're headed to Aldi to stock up on cooler bedding, simply check the care label to see which fibres it contains and if it delivers what you're looking for from your sleep setup.

And if you can't get into an Aldi store any time soon, I've rounded up some alternatives below that can help create a sweat-free sleep space that's ideal for hot and sticky heatwave nights.

Shop alternatives

When a home is hot and stuffy, it can feel unbearable, and I don’t know about you, but I’m literally willing to try anything to cool it down. Luckily, experts have revealed an easy and free method that can help cool a room, and all it requires is you moving your furniture.

Cooling a bedroom can feel like an impossible task in a heatwave. While it’s a no-brainer that the best portable air conditioners and best fans can be amazing at cooling us down, we should also be considering how the layout of our spaces can impact our cooling capabilities.

Experts recommend moving your furniture away from the walls when the weather is hot to help improve air flow, which in turn can cool your room. Here’s how it works.

Why should you move your furniture in hot weather?

This week, my bedroom has felt unbearably stuffy. While my Status Tower Fan has been doing a lot of heavy lifting, the heat has prevented me from having a decent night's sleep for days. So, I’ve been looking for ways to help keep it cool.

I already know why I should leave my blinds down all day, and why I should close the windows during the hottest part of the day. Now, I’m learning I need to move my furniture - my drawers, clothes rail and bed away from the walls, too.

‘Furniture pushed flush against walls, particularly large pieces like wardrobes and beds with headboards, blocks the natural circulation of air around the room. Even a small gap of a few inches allows air to move more freely and prevents pockets of warm air from becoming trapped behind surfaces,’ explains Richard Lord, founder of bamboo bedding company, Lost Loom.

‘Air needs to circulate to cool effectively. When furniture blocks walls entirely, warm air has nowhere to go and simply sits there, gradually raising the overall temperature of the room. Pulling pieces forward even slightly breaks that pattern and allows cooler air from lower in the room to circulate upward and around the space more naturally.’

Now, don’t expect this hack to instantly make your room feel cooler. But by improving air flow, you can help lower the temperature and make the space feel less stuffy.

‘Even a small gap of around 5 to 10 centimetres can help, but if you have the space to spare, around 30 centimetres is ideal for really encouraging good airflow throughout the room,’ adds Kate Palmer, creative director of The Painted Furniture Company.

‘It is a simple, free and surprisingly effective trick, especially when used alongside other cooling methods like opening windows in the evening. It is also a great opportunity to give those forgotten corners a quick dust while you are at it!’

Alternatively, here are a few more cooling options we recommend for stuffy bedrooms.

If the May heatwave has remained as a nightmare in your mind, save this clever, free trick for the next one.

The Ideal Home Bedroom Awards celebrate all things sleep, from the most stylish bed linen to practical bedroom storage furniture and everything in between.

This year, the Bedroom Awards were judged by our panel of four in-house experts: Ideal Home's Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young, Deputy Editor Ginevra Benedetti, Sleep Editor Amy Lockwood, and our resident Air Quality Expert, Lauren Bradbury.

There were plenty of brand new product launches alongside tried-and-trusted favourites that caught our judges' attention, but these are the winners of this year's Ideal Home Bedroom Awards.

Bedroom Retailer of the Year: DUSK

First and foremost, the winner of our prestigious Best Bedroom Retailer of the Year award is online-only homeware retailer, DUSK.

'We know how much our readers love DUSK, with its huge product range covering everything from beds and bedding to cushions, lighting, and accessories,' says Ideal Home's Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young.

'The brand’s mission to make affordable homeware accessible to everyone is backed up with a strong focus on customer service to make finding the perfect piece for your bedroom a positive experience.’

Highly commended: Dreams

Best Bedroom Storage: Sharps Shaker Bedroom in Soft Linen

Storage furniture is a must in any well-organised bedroom, and our judges voted the Sharps Shaker Bedroom in Soft Linen as the winner of this category.

'The Shaker design and soft cream finish make this fitted furniture look elegant and timeless, says Heather. 'With a huge range of storage options, you can build the perfect solution for your space, including a menu of features such as slatted detailing, tongue-and-groove finishes, and layered lighting.'

Highly commended: Howdens Natural Oak Walk-in Wardrobe, Symphony Aurora Bedroom Collection, and B&Q Holton Fitted Wardrobes

Best Bed Linen: Secret Linen Store Matilda Jacquard 100% Cotton Bed Linen

No bed is complete without the finishing touches, and this year, the Secret Linen Store Matilda Jacquard 100% Cotton Bed Linen won our Bed Linen category.

‘Secret Linen Store has truly mastered the art of creating timeless bedlinen that feels as good as it looks. The timeless designs and quality materials used ensure you’ll continue to use them for years to come,' shares Ideal Home's Deputy Editor, Ginevra Benedetti.

‘I love the subtle jacquard detailing in this bedding, it’s great for adding some texture and pattern to the bedroom without going too OTT. I’m also a big fan of the fact that Secret Linen Store’s bedding is made in Portugal and OEKO-TEX® Certified, which means it’s free from any harmful substances,' agrees Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, Amy Lockwood.

Highly commended: Lost Loom Bamboo Bedding Set and Luff Sleep SilverLining Organic Bamboo Duvet Set

Best Hybrid Mattress: Furniture Village Sleepeezee Hybrid Pro 2300

The winner of our hybrid mattress category is the Furniture Village Sleepeezee Hybrid Pro 2300.

‘I’m always impressed by Sleepeezee’s mattresses, and the Hybrid Pro 2300 is no exception,' says Amy.

'Handcrafted in England, it features a mix of pocket springs and memory foam, with an additional built-in pillow top to provide extra cushioning. That’s some seriously comfortable layers.’

Highly commended: Origin LumbarCloud Mattress and Emma Original Pro Mattress

Best Pillow: scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow

Finding the best pillow for your preferred sleeping position can transform your sleep, and when it comes to a truly luxurious sleeping experience, the scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow was the hands-down winner.

‘If you like a plump and squishy pillow, this is it,' says Amy. 'Made with a firmer feather core and a squishier goose down outer, it’s truly luxurious. And thanks to its dust mite-proof cover, there are no loose feathers when you come to rearrange your pillows in the morning.’

'Plus, it's made in line with the Responsible Down Standard, and has Downafresh, Nomite, and OEKO-TEX certifications.'

Best Pocket Sprung Mattress: Dreams Dream Team Evesham 3000 Pocket Sprung Mattress

After much debate, we chose the Dreams Dream Team Evesham 3000 Pocket Sprung Mattress as the winner in our pocket-sprung mattress category.

‘Dream’s Evesham mattress is a bit like buying a mattress and topper in one,' says Amy.

'It’s a pocket spring mattress with a plush pillow top filled with thermoregulating DreamTex™ foam that’s designed to absorb heat to keep you cool and release heat when you need warming up.’

Highly commended: Furniture Village Hypnos Bespoke Emerald Mattress with Detachable Topper

Best Bedroom Air Quality: Dyson HushJet

If you have allergies, then an air purifier can be a useful tool for improving your bedroom's air quality, and this year, the judges voted the Dyson HushJet as our Best Bedroom Air Quality winner.

‘Stylish, compact, but still suitable for larger rooms, the Dyson HushJet offers a sleek way to improve your air quality at home,' explains Ideal Home's Air Quality expert Lauren Bradbury.

'The unique star-shaped nozzle proved itself worthy during testing, offering impressive air filtration and projection, while the onboard sensors were responsive to air quality changes. As expected from Dyson, it’s a premium brand offering premium technology to be proud of.’

Highly commended: Sans Air Purifier Mini

Best Bed: DUSK Wiltshire Ottoman Bed

No bedroom is complete without a bed, and the best bed category saw another win for DUSK, with the judges crowning the DUSK Wiltshire Ottoman Bed the winner, thanks to its stylish good looks and great value for money.

‘Featuring an elegantly-shaped headboard, oodles of hidden storage, and available in a choice of three colourways and sizes, you’d expect this beauty to cost a lot more than it does,' says Ideal Home's Deputy Editor, Ginevra Benedetti. 'If you’re looking for luxe for less, this is the bed to buy.’

'High-end looks with an affordable price tag – I love the shape of the headboard, and all that storage is a real dream,’ agrees Heather.

Highly commended: Laura Ashley Lingmell Trail Tarbert Bed, Arlo & Jacob Leni Bed, and Pottery Barn Estelle Four Poster Bed

Best Bedroom Flooring: Cormar Carpets Silken Serenity Bedroom Flooring

This year, our judges chose the Cormar Carpets Silken Serenity Bedroom Flooring to win our bedroom flooring award.

'Stepping out of bed onto lush, deep-pile carpet is such a treat, and this collection has been created to marry high-end comfort with everyday practicality,' explains Heather.

'The carpet comes in 16 plain shades and is stain-resistant and bleach-cleanable – perfect for busy homes that don’t want to compromise on style.'

Best Sleep Tech: Philips Hue Twilight Sleep and Wake-Up Light

The winner of our sleep tech award is the Philips Hue Twilight Sleep and Wake-Up Light.

‘This ingenious lamp combines top tech with super stylish looks,' says Ginevra. 'It’ll slowly dim when you’re going to bed each evening and gradually build in brightness the following morning to wake you up gently. A must if you have blackout window dressings.’

Best Bedroom Furniture: Furniture Village Tiber Dressing Table with Mirror

Bedroom furniture needs to combine practicality *and* style, and in our judges' opinion, the Furniture Village Tiber Dressing Table with Mirror does that perfectly.

'How chic is this dressing table?' says Heather, 'with a sleek travertine ceramic surface, two handy drawers, and an elegant circular tilting mirror, this is the perfect statement piece for a bedroom.'

Highly commended: Oak Furnitureland Henley Wardrobe and The Cotswold Company Camille Limewash Oak Quad Wardrobe

Best Kids Bed: ROOMIX Transition Toddler Bed

The winner of our Kids Bed award is the ROOMIX Transition Toddler Bed.

‘Kids can grow out of clothes so quickly, so you certainly don’t want the same thing happening to an expensive piece of furniture, too,' says Ginevra. 'That’s why clever pieces that grow with them are such a good investment. This brilliant bed starts as a floor-level bed, but you can buy add-ons to extend its life, from additional legs to under-bed drawers. Plus, it comes in a choice of two neutral (and paintable) shades to suit all schemes.’

'This bed is designed to grow with your child instead of needing to be replaced,' agrees Heather, 'with lots of adaptable features including different barrier options, legs so that the bed can grow with your child, and drawers for practical storage.'

Highly commended: Dreams Frankie Dino Bed Frame

Best Duvet: scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet

And when it came to crowning the best duvet, it was another win for scooms and the scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet.

‘scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet is one of the best quality feather and down duvets we’ve tested,' says Amy. 'Light, airy, and super squishy, it’s truly like snuggly up in a cloud. The brand’s feather and down is also ethically sourced - very important in this type of bedding - and its duvets are made in small batches using renewable energy.’

Highly commended: Slumberdown Wonderful Wool Duvet and Panda Cloud Bamboo Duvet

Best Mattress Topper: Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper

The winner of our Mattress Topper award is the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper.

‘If you’re looking for an extra layer of cushioning to soften up a firm mattress, then Slumberdown’s memory foam topper does the trick,' says Amy, 'and at under £100 for a double, it also won’t break the bank.'

Best in Sustainability: Panda London collection

When it comes to efforts made towards more sustainable manufacture, it was Panda London that impressed our judging team.

‘From bedding and pillows to mattresses and toppers, Panda London makes its entire range from bamboo, which is a brilliantly sustainable material. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic and is grown without the use of chemicals, too,' says Ginevra.

Best Bedroom Lighting: Furniture Village Delaney Urn Table Lamp

Our judges chose the Furniture Village Delaney Urn Table Lamp as the winner of our Bedroom Lighting award.

'I’m constantly impressed by the lighting range at Furniture Village,' says Heather, 'and this statement lamp is a perfect example of its style credentials with luxe-look woodgrain finish and neutral linen lampshade.'

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Nectar Sleep Premier Mattress

If you prefer your mattress without springs, the Nectar Sleep Premier Mattress is the winner of our memory foam mattress award two years running.

'Nectar’s memory foam mattresses are some of the most affordable out there, and the Nectar Premier mattress is no exception,' says Amy.

'Plus, at 365 nights, the brand has one of the longest sleep trials in the mattress industry, and that can be invaluable when it comes to making sure a mattress is the right fit for your body and sleep style.'

'If you like a mattress that’s soft and cushioning, this memory foam option could be the one for you.'

Best Bedroom Paint: Earthborn 'Splashing' Claypaint

Bedroom colour can make or break your bedroom design, and our judges awarded Earthborn's 'Splashing' Claypaint the award for best bedroom paint overall.

'Earthborn’s Claypaint is a win for bedrooms – this clay-based, breathable formulation has lower VOC levels, regulates humidity, and has an ultra-matt finish that softens the light,' says Heather. The soothing ‘Splashing’ shade is perfect for a calm space.

Our Judges

This week, temperatures in Britain hit 30°C, as we basked in the first heatwave of the summer. And, whilst we might enjoy soaking up the sunshine during the day, most of us are probably less enthusiastic about facing restless nights as hot, humid weather makes sleep increasingly difficult.

I'm a hot sleeper at the best of times, and with a south-facing bedroom, I certainly don't enjoy tossing and turning on sticky summer nights.

Luckily, as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the last five years testing every type of bedding under the sun – from the best duvets for hot sleepers to the best cooling mattress toppers – and one thing I've learned is that the bedding materials we sleep in and on can make a *huge* difference to our overnight temperature.

Alongside various sleep experts, I'm here to share everything you need to know to set yourself up for a cooler sleep this summer.

But firstly, why is cooler sleep so important? Well, according to a recent survey by bedding brand Secret Linen Store, the average British sleeper is already getting just six hours and 56 minutes of sleep per night. This already falls short of the recommended eight to nine hours, and things only get worse in warmer weather.

63% of Brits say their sleep is affected by hot weather, and, according to Secret Linen Store's data, during the summer months, Brits lose more than 30 minutes of sleep per night. That adds up to at least 46 hours of lost sleep across the season, as rising temperatures make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

And science backs up what sleepers are experiencing firsthand. As Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, clinical sleep therapist and resident sleep expert at MattressNextDay, explains, 'Good sleep starts before your head hits the pillow, and one of the key triggers is your body cooling down by around one to two degrees in the evening. That drop in temperature is what allows you to fall asleep and move into deeper, more restorative sleep.'

'If that cooling doesn’t happen, or heat gets trapped, sleep becomes lighter, more restless, and people tend to wake more during the night,' says Natalie, 'that’s why your bedding choices aren’t just about comfort. They either support that cooling process or work against it. I often describe bedding as ‘sleep medicine in fabric form’, because it directly supports your body’s temperature regulation.'

'A lot of this comes down to heat and moisture around the body while you sleep. If that builds up, you’re much more likely to overheat and wake,' shares Natalie, and that's why choosing breathable bedding materials, like the ones listed below is *so* important for a cooler sleep.

1. Wool

Sleep experts unanimously agree that wool is a game-changing fibre when it comes to a cooler sleep, and, as a hot sleeper, it's definitely a material that has revolutionised my sleep setup and delivered a better night's rest.

'Wool is one of the most underrated sleep materials we have,' says sleep therapist Natalie. 'It’s one of the most responsive options for keeping temperature balanced through the night, particularly if your sleep tends to run hot or fluctuate.'

'What makes it different is how wool handles moisture,' says Natalie. 'Wool fibres can absorb and release moisture vapour as your body heats up and cools down, so instead of dampness sitting against your skin, it’s drawn away. That helps keep your sleep environment more stable.'

'It’s also to do with the structure of the fibre. Wool naturally creates small air pockets, which help retain warmth when needed, but also allow heat to escape when your body temperature rises. So you don’t get that build-up of heat that can wake you.'

'It may seem counterintuitive, but for hot sleepers, wool is one of the most effective bedding fibres you can choose,' agrees Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and managing director of Woolroom.

'It naturally regulates temperature while managing moisture, drawing heat and humidity away from the body to create a drier, more comfortable microclimate in your sleep environment.'

There are many ways to incorporate wool into your sleep setup, and I certainly swear by a wool duvet, which I sleep under all year round, plus a wool topper or mattress protector if you don't have a natural-fill mattress.

2. Linen

Next up, in our round up of cooling bedding materials, is linen. 'Linen is often the first material I recommend for hot sleepers,' says Natalie.

'It’s very effective at pulling heat away from the body, so when your temperature rises during the night, it helps you cool down more quickly rather than holding onto that heat.'

'It also handles moisture really well, says Natalie. 'Linen can absorb significantly more moisture than cotton before it feels damp, which means you’re less likely to wake up feeling clammy or uncomfortable.'

'It has a slightly textured feel at first,' says Natalie, 'and it will crease, but it softens beautifully over time and is incredibly durable.'

'Linen bedding is one of the most breathable fabrics available, allowing air to circulate freely,' agrees Molly Freshwater, co-founder of Secret Linen Store. 'Its natural fibres help release heat and moisture, making it ideal for hot, humid nights.'

3. Hemp

And whilst linen bedding is usually the easiest fabric to get your hands on, it's not the only material that offers good cooling properties.

'Hemp also works in a similar way to linen,' says Natalie. 'The fibre structure allows heat and moisture to move away from the body, rather than building up, which helps keep your sleep environment more balanced through the night.'

'Because of how those fibres are formed, hemp can also adapt to changes in temperature, keeping you comfortable if you get too warm, but not feeling cold if your temperature drops.'

'It’s also one of the more durable natural fibres,' shares Natalie, 'and it softens over time with washing, which improves how it feels against the skin and helps your body relax into sleep.'

'Hemp is a great, often overlooked option,' agrees Jack Davies, category lead at sleep brand Dreams. 'It’s naturally breathable, durable, and very effective at wicking away moisture. Like linen, it softens over time while still maintaining airflow, which makes it a good choice for maintaining a consistently cool sleep environment.'

4. Bamboo

This said, both linen and hemp have a textured feel that can take a little getting used to. If you prefer something (a lot) smoother, then silky and cool-to-the-touch bamboo is another cooling favourite amongst sleep experts.

'Bamboo is probably one of my favourite bedding materials to recommend,' says Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at Mattress Online. 'It's a natural material that has great breathability and wicks moisture away from the skin, but it also dries out very quickly, too. This makes it perfect for hot (and sweaty) sleepers.'

But Hannah does add a warning that it's important to consider which parts of your sleep setup incorporate bamboo.

'The closer to the skin, the more you feel the benefits,' says Hannah, 'so look for bamboo bed linen or pyjamas. Often, when bamboo is in a mattress, it is turned into foam, which may be more breathable and refreshing than normal memory foam, but not as much as any fibres.'

And that leads us on to our last wonder fibre, because ensuring your bedding materials are made of the most breathable fibres possible definitely results in a cooler sleep, but what's underneath you, in your mattress, matters too.

5. Latex

All of the materials mentioned above can help to create a cooler mattress, so looking for a mattress that incorporates wool, or natural fibres like hemp, cotton, or flax (which becomes linen when woven into fabric) can result in a more breathable, and therefore, cooler sleep.

And in addition to these, there's one more material our sleep experts recommend, and it's definitely become a favourite of mine, too.

'Natural latex is a good option if you’re looking for something supportive but still breathable,' explains Jack. 'It allows for better airflow than many synthetic foams and doesn’t trap heat in the same way. It’s also durable and hypoallergenic, making it a practical choice for both comfort and health.'

'Latex is a fantastic material,' agrees Hannah, although, like Jack, she points out this is only the case when it is in its most natural form. 'Unfortunately, a lot of latex on the market is synthetic,' Hannah explains, 'which reduces its natural antibacterial and temperature-regulating properties. So, natural latex is great; synthetic latex may have the same feel, but not all the same wonderful properties.'

All in all, 'natural, breathable materials are always a safe and effective choice for keeping cool at night, sums up Jack. 'Cotton, linen, and even silk all allow for good airflow and help wick moisture away from the body, which is key for maintaining a comfortable sleep temperature.'

'I would suggest sleeping with bedding made from natural fibres to anyone,' agrees Chris, 'but it’s especially important for those who tend to overheat at night or during warmer weather.'

'Ultimately, creating a cooler sleep environment is about layering the right materials, from your mattress and protector through to your duvet and sheets, so everything works together to keep you comfortable throughout the night,' says Jack.

In this Origin LumbarCloud Mattress review, I put the brand's premium mattress through its paces to see how it compares to the best mattresses Ideal Home has tested.

In a nutshell

Overall, the Origin LumbarCloud Mattress is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers that I've tested. Origin says that it has focused a lot of this mattress's design around lumbar support, and during testing, I felt like it had my back, literally.

The pillowtop provided wonderful cushioning, which made my body feel weightless as I lay on my back, and if you like a firm mattress, this delivers.

I was also impressed with its temperature regulation. At no point did I wake feeling hot and bothered, and I also found its motion isolation exceptional. I didn't feel when my husband got into bed, or if one of us tossed and turned during the night.

No doubt that's in part thanks to its whopping eleven layers of foams, springs, wools, and latex. However, because of that, it's by far the deepest and heaviest mattress that I've ever reviewed.

Its 35cm depth meant I needed new sheets for our bed, and anyone shorter than me would possibly struggle to get onto this bed, it's *really* high! Plus, it was incredibly heavy to get upstairs to our bedroom, despite the fact that it's delivered boxed.

Personally, I also found it too firm for side sleeping, even though Origin describes it as having a medium-firm core. My body wasn't as cradled as I would have liked in a side-sleeping position, and I prefer for my body to sink into a mattress more, rather than rest on the surface of the mattress.

However, if you're a back sleeper looking for a firm mattress, then I found the Origin LumbarCloud certainly did the trick, and when it's on sale, it also gives our top-rated Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress a run for its money price-wise.

Origin LumbarCloud Mattress review

Specifications

• Type: hybrid (springs + foam + natural fibers)
• Construction materials: British wool and cashmere, micro-springs, open-cell foam, "AstroLift" (graphite-infused latex), "Orignex" (gel-infused foam), cotton-blend cover
• Sizes: single, small double, double, king, super king
• Tensions available: medium-firm
• Height: 35cm
• Side handles: yes
• Flip or rotate: neither
• Manufacturer sleep trial: 200 nights

1. Comfort

The Origin LumbarCloud is a hybrid mattress made up of eleven layers. I won't go into the makeup of each of those layers in detail here, as you can find them on the Origin website, but they're a mix of foams, graphite-infused latex, micro-spring layers, and some breathable wool thrown in for good measure.

Overall, these eleven layers amount to a mattress depth of 35cm. This makes it the deepest mattress that I've ever tested, and, with that, it makes it the highest bed that I've ever slept on.

It's worth noting that most mattresses are around 25cm deep, which only requires a standard fitted sheet. With a mattress that is 35cm, you will need to buy extra-deep fitted sheets. I got mine from John Lewis. You may also find that if you're petite, you'll find it too much of a climb to get into this bed. I'm about 5 feet 8 inches, and I found I was 'climbing' into bed rather than simply sitting down on the mattress.

Origin describes the LumbarCloud as a medium-firm mattress, which, as a side and back sleeper, is my go-to tension.

Overall, I found this mattress incredibly comfortable and supportive when I was sleeping on my back. Origin says that the center third of the LumbarClouds' surface is reinforced for lumbar support. And whilst I wouldn't say that I generally suffer from any lower back pain, I definitely appreciated the support and the spinal alignment that this mattress delivered when I was lying flat on my back.

The pillowtop also provided good cushioning, which made my body feel weightless as I lay on my back. My back-sleeping husband agreed. A month sleeping on this mattress has been a welcome relief for our tired bodies as parents of two little ones.

However, whilst I was cradled a little when I lay on my side, my shoulders and hips didn't nestle into the mattress as much as I'd have liked for comfortable side sleeping. I'd definitely describe this mattress as more on the firm side of medium-firm.

For me, this mattress is definitely one for back sleepers only. I think that side sleepers are going to need more cushioning than this mattress provides.

2. Motion isolation

The Origin LumbarCloud Mattress has exceptional motion isolation, no doubt thanks to all those spring and foam layers working in harmony.

By this, I mean that I didn't feel the mattress move when my husband climbed in and out of bed. Similarly, I didn't get disturbed when he switched up sleeping positions through the night. From my husband's point of view, he concurs that he couldn't feel me rolling about in the night.

Collectively, we can also confirm that there was also no rolling together into the middle of the bed either; we both stayed on our respective sides of the mattress.

3. Responsiveness

Since my first impression of this mattress was a "firm" one, I thought that it would feel the same as some of the other foam and hybrid mattresses I've tested; 'flat' with 'no bounce'. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the LumbarCloud's responsiveness.

Initially, it gave me vibes of the Nectar Premier Mattress I had recently tested, which I felt was a little flat, even though the foam layer hugged me, and I didn't struggle to roll into a different sleeping position. However, after a few nights sleep-testing, I realised the CloudPlush pillow top on this Origin mattress makes a huge difference.

This first layer cradled my body in a way similar to when my head is nestled into a pillow, and then the micro spring system delivered a seamless comfort transition as I shape-shifted through the night.

I found that there was some spring back when I pressed my hand on the surface of the mattress, and my two kids certainly found that it was a great mattress to bounce on, so, all in all, it responded well to movements.

4. Temperature regulation

I found that the materials in all eleven layers of the Origin LumbarCloud Mattress provide a wonderfully cool sleep.

Origin says this mattress has been designed with ultra-breathable layers that work together to enhance airflow and disperse heat with materials such as wool and bamboo that are renowned for regulating temperature, as well as open-cell foam, which promotes extra airflow, and graphite-infused latex, which is intended to draw heat away from the body.

Whilst I'm not generally a hot sleeper, I know all too well what it is like to overheat on an all-foam mattress, and it's not nice. Luckily, this mattress kept me at a consistently 'just right' temperature all night long.

5. Edge support

Origin says that the walls of the LumbarCloud have been wrapped with a foam to offer good edge support.

When I sat on the edge of this mattress to put it to the test, I found that the sides did collapse a little, but not as much as the similarly priced TEMPUR EASE mattress, on which I ended up sitting on the edge of the bed frame! I also found that the LumbarCloud retained its form at the edge a lot better than the Nectar Premier Mattress I recently tested.

Whilst lying on the mattress, I found that I could enjoy the entire surface of the mattress without any danger of it dipping at the sides, and when both the kids managed to climb into bed with us, pushing me to the edge of the mattress, I could still sleep in comfort without falling out of bed.

However, the Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress does still retain its crown for offering the best edge support in the business. The LumbarCloud can't quite compete with Sealy's excellent side walls, so if you struggle to get out of bed without firm support to push off, the Sealy is for you.

6. Sleep trial

Origin offers a 200-night sleep trial when your mattress is delivered to your home to give you a chance to try it. As long as you stick to the terms and conditions, if you don't love it, then you'll receive a full refund, and your returned mattress will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

In comparison, Nectar and DreamCloud have the longest sleep trial in the business, with a generous 365 nights to try out their mattresses. However, this length of trial is on par with the likes of Simba and Emma, and it is still one of the most generous trial periods available.

7. Ease of care

The Origin LumbarCloud Mattress is an easy(ish) one to care for, as you don't need to flip it.

Instead, to maintain optimal performance and longevity, the brand recommends that the mattress be regularly rotated.

There are two handles on either side of the mattress to help with this, but you will need another strong human to help turn it 180 degrees because of its hefty weight.

When it comes to freshening up the mattress, the cover is not removable. Whilst it's good to have a removable mattress cover for freshening up the mattress every now and then, I really wouldn't want to be removing the cover from the LumbarCloud, even if it was an option. This mattress is HEAVY. I would certainly struggle to lift the mattress in kingsize, let alone the super king I tested.

Instead, reach for one of the best mattress protectors. These are a lot easier to remove and stick in the washing machine.

Origin says you can spot clean the surface of the mattress if you need to with warm soapy water, and then dry it with a hair dryer. In my experience, though, this can make matters worse and create another problem: a watermark. If you have that mattress protector on, this can all be avoided.

8. Delivery

The Origin LumbarCloud Mattress will arrive the next day by courier, for free, if you place your order by 09:00 the day before. After this time, it'll arrive within a couple of days. And the delivery drivers will deliver your new mattress to a room of your choice.

This is an improvement on the first Origin mattress we tested – the budget-friendly Origin Hybrid Mattress – which used to be delivered to the doorstep only.

I received a couple of emails, a phone call, and a text message throughout my LumbarCloud's journey to advise me of its movements. However, on delivery day, I made a mistake. I opted for the delivery team to leave the mattress in our hallway because I hadn't organised our bedroom. This was a definite error!

The LumbarCloud is delivered as a mattress-in-a-box, meaning it's rolled and vacuum-packed in a compact box. This means that, should you prefer to move the mattress yourself, the size won't be the problem – but I hadn't realised its weight. This mattress is *mega* heavy. The box was also terribly damaged from its time in transit, which made it harder to lift.

Luckily, I had the help of my husband to drag and lug this mattress in its box up the stairs, but it was still harder than I'd have liked. I also enlisted his help to remove said box as I was unpacking the mattress.

Unlike Nectar and REM-Fit, no cutter is included with this mattress that can be used to slice through the plastic that is tightly wrapped around it. I (carefully) used scissors instead.

As soon as I started to cut through the plastic the mattress started to inflate. Less haste was important here so that I didn't manage the mattress. The force of the mattress unravelling helped to release it from the plastic.

With the help of another grown-up human, the plastic can then be lifted and removed from the inflating mattress.

Within a few hours the LumbarCloud was ready to sleep on, but on the box that it arrived in it says to allow 24 - 48 hours for the full rebound. I didn't notice any mattress off-gassing which is an unpleasant smell associated with the foam layers in a mattress, but I did open the window to ensure that the bedroom was well ventilated.

9. Third-party reviews

The Origin LumbarCloud Mattress is only available to buy directly from Origin, and at the time of writing, this mattress has 366 reviews in total, with 338 of those awarding it a full five-star review.

I sorted the reviews by most recent first, which led with a rating left on 21 April 2026, headlined 'Great mattress can't praise it highly enough'. Other reviews that followed included 'Great quality, condition, and I have noticed an improvement in my sleep quality. I'd recommend this mattress to anyone.'

Another shares that the mattress is delivered rolled, which is convenient when navigating tight stairs, but, similar to my experience, notes that 'it does weigh 60kg'. Other comments worth noting mention that it's quite high.

As a brand, Origin scores 4.1 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot. I can see here some comments about the delivery service, with the box being damaged and orders not being delivered when expected. I, too, received a badly damaged delivery box, which doesn't set the best first impression.

10. Environmental impact

I couldn't find much information about Origin's mattress production process anywhere on the Origin website, and, as far as I can tell, it doesn't appear that any of the materials used in this mattress are from recycled sources, which is a shame.

On the About Us page, there is a sentence about working with local communities in different countries to become environmentally friendly, but Origin hasn't shared 'how' or set any goals.

Although the brand does state that any mattresses returned via the 200-night sleep trial are donated to the British Heart Foundation in an effort to minimise harm to the environment, and to offer help to those who may need it.

Overall, I'd like to see more effort being made by the brand to address its environmental impact; Simba is still at the helm for circular design processes so it would be good to see some more mattress brands follow suit.

11. Value for money

There is no getting away from the fact that the Origin LumbarCloud is an expensive mattress. It'll cost you £1,717 for a double. However, I've found that it is regularly on sale, so you may be able to get a better deal, depending on when you shop.

I rated it as best for back sleepers rather than side sleepers, which pits it against the Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress, which we rate as the best mattress for back sleepers overall.

In comparison, the Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress costs £1,499.99 for a double, so it remains the best value for money at full price. Plus, the Sealy mattress has outstanding edge support, and nearly 500 5-star reviews from customers on the Bensons for Beds website.

At 27cm deep, the Sealy mattress also isn't as deep as Origin's 35cm LumbarCloud, so it's easier to get in and out of, and you shouldn't need to invest in new extra-deep fitted sheets.

And if you're a side sleeper? I'm still a *huge* fan of the more cushioned Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress, which retails at £1,699 for a double, but the great value Simba Hybrid Mattress remains a brilliant all-rounder that I think suits both back and side sleepers well. And it's just £899 for a double.

How I tested

My sleep stats:

Sleep position: back or side
Tension preference: medium/firm
Sleep problems: shoulder and/or neck pain and occasional pins & needles
Height & weight: 5"8 and 12 stone, 7lbs

In putting the Origin LumbarCloud Mattress through Ideal Home's mattress testing process, I assessed eleven factors that we deem vital to any mattress purchase.

I tested the mattress for comfort, motion isolation, responsiveness, temperature regulation, and edge support. This means that myself (and my husband) slept on the mattress for a month before I wrote my review.

I also took into consideration ease of care, any sleep trials available, the delivery process, its value for money, and, where possible, researched the mattress's environmental impact and any third-party customer reviews – to see if they aligned or were at odds with my own experience – before writing my own review and giving this mattress a star rating.

Ever wonder what you could do to improve your sleep? Well, last month, I was invited to an overnight sleep retreat by the lovely folks at Dunelm. The trip's aim was to highlight the brand's vast range of the best mattresses and bedding, and to meet Dunelm's sleep experts. The day would end with everyone spending the night in their own personal treehouse cabin furnished top-to-toe in Dunelm products, along with a bed that has been completely tailored to each individual's needs, ensuring we had a perfect night's sleep.

Now, buying a mattress, duvet or pillow isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. Choosing the wrong product can completely ruin your chances of a good eight hours of shut-eye. So I was intrigued to find out how Dunelm plans to help inform its customers on how to find the right products to buy.

No surprises, then, that I found myself on a train last Thursday, bound for the beautiful Wildhive at Callow Hall in Derbyshire, where Dunelm was hosting its special Sleep Retreat. In advance of the stay, the brand's expert team sent me a questionnaire, asking detailed questions about how I sleep to find my ideal bed and bedding setup.

After we arrived, and were shown the beautiful treehouses where we'd be spending the night (pretty much everything in the rooms apart from the painted cupboard in the corner was from Dunelm!) and then we headed off for a special sleep presentation.

Here, Dunelm's experts talked us through the brand's sleep ranges and the wealth of products that it offers. To say that it stocks a wide selection is an understatement - there really is something for everyone, covering all bases in quality, affordability and practicality.

Dunelm's sleep ranges are split into five brands

To understand the options available at Dunelm, you need to get your head around some names, as its bedroom collections are split among five in-house brands.

At the most affordable end of the scale, you have Dunelm's core collections, which feature basics at great prices, including rolled and lightweight mattresses, pillows, duvets and bedding protection.

Next, there's Dunelm's Comfort Zone range, which focuses on products that offer extra support - these will include lots of memory foam and gel fillings, as well as body and support pillows. Comfort, here, is key.

Right in the middle is Fogarty, a heritage brand that Dunelm has owned for over a decade. It specialises in technical bedding, including synthetic and natural materials, as well as anti-allergy and cooling ranges.

Next, Hotel is one of the brand's more luxurious collections, and as the name suggests, it aims to bring a boutique hotel vibe to your bedroom. It specialises in pocket-sprung and memory foam pillow-top mattresses, as well as cotton bedding with high thread counts.

Finally, there's Dorma - a heritage brand dating back to 1921 (almost as old as Ideal Home!), which has been owned by Dunelm for 18 years.

Naturally, this is the brand's top-end bedroom collection (it holds a royal warrant, after all) with luxe materials including silk, merino wool, cashmere, alpaca and high-thread-count cotton, alongside premium pocket sprung, split tension and hand-finished mattresses.

Admittedly, you won't find every single product at your local store - there are several warehouses' worth of product available on the Dunelm website. But even I was surprised at the sheer volume of products available, as well as the variety, that you can choose from.

The number of bedding options that Dunelm has to offer is pretty vast

Before I went on this trip with Dunelm, I knew the brand sold a selection of mattresses, duvets and pillows. But I really had no clue how large this offering was. As I type this, a quick search on its website shows that there are over 640 double mattresses to choose from, over 1,000 double duvets and more than 150 of the best pillows.

Thankfully, Dunelm acknowledges that there's a lot to choose from, so it's currently rolling out special questionnaires (rather like the one I filled in before the sleep retreat) to help point people in the right direction when shopping for the ideal mattress, duvet or pillow.

Unsure of what you might need? Try it out yourself - search for 'mattress' on the Dunelm website, and its Mattress Matchmaker quiz will pop up.

No matter how you sleep, they have you covered

When choosing a mattress, you need to look at the way you sleep, as this will inform the best option to guarantee a good night's sleep. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or front (or a combination of these), Dunelm has a variety of options for all.

Take Dunelm's Comfort Zone memory foam rolled mattress, £219, for instance. It's a great mattress for side sleepers as the memory foam provides a decent amount of pressure relief for shoulders and hips as you drift off. Team that with a high-profile pillow to give your neck and head ample support, like Dunelm's Dorma Full Forever Side Sleeper Pillows, £20 for two.

Meanwhile, front sleepers, like me, need a medium support mattress (the Dorma Natural 10000 Pocket Sprung Horsehair Mattress, £1,259 is a great option) and a squishy, low-profile pillow so we don't get neck strain, so the Dunelm team selected a range of products to help me sleep like a baby.

Personally, the Dorma luxurious goose down soft support pillow, £60, was a total dream to sleep upon, so much so, I pretty much begged the team to let me take it away with me when I left...

What's more, the brand also stocks a great selection of body pillows, perfect for pregnant women or those with back, neck, or hip issues. There are huggable V-shaped designs, foam-filled wedge backs and knee wedges.

They're really good on eco cred too

Something that Dunelm does really well, which it tends not to shout about enough, is its commitment to using sustainable products.

The brand has a wide range of products made from natural materials - 70% of the cotton in its own-brand bedding ranges is responsibly sourced.

And while it will still stock products made using synthetic materials - as they're ideal for those with allergies or on a low budget - 75% of the polyester used in its own-brand bedding products is recycled.

What's more, Dunelm mattresses are built to last, too, and the brand backs that up with guarantees on every mattress sold, from 5 to 20 years. And when you're ready to upgrade yours, ​Dunelm has partnered with the British Heart Foundation to collect and give your old mattress another home, ensuring it doesn't automatically end up in landfill.

And don't forget all the finishing touches...

I can't not mention all the other products that make up a bedroom, as it's pretty much all available at Dunelm, too. As previously mentioned, virtually everything in my sleep retreat cabin was by Dunelm, from the bedding to the headboard to the lighting. As a one-stop shop for a whole bedroom makeover, Dunelm is pretty hard to beat.

So if your sleep setup could do with an upgrade, from the bones of your bedding to the decor that surrounds it, I'd definitely suggest checking Dunelm out.

IKEA has just launched a new sofa bed as part of its PS 2026 collection, and this minimalist design scores big in the style stakes.

What's more, the brand's new launch costs just £550 for the three-seater design.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the past five years testing all the best sofa beds on the market, and let me tell you, for a sofa bed of this size, that's very good value.

This sofa bed is a part of IKEA's 10^th Signature PS Collection. First launched in 1995 at the Milan furniture fair, according to the brand, 'the IKEA PS collection was created to challenge the design world's exclusivity by making modern Scandinavian design accessible to everyone.'

The 2026 collection features 44 brand new product launches created by 12 designers, and IKEA has dubbed it 'a celebration of 'playful functionality'. I definitely agree. I think there are some cult classics of the future within this year's PS Collection, and this sofa bed is one of them.

Like all of IKEA's best designs, it's a super simple concept that's executed well. This three-seater sofa bed features a clean-lined wooden frame upholstered with quilted seating. It couldn't be more Scandinavian chic if it tried.

And transforming it into a sleeping area couldn't be simpler – you literally lift off the back cushions, and there's your 92 x 204cm bed. (That's the equivalent of a standard single bed's worth of sleeping space).

In fact, it's almost more of a daybed than a sofa bed, but those plump back cushions make it a lot more comfortable as an occasional seat.

Worried about the fact it's white? Thankfully, IKEA has thought of that. The PS 2026 sofa bed has a removable cover that can be machine-washed at 40°C.

Will you still want to add one of the best mattress toppers to protect the sofa when guests sleep on it? I would say so, but knowing you can stick the covers in the washing machine to freshen them up is still a great bonus in my book, and a feature very few sofa beds offer.

And did I mention it's only £550? I've rounded up some similarly budget-friendly alternatives below for comparison, but to my mind, that's very good value and makes the IKEA PS sofa bed well worth having on your radar if you're looking for an affordable way to host overnight guests.

Shop alternatives

One of the many perks of working in this job is being surrounded by style savvy editors who know how to sniff out a good deal. And when it comes to where to buy the best bedding sets, they never disappoint.

Like all homeware and accessories, bedding is personal. What has someone longing for five more minutes in bed might keep another person tossing and turning throughout the night. However, there is one brand that our editors keep coming back to for good quality bedding at budget-friendly prices: Dusk.

The online brand is known for its stunning pieces and generous prices and is right at the top of our editors’ little black book of bedroom secrets. From beautiful bedding to trendy bedside lamps, the under-the-radar brand has it all.

And right now, there’s even more reason to love Dusk, as the brand’s latest sale has slashed the prices of some of its best bedding sets. So, if you’re looking for a sign to give your bedroom a summer reset, this is it.

One of the pieces that immediately caught my eye in the Dusk bedding sale is this 200-thread count set.

With subtle geometric shapes woven into the crisp white cotton, the duvet is perfect for creating a scandi-style sleep sanctuary. Plus, with its breathable qualities and soft finish, cotton is one of the best sheet materials for a good night’s sleep.

Typically, duvets made with natural materials like cotton come with the price tag to match. But, this set from Dusk is currently over 50% off in the sale, at a bargain price of £23 for a double. What’s not to love?

And that’s not all. The brand has many more sets to choose from if you want to give your bedroom a champagne look on lemonade budget. Here are some of my favourite picks.

More affordable bedding

If you missed out on the Dusk sale, or just prefer to buy your bedding elsewhere, here are some more budget-friendly sets to shop.

I find that in life, there are certain things no one gives you the memo for, and then, when you finally discover them by yourself and realise everyone else knew about them all along, you wonder why nobody thought to tell you.

This under £3 IKEA bedroom storage solution is exactly one of those things. For those who have already discovered this no-drill game-changer, you can skip on by, but for anyone yet to discover the IKEA ENUDDEN; you're welcome.

After all, there's a reason this bargain buy has over 1000 5-star reviews on the IKEA website, and I'm certainly not here to gatekeep. It's been a game-changer when it comes to additional storage ideas for my small bedroom.

I know, at first glance, this no-drill door hook may not seem revolutionary, but let me tell you, for those of us who have hollow core doors rather than solid wood, plus anyone who rents and can't add their own fixings, or for those who don't have or don't want to use a drill, these over-the-door wall hooks are the unsung hero of bedroom storage solutions.

I use mine to hang dressing gowns on the back of my bedroom doors, and to organise clothing I want to wear the next day, or that's been worn but isn't yet ready for the laundry basket.

But the ENUDDEN can be 'any-room' storage, of course, not just bedroom organisation, because you can fit this hanger over any door in your house.

'I have bought 5 of these, as they are such good value for money,' shares one 5-star reviewer on the IKEA website. 'They fit over my doors with no issues... are very strong and can hold a good amount of weight.'

'Bought to hang on a door of a bedroom with no wardroom,' says another happy owner. 'Fits the door width and works really well.'

'Fits perfectly over door,' agrees a third reviewer, who also praises the 'protection pads' on the reverse of the hook that 'avoid scuffing the surface of your door. Would recommend.'

IKEA isn't the only place that sells this no-drill storage solution, of course. If you can't get into an IKEA store, then you can order online, but there are also options available at the following retailers.

However, the ENUDDEN is one of the best value options I've found when it comes to the combination of build quality, the amount of storage it offers, and its *very* reasonable £2.75 price tag.

As I say, if you already know about this no-drill bedroom storage hero, then this will be old news to you, but if you didn't... then your bedroom organisation just got a *lot* easier.

After all, in my experience, it's often the simplest solutions that make the biggest impact when it comes to keeping your home tidy and clutter-free.

My Dunelm Hotel Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow review puts this unusual-looking pillow through its paces to see if it can really deliver a wrinkle-free sleep, and to see how it compares to the best pillows Ideal Home has tested.

In a nutshell

The first thing you're likely to notice about this pillow is its *very* unusual shape. This is not a traditional rectangular pillow in any sense, but there’s a reason for this.

Dunelm says that its unconventional shape is intended to ‘cradle your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines’. The brand also claims that it ‘keeps creams and oils on your face and not on your pillowcase’ and helps to ‘protect hair and lashes.’

Pair its odd shape with a silky soft bamboo-viscose cover that Dunelm says is ‘smooth and gentle on your skin and hair,’ and you have a pillow that boasts of its 'anti-wrinkle' properties.

As a 46-year-old mother of two, I’m very familiar with a bit of face creasing, and not just at nighttime! So I was intrigued to find out if this innovative shaped pillow would not only feel gentle on my skin and hair but also offer anti-wrinkle benefits, and feel comfortable to sleep on.

Overall, I was fairly impressed. Whilst I haven’t seen an immediate impact on my wrinkles, it’s reduced the usual creasing that I often wake up with on my face. It also keeps my hair smoother than my usual pillow, and I wake up without looking like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards!

The main downside was that I found it tricky to keep my head within the 'cradle' of the pillows' arms throughout the night, but if you're a less wriggly sleeper than me, you might have more success!

Specifications

• Best for: anti-wrinkling
• Materials: cover: 100% viscose derived from bamboo, inner: 100% polyester
• Dimensions: 45cm x 35cm x 25cm
• Care instructions: outer cover can be washed at 40 degrees
• Manufacturer sleep trial: n/a

Comfort

As I've mentioned, the first thing you're likely to notice about this pillow is its unusual shape. It resembles a starfish of sorts (minus a few limbs), and it's certainly the most oddly shaped pillow I've tested.

This unconventional shape is intended to ‘cradle your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines.’ And, luckily, it comes with a pillowcase included, as there's no chance you'd get a normal rectangular pillowcase onto this pillow!

The pillowcase itself also contributes to the anti-wrinkle mission. It's made from 100% viscose ‘derived from bamboo’, and I found it felt incredibly soft to the touch, almost like silk.

Inside the cover, the pillow itself feels soft and springy, with good bounce back when squashed or pushed.

I’m a fussy pillow person; my pillow can’t be too hard, so some of the brick-like memory foam ones I’ve tested previously are too rigid for my preference, and they can’t be so soft that they don’t offer enough support for my neck and spine.

Overall, I'd say this pillow has a medium-firm feel that I felt comfortable with, but otherwise this pillow is like nothing I’ve ever tried before!

I’m usually a side sleeper, although I sometimes sleep on my back, and I usually prefer a mid-height pillow with a medium level of firmness.

When I first lay on this pillow, my initial thoughts were that the cover felt incredibly soft and smooth on my skin, but it definitely took me a moment to work out exactly how I should be lying on it!

On my back, it felt very different from my usual pillow; higher and also with a smaller surface area. I could feel the ‘arms’ on either side of my head, too, which I didn't mind, but I think could be a red flag if you suffer from any level of claustrophobia!

When I rolled onto my side, I found the unusual shape cupped my head nicely, allowing my face to fit through the gaps in the arms and my arm to nestle under what I’m going to call the arms of the pillow. This also meant that my nightly moisturiser wasn’t rubbed off.

Overall, I found it offered me enough support to keep my neck and spine in alignment when I went to sleep on my side, with the added benefit of making sure my face wasn’t squashed.

However, I could feel the ‘arms’ pressing against my chin and forehead, though when lying on my side, which I didn’t love. Plus, on some of the nights that I slept on this pillow, I woke up to find that my face had moved from the original position, and I was either off the pillow completely or had my face squashed into it like my normal pillow. Whether that’s a reflection of me being a wriggly sleeper or the pillow itself, I’m not sure!

Overall, though, I found this pillow offered a good combination of comfort and support, and it didn’t let my head sink too far down towards the mattress.

Anti-wrinkle powers

One of the unique selling points of this pillow is that Dunelm describes it as an ‘anti-wrinkle’ pillow. Apparently, this is achieved by a combination of factors, such as the ‘ergonomic’ design which ‘cradles your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines,’ and helps to ‘keep creams and oils on your face and not on your pillowcase’, plus the silky pillowcase that ‘helps protect hair and lashes’.

This pillow definitely felt softer and smoother on my face than my existing embossed cotton pillowcase, from which I often wake up with an imprint on my skin! And, on the mornings that I woke up on my side with my face still in the correct position between the ‘arms’ of the pillow, I did notice that my face didn’t have as many sleep lines and indents as it usually does.

However, I couldn't guarantee my head would remain in the 'right' position all night long, so on those nights I moved in my sleep, I still had a smushed face the pillow couldn't help.

Overall, my existing wrinkles definitely didn’t vanish overnight, but at 46, I wasn’t expecting miracles! However, I think that over a longer period of time, this reduction in ‘sleep lines’ and skin creasing when sleeping on it might well be more beneficial to my skin than my usual pillow.

I also liked that I could apply moisturiser before bed without it being absorbed by the pillow. The 'hole' in the pillow meant my creams absorbed into my face instead of the fabric. And as far as I’m concerned, that's definitely a good thing!

Temperature regulation

Although the pillowcase of the Dunelm Hotel Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow is made of silky viscose bamboo, which is cool to the touch, the inside of the pillow is filled with polyester, so I was a bit concerned it might make me feel hot during the night.

However, during testing, I found this pillow felt instantly cool and refreshing when I lay on it, and I didn’t wake up in the night with a sweaty neck and head like I sometimes do on my usual pillow.

My hair wasn’t damp or tangled when I woke up, like it sometimes is on my normal cotton pillowcase, either, suggesting that the fabric may, as Dunelm says, be ‘smooth and gentle on your skin and hair.’

My sons, who regularly turn their pillow over to find the cool side when getting to sleep, also loved the temperature regulation of this pillow and said it felt very cool to the touch. That said, after the initial novelty of testing it out, neither of them wanted to spend the whole night sleeping on it.

Ease of care

The Dunelm Hotel Touch of Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle pillowcase is machine washable but not suitable for ironing. It can be tumble-dried on a low heat.

The cover has a zip down the back, which makes it easy to remove, and I found it washed and dried well in my washing machine.

The only downside is that the unusual shape of the pillow and pillowcase makes it a bit fiddly and time-consuming to get the pillowcase back on after washing, so you’ll need to allow additional time for this.

Sleep trial

There's no sleep trial available on this pillow, so that does mean that once you've unboxed it it's non-returnable.

However, most of us aren't too far away from a Dunelm store, so there is the option to go test it out in person before you shop.

Value for money

Costing just £25, the Dunelm Hotel Touch of Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow is very affordable and much cheaper than many other pillows I’ve tested.

In fact, I was surprised by how affordable it is, considering how much more work must go into manufacturing its unusual shape than a standard rectangular pillow, and I thought its silky bamboo viscose cover also looked simple but luxurious.

Would I buy it again? I'm not sure. I thought its arms were clever, and the theory was good, but in practice, I found it hard to keep my head aligned in its 'cradle' all night to get the benefit of 'uncreased' skin.

It has definitely convinced me to invest in one of the best silk pillowcases, so I continue to enjoy the smoothing benefits of a non-cotton pillowcase, though!

How I tested

In order to test out this pillow, I slept on it for two weeks on my own bed to assess its comfort, temperature regulation, and those anti-wrinkle claims. I also assessed its ease of care, any sleep trials available, and how it compares to similar products on the market to see if it offered good value for money.

Do you sleep on your front? Me too, or at least, I *used* to sleep very happily on my stomach night after night.

However, when I became Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I began speaking to sleep experts about all manner of things related to how to sleep better, and the one thing I heard time and again – from osteopaths, physiotherapists, doctors, and sleep clinicians alike – was that front-sleeping is *the* worst sleeping position for your long-term health.

It makes sense, of course. I was aware that twisting my neck at a 90-degree angle all night long probably wasn't *good* for it, but I was comfy.

That is, until I hit my forties. Suddenly, I had neck pain, tension, and what felt like a pulled muscle travelling from my neck down into my shoulder. I realised I'd need to eat humble pie and change my sleeping position.

Luckily, the experts were on hand to teach me how to do so, because as I soon discovered, changing a sleeping position you've gotten used to is easier said than done! This is their expert advice on the downsides of front-sleeping, and what you can do to fix it.

What's so bad about sleeping on your front?

First up, aside from my experience of gradually developing a stiffer neck over time, what are the main downsides of front sleeping, according to the experts?

'Front sleeping is probably my least favourite of all sleeping positions from a musculoskeletal perspective,' explains Nell Mead, physiotherapist and author of How To Be Your Own Physio.

'The core issue is what it does to your neck. To breathe, you have to rotate your head to one side, and most front sleepers keep it rotated in the same direction, night after night, for hours at a time.'

'That sustained rotation can cause significant neck pain, stiffness, and referred pain into the shoulders and arms,' says Nell. Hmm, exactly the symptoms I began experiencing as a regular front-sleeper.

'When sleeping on your stomach, you need to twist your neck often, close to a 90-degree turn to breathe,' agrees sleep expert, registered osteopath, and founder of The Sleep Site, Dave Gibson. 'This is not a position the neck is designed to maintain for long periods, and it can contribute to neck and shoulder pain over time.'

'Front sleeping is the one sleep position where the evidence against it is both consistent and significant,' confirms Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, clinical sleep therapist and resident sleep expert at MattressNextDay.

'If you're a front sleeper, I'm not here to make you feel bad about something that likely feels the only way you can get comfortable at night,' reassures Natalie, 'but it is important to understand what the science shows.'

And as our experts go on to break down, that evidence suggests that front-sleeping causes numerous stresses on the body.

• Neck pain: 'The main issue is the neck,' says Natalie. 'To breathe, you have to turn your head to one side. Across a full night, that creates sustained muscular strain and reduced spinal alignment. In the clinic, this often shows up as morning neck stiffness, shoulder tension, upper back discomfort, and recurring headaches.'
• Lower back pain: 'Sleeping on your front can also increase the arch in your lower back, leading to compression of the joints in the lumbar spine,' advises Dave. Stomach-sleeping 'tends to put the lower back into extension,' agrees Nell, 'that's a slightly arched position which can irritate the joints of the lumbar spine and contribute to lower back pain, particularly in people who already have issues there.'
• Shoulder pain and pins and needles: 'Many front sleepers bring their arms up under the pillow or overhead,' says Natalie. 'This places strain on the shoulder joint and can compress nerves and blood vessels. That is often what leads to pins and needles on waking, and over time, it can contribute to shoulder problems.'
• Breathing and sleep depth: 'When you are lying on your front, your chest is pressed into the mattress, so it cannot expand as easily when you breathe in. That means your breathing muscles have to work harder throughout the night,' says Natalie. 'That extra effort keeps the body slightly more alert and can reduce the depth of sleep.'
• Nervous system affects: 'And more broadly, whilst front-sleeping the body is working against itself,' explains Natalie. 'For sleep to be fully restorative, the nervous system needs the body to feel supported and able to fully relax. A sleeping position that holds the neck in rotation and puts the lower back under strain makes that much harder to achieve, so there is always a degree of underlying effort.'

Do our experts recommend changing to a different sleeping position?

Okay, after that shortlist of physical ailments, we're probably all convinced of the downsides of stomach sleeping by this stage, and, unsurprisingly, it's a sleeping position our experts all agree on changing if possible.

'Front sleeping isn’t catastrophic for everyone, and if someone has always slept that way and wakes up feeling fine, the urgency is lower,' explains physiotherapist Nell. 'But if a patient comes to me with unexplained neck pain or morning stiffness and they’re a front sleeper, changing position is usually one of the first things I suggest.'

'As a registered osteopath, I tend to advise patients to change to side or back sleeping, especially if they suffer from neck or lower back pain,' agrees Dave. But, as I discovered in my own personal experience, changing your sleeping position isn't something that just happens overnight.

'For those thinking of changing positions, it can take some time to adjust to a new sleeping position,' confirms Dave. 'The key here is to be patient and not give up, as it can take a few weeks to feel comfortable in a new sleeping position.'

And reader, I am now a side sleeper, so I'm proof that you *can* change your sleeping position. Especially if you implement our expert's following top tips.

Simple ways to switch up your sleeping position

'Side sleeping is generally the gold standard for sleep posture,' says Nell. Who goes on to explain that this alternative to front-sleeping 'keeps your spine in a fairly neutral position and is comfortable for most people.'

When switching to this sleep position, the key is to use a pillow of the right height to keep the neck in line with the rest of the spine, says Nell, 'and optionally a pillow between the knees to prevent the top leg from pulling the pelvis into rotation and stressing the lower back.'

And, alongside investing in the best pillow for a side sleeper, the experts' most important piece of advice is to consider using a body pillow, such as Simba's Body Pillow, Woolroom's Washable Wool Body Pillow, or Silentnight's more affordable Body Pillow.

I've tested multiple body pillows in my mission to change from front to side sleeping, and I absolutely agree that this addition has been game-changing in helping me switch to a more comfortable sleeping position.

'You could prop pillows around you as you get used to lying on your side or back, to prevent you rolling onto your front during the night. But full-length body pillows are especially effective,' says Dave.

'A body pillow is often the most effective tool,' agrees Natalie, 'it gives a sense of support that makes side sleeping feel more natural and easier to maintain. Alternatively, a pillow between the knees can also help reduce the discomfort that often causes people to roll back onto their front. You can also place a pillow behind your back to gently discourage rolling.'

'Hugging a pillow to your front can make side sleeping feel more secure and comfortable,' adds Nell, 'especially for people used to the “pressed into the mattress” sensation of front sleeping.' This was definitely true for me.

Most importantly, if you're a front-sleeper like me who is determined to find a better sleeping position for your body, 'be patient with the process,' says Natalie.

'If you wake on your front, simply reposition and go back to sleep. Over time, the body adapts. It's not about forcing a perfect position. It is about helping your body find one that allows it to rest more fully.'

And as Dave adds, whilst these tips work well for most front-sleepers eager to switch to a sleeping position that puts less strain on the neck, 'it's important to note that if you suffer from persistent neck or lower back pain, or have a shoulder injury, you should consider getting personalised advice from an osteopath or physiotherapist.'

FAQs

Wondering what direction it's best to sleep in? You're not alone. As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've come across a lot of different questions on how to get the best night's sleep, and one query that crops up a lot is whether it matters which way your bed is positioned.

After all, when it comes to how to sleep better, most of us are willing to do everything it takes to get the best rest possible.

So, whether you're wondering if it's best to sleep with your head facing north, south, east, or west, or what direction your feet should be pointing when sleeping, I've made it my mission to find out.

I asked multiple sleep experts and interior layout specialists what direction it's best to lie down and snooze in, and this is what they had to say.

What's the best direction to sleep in?

'What's the best direction to sleep in?' asks sleep clinician, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, resident sleep expert at MattressNextDay, 'this is a really interesting question, because it sits at the intersection of ancient traditions, emerging science, and the practical realities of how we design our bedrooms, which is what I call holistic sleep wellness.'

And as Natalie goes on to explain, there's a long history behind this question. When it comes to the north versus south, and east versus west debate, 'traditions such as Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra have consistently recommended sleeping with your head facing south,' says Natalie, which is 'based on the idea of aligning the body with the Earth’s magnetic field.'

'There is also some emerging research suggesting that north-south alignment may be associated with deeper sleep and lower blood pressure compared to east-west positioning,' shares Natalie.

However, as Natalie explains, 'the science here is still developing. We do not yet have strong, consistent evidence that one direction is definitively better for everyone. What I see in practice is that responses vary from person to person. What I say to my sleep clients is that bed direction can be worth exploring, but it is not the most important factor shaping your sleep.'

Sammy Margo, chartered physiotherapist and sleep expert at Dreams agrees. 'Sleeping direction is often discussed in traditions like Vastu and Feng Shui,' says Sammy, 'where different orientations are thought to influence how well we rest.'

'Sleeping with your head facing south may be associated with deeper, more restorative sleep and a greater sense of calm. While east-facing sleep may be linked to feeling more refreshed and mentally alert in the morning, making it a popular choice for those wanting a more energised start to the day.'

'West-facing sleep sits somewhere in between,' according to Sammy, 'with some associating it with motivation and ambition, while others find it can bring a slightly more restless or vivid sleep.' Meanwhile, 'sleeping with your head pointing north is typically discouraged in these traditions, as it’s believed to disrupt relaxation and lead to lighter, less settled sleep,' says Sammy.

'However, in my opinion, your comfort, mattress, and overall sleep environment will have a far greater impact on your sleep quality than which way your head is facing,' Sammy concludes.

So, perhaps unsurprisingly, investing in the best mattress or best mattress topper your budget allows is likely to have more impact on your sleep quality than rearranging your bedroom furniture. Top that with the best pillow for your preferred sleeping position and breathable bedding, such as one of the best duvets, and you're setting yourself up for a good night's sleep.

The Feng Shui experts I spoke to also agreed that when it comes to a good night's sleep, there are more factors at play than simply the direction we lie our heads in at night.

'Feng Shui isn't a one-size-fits-all practice,' explains Amanda Sophia, Feng Shui expert and founder of the International Feng Shui School. 'In Feng Shui, the focus is less on general fixed directions like north, south, east, or west, and more on how energy flows around your body while you sleep, as well as your personal power (command) position, which is unique to your birthdate.'

It is a question that frequently arises in Feng Shui consultations,' agrees Alexandra Berthault, Feng Shui expert at Chez Holistics and Board Member of the Feng Shui Society UK. 'Which direction is best to sleep in, north, south, east, or west? But the answer, perhaps unsurprisingly, is that there is no single “best” direction. In Classical Feng Shui, the most supportive sleeping orientation is not universal, but personal.'

'At the heart of this lies your Life Gua or Kua number,' explains Alexandra, 'which is a system that determines your favourable and unfavourable directions based on your date of birth. Ideally, when sleeping, the head should be aligned with one of these favourable directions. A more refined approach also considers your BaZi.' That's Chinese astrology for those of us unfamiliar with the term.

You can book a Feng Shui consultation to find out your unique direction for the best night's sleep, or use an online tool, such as that featured on Amanda's website, to calculate your Kua number. But our experts say there are also some more general considerations that can make a positive improvement in your bedtime routine.

'Equally important to sleeping direction is the placement of the bed itself,' explains Alexandra.' A well-positioned bed – supported by a solid wall, away from direct alignment with the door, and protected from disruptive environmental influences – often has a greater impact than direction alone.'

'Rather than specific compass directions, Feng Shui highlights certain placements that can disrupt rest,' agrees Amanda. 'Avoid positioning your bed directly in line with the door or under a window, as it's not ideal and can create unease.' As Amanda explains, ideally, you want to position your bed where you can see the entrance without being directly in line with it. 'This positioning helps your body feel safe and supported, allowing for deeper rest,' says Amanda.

And the bed itself also matters, because in Feng Shui all beds should have a solid headboard to ground and anchor our energy overnight. 'Having your solid wooden headboard placed against a solid wall also creates a sense of stability and grounding,' explains Amanda. 'This physical support translates energetically into feeling held, secure, and able to fully relax during sleep.'

And, of course, whilst it turns out that there are no hard and fast rules about which direction you should sleep in, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still experiment to see which direction feels best for you. Get curious about how best to plan your sleep space so your bedroom feels most supportive for you and trust your own intuition. If one sleep direction feels 'wrong' and another 'right', trust that your body knows what's best for it.

After all, as Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at Mattress Online, explains, whether you practice Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra, or employ any other method of bedroom layout implementation, 'the power of believing something can affect your sleep can be very influential.'

As Hannah sums up, 'if you truly believe that sleeping facing a certain direction will help you sleep better, then it may do. The best thing to do is give it a try!'

If you're like me and have a bedroom that's more bijou than bountiful, then you may have given up on the dream of having a dressing table in your boudoir.

After all, a dedicated dressing table is only an option if you have the luxury of a spacious sleep setup, right? Those of us with small bedrooms have to make do with balancing on the edge of the bed to get ready in the morning.... don't we?

Not so, as it turns out. At least not if you shop at Dunelm right now. I've just discovered that the brand has launched a fantastic range of compact dressing tables, and even better, prices start at just £89.

My favourite *has* to be the Dunelm Frankie Striped Compact Dressing Table Set with Mirror and Stool. It's super stylish, super compact, comes with a hidden mirror and a very designer-looking upholstered storage chair included, *and* it's (relatively) affordable.

Little wonder that means it's already sold out numerous times in its various colourways, but it's currently back in stock in the rust stripe upholstery and ready to be snapped up, if you're quick.

However, if stripes aren't your thing, there are also plenty more great slimline and small footprint dressing tables available at Dunelm right now, including pretty fluted designs and natural wood options. I've rounded up my top picks below.

Shop Dunelm's small dressing tables

I've scoured the high street in my hunt for a small dressing table, and whilst some retailers have the odd option (I'll add some of my favourites below) I haven't found anywhere that has the same range of options as Dunelm.

It seems the retailer is going all in on small space design this year, and as someone with a tiny bedroom, that's certainly music to my ears!

Shop alternatives

Habitat has just reduced selected colourways of its bestselling chair bed to under £160, and it's the lowest price I've ever seen on this popular hosting solution.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've tested the best sofa beds and best chair beds on the market, and the Habitat Roma Chair Bed is one I regularly recommend to anyone looking for an affordable hosting solution.

However, to the best of my knowledge, I've never seen it on sale for *quite* such a low price as it is right now.

Habitat does often run twenty per cent discounts on its furniture collections, but right now, there's thirty per cent off selected sizes and colourways of the Roma.

That means the popular Habitat Roma Single Fabric Chairbed in Grey is now reduced from £225 to just £157.50.

To my mind, that's a *fantastic* price for this stylish chair bed, and there's the same discount on the Habitat Roma Single Velvet Fabric Chairbed in Charcoal too. That upholstery option is reduced from £230 to £161.

This said, you'd be forgiven for not realising there's a sale on at Habitat right now.

Instead of slashing the full retail price and displaying the reduced sale price online, the retailer prefers to offer discount codes, so you do need to apply the code FURN30 at checkout to snap up this low price. Still, a little admin is well worth it for an over £60 discount in my book!

I'm also impressed to see both versatile grey colourways tagged with the biggest discounts. There is also twenty per cent off various other colourways of the Roma, such as teal and electric blue, but it's rare for the retailer to reduce its most versatile and easy-to-live-with colourways by this much.

Now admittedly, this chair bed doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some, and it can only sleep one overnight guest at a time, but I think its compact build is the perfect solution for a small bedroom or small living room.

It's also very stylish, and although it's firm – I would say you'll want to add one of the best mattress toppers, such as the Panda Memory Foam Topper, for when it's extended into bed form, and it's a chair to perch on rather than snuggle up on – I think it makes great occasional seating in a home office, spare bedroom, or living area.

And whilst there are similar designs on the market (I've rounded up the alternatives below for comparison), the price of the Habitat Roma is hard to beat at full price, let alone now it's reduced to under £160!

Having weighed up the options, if I were in the market for a chair bed, I'd definitely be snapping up the under £160 Habitat Roma Chair Bed right now. I think that thirty per cent discount makes it a great deal.

Plus, the number of 5-star reviews this chair bed has garnered on the Habitat website speaks for itself. Habitat shoppers seem to love this design, and at this price, who can blame them!

I'm already a fully signed-up member to the temperature-regulating benefits of wool bedding as someone who feels the cold when they first get into bed, but often wakes up a sweaty mess. I was delighted to put Soak & Sleep's New Zealand Mitchell Wool Mattress Topper to the test to see if it could compete with the best mattress toppers and elevate my own sleep, while also making my sofa bed more comfortable for guests.

In a nutshell

The Soak & Sleep wool mattress topper is a strong contender for the best cooling mattress topper. Made out of 100% New Zealand Wool, it is designed to regulate your body temperature and even help with allergies. The biggest improvement I noticed in my sleep was that I was no longer waking up sweating or needing to stick a leg out of the bed to cool down.

However, the topper is slim at 2.5cm deep, and only offers a little extra soft cushioning on top of a mattress. Its limitations in the comfort department became most clear when I tested it on my sofa bed, where it didn't feel that different to just laying an extra duvet under the bottom sheet.

It isn't expensive for a mattress topper at £130 for the double size, but it does feel like a big spend on something so thin that it feels more in keeping with an extra-thick mattress protector. Still, it is well-made and comes with a 5-year guarantee. I also have to commend the elastic straps; this topper does not budge an inch when on a bed.

Specifications

• RRP: £130, £150, £170
• Sizes: Double, King, Super King
• Depth: 2.5cm
• Construction: 233TC Cotton Casting, 100% New Zealand Wool filling
• Care instructions: Machine washable, but professional wash and dry recommended
• Manufacturer sleep trial: No
• Guarantee: 5 years

Who tested

Unboxing and first impressions

The Soak & Sleep New Zealand wool mattress topper arrived in a square plastic and fabric zip bag with handles. The topper is only 2.5cm deep, so it could be folded up to fit in the bag again if you wanted to store it away at a later date.

The topper didn't require any expansion time like other deep mattress toppers that arrive vacuum-packed. It just needed to be shaken out and could go straight onto the bed.

The thinness made the topper appear more like a generous mattress protector than a traditional mattress topper. It felt like handling a winter duvet, but a bit springier thanks to the 100% wool filling. The topper has an even flat profile thanks to its quilted design that was undetectable once a bed sheet was on top.

My favourite feature (aside from the wool filling) was the thick elastic straps that hold the topper in place around the corners of the mattress. I have had many bad experiences with slipping mattress protectors and toppers with flimsy straps. These straps do not budge. For the first time in months, my bottom sheet stayed firmly in place, helped by this new topper.

In the four months I've been testing it, the straps still feel secure and strong with no signs of stretching, despite being moved back and forth onto a sofa bed when guests have visited.

I was warned that a wool mattress topper can give off a 'sheep' smell rather than the off-gassing smell other toppers have. However, when I unpacked it, I noted no particular smell at all, which meant I didn't need to air it out before sleeping on it.

Comfort

Soak & Sleep refer to the New Zealand Mitchell Mattress Topper as offering a 'fine layer of comfort'. This is the best way to put it. My mattress certainly felt more comfortable with a topper on it; it added a soft, springy top layer. However, the 2.5cm depth isn't deep enough to offer the additional pillowy softness that you get with something like the Woolroom Deluxe mattress topper, which is also made out of 100% wool, but is a little deeper at 4-5cm.

This became even clearer when I tested it out on my Haru sofa bed from Made.com. This sofa bed has a very uncomfortable bar running along the middle that hits most guests in the back. The topper eased this discomfort by offering additional padding on the bed; however, if you are looking for a mattress topper to make a sofa bed more comfortable, I'd go for something thicker, like the Panda mattress topper, which has memory foam and is 5cm deep and comes in a wide range of sizes, or the Emma Flip mattress topper, which is 6cm deep.

The Soak & Sleep mattress topper is about half the depth of many other luxury mattress toppers on the market, so it struggles to compete with the level of cushioning other toppers can provide, and it offers zero motion isolation.

But it delivers comfort in other areas. Its quilted surface stops the wool from bunching up in any way, creating a lovely, smooth and even sleep surface. The wool filling also offered me just enough cushioning for my knees, hips and lower back, which helped ease any aches and pains I had.

Temperature regulation

This is the main USP of the New Zealand wool mattress topper, wool is not only naturally hypoallergenic (great news if you suffer from allergies). But it also has natural temperature-regulating properties. The wool absorbs and releases humidity to help you sleep at the perfect temperature.

I had already switched to an almost entirely wool bedding set up a few years ago as a sleeper who often overheats and suffers from night sweats. I honestly can't recommend wool enough as a sleep material. I no longer switch between summer and winter bedding as the wool bedding keeps me warm in winter (without night sweats) and cool in summer.

The topper was the missing piece of the puzzle, as I was also still suffering the occasional sweaty night with my old wool bedding set-up, but since adding this topper to my bed, I haven't woken up a single time from overheating.

At one point, I naively hoped I'd just outgrown my night sweats. However, a few stays in different posh hotels and at friends' houses, where I immediately started to overheat in bed, were enough to convince me this was not the case. In fact, it was just a testament to how effective the Soak & Sleep mattress topper was at keeping me cool at night.

Care instructions

Soak and Sleep recommends that you use a mattress protector on top of the topper to protect it from any spills or stains. They also suggest shaking it out once a week or every time you change the sheets to redistribute the filling and turn it regularly.

The wool topper does require regular washing - about every 6 months. However, while it is machine washable, you need a tumble dryer to ensure the topper is bone dry after washing, as Soak and Sleep warns that even the slightest bit of moisture can cause the filling to clump. It is for this reason and due to the size of the topper, which has to be washed in its entirety, that they recommend getting it professionally washed and dried.

I don't have a tumble dryer at home so was unable to machine wash the topper myself. Most mattress toppers we've tested either require dry cleaning or can only have the cover washed. So even though it will require professional washing, it's one of the easier to care for toppers we've tested at Ideal Home.

Value for money

While this mattress topper might be called 'luxury' with prices starting at £130 for a double, it's actually quite an affordable cooling mattress topper. In comparison, the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper will set you back £314, and the Woolroom mattress topper will cost you £269 for a double.

However, both of these toppers are about double the thickness of the Soak & Sleep wool mattress topper. Plus, both come with sleep trials, which allow you to test out whether the topper improves your sleep before committing to keeping it, which sadly, Soak & Sleep's topper does not.

The brand has worked out that the cost per use of this mattress topper should work out at 4p per sleep over the course of 2 years. That could well be worth it if you're simply looking for a cooler sleep, but I would consider this mattress topper more of a turbocharged mattress protector; so, for its thickness, I would say that it's expensive.

Should you buy the Soak & Sleep New Zealand wool mattress topper?

Overall, I have enjoyed sleeping on the Soak and Sleep mattress topper. It has put an end to my overheating in bed and adds a lovely extra layer of luxurious cushioning to my mattress. It is really well made and comes with a 5 year guarantee, so it is built to last. However, I wouldn't recommend this mattress topper if you're looking to add extra support to your current mattress or a sofa bed.

You should buy if:

• You overheat at night
• Only want a thin layer of extra cushioning
• You have a tumble dryer/access to a professional cleaner

You should not buy if:

• You need something more supportive
• You have a single or small double bed/sofa bed
• You need to be able to clean the cover regularly

I am one of those people who *loves* an IKEA shopping trip. I live in a small home, and I can't think of anywhere else that offers such ingenious small-space living solutions as an IKEA store.

A quick wander through the brand's room setups usually reveals space-saving storage and organisation solutions that solve problems I wasn't even aware *could* be solved. Not without moving to a bigger house, that is.

And I'm not alone. There's one £2 bedroom storage solution in particular that IKEA shoppers can't stop talking about, and its 5-star reviews are testament to how this bargain buy can become a game-changer in a small bedroom.

As one IKEA reviewer says, it's 'one of those great IKEA items that you didn’t know you needed, but once you have it, you wonder how you survived without it.'

What is it? The IKEA KOMPLEMENT Valet Hanger. And although it may not be the most exciting thing you've ever invested in, if you work out the cost-per-use of this £2 buy, it could well be the best value purchase you've ever made.

As one of the KOMPLEMENT's 5-star reviewers shares, it may be slightly 'boring, but it's very, very useful'. 'A game-changer,' says another happy owner, 'love this product. Such a handy little gadget.'

However, you would be forgiven for not knowing exactly what this product is for at first glance. I certainly wouldn't have guessed, but, as it turns out, this £2 buy solves one of the biggest problems I have in my small bedroom.

Namely, where to put my clothes at the end of the day when they're not dirty enough for the laundry basket, but I also don't want to put them back in my wardrobe. And where to put the next day's outfit on those (admittedly rare) nights when I'm organised enough to plan ahead.

This problem used to be solved by a 'clothes chair' in my previous larger bedrooms (that is, a bedroom chair that quickly gathered all manner of half-worn clothes), but the KOMPLEMENT is a much neater solution, and one that works in a bedroom that now doesn't have space for much furniture beyond my bed and wardrobe.

'Such a useful gadget,' agrees one IKEA reviewer. 'Ideal for hanging your clothes on at night. I also find it useful for hanging newly ironed clothes on before putting them back into the wardrobe. Great space saver.'

'Perfect for storing clothes that you don’t want to put back in the wardrobe at the moment,' says another owner. 'So useful when putting together outfits. I also use it each night to hold my outfit for the next day.'

'Bought one for my son's room (and screwed it to the wall) to hang his week's school uniforms from,' shares another owner. 'A simple, well-made, and inexpensive solution.'

It's not the only small-space storage solution I've incorporated into my bijou bedroom (more on those below), but the IKEA KOMPLEMENT is definitely the most budget-friendly bedroom organiser I've come across.

After all, what costs £2 these days? And the fact that it's an item I use pretty much every day makes it even better value for money.

More small bedroom storage solutions

This year, the four-poster bed is having a moment. As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've seen canopy beds pop up at pretty much all the major bed retailers this season.

These are no antique bed frames that are best suited to a Wuthering Heights-esque Victorian mansion. No, this new generation of four-poster beds is contemporary, clean-lined, and designed to create an understated yet *very* stylish focal point in the bedroom.

I've rounded up twelve of this year's best four-posters below, and when it comes to where to buy a bed in this style, there are plenty of choices to suit all budgets. From IKEA's £159 VITARNA four-poster to Heal's £3000-plus Marlow canopy bed, there's a bed frame to suit not just your style but also your bank balance when embracing the four-poster bed comeback.

And thanks to 2026's contemporary take on this classic bed style, I don't think this trend is going to date anytime soon.

The four-poster bed has always been a timeless and elegant addition to the bedroom, and this year's contemporary designs are no different.

In my opinion, these modern interpretations of the traditional bed frame are the perfect love story between nostalgic romance and whimsy, and streamlined modernity.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I spend a lot of time browsing new launches from all of the biggest sleep brands, and there's one bedroom trend I'm seeing everywhere this year.

Yep, the good old ottoman bed has some competition at last, and that comes in the form of the four-poster bed. I think 2026 is the year the canopy bed makes a comeback, only this time around, the look is less about chintzy fabric drapes and a lot more about clean lines and contemporary silhouettes.

When it comes to where to buy a bed, there's now a four-poster to suit every budget. What's more, you no longer need a grand high-ceilinged Georgian bedroom or an equally OTT budget to invest in this bed trend and bag the best four-poster bed of your dreams.

Yes, there are high-end looks available at the likes of Pottery Barn and Heal's, but IKEA's VITARNA four-poster bed is available for just £159 for a double, and the Habitat Blissford Four Poster Double Bed Frame costs £400.

And I'm not surprised this style of bed frame is having a resurgence in popularity. After all, this year's biggest bedroom trends are all about reimagining the bedroom as a sleep sanctuary.

The bedroom is no longer 'just' a place to sleep, but a space to escape the stresses and uncertainties of the outside world and cocoon ourselves in a safe space where we can relax, unwind, and restore our sense of well-being.

And what better way to achieve that sense of cocooned safety than being surrounded by the sturdy structure of a four-poster bed.

Plus, in a year in which hyperpersonalised bedrooms are having a moment – whether that's decorating your bedroom walls with your birth month colour or opting for bedding inspired by your unique signature shade – this new generation of four-poster beds offers plenty of scope for expression.

IKEA's VITARNA four-poster comes with multiple add-ons, whether that's the SKÅDIS pegboard that clips onto the bed frame or an adjustable reading light.

But there are also plenty of other ways to make this sculptural bed frame your own. You can drape gauzy fabric around the top of the bed frame for a romantic look, add fairy lights, or hang bunting or any number of decorations.

However, in my opinion, the joy of this new roster of four-posters is that they don't need any additions to create a focal point. Instead, the frame itself does all the talking, and that's what makes this new bed trend a sure-fire way to create a very stylish bedroom.

When it comes to our bedrooms, most of us probably want to create a calm and soothing space that helps us to relax and unwind before bed.

Little wonder then that sage green bedroom walls have become something of a bedroom design go-to. Inspired by the hues of nature, green bedroom ideas are gentle, relaxing, and very easy to live with.

But, as with any colour that rides high in the bedroom trends for too long, sage green has become a bit of a 'safe' bedroom colour idea. And we all know there's a thin line between safe and boring.

That's why interior designers and colour trend experts say there's a shift taking place. These are the sage green alternatives that the experts say deliver the same soothing vibes, whilst being a little more unexpected, and a lot more trend-setting.

Why are sage green bedrooms so popular?

But first up, why has sage green become such a popular bedroom wall colour choice?

'Sage green has become a go-to for bedroom wall colour because it behaves almost like a neutral,' explains interior designer and Hutley & Humm co-founder, Melissa Hutley. 'It's very soft, versatile and easy to live with.'

'It's a long-standing favourite for bedrooms,' agrees Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux, 'but if you’re looking for something a little more unexpected while still keeping that sense of calm, there are plenty of alternatives to sage green.'

'Sage is popular for a reason, but if you want something a little more unexpected, it’s really about choosing tones that are slightly softened or “off”, rather than anything too clean or bright,' explains interior designer and Pringle & Pringle founder, Sophie Pringle.

So without further ado, let's get into some of our interior experts' alternative suggestions.

Smoky blues

The first sage green alternatives our colour experts suggest are what Melissa describes as 'chalky blues. These colours still have that same muted quality as sage green, but introduce a little more depth and personality,' says Melissa.

'A beautiful alternative to sage green is a muted blue-grey or smoky teal,' seconds interior designer Lucy Van der Gucht. 'These tones retain the tranquility of green but feel fresher and more distinctive, especially in contemporary interiors.'

'I’d suggest looking at soft, smoky blues, or even a muted teal with grey undertones,' agrees Marianne. 'These colours have a similar tranquillity to green but feel just a touch more intriguing and layered. They bring a sense of quiet sophistication to a bedroom – still soothing, but with a little more personality and depth.'

Earthy pinks

Next up, our experts suggest considering earthy pinks for creating a calm and cocooning bedroom.

'If we’re looking for something slightly more unexpected than sage green, we often turn to gentle, earthy pinks,' says Melissa. 'Selecting colours that feel slightly softened or ‘dusty’ in tone is what gives them their calming quality, while still feeling interesting and individual.'

'Terracotta and clay tones are excellent bedroom colours because they feel inherently warm and grounding,' agrees Lucy. 'Colours inspired by natural materials create a sense of comfort and make a room feel cosy, and they pair effortlessly with natural textures like wood, rattan, and linen for a calm, layered look.'

'I’d look at muted peaches,' confirms Sophie, 'these colours still have that calming quality, but feel a bit fresher and more individual.' In particular, 'terracotta and clay tones are brilliant in bedrooms because they instantly bring warmth and a sense of ease. They feel sun-baked and natural.'

Moody darks

And if sage green feels a little too safe and predictable, our design experts suggest opting for deeper and darker nature-inspired tones instead.

'Richer, moodier tones like deep olive greens or warm chocolate browns can create a really beautiful cocooning effect and make a space feel more enveloping and restful,' explains interior designer and founder of Sarah Ferreira Interiors, Sarah Ferreira. 'They bring a bit more depth while still feeling calm.'

Or, if you want to steer away from green altogether, Marianne suggests opting for the dark aubergine bedroom trend. 'Dark aubergine is one of those colours that instantly wraps a room in a sense of intimacy and quiet luxury,' says Marianne. 'It has a beautiful depth to it that makes it incredibly cocooning for a bedroom.'

And as Marianne points out, muted, darker colours, such as deep olive green or dark aubergine, 'absorb light in a way that feels calming rather than heavy, so you get this lovely, restful atmosphere that encourages you to truly switch off at the end of the day.'

Overall, 'the key to a soothing scheme isn’t just the colour itself, but its softness and undertone,' explains Lucy. 'Colours that are slightly muted rather than bright tend to feel the most restful.'

'The key is always choosing colours with a muted quality,' agrees Sarah. 'Anything too bright can feel a bit stimulating, whereas softer, toned-down shades help create a space that feels calm, balanced and easy to switch off in.'

And personally, that's exactly the atmosphere I want to create in my bedroom.

Lovers of retro-style homeware will be pleased to know that the Habitat x Scion collection has just dropped for summer 2026 - and it’s perfect for giving your bedroom a refresh this season.

Ever since the two cult brands announced their partnership back in 2024, we’ve been blessed with stylish ’70s-inspired collections showcasing everything from Scandi-style homeware to stylish, colourful garden furniture.

Now you can add some of the best bedding on sale right now to the collaboration. Featuring patterns like the distinctive Kukkia floral motif to the softer Odette Bedding Set, here are my top picks from the Habitat x Scion collaboration.

Trust me, Habitat knows what it's doing when it comes to producing stylish bedding. Just take their William Morris Collection as a shining example of beautiful design. Now, take the Odette Bedding Set as your second example. It's my top pick from the latest Scion collaboration.

Fresh and contemporary, the Odette bedding set is perfect for brightening a bedroom. It has striking, reversible blue and green stripes on the underside, and playful green leaves and white blooms on a blue background on the upper side. It’s playfully proving that blue and green should be seen together.

If you’re someone who loves patterns but doesn’t want anything too bold in your bedroom, this print is a happy medium.

Please note, Habitat have reported a slight delay on the new bedding sets, with the sets expected to come into stock over the next couple of days.

Which bedding set is your favourite?

Marks & Spencer just quietly dropped its spring bedding collection, and with on-trend ginghams, florals, and striped bedding sets starting from £14, I'm not surprised these newly launched lines are already selling out fast.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I spend my days stalking new bedding collections, and in recent years, M&S has become one of my top recommendations for where to buy bedding.

Gone are the days when the brand offered great quality bedding that was a little... boring. In recent years, the brand's homeware has undergone something of a style revolution, with the homeware retailer now leading the way in translating the hottest design trends into affordable buys that work in real homes.

This season, the brand's bedding is a timeless take on the year's biggest bedding trends. It's pretty, practical, and all about the details.

Think muslin bedding sets with embroidered floral sprigs that echo the heirloom florals trend, jacquard detailing that brings understated luxe to the bedroom, woodblock prints, and stylish pencil stripes paired with frilled ginghams.

I've rounded up my top recommendations above. But, if you're on the hunt for some pretty spring bedding, you may need to move fast if you want to snap up your favourite looks.

As M&S becomes a firm favourite with savvy style hunters, its most popular lines don't stick around for long nowadays. Some of these sets began selling out almost as soon as they launched, with multiple colourways already running low on stock in several sizes.

Personally, I think this spring bedding is the perfect payday pick-me-up, so I'll certainly be 'adding to basket' asap.

Spring is when all the new-season bedding collections launch, and this year, there's one clear trend that's steadily gaining momentum.

Last year may have been the year of the stripe, but 2026 is the year of the 'woodblock floral'. Inspired by traditional printing processes in which a wooden block is carved, inked, and hand-printed on fabric, this new take on the spring floral brings an artisanal, handcrafted look to our beds.

However, there's a twist. Because instead of ditching last year's stripes, the woodblock floral trend embraces them. This look sees florals and stripes combined, whether that's via a handprinted woodblock quilt over a striped duvet cover, a reversible bedding set with a block print on one side and stripes on the other, or a floral duvet cover with a striped fitted sheet hiding below.

If you're looking to update and refresh your bed for the warmer weather, I think this is one bedding trend you'll definitely want on your radar.

When it comes to where to buy bedding, I think these twelve picks offer up some of the best woodblock floral designs on the high street.

However, many of these options are selling out fast, with multiple colourways already low on stock.

So, if you want to embrace one of this year's biggest spring bedding trends before the best pieces fly of the shelves, now is the time to shop.

I put the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper through its paces to see how it compares to the best mattress toppers on the market.

In a nutshell

Considering this is one of the most affordable memory foam toppers I've tested, I found the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper did a great job of adding comfort and support to our mattress.

It retails at around £68.99 for a single and £93.99 for a double. Although I've seen it sold for less at third-party stockists (more on that below). I think that's very good value for a memory foam topper that also offers gel-infused temperature regulation.

As a 46-year-old woman who often suffers from shoulder, back, and neck pain, this topper offered support and comfort, which enabled me to sleep better. And it didn't make me overheat as many memory foam sleep surfaces can do.

I'm a side and back sleeper who prefers a slightly firmer sleep surface, so I enjoyed the fact that this topper isn't too deep and didn't make me feel like I was sinking into the surface of the bed, never to be seen again!

I also appreciated how easy it was to roll over without it moulding around my body too excessively, and my husband and I both appreciated its motion isolation, which stopped the other person's movements from disturbing us too much.

Its only real downside is the lack of a sleep trial. That's why the Panda Memory Foam Topper, with its 30-night trial period, retains its crown as the best memory foam topper Ideal Home has tested.

However, this Slumberdown topper has still proved an extremely cost-effective way to upgrade our existing mattress. And I, for one, won't be taking it off our bed anytime soon!

Specifications

• RRP: Single £68.99, Small Double £86.99, Double £93.99, Kingsize £99.99, Super-king £112.99
• Sizes: single / small double / double / king / super-king
• Depth: 5cm
• Construction: 2cm CertiPUR-approved 'Niva Gel' layer and 3cm 'Visco elastic memory-foam layer', encased in a removable knitted polyester cover
• Care instructions: the removable cover is machine washable at 40 degrees
• Manufacturer sleep trial: no

Attaching the topper to the bed

The Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper arrived rolled and packed in thick, clear plastic with a Slumberdown label on. The packaging looked quite budget, but on the plus side, it meant that there was no excess packaging to dispose of.

Once the plastic was off, the mattress topper sprang to life and expanded to its full 5cm height.

Slumberdown recommends leaving the product to air for 24-48 hours after unpacking, and I did immediately notice an off-gassing smell once the plastic was removed. This is common with mattress toppers made from memory foam or polyurethane foam, and I found the smell lasted for over a week, but it did fade gradually.

Similar to many of the other mattress toppers that I’ve tested, the Slumberdown topper has four elastic corner straps to attach it to the mattress.

Although it can be a bit awkward to lift the corner of the mattress to hook the straps under, I find these really useful because it means the topper doesn’t move around. I tested a super king-size topper over my super king-size mattress and found it fitted perfectly.

Comfort

Measuring 5cm deep, I found the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper made an immediate and noticeable difference to my existing mattress. My preference is for a firmer sleeping surface without too much sinking, and this topper provided that.

As someone who predominantly sleeps on their side or back, I found it provided a good level of support and comfort for both sleeping positions, whilst also cushioning my hips and shoulder when I lie on my side. More so than that offered by Dunelm’s Gel Fusion Mattress Topper, which I'd just finished testing.

I also liked the fact that I didn’t sink too deeply into the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress topper, which meant that it was easier to roll over and get out of bed. At the same time, it kept my spine in alignment whilst cushioning my joints, so a number of nights when I went to bed with a sore shoulder, when I woke up, the pain had eased.

The edges of the topper also felt supportive, so there was no roll away when you got close to the edge. This made the mattress feel bigger. The texture of the foam itself was flat, rather than with ridges like the Dunelm Gel Fusion Mattress Topper, and I preferred this flat foam surface for lying on.

Memory foam is known for its excellent motion isolation because its cushioning helps absorb and dampen movement, and I found this topper did a great job of masking the movement of the other person in the bed.

When my husband and I slept on this together, I wasn’t disturbed when he came to bed later than me or rolled over in the night. And when my very wriggly son slept on it with me, I wasn’t disturbed in the night by his fidgeting like I often am!

Temperature regulation

This topper is constructed with a 2cm top layer of 'Niva Gel'. Slumberdown says this material is designed to enhance both comfort and temperature regulation, preventing the excessive heat buildup often associated with traditional memory foam.

This is combined with breathable mesh panels around the side of the topper that are designed to allow for airflow.

In practice, when sleeping on the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper, I didn’t overheat or wake up feeling sweaty in the night like I often have on other memory foam sleep surfaces. In the morning, when I woke up with the heating on, I didn’t feel overheated either, so I'd say the claims regarding improved temperature regulation ring true.

Care instructions

The cover of the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper is removable, and the manufacturer advises washing it at 40 degrees. It’s also compatible with being tumble dried on cool.

I found that unzipping and removing the cover of the mattress topper was straightforward, and after it had been washed and dried, it retained its original shape well, so putting it back on again wasn’t too hard.

As a mum of two boys who often has friends and family to visit, I think it's a big plus point that the cover can be washed to keep the topper looking and smelling fresh, and therefore extending its lifespan.

Sleep trial

Unlike brnds such as Simba, Woolroom, or Panda, Slumberdown doesn't offer a sleep trial on its products. This is a shame because it can be extremely useful to test out a mattress topper to see if it improves your sleep comfort before you commit to keeping it.

However, based on my testing experience, I think you would be hard-pushed to find someone who didn’t find this topper comfortable to sleep on!

Value for money

Slumberdown prices this topper at £68.99 for a single and £93.99 for a double, although I've seen the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper sold at Argos for less at various points of the year, and Amazon is currently selling the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper at a reduced price too.

Personally, I think that's very reasonable for the comfort and support it offers. I recently tested the more affordable Silentnight Deep Sleep Ultimate 1000 Mattress Topper, which retails for around £59 for a double, but its polyester fill can't compare with the cushioning of Slumberdown's memory foam topper.

Compared to other memory foam toppers, this Slumberdown topper is also a good buy. We still rate Panda's 5cm deep Memory Foam Topper as one of the best in class, mainly because it comes with a sleep trial and a wider range of sizes than this Slumberdown model (making it very useful for adding to a firm sofa bed). However, Panda's option does cost £139.95 for a double.

I also recently tested the Dunelm Gel Fusion Mattress Topper, which retails at £135 for the 6cm depth. If you're looking for a softer, deeper topper, this could be the better option, especially as there's also a super deep 10cm option. However, as someone who prefers a slightly firmer, more supportive sleep surface, I would choose the Slumberdown option out of the two.

Overall, I think the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper is affordable and effective. After putting it on our mattress to test it, I definitely won’t be taking it off in a hurry!

How I tested

My sleep stats:

• Sleep position: back or side
• Tension preference: firm
• Sleep problems: lower back pain and/or neck pain and occasional overheating
• Height & weight: 5"5 and 9.5 stones

In order to test out this mattress topper, my husband and I slept on it for two weeks in our own home on top of our usual mattress. I assessed how easy the Slumberdown Memory Foam Gel Mattress Topper was to attach to the bed, how comfortable it was when sleeping on my back and side, and whether it offered good temperature regulation. I also took into account how easy it was to care for and any sleep trials on offer, as well as its value for money.

In my opinion, dressing the bed is the most fun part of any bedroom design. Whether you rent or own your own home, the bed is a blank canvas where you can express your individual style and personality.

However, bedscaping or dressing a bed can also be something of an art form. After all, as with any blank canvas, there are decisions to be made before that undressed bed turns into a work of art, and it can be easy to get a little lost amongst the nitty-gritty of all those bedroom design decisions.

As such, I asked three bedding experts for their top tips on what is perhaps one of the most contentious of bedscaping questions. Should pillowcases match your duvet cover, or... not? Here's what our bed styling experts had to say.

Should your pillowcases match your duvet cover?

So let's get into it. Should your pillowcases match your duvet cover? 'Good question,' says Molly Freshwater, co-founder of bedding brand Secret Linen Store, 'I say yes, and no. I’ve always loved a mix, and that’s how I dress every single bed I make.'

'My rule is that two pillowcases need to match the duvet cover, and the other four are for having some fun with,' says Molly. 'And yes, that does mean I have at least six pillows in all on my bed!'.

As Molly goes on to explain, her thinking is that 'a bed is a big space, so one colour will be a big block in the room.' Therefore, instead of playing it safe with bedding in all one colour, Molly suggests, 'be creative with it. Matching sets can feel a bit boring, whereas a mix feels full of life and adds interest too.'

Personally, I've also found that adding some tonal variations, prints or patterns to my bed makes it easier to blend my bedding into my bedroom's decor scheme.

As Molly says, sticking to one colour can easily make the bed stick out like a sore thumb. I've found that by mixing and matching my bedding, I can pick out more colours from around my bedroom to tie my bedding into my overall bedroom design scheme.

Jessica Hanley, founder and CEO of bedding brand Piglet in Bed, agrees. 'I actually think it’s more interesting when the pillowcases and duvet cover don’t match perfectly,' says Jess, 'as long as there’s cohesion with the colours and patterns between the two.'

'Mixing and matching can add so much depth and personality to your bedroom, and it gives you more freedom to have fun and experiment. I love to mix and match my bed linens and create an eye-catching spread. The right mix of patterns and colours can make a room feel curated yet comfortable.'

And it's another vote in favour of some mismatched pillowcases from Angel Skillman, founder of Shades of Cool London. 'Pillowcases definitely don’t need to match your duvet cover, says Angel, 'in fact, I often prefer when they don’t.'

'A slightly more relaxed, layered look feels much more personal, and allows you to introduce subtle contrast without overwhelming the space,' explains Angel. 'Matching sets can feel quite formal, whereas mixing tones and textures creates a bed that feels more inviting and lived-in.'

This said, nailing the mismatched look can take a little skill. As Jess pointed out, a bed will generally look better if there's some cohesion between the colours and patterns you choose for your duvet cover and pillowcases.

Luckily, our experts have shared their top tips for making your bed look like you *meant* it not to match (rather than like you just threw some random bedding on to it) below.

How to coordinate your pillowcases and duvet cover if they don’t match

'If your pillowcases and duvet cover don’t match, the easiest way to make the whole bed feel intentional is to anchor everything in a shared colour palette,' says Jess. 'Start by pulling out one or two core colours and then play with different shades within that family.'

'Working tonally keeps things cohesive even when the patterns or textures differ,' Jess explains. 'If you’re easing into mixing, try pairing a buttery yellow with a deeper green for a fresh, spring‑leaning look. Once you’re feeling braver, you can introduce pattern play with florals, with ginghams, or stripes with ditsy prints.'

'The trick is to make sure the tones complement each other,' shares Jess. 'Rich florals paired with romantic, muted hues, for example, always feel elevated.'

'The key is to keep a common thread, whether that’s colour, tone or texture,' agrees Angel. 'I like to start with a base palette, perhaps a soft neutral or a muted print, and then layer in complementary pillowcases in stripes, florals or block colours that sit comfortably within that scheme.'

'Varying scale and texture also helps,' says Angel, 'for example, pairing a patterned duvet with simpler, softer pillowcases creates balance, while a contrast piped edge or trim can tie everything together beautifully.'

Molly also has a playful approach to bedscaping. 'Think of your bed as a picture and colour it in,' she suggests. 'I always go for six pillows, in pairs, with two squares in front. Stripes are a favourite for one pair (they lift everything), then I’ll bring in plains for the others.'

So, 'choose a duvet cover and two pillowcases that match,' says Molly, then add 'two pillowcases with stripes, and two more plain that work with your colour palette. If you only want to go with four pillows, match two pillowcases to your duvet cover, and then add a pair in a different colour or pattern to that mix.'

'If you're using a patterned duvet cover, pick a subtle stripe or a plain pillowcase for your mismatched pair,' suggests Molly.

Personally, my favourite aspect of this approach is that it makes it much easier to update your bedding. Instead of needing to buy a whole new bedding set, simply adding a couple of new pillowcases can instantly switch up the look of your bedroom or allow you to change the look with the seasons.

I've rounded up some of my favourite mix-and-match pillowcases of this summer season below.

And of course, ultimately, your bed should look how *you* want it to. Whether you choose to get inspired by this year's bedding trends or adopt your birth month bedding colour for a hyperpersonalised look, your bedroom should look and feel like an expression of you.

As Molly sums up, 'the main thing is to have fun and create something that you love. This is your bed, it's all for you.'

There's a heatwave on the way, and if you share a bed, experts say adopting this unusual Scandinavian sleep hack can make all the difference in getting a better night's rest as the weather warms up.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the past five years uncovering how to sleep better, and in that time, every expert I've spoken to has told me how important the right body temperature is for a good night's sleep. Seasonal changes mean the mercury will be rising, and that's why choosing the best duvet for this time of year is so important.

However, if you share a bed with a partner, you'll likely know that finding the 'right' duvet is easier said than done, especially if you tend to roast whilst your partner shivers under the covers, or vice versa. And that's exactly why this clever Scandi sleep hack can make such a positive difference to your sleep quality.

What is this Scandi sleep hack? Two separate duvets on the same double (or king) sized bed. And whilst it might sound unusual to us Brits, experts say there's a lot of sense in this alternative approach to bedding.

As sleep clinician, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, resident sleep expert at MattressNextDay, explains 'for anyone who hasn’t come across it before, the concept is very simple. Instead of sharing one duvet, the bed is made up of two single duvets placed side by side on the same bed, with each person having their own duvet that best suits their individual needs.'

How can this improve sleep quality? Because 'people regulate their body temperature differently while they sleep,' says Natalie. 'One partner might naturally run warm, while the other prefers a heavier duvet.'

So instead of compromising by choosing one double or king-sized duvet that doesn't *quite* nail either partner's preferences, adopting this Scandinavian approach of separate duvets means each partner can choose their own individual duvet that better matches their sleep needs.

Things like what tog duvet to choose and the best filling for a duvet can all be highly personal, so taking this individual approach can help to ensure a better night's sleep for both partners without any need to take more drastic measures, such as a 'sleep divorce'!

Separate duvets can also eliminate 'discussions' over when to switch to a summer duvet. And according to Natalie, that isn't the only benefit.

'In my sleep clinic, I regularly hear from couples who complain about their partner’s duvet hogging in the middle of the night,' says Natalie. 'One partner rolls over and pulls the covers with them, the other wakes up cold, and suddenly, both are wide awake.'

Two single duvets mean no one is pulling the covers off anyone else, and there's more fabric to tuck around your body to keep out any draughts. And of course, if you have a super king bed or larger, you could opt for two separate double duvets rather than singles.

'At first, it can look, and even feel, unusual if you’re used to sharing one cover, but most couples who try it quickly realise just how much more freeing and comfortable it feels,' says Natalie.

And Scandinavia isn't the only part of Europe to have adopted differing sleep setups from us Brits.

The German Doppelbett sleep hack involves going a step further and using two separate single mattresses in one larger bed frame, so *all* of our sleeping surfaces are bespoke to our needs.

However, some sleep experts do say we might not need to take such extreme measures in order to achieve a better night's sleep when we share a bed.

Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and managing director of bedding brand Woolroom, agrees with sleep clinician Natalie in that 'the most impactful change couples can make to create a better sleeping environment is to invest in bedding that regulates both sleepers' temperatures.'

'Temperature incompatibility is one of the most common causes of disturbed sleep between partners,' says Chris. 'One person finds themselves tossing and turning from overheating, while their partner snoozes away cocooned in their duvet, resulting in a regular battle of kicking off and pulling back the duvet throughout the night.'

But Chris says there is a solution that doesn't necessarily involve two separate duvets. 'Opting for a naturally temperature-regulating bedding fibre like a wool duvet will go a long way to solving those issues, as with wool’s unique, natural qualities, it can keep cold sleepers warm, and hot sleepers cool, all under one duvet and on one mattress.'

Having tested multiple wool duvets over the past five years, I can confirm this is absolutely true. Wool is a bit of a miracle fibre in my book, offering brilliant breathability that ensures I (a very hot sleeper) stay cool in the summer, whilst also keeping me cosy in winter.

In fact, I now choose to sleep under the same wool woolroom duvet all year round, something I wasn't able to do when I owned a polyester-filled duvet or a feather-and-down duvet.

And as Chris adds, 'for the age-old classic duvet tug-of-war, I’d recommend choosing your duvet a size larger than you need, to help keep everyone covered and catered for.'

Whether you opt for one large wool duvet that creates individual microclimates around you and your sleep partner, a split tog duvet, or the Scandi hack of completely separate duvets, the key is to get your temperature right.

That way you can enjoy the transition into warmer spring weather, without sacrificing any of your shuteye.

If you want to host overnight guests but don't have a dedicated spare bedroom, then there are a few options you can choose from, and as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've tried them all.

If you don't mind making the space in your home for a permanent piece of furniture, then you could invest in one of the best sofa beds on the market. Or, if you're after a more temporary hosting solution and want to save some cash, you could consider one of the best blow-up air beds.

However, Loaf has an alternative that offers a happy medium between the two. A space-saving £195 hosting solution that's *far* cheaper than most sofa beds, but a *lot* more stylish than your average inflatable bed.

Now Loaf's Sleepover Floor Cushion might at first seem like an overly simple, some may even say basic overnight hosting solution, but bear with me, because, in my opinion at least, that's actually part of its genius.

Technically, yes, this is simply three very prettily upholstered foam cushions attached into a concertina that can be folded into a pouffe, a spare seat to lean against the wall, or laid out flat to form a mattress. But, when you have the occasional overnight guest, that's often *exactly* what you need.

Don't get me wrong, I've tested plenty of sofa beds, and they can be a great solution for hosting overnight guests. But, not only do they take up a lot of floor space in a home, but most are also *expensive*.

A top-of-the-range sofa bed can easily set you back between £1000 and £3000, and even one of the best chair beds or a good bed-in-a-box can cost around £500. That can be well worth the investment if you regularly host guests, but if you only occasionally need to offer your home as a crash pad to friends or family, I think Loaf's solution is a brilliant one.

The other downside of a sofa bed is that, at the more affordable end of the market, most budget-friendly sofa beds are *firm*. And that means the extra expense of investing in a mattress topper so that your guests can have a little more cushioning during their stay.

This soon adds up, with many of the best mattress toppers alone easily costing more than Loaf's floor cushion does.

Unlike a sofa bed, you can also stash this sleepover solution away under the bed when your guests have gone home, freeing up floor space and making a small living room or small bedroom feel a lot bigger.

The more affordable alternative – the humble air bed – also isn't without downsides. Air beds certainly don't look as stylish as Loaf's Sleepover Floor Cushions, can be prone to deflating during the night, and, in my experience, aren't as comfortable.

The joy of foam is that your shoulder and hip have something to sink into. I've always found an air bed to offer much less 'give', which can make for a pretty firm sleeping experience in a slightly different way. You also can't fold an air bed up into an extra seat like you can with this floor cushion.

Now, admittedly, not all guests are going to be comfortable sleeping this close to the floor. If you have elderly visitors or anyone less mobile coming to stay, they may not appreciate floor camping. I've included some alternative options below if so.

However, if you're simply after an extra sleeping space for your kids' friends, teenage family members, or otherwise sprightly friends and family members, then I think the Loaf Sleepover Floor Cushion is the ideal solution.

Shop alternatives

In this review, I put the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow to the test to see how it compares to the best pillows on the market.

In a nutshell

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the past five years testing out all kinds of pillows, and it's a testament to how tricky choosing the right pillow can be that in all of that time I *still* hadn't found the perfect pillow for me. A lot of options came close, but there was always a downside that meant they didn't quite fulfil my needs.

That was, until I spent the past two weeks sleeping on the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow. I think I've now *finally* found my dream pillow.

This pillow comes in two height options, a 15cm depth and an 18cm depth, and as a side sleeper, I've found the deepest of the two to be the absolute dream height for supporting my head and neck in good alignment during the night. And unlike pretty much every other pillow I've tested, I haven't had to compromise on comfort or overheating to achieve that.

Support-wise, nearly all of the best pillows for side sleepers are made from foam or memory foam, so whilst they've kept my head at the right height, I've found them very dense and 'block-like' under my head, and their synthetic fill pretty much always becomes uncomfortably warm during the night.

In contrast, this Woolroom pillow is made with a latex fill and a cotton and wool cover. That means brilliant temperature regulation – my head stayed cool and comfortable every night of testing – and also a completely different feel than foam or memory foam provides.

Sleeping on a latex pillow feels a little like resting my head on a firmly set jelly, and as it turns out, I find that *far* more comfortable than denser foam or memory foam. It means that the pillow surface offers brilliant support, but still has a slight give and bounce to it that feels really good under the head. Woolroom describes it as a 'weightless' sensation, and I agree.

The only downside is the price. This pillow costs £113.99, and that's a *lot* of money in my book. However, after struggling with neck pain caused by so many 'wrong' pillows, for me, that's money worth investing in a pain-free sleep, and Woolroom's 30-night sleep trial also makes that investment a little less risky.

Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow review

Specifications

• RRP: £113.99
• Best for: side or back sleepers
• Materials: inner: Talalay latex, cover: organic cotton and British wool
• Dimensions: H15 or H18 x L74 x W48cm
• Care instructions: cover machine washable at 40°C on a delicate/wool wash, line dry only
• Manufacturer sleep trial: 30-night

Comfort

Like many of us, I'm a side sleeper, and that can mean finding the right pillow takes a little trial and error. This is because side sleepers need a pillow that fills the gap between their ear and the mattress surface perfectly.

The idea is that when we're lying on our side, our neck and spine should be in the same neutral alignment that they would be when we were standing up straight. So the best pillow for a side sleeper should be roughly the same depth as the length of one shoulder.

Where it gets tricky is that all of us have different shoulder widths. Plus, the tension of our mattress also plays a part. A softer or more cushioned mattress surface will mean your shoulder sinks in more, and you need a slightly lower pillow to keep the head, neck, and spine aligned, whereas a firmer mattress usually requires a deeper pillow.

The Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow turns out to be the absolute Goldilocks of pillows for me. It's not too low, and not too high. I'm 5'10" with fairly wide shoulders and I sleep on a medium-firm mattress. I tested the 18cm deep pillow (there is also a 15cm deep alternative) and found it fitted my shoulder width and mattress type perfectly.

Lying on my side, my head felt supported at just the right height, but what I particularly loved was the feel of the latex core. I've tested foam pillows for side sleeping, such as the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow, which did a brilliant job of supporting my head at the right height but felt very firm and 'block-like' under my head.

I've also tested many of the best memory foam pillows – a filling often recommended for side sleepers as it keeps the head well supported. However, as this material slowly softens when exposed to body heat in order to 'mould' to the head, I often found the pillow would slowly sink during the night, putting strain on my neck.

Latex seems to solve both of these problems. The best way I can describe it is like resting my head on firm jelly. It has a lovely bit of give and 'jiggle', but it remains at one steady height all through the night. That means it's brilliantly supportive *and* still feels a lot softer and more luxurious than most other side sleeping pillows.

As I've mentioned, Woolroom describes the sensation of sleeping on latex as a feeling of 'weightlessness' for the head, and although it's difficult to explain without experiencing it, that is the effect it seems to achieve.

Temperature regulation

As a hot sleeper, I really value a pillow that offers good temperature regulation, and this is definitely one of the areas where the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow excels.

I've been sleeping on this pillow for the past two weeks, and I've never once had to flip it over to find the cool side. I've found it stays perfectly neutral in temperature all night long – hallelujah.

No doubt that's thanks to three main factors. First, latex is naturally more temperature-neutral than the filling most firmer side-sleeping pillows are filled with: memory foam.

Second, Woolroom has added small airholes to the latex core to increase air circulation and allow body heat to disperse.

And third, the brand has also wrapped this pillow in an organic cotton and British wool cover. Both of these materials are great for temperature regulation, with wool an especially useful material for helping hot sleepers sleep cooler.

Ease of care

Similar to foam and memory foam pillows, the inner latex core of this pillow can't be washed, but the quilted wool and cotton cover can be removed and freshened up on a delicate wool machine cycle.

This does mean it requires a little more TLC to look after than a synthetic polyester pillow – most of which can be shoved in the washing machine and washed fully without too much thought.

For me, this extra TLC is worth it for what the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow offers in terms of comfort and support. However, I probably wouldn't be choosing this pillow for a guest bed or kids' bed where I knew I'd want to wash the bedding more thoroughly.

Sleep trial

Where possible, I always recommend opting for a pillow that comes with a sleep trial, and Woolroom offers a 30-night sleep trial with the Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow.

As I've mentioned, it can be really tricky to tell whether a pillow will be right for your body before you've actually slept on it, and even though *I* love this pillow, it doesn't necessarily follow that it will be right for you.

That 30-night sleep trial makes this investment a lot less risky, as if it isn't the one for you, there is an opportunity to return it.

Value for money

There's no denying that £113.99 for a pillow is a lot of money. But when you think that you sleep on a pillow every single night, the cost per use does get put into perspective a little.

And, expensive as it is, that price is around average for a pillow of this quality and construction. For reference, Simba's bestselling pillow, the Simba Hybrid Pillow, costs £109, and a top-of-the-range feather-and-down pillow, such as the scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow, costs £100.

Compared to other latex pillows, Woolroom's latex pillow is also pretty reasonably priced. You could opt for the Relyon Superior Comfort Deep Latex Pillow (another great latex option for side sleepers) for £133 or the Hypnos High Profile Latex Pillow, which costs £140. However, as you'll notice, these competitors are more expensive, and few of these comparable latex options offer sleep trials.

For me at least, that makes the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow one of the best value latex pillows on the market. And finding a pillow that's the right height, offers the right support to eliminate my neck pain, feels lovely to sleep on, sleeps cool, *and* is made from natural, chemical-free materials, for me, is pretty much priceless.

How I tested

In order to test out this pillow, I slept on it for two weeks on my own bed to assess its comfort and temperature regulation. I also assessed its ease of care, any sleep trials available, and how it compares to similar products on the market to see if it offers good value for money.

Stop what you’re doing! Stacey Solomon has just dropped her high summer collection with George Home, and its fresh, fruity designs are perfect for creating a Mediterranean-inspired bedroom at home.

I’m not lying, I genuinely look forward to seeing the latest Stacey Solomon x George Home collections, with a stunning new range dropping every new season. Dishing up her own takes on the latest home decor trends and very affordable prices, there’s not much to dislike.

And for summer, Stacey has made it her mission to turn our bedrooms into a holiday retreat. With Almalficore making a comeback in 2026, Stacey has put her own signature style on the Med-inspired trend, creating some of the best bedding and bathroom accessories that are light, playful and perfect for summer. These are my top six picks.

‘I’m so excited to share my new High-Summer collection – we wanted to bring a little bit of sunshine into the home! It’s always so much fun working with the George Home team, and I’m so proud we’re able to bring such great quality at brilliant prices,’ said Stacey, explaining her thoughts on the latest collection.

Right now, I’m obsessed with the Purple Raspberry-Shaped Cushion (£15), which is just so bold and fun. Add to a sofa or bed for an instant pop of colour. Or if your tastes are more minimal, I also love Stacey Solomon White & Lemon Frill Trim Cotton Duvet Set (£16), which has a classic look.

Fans of Stacey’s interior style and home, Pickle Cottage, will recognise the blend of cottagecore and contemporary style for this collection.

Combining fun, fruity designs with soft frills and a hint of gingham, Stacey’s rustic style marries beautifully with the fresh colours of the Med.

Prices start at just £1, with the collection available to shop in-store or online. Which piece is your favourite?

If you often (or occasionally) have friends and family stay the night at your home, you've probably explored the most common options for hosting them.

If you're blessed with a spare guest bedroom, this is easy enough, but if, like many of us, you have a small home where every square inch of space is already in use, then options can get a little trickier.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the past five years testing out some of the best sofa beds and best chair beds on the market, and there are some great options. The one downside is that this multifunctional furniture generally tends to *look* multifunctional.

In most cases, you can usually tell a sofa bed isn't a real sofa the minute you walk into a room, and whilst there's nothing wrong with this, you might want a hosting solution that's a little more 'invisible' in your home. I think Loaf's Bed in a Button is exactly that.

Unlike a sofa bed, which is a sofa that hides a bed inside it, Loaf's Bed in a Button is a bed-in-a-box; that is, a guest bed hidden inside a 'box'. And, in this case, that 'box' is an extremely stylish Chesterfield ottoman.

Personally, I think this is one of the best-disguised guest beds I've ever come across. Once it's folded away, there's no way visitors to your home would know there's a mattress hidden inside it.

This hosting solution is also very visually compact, which is a real bonus in a small home, whether you're placing it in a small living room or a small bedroom.

It comes in two size options, a 'single' which hides a 72cm wide mattress and a 'double' which conceals a 112cm wide mattress. Both of which appear to take up a lot less space in a room than the equivalent-sized seating would due to their low profile.

Even better, this piece of furniture also benefits from Loaf's fantastic upholstery options. There are 32 colour options, most of which come in five different fabric options, including cotton, linen, and boucle materials.

For me, that Chesterfield button detailing is the cherry on the cake, adding a luxe touch that elevates this piece of furniture from practical to pretty in one fell swoop. It's a gorgeous seat when closed, then a pretty headboard when opened.

And it's not the only bed-in-a-box Loaf offers. The retailer has some of the best options on the market, and in my opinion, the brand is leading the way in the bed-in-a box revolution, a growing trend that I think will give the classic sofa bed a real run for its money in the coming years.

The one downside (there had to be one, right?), is the price. Whilst prices for Loaf's bed-in-a-box are more affordable than a sofa bed of comparable quality, they still aren't cheap. As such, I've rounded up a couple of alternative options below.

If you want a spare bed that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in your home, I think these compact and clever bed-in-a-box options are all great solutions.

At the beginning of the year, I asked multiple interior trend experts which bedroom colours were going out of style in 2026, and which were set to become the next big thing.

Dark aubergine was one of the colours our design aficionados flagged as the one to watch, and if you want to give your bedroom 'main character' energy, I think this is the hue to embrace.

Why is aubergine taking centre stage in the best-dressed bedrooms this year? In 2026, bedroom trends are all about creating a 'cocooning' sleep space that wraps us in a sense of safety and deep relaxation, and according to our experts, aubergine's deep, rich tones provide exactly the grounding energy a stylish sleep sanctuary needs.

Dark aubergine bedroom colour trend

'Dark aubergine, like Dulux Heritage’s very own Dark Aubergine, is one of those colours that instantly wraps a room in a sense of intimacy and quiet luxury,' explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux.

'This shade has a beautiful depth to it – richer than a typical purple, softer than black – and that makes it incredibly cocooning for a bedroom.'

'As a bedroom colour, deep purples such as aubergine create an intimate, cocooning atmosphere that feels both luxurious and restful,' agrees Helen Shaw of Benjamin Moore.

And what's more, although this colour might at first glance seem a bold choice, this shade is easier to incorporate into our bedroom design ideas than you might at first think.

'Dark aubergine works almost like a moody neutral,' explains Sarah Ferreira, interior designer and founder of Sarah Ferreira Interiors, 'adding depth while still feeling versatile and easy to live with.'

And as Helen points out, there's another reason this rich shade is the perfect choice for a bedroom.

'Darker shades respond beautifully to softer, evening light,' explains Helen, 'gently enveloping the room and drawing the walls inward to create a sense of warmth and comfort – ideal for a space designed for relaxation and retreat.'

Dark aubergine 'absorbs light in a way that feels calming rather than heavy,' agrees Marianne, 'so you get this lovely, restful atmosphere that encourages you to truly switch off at the end of the day.' And that's exactly the effect we want to trigger when we step into our bedroom.

Plus, as Helen goes on to explain, this shade isn't just calming, it can also create a boudoir that makes a real style statement and amps up that 'main character' energy in your home.

'Often associated with royalty and heritage, jewel tones like aubergine bring a sense of richness and quiet drama to a space,' says Helen. This shade is all about quiet luxury, subtle richness, and depth.

This said, a 'main character' colour requires some 'main character' confidence to embrace it, so I asked our experts on the best way to style this opulent shade.

How to style it

The first thing our colour and interior design experts were keen to point out is that whilst dark aubergine might be classed as part of the purple colour range, this shade is a *lot* easier to decorate with than most purples.

'Aubergine paint colours often find themselves in the same conversation as purple paint colours, but in practical interior design terms, they’re far apart,' explains Andy Greenall, head of design at Paint & Paper Library. 'It’s easy to use the former to elevate a space, and just as easy to go slightly wrong with the latter.'

That's because its red and brown undertones make aubergine a much earthier colour choice than a purple with blue undertones.

'A classic aubergine shade, such as Paint & Paper Library's Pontefract, is much more versatile,' says Andy. 'Its neutrality means it will effortlessly coordinate with other paint colours and, importantly, natural finishes in the room.'

If you do decide to pair this shade with other tones, Andy suggests that 'deep aubergine shades pair up effortlessly with pinker neutrals.' Think, 'clay, sand and terracotta shades that have their own slightly muted quality.'

When it comes to how to decorate with this shade, Marianne advises using this bold hue as the 'hero' colour in your bedroom, saying this deep, dark shade is especially 'effective as a feature behind the bed to anchor the space.'

However, as most of our experts go on to explain, one of the sure-fire ways to *really* embrace the main character energy of this powerful shade is to go all in.

'This colour works wonderfully on all four walls,' says Marianne, especially 'if you’re after that enveloping, cocooned feeling.'

'Dark aubergine is a strong, enveloping colour,' acknowledges interior designer Sarah, 'so it works best when used with intention. I particularly love it when architectural details are picked out in the same tone. Painting walls, trims, panelling or coving in aubergine creates a really cohesive, elevated feel.'

'A good tip when using rich colours such as aubergine, especially in smaller spaces, is to reduce, or even eliminate, the visual noise of contrasting features – such as architectural mouldings, trim and radiators – by painting them in the same colour,' agrees Andy.

This way, elements of the room that may otherwise stick out like a sore thumb, 'will visually melt into the backdrop, allowing the depth of the colour to deliver its full impact in a sophisticated, considered way.'

Personally, I think that colour drenching a bedroom in this deep and earthy shade is the ideal way to create a bedroom that truly embodies that cocooning feeling of safety and relaxation.

And as both of those qualities add up to a more relaxed nervous system and a better night's sleep, this is one bedroom trend that can do as much for our wellbeing as it does for our visual enjoyment.

The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper is the brand's newest mattress topper, and it combines cushioning bamboo-infused memory foam with micro-spring support.

As a sleep product tester, I’ve spent the past four years testing out the best mattress toppers on the market, and I've always been a huge fan of Panda's original topper, the Panda Bamboo Mattress Topper, which is a pure memory foam affair.

Now that the brand has launched a hybrid spring-and-foam version, I was keen to see how its latest innovation measures up.

In a nutshell

Overall, I was very impressed with the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper. So much so that I didn’t want to say goodbye to it after the testing period.

It has a lovely amount of 'bounce' and responsiveness, and made a noticeable positive difference to my fairly firm pocket-spring mattress. I felt supported and comfortable the whole time I slept on it. And despite it being made partially from memory foam, I found it was a great temperature regulator too. My husband and I are both hot sleepers, and we didn't wake up too hot once.

At 7.5cm deep, this topper is also a lot thicker than many toppers, which means it can mask an uncomfortable sleep surface well and should suit heavier-weight sleepers who need a little more depth and support. It's also well-made, with attention to detail in the robust zip, sturdy adjustable straps that secure it to the mattress, and the overall construction. I honestly struggled to find a flaw in this hybrid mattress topper during testing.

The only downside is its price. At £339.95 for a double, that firmly falls into the 'expensive' category in my head. However, having tested a lot of mattress toppers in my time, I would say it’s one of the best on the market.

Only you can decide if you can justify its expense, but Panda's 30-night sleep trial means I think this topper is definitely worth a try to see if it improves your sleep quality enough to justify its price tag.

Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper review

Specifications

• RRP: £249.95 / £319.95 / £339.95 / £359.95 / £399.95 /
• Sizes: single / small double / double / king / super-king / EU single / EU double / EU king
• Depth: 7.5cm
• Construction: bamboo-infused open-cell memory foam, micro-springs
• Care instructions: removable cover is machine-washable at 30ºC, air dry only
• Manufacturer sleep trial: 30 nights

Attaching the topper to the bed

The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper arrived vacuum-packed, rolled, and in a box. I was dreading lugging upstairs to my bedroom, but actually, it’s pretty lightweight, and I could do it without any help.

I also found the topper easy to unpack. The cardboard box slides off easily, and I slipped the Swiss roll-esque topper onto my mattress. I then cut off the plastic. I recommend doing this very carefully with a pair of blunt-ended scissors so you don’t accidentally cut the topper.

Plastic off, the topper unfurled very quickly and came up to size within a matter of minutes. There was a definite smell of off-gassing when I first unpackaged the topper, but I opened the window to let air flow around the mattress topper, and this helped remove the smell from my bedroom.

And when it came to attaching the topper over my mattress, I was really impressed by the robust straps on each corner. The straps are adjustable, which means I could make sure they were nice and tight over each corner of my mattress. The removable cover also has a non-slip underside to stop any minor slippages.

I was also impressed by the topper's depth. At 7.5cm deep, it's thicker than many toppers on the market. Although you may need to invest in some extra deep fitted sheets as a result.

Comfort

Panda claims this mattress topper has five layers, although I’d say that is overstating it slightly; Panda is counting their washable cover twice in this. The maths isn’t quite mathsing for me there. Yes, I am here to split hairs.

The cover is the uppermost layer. This is an undulating top made from organic bamboo. Bamboo is an ideal fibre for a topper. It’s naturally antimicrobial, incredibly soft and is a great temperature regulator. The cover feels great quality – nice and thick. There are mesh sides on the cover to increase airflow through the topper. We’ll drill more on temperature regulation later in this review, but for now, just know this is a great feature.

The next layer is 'biocell foam'. This is Panda’s term for an open-cell structure memory foam, which the brand has infused with bamboo. This type of foam is less dense than traditional memory foam, again, to help air flow and stop overheating while offering cushioning.

Under this is a micro-spring layer. Springs offer a more structured, responsive support. This means that as you move in the night, the mattress should adapt to your body and keep your spine aligned. Ideally, this should translate as a more restful sleep and fewer aches and pains in the morning.

The last layer is another layer of memory foam, this time dubbed orthopaedic-grade by Panda. The brand says that this helps the mattress topper contour to your body

In practice, I was so impressed with the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper. I felt wonderfully supported whether I slept on my side or back. The 7.5cm depth of the topper truly offered some real bounciness and oomph to my sleep surface – something that many other toppers I've tested have failed to do. As I don’t really enjoy the cocooning sensation of memory foam, I was also pleased that it wasn't too cocooning and 'hugging'.

As I tested this mattress topper by sleeping alongside my husband, I was also able to test its motion isolation. Again, this is really decent. I couldn’t feel my husband tossing or turning at night. Although our mattress is a very well-made pocket-sprung Hypnos Origins 6 mattress, so its motion isolation is pretty good anyway.

If you’re struggling with being disturbed by your partner's movements at night, this topper can help, but I would say that Panda's more affordable topper, the Panda Bamboo Mattress Topper (which is minus the springs), could probably do the trick for cheaper if extra cushioning and motion isolation are your main goals.

What this new hybrid topper delivers is the whole package: cushioning, support, temperature regulation, and a nice amount of bounce.

Temperature regulation

I hate overheating at night. It can really disturb my sleep. My husband is a hot sleeper too, so together we are the fussiest of sleepers when it comes to temperature. However, we were both impressed by the temperature regulation we experienced while sleeping on the Panda Hybrid. Bamboo Mattress Topper.

Although it features foam (not always the coolest of materials), there’s lots “under the hood” of this topper to enhance the temperature regulation while you sleep. Firstly, the cover is made from bamboo, which is excellent at maintaining a consistent body temperature. It’s also highly absorbent, so it will wick sweat away from your body efficiently, helping you to keep cool.

Working in harmony with this cover is the 'bio cell memory foam', which is also infused with bamboo. The open-cell structure of this foam and the bamboo will help keep things cool. And the mesh sides on the cover allow hot air to escape and cool air to circulate under your body.

As a result, I found that I didn’t overheat at all on the Panda Hybrid. Bamboo Mattress Topper. I stayed perfectly warm all night without tipping over into sweaty. And I tested as the temperature was increasing slightly in spring, but I hadn’t yet taken my 13-tog duvet off – it’s a risky time in terms of overheating. The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper coped perfectly, rivaling the Woolroom Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper I usually sleep on for its excellent temperature-regulating properties.

Care instructions

When it comes to how to care for this mattress topper, its cover is removable, so it can be unzipped and the outer cover machine-washed at 30ºC. Although it is air-dry only, so don't be tempted to put it in the tumble dryer.

This said, I did find the topper cover to be very snug. So you’ll need to psyche yourself up for taking it off, and, crucially, getting it back on again after washing. Personally, I'd opt for investing in one of the best mattress protectors to pop over the topper and your mattress instead; they're far easier to remove and wash.

The foam underneath the topper is spot-clean only, but you can vacuum it. Not so long ago, I tested a mattress vacuum that's brilliant for this job – and the one I reviewed blasts the mattress or topper with UV light too, to kill germs and dust mites.

Sleep trial

Panda offers a 30-night sleep trial on this topper. Although it's valid on products bought directly through their website only.

This topper is an investment, so I'd certainly feel more confident testing it out knowing I could get my money back if it didn't improve my sleep comfort.

Value for money

Overall, this is a very comfortable mattress topper that I think can make a real difference if you have a mattress that’s slightly tired or too firm for you. That said, this topper certainly isn't cheap. As of writing, a double of the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper costs £339.95, and a king-size costs £359.95.

That's a significant investment, although it is on a par with products of a similar construction. For example, the Simba Hybrid Topper, which we've rated as one of the best mattress toppers overall for the past five years, costs £349 for a double and £399 for a king-size.

The new Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper definitely gives the Simba Hybrid Topper a run for its money. Both are hybrid toppers that combine breathable memory foam with micro-spring support, and both make a real difference to a sleep surface. The main difference is that the Simba Hybrid Topper comes with a 200-night sleep trial compared to Panda's 30-night sleep trial.

So are either of them worth the money? Yes, I think so. If you have a mattress that is otherwise in really good nick but just needs a little zhuzhing to give it a new lease of life, or you want to add better cushioning, support, and breathability to a mattress or sofa bed, this topper will do that.

However, if your mattress is on its last legs, I’d always recommend investing in a new mattress rather than hoping a mattress topper is going to transform things – even the best mattress topper (and this Panda topper is definitely up there as one of the best I've tested) can only do so much.

How I tested

Usual sleep position: side
Tension preference: medium-firm
Sleep problems: hip pain

In order to test out this mattress topper, I slept on it for two weeks in my own home on top of the fairly firm pocket-spring Hypnos Wool Origins 6 mattress. I assessed how easy it was to attach to the bed, how comfortable it was when sleeping on my back and side, and whether it offered good temperature regulation. I also took into account how easy it was to care for and any sleep trials on offer.

If you're looking for a way to host overnight guests in your home without a dedicated guest bedroom, then a sofa bed is a brilliant solution.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the past five years testing and compiling my shortlist of the best sofa beds on the market, and if you choose wisely, I think this piece of multifunctional furniture can be a great investment.

However, like many of us, I have a very small home, and even the most compact sofa beds, and likewise the best chair beds, can still take up a lot of floor space. But I think there's a solution, and that solution is the bed-in-a-box.

What is a bed-in-a-box? Well, it's a guest bed that folds up into a 'box'. And that 'box' is usually in the form of an upholstered ottoman or padded footstool.

Much like sofa beds, these bed-in-a-boxes can either feature a pull-out mattress or a series of folded foam cushions that create the sleeping area once extended.

And their main benefit? They usually take up *far* less space than a sofa bed or even a chair bed, making them an extremely useful option for a small home.

The one downside is that, currently at least, a bed-in-a-box can be a lot trickier to find than a sofa bed. However, I've tracked down six great options which I'll share below.

Six of the best bed-in-a-box

As you might have noticed, the one thing that many of these bed-in-a-boxes have in common is that they come in a wide array of upholstery options.

To my mind, this is great news if you're looking to blend an occasional guest sleeping solution into your main living area as you're far more likely to find a colour and fabric that complements your sofa and armchairs.

And although it will cost you more, you're also not limited to a single sleeping space if you opt for a bed-in-a-box. Some options deliver a double-size sleeping area so you can host two guests at once.

If you have a small living room, or a compact home office, playroom, or kids' bedroom that needs to double up as a guest sleeping space occasionally, I definitely think a bed-in-a-box is a brilliant hosting solution that can give even the best sofa beds a run for their money.

Some furniture styles seem to weather the ages, and Mid-Century Modern is one of them. Originally taking the design world by storm in the 1950's, this is one trend that's still going three-quarters of a century later.

It's a look that celebrates rich dark woods; think walnut, cherry wood, or mango wood, alongside polished chrome detailing, clean lines, and elegant curved forms.

Timeless yet contemporary, it's a style that works perfectly in the living room, but, in my opinion, it also makes for some showstopping bedroom design ideas. Imagine crisp white sheets, a dark wood bedframe, and a Mid-Century-style bedside table, and you have a bedroom that sums up understated glamour and luxe.

To help you get the look without trawling through the shops, here are twelve of the best Mid-Century bedside tables on my radar, including options from West Elm, Habitat, M&S, and more.

And, of course, you don't have to stop at the bedside table. If you're pondering where to buy a bed or where to buy a headboard, there are some great Mid-Century-inspired options available.

Pair your new bedroom furniture with one of the best duvet covers – I recommend some crisp white or soft off-white Egyptian cotton sheets, such as the M&S Egyptian Cotton 230 Thread Count Duvet Cover, or if you have the budget to push the boat out, the super luxe Hampton & Astley Egyptian Cotton 500 Thread Count Sateen Luxury Duvet Cover – and you'll have a boudoir you can't wait to escape to at the end of the day.

If you didn't sleep well last night, then according to experts, it could be your bedroom to blame.

Whilst we might think our bedroom design ideas mostly impact how our bedroom *looks*, experts say our design decisions can also significantly impact how our bedroom *feels*.

Get it wrong, and our bedroom design choices can have a negative impact on our mental well-being, and as a knock-on effect, our sleep quality can suffer.

However, whilst these bedroom design mistakes might be common, they are easy to solve. This is everything you need to know to banish these common 'sleep thieves' from the bedroom and restore the mental and emotional balance needed for a restful night's sleep.

How our bedrooms can impact our sleep quality

First, some background. According to The Bedroom Reset Report carried out by bedroom furniture retailer Wren, our bedrooms can have a direct emotional impact on how we feel.

Wren says that, of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed for the report, 'around a third said things such as bedroom clutter and disorganisation made them feel frustrated, while 20% reported feeling overwhelmed by their space, and a further 11% reported deeper effects, including anxiety'.

In Wren's research, bedroom clutter was cited as one of the main factors in feelings of overwhelm, but according to experts, there are also other subtle details that can trigger feelings of unease in the bedroom, all of which directly impact our ability to rest well.

Clinical psychologist Dr Tracy King recently partnered with furniture brand Furl to explain how our bedroom design can impact our nervous systems and mental well-being.

'When the bedroom signals safety, the body lets go,' explains Tracy, 'but when the space signals exposure, clutter, or sensory threat, the brain keeps scanning, even at night.'

'That low-level vigilance might not be something we consciously notice,' says Tracy, 'but it can mean sleep becomes lighter, shorter and more easily disturbed.'

So what are these common 'sleep thieves' in the bedroom, and how do we fix them for a better night's sleep? Thankfully, there are some easy solutions when it comes to how to sleep better.

6 common 'sleep thieves' and how to fix them

1. Consider your bed's position

According to Tracy, where our bed is placed in our bedroom can have a subtle but significant impact on our mental well-being, and therefore our sleep quality.

'The bed should ideally be on a solid wall, with a clear view of the door,' says Tracy. 'Psychologically, this reduces the brain’s need to monitor the environment. Feng shui calls this the command position. Nervous-system-wise, it lowers unconscious vigilance, which supports deeper sleep.'

Tracy also advises avoiding placing the bed in front of a window. 'Even if you do not consciously notice it, a window behind the head can feel exposed to the primitive brain,' she explains. 'If moving the bed is not possible, add a solid headboard and use heavier curtains or blinds at night to create a more protected feeling.'

2. Check your bed's stability

And this leads us on to our next fix. Feng shui experts say all beds should have a headboard to create more energetic stability in the bedroom, and furniture expert Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse, suggests this stability should also extend to your bed frame.

'An old, creaky, or unstable frame can affect both sleep quality and the overall feel of the bedroom,' says Magdalena. 'Even small movements during the night can cause a worn or poorly supported frame to shift or make noise, which can disturb sleep and make it harder to stay in a deep, restful state.'

'However, beyond the practical impact, the condition and materials of a bedframe can influence how calm and secure the bedroom feels. A sturdy, well-built frame with a solid headboard can help create a sense of stability and comfort, making the bed feel like a more supportive place to rest.'

So, when it comes to where to buy a bed and what type of bed to opt for, Magdalena says that 'choosing durable materials and ensuring the frame is properly assembled can play an important role in creating a bedroom environment that encourages deeper, uninterrupted sleep.'

3. Create bedside symmetry

Next up in the mission to relax our brains into sleep is considering symmetry in our bedroom design.

'Two bedside tables or two lights are not just for style,' says Tracy. 'Symmetry tells the brain the environment is stable and predictable.'

That means that even if you sleep alone, your bed should still be balanced by placing a bedside table on each side of the bed so that the brain can relax and feel safe.

4. Opt for 'warm' bedroom lighting

Bedroom lighting is another important consideration for creating a relaxing sleep environment.

Magdalena suggests using 'warm, low-level lighting, such as bedside lamps with soft amber tones, as harsh overhead lights can interfere with the body’s natural sleep signals.'

You might also want to consider adding blackout blinds at the bedroom windows to block out outside stimulation or distractions.

5. Reposition any mirrors that reflect the bed

'In feng shui, mirrors reflecting the bed are considered activating,' says Tracy, 'and in psychological terms, they add visual stimulation and can increase self-monitoring or nighttime alertness.'

So whilst it can be useful to have a full-length mirror in the bedroom, especially if you don't have a dedicated dressing room at home (how I wish!), you might want to think about where you place it in the room, and avoid positioning it in the eye-line with the bed.

'If a mirror has to stay, cover it at night or angle it away from the bed,' suggests Tracy.

6. Banish bedroom clutter

And lastly, our experts recommend banishing as much clutter as you can from your bedroom. Clutter doesn't just look messy, but as Tracy explains, this 'visual noise' impacts our brains (and therefore sleep) in ways we might not expect.

'Your nervous system scans the room even when you are trying to rest.' says Tracy. 'Overfilled shelves, piles of laundry, and cluttered surfaces keep the brain engaged.'

'A bedroom filled with too many items can keep the brain mentally stimulated in a space that should feel calm and restorative,' agrees Magdalena. She advises reducing the number of objects in the room, clearing the floor, and limiting bedside items to help create a more relaxing environment and minimise stress responses around bedtime.

'Clear the tops of bedside tables and remove anything that looks like a task, such as paperwork, cables, or gym gear,' seconds Tracy.

As Joanne Dodsworth, head of bedrooms at Wren, sums up, 'bedrooms today need to work harder than ever before, but that doesn’t mean they should feel cluttered or overwhelming.'

'With the right design approach, it’s entirely possible to create a space that supports multiple functions while still feeling calm and restful.'

So there we have it, fix these common 'sleep thieves' and your mind should be able to relax fully the moment you step into your bedroom. And as we all know, a relaxed mind means more chance of drifting off to sleep quickly and easily, and a better likelihood of a deep and restorative sleep.

I put the M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet to the test to see how this affordable feather and down duvet performs.

In a nutshell

In Ideal Home's round-up of the best duvets money can buy, we rate scooms’ Hungarian Goose Down Duvet as one of the best feather and down duvets you can invest in, as well as the best all-seasons duvet.

I'm lucky enough to sleep with this scooms duvet on my bed every night, and I love it dearly. However, a single 4.5 tog option costs an eye-watering £175 thanks to its premium Hungarian goose down fill. In comparison, a single 4.5 tog in the M&S *duck* feather and down duvet costs just £39.50. So you better believe I was eager to see how they compared.

The good news for our bank balances is that this budget-friendly M&S option really impressed me. I tested the 3-in-1 M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet 13.5 Tog All-Seasons Duvet, which includes 4.5 tog and 9 tog duvets, fastened together with very useful ties to create a snug 13.5 tog duvet. This means in this one product you’re set for a cosy night’s sleep, whatever the weather.

Admittedly, the duck feather and down fill doesn't feel as premium as the Hungarian goose down in my scooms duvet. The M&S option features a high ratio of feather to down (85% duck feather and 15% duck down to be exact), whereas the scooms option is almost pure fluffy down (90% Hungarian goose down & 10% Hungarian goose feather), and I could feel the difference. The M&S option felt a little clumpier and not as squishy and cloud-like as my beloved scooms bedding.

However, I was still pleased with the warmth and temperature-regulation this duvet delivered, and I stayed “just so” all night long during testing. It also felt far more luxurious than your average synthetic duvet. Overall, if you want a luxury hotel feel on a relatively small budget, I think this is a fantastic option.

M&S Duck Feather and Down Duvet review

Specifications

• RRP: £34.50-£115
• Sizes: single / double / king / super king
• Tog rating: 2.5 / 4.5 / 7.5 / 10.5 / 13.5 / 15 / all-seasons (4.5 + 9 = 13.5 tog)
• Materials: outer: cotton; filling: 85% duck feather, 15% duck down
• Care: machine wash at 40ºC, tumble dry on medium
• Manufacturer sleep trial: none

Feel

The M&S duck and feather down duvet comes in a smart, reusable storage bag with carry handles, but when I first unpacked it, I was slightly surprised by how little loft it has.

It seems I've gotten used to my super-cloud-like scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet, and this M&S version felt a little flat in comparison. In part, this is probably because the M&S version is filled with duck feathers and down rather than goose. Goose down has larger clusters and higher fill power than duck down.

However, despite its lower profile, I still found this M&S duvet did just what I love most about a feather and down duvet. And that's to offer a decent drape to tuck in around my body and cocoon me. It's also pretty lightweight. In comparison, my Scooms duvet is much heavier for the same tog rating.

I’ve also tested and own the Woolroom Deluxe Wool Duvet (yes, as a sleep product reviewer, I am spoilt in the bedding department). If I compare the M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet to the Woolroom Deluxe, the M&S option has a much fluffier profile and more cosiness. On a made bed, it certainly looks inviting to jump into.

I also let out a little cheer when I unpackaged it, because there is a thoughtful and functional design touch here that so many duvets lack. As this is an all-seasons duvet, it comes in two parts: a 4.5 tog duvet and a 9 tog duvet – which you can fix together to create a 13.5 tog duvet.

The design feature I was rather pathetically thrilled about is the ties on the corners and edges of both duvets. This allows you to connect both duvets securely together, and they don’t become uncoupled. In comparison, my pricey Scooms duvets have detachable plastic poppers, which get lost, come off when changing the duvet and add a weird feeling to the whole perimeter of the duvet. No exaggeration to say that they’re the bane of my life.

The one downside I did notice initially is a slight scent of 'game' about the duvet. Although this should fade over time, and is perhaps to be expected given the filling.

Temperature regulation

I am prone to overheating, as is my husband, so we’re a fussy pair when it comes to duvets. We’ve both found our happy place under our scooms duvet, so I was intrigued to see if duck feathers would tick our boxes in the same way.

After testing, both my husband and I found the temperature regulation under the M&S feather and down was very decent, and on a par with the scooms duvet. I used my Oura 4 ring, which monitors my sleep quality during testing, and it told me I got “optimal” sleep under the duvet. In fact, my overall sleep score was above average.

That said, I do think temperature regulation is one area where my Woolroom Deluxe Wool Washable Duvet really comes into its own. It’s hard to beat wool’s temperature regulation when you compare wool vs feather duvets. The Woolroom Deluxe duvet seems to give my husband and me our own microclimates under one duvet.

However, I didn’t find myself kicking the M&S duvet off or wishing it were thicker. Even on chilly nights where I couldn’t wait to dive under my duvet, I felt quickly warm and yet didn’t wake at 3 am in a sweat.

And I am a huge fan of an all-seasons duvet. I like options, and these styles of duvets have three. You can find more info here on what duvet tog to buy, but basically, the 4.5 tog duvet is going to be fab on balmy summer nights, where you still want a cover for security but don’t need much warmth at all. And I love having a 9.5 tog as we move into mild, but not frigid, nights, whilst the 13.5 tog is a cosy winter warmth.

Ease of care

You can wash this duvet at 40ºC in your washing machine at home (or a laundrette if you need a larger-sized drum). This won’t be a high enough temperature to blitz allergy-causing dust mites (that requires a 60ºC blitz that this duvet can’t handle), but it’s a good option to give your duvet a refresh. You can also tumble dry it on medium, which again is hugely convenient.

The duvet is baffle boxed – meaning it's stitched in boxes to stop the filling from slipping. However, I still found I needed to fluff this duvet almost daily. This is pretty easy to do with a quick shake, but anyone with limited mobility or upper body strength might find it slightly challenging compared to a synthetic duvet.

I also found the zippable storage case was really handy for storing whichever duvet I wasn't using. Storing a duvet properly is an art, and this bag will allow proper airflow around the duvets and stop any mould building up (a real issue in feather and down duvets).

Sleep trial

There's no sleep trial available on M&S bedding unfortunately, which does mean that once you remove the duvet from its bag it's non-returnable. In comparison, my scooms duvet has a 60-night sleep trial, and my Woolroom duvet 30 nights.

I do think a sleep trial is a great feature, as although you may be able to squish the M&S duvet in-store if you have shop nearby, it's still hard to guess how you'll find sleeping under any duvet until you actually do.

Things like temperature regulation can be especially tricky to guage until you're actually getting hot and sweaty under a duvet, so this may or may not be a dealbreaker for you.

Value for money

Feather and down duvets are never going to be your most affordable duvet option. The manufacturing processes involved in harvesting the fillings mean they’re more expensive. And these fillings are traditionally considered better than other fillings – especially synthetic fillings – because of the level of warmth and luxurious comfort they provide.

Having said that, the M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet in the 13.5 tog All-Seasons king-size version I tested is £99. (You can also buy it in separate 2.5, 4.5, 7.5, 10.5 and 13.5 togs if you prefer). In comparison, the equivalent 13.5 tog All-Seasons scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet would cost you a whopping £520 – so it's incredible value in comparison.

The fill in the M&S feather and down duvet is 85 per cent feather and 15 per cent down. In scooms, it’s 90 per cent down and 10 per cent goose feather. Down is the fluffier and more expensive filling, so this explains things somewhat. Plus, Hungarian goose down is considered the crème de la crème of feather and down. Duck is its slightly inferior cousin.

Alternatively, The White Company’s 13.5 tog Hungarian Goose Down Duve costs £440 and isn't an All-Seasons design (again, it’s goose rather than duck down).

I’ve tested a lot of duvets over the years, and on balance, I think this M&S option is a really reasonable price for a feather and down duvet. It may not feel as premium as my scooms option, but it does still feel like a good quality duvet. And you are getting three duvets to see you through all the seasons of the year, which I think is great value.

It also scores brilliantly on the M&S website, with nearly 800 reviews and an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Owners rave about its temperature regulation qualities and how cosy it is, and I will certainly be recommending it to all of my friends as well.

How I tested

I tested the M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet at home, on my bed. I share my bed with my aforementioned heat-sensitive husband, and if I’m very unlucky, one or more of my three children. While I asked my husband for his thoughts, I discounted most of my children’s feedback (sorry, kids).

During the testing period, it was a chilly February into March, with some warmer days – perfect for seeing how the duvet fared in different temperatures. I paid close attention to how quickly I warmed up under the duvet on cold days, and warmer nights too. I also monitored my sleep quality on all nights using my Oura Ring 4.

Other things I factored into my testing were the feel and quality of the duvet, how easy it is to care for, and, of course, value for money is always part of the duvet testing process at Ideal Home. I compared this duvet to similar options on the market, and considered how its performance compares to its price point.

Simba has just launched its Easter sale, and I've spied a £500 discount on the mattress that one of our mattress reviewers recently described as 'blissful' to sleep on.

Our mattress testing expert, Jennifer, who has spent the past month sleeping on the Simba Hybrid Luxe mattress, recently dubbed it her 'new favourite mattress', and thanks to Simba's one-week sale, you can currently snap it up with a 30% discount.

If I weren't already the happy owner of a Simba mattress, then I would be very tempted to shop this deal myself.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I spend a big chunk of my time testing mattresses for our guide to the best mattresses on the market, and as one of the leading mattress makers in the UK, that means I also spend a lot of time keeping up-to-date with all Simba's latest deals.

This Easter sale features some of the biggest Simba savings I've seen so far in 2026, with reductions on a par with the brand's Black Friday sales back in November 2025; an event that usually sees Simba offer its lowest sale prices of the year.

The Simba Easter sale runs from Monday, March 30th, until Monday, 6th April 2026, and although there are plenty of good savings to choose from, based on our tester Jennifer's recent rave review of the Simba Luxe Hybrid mattress, it's this £500 saving that instantly caught my eye.

Now, admittedly, the Luxe mattress isn't cheap. A double normally costs £1,699 at full price. But that 30% discount brings the price down to £1,189.30, which, although still an investment, is a very welcome saving.

The mattress that I own – the bestselling Simba Hybrid mattress – is also included in the sale. And although the saving isn't quite as big (there's 25% off the Simba Hybrid mattress, which means a double is reduced to £599.25 from £799), it is still the more affordable of the two.

However, having tested both mattresses, our reviewer Jennifer has voted the Luxe as her favourite. Namely because she likes the softer feel compared to the original Simba Hybrid. She's a side sleeper, so this makes sense as a side sleeper needs a cushioned sleep surface for the shoulder and hip to sink into.

I found the Simba Luxe a little *too* soft when I first tested it, and preferred the extra 'resistance' that the Simba Hybrid offered, but I have to admit, as I get older and more body parts start aching and complaining, the Luxe's extra cushioning that Jenny speaks so highly of is suddenly starting to sound quite appealing!

In fact, whatever kind of sleep surface your body prefers, there's an option to suit in the Simba range, and they all have good discounts this weekend. I've rounded up my top three suggestions below.

Having tested well over twenty Simba products by this stage, I can also confirm that Simba's customer service has always been second-to-none. I've never had such good communication, as speedy a delivery, or such versatile delivery and installation options as I've experienced with Simba.

Whenever friends and family are shopping for a mattress, this is always the brand I recommend for ease, convenience, comfort, and value for money. So if you are mattress shopping this Easter, I think this sale is definitely one to have on your radar.