When the summer heat arrives, finding ways to escape the swelter and ensure a good night’s sleep becomes a priority for many homeowners.
Learning how to cool down a room isn’t just about comfort; a bedroom that is too hot can significantly affect your sleep quality. Swapping out your winter bedding and strategically utilising your windows and fans can bring you comfort and coolness during the summer months when it can be difficult to sleep.
The importance of managing bedroom temperature
A room that’s too hot or cold can significantly disrupt your sleep, leading to restlessness and difficulty falling or staying asleep. The Sleep Foundation suggests that the ideal bedroom temperature for optimal rest is around 18.3°C (65°F).
While some people may run hot or cold while in bed, the body temperature of a healthy adult will experience a drop as they sleep. Though 18.3°C may be too cold for some, this cooler setting is best for sleeping as a lower core temperature will make you feel more sleepy than alert.
How to cool down a room effectively:
- Prioritising your windows, curtains & blinds
One effective way to manage your bedroom’s temperature is to be strategic about how you use your windows and window coverings. During the day, keep your curtains or blinds closed to block out solar heat, particularly if your bedroom faces the sun.
Using reflective blinds or light-coloured curtains can help repel heat instead of absorbing it. In the evening, once the temperature drops, you can open your windows to create a cross breeze that pushes out the hot air and allows cooler evening air to circulate.
There is much debate about whether to open or close your windows, blinds, and curtains during a heatwave. While it might seem like the thing to do when it’s warm outside, some experts say that the best way to keep your home cool in a heatwave is to keep your windows closed if your home is cooler inside than outside. Factors like time of day and location of your windows can also impact what you should do.
- Choosing the right bedding for summer
Switching to the right bedding can drastically improve your sleep during warmer months. Lightweight duvets and breathable fabrics can help facilitate better air circulation. Quality wool bedding is particularly effective due to its natural temperature-regulating properties.
It’s also useful to change your duvet for a lower tog when it gets warmer. While higher togs are perfect for keeping you warm in winter, you don’t want a thick duvet as the weather starts to heat up.
- Maximise the air circulation in your room
Electric fans are invaluable for cooling a bedroom without the expense of air conditioning. Even though they don’t cool the air, they can still direct hot air away from your bedroom. Place fans across from windows or in a position where they can push the hot air out instead of blowing it around your home.
You should experiment with your fan by using a bowl of ice before it to chill the air. As well as this, you could experiment with wet towels hanging in front of open windows to further cool down the warm air that enters your bedroom.
- Cool yourself as well as your bedroom
Beyond adjusting your room’s environment, personal cooling techniques can also provide immediate relief when trying to sleep during summer. Try placing a cold washcloth on your forehead, using a water-filled spray bottle by your bedside, or even taking a cool shower before bed. These methods can help lower your body temperature and make it easier to fall asleep.
Additionally, there is a range of items you could purchase to cool yourself down in the summer months, such as handheld fans. Gel-cooled pillows or mats can help too and be placed in the freezer for a short period to keep you extra cool.
Keeping your bedroom cool this summer
By adjusting how you manage your bedroom environment, from the strategic use of fans and windows to selecting the appropriate bedding, you can cool down a room and create a cooler, more comfortable sleep environment.
Experiment with these tips to find what best suits your home and personal comfort preferences, ensuring restful nights even during the hottest days of summer.
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