Light evenings and warm, still nights are part of a British summer, but they rarely make for good sleep. The good news is that a few thoughtful choices, from breathable mattresses to lighter bedding and a better-ventilated bed, can make your bedroom a cooler, calmer place to rest.

Why we sleep badly when it's warm

To fall asleep, your body needs to lose a little heat. When the bedroom is warm and the air is still, that becomes harder, so it takes longer to drift off and you wake more often in the night. The temperature range most often recommended for a bedroom is around 16–18°C, which can feel a long way off during a heatwave in a top-floor room.

You can't control the weather, but you can control how much heat builds up around you as you sleep. That comes down to three things: what you sleep on, what you sleep under, and how well air can move around the bed.

Start with the mattress

Your mattress is the biggest surface touching your body all night, so it matters more than anything else. A pocket sprung mattress allows air to circulate between the individually wrapped springs, so heat has somewhere to go. Natural fillings such as wool help regulate temperature, keeping you warm in winter and drawing moisture away in summer.

If you love the contouring feel of memory foam but tend to run warm, look for a hybrid design that pairs a foam comfort layer with springs underneath. Our Viscount Memory mattress takes this approach, combining pocket springs with a memory comfort layer.

Choose a bed that breathes

The base under your mattress plays a part too. A slatted base lets air reach the underside of the mattress, while a bed raised on legs allows air to flow beneath the whole frame. If your bedroom gets particularly warm, our beds on legs are worth a look. They also make the room feel lighter and more open.

If storage is a priority, our gas-lift ottoman bases use a slatted platform, so you don't have to give up ventilation. Our guide to ottoman vs drawer storage beds explains the difference.

Every bed in our collection is handmade to order in our Manchester factory, in your choice of more than 170 fabrics. That means you can choose lighter, breathable upholstery for a bedroom that catches the afternoon sun. If you're not sure where to start, our bed buying guide walks through the essentials.

Swap your bedding for the season

Summer is the time to put the winter duvet away. Choose a lighter tog, or simply sleep under a cotton sheet with a throw folded at the foot of the bed for cooler early mornings. Natural fibres such as cotton and linen are breathable and wick moisture away from the skin. Our bed linen collection is a good place to start.

Pillows hold heat too. Turning them over during the night gives you a cooler side to lie on, and keeping a spare pillowcase in the fridge for the hottest nights is a small luxury worth trying.

Simple habits that help

• Close curtains during the day on sunny sides of the house to stop the room heating up.
• Open windows in the evening once it's cooler outside than in, and create a through-draught if you can.
• Position a fan so it moves air across the bed rather than straight at you.
• Take a lukewarm shower before bed rather than a cold one, which can make your body work to warm back up.
• Keep electronics out of the bedroom where possible, as chargers and screens all add a little heat.

Three ways to a cooler bed

Your questions, answered

What is the best mattress for hot sleepers?

Pocket sprung mattresses with natural fillings tend to sleep coolest, because air can move between the springs and wool helps manage moisture. Explore our pocket sprung mattresses.

Does memory foam make you hot?

Solid memory foam can hold body heat. A hybrid mattress that combines pocket springs with a memory foam comfort layer gives a contoured feel with better airflow.

What temperature should a bedroom be for sleep?

Around 16–18°C is the range most often recommended. Ventilation, lighter bedding and breathable materials all help when it's warmer than that.

Are beds on legs cooler than divan beds?

A raised bed allows air to circulate beneath the frame, which can help on warm nights. Slatted gas-lift ottomans also allow airflow while giving you storage.

Handmade in Manchester for over 50 years. Sleep well, whatever the weather.