10 Things That Can Make Your Bedroom Feel Too Hot
Cooling & Hot Sleeper Comfort
A bedroom usually feels too hot because of heat coming in (sun through the window, a warm landing or outside air), heat being made in the room (electronics, lamps, radiators and your own body) and heat that cannot escape (heavy bedding, closed doors and no air movement). The good news is that most of these are easy to change. Here are ten common culprits, each with a quick fix.
Quick answer
The biggest culprits are usually sun on the windows, heavy bedding, devices left on, a heating system that runs too long, and a room with no air movement. Fix those first, and check the list below for the rest.
First, how warm is too warm?
Comfort is personal, but many sleep guides suggest a cool bedroom, often quoted at around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. A cheap room thermometer on your bedside table will tell you what your room is really doing, so you are not guessing.
If you would like a full plan once you have found your culprits, read how to cool down your bedroom for better sleep.
10 things that can make your bedroom feel too hot
1. Sun on the windows
Sunlight warms the glass, the curtains and the room behind them, and that heat lingers into the evening. Quick fix: close curtains or blinds on the sunny side during the day. Light-coloured, lined curtains can help.
2. A thick or high-tog duvet
A winter duvet kept on all year can trap heat around you. Quick fix: swap to a lower tog in the warmer months, or use a sheet and a light throw.
3. Sheets and covers that do not breathe
Synthetic fabrics and very dense weaves can feel warm and clammy. Quick fix: choose cotton percale, linen or lyocell. See our guide to the best bedding choices for hot sleepers and the difference between cooling and breathable bedding.
4. Electronics and chargers
Phones, laptops, TVs and chargers give off small amounts of heat, and standby lights add to it. Quick fix: take them out of the bedroom, or at least switch them off at the wall.
5. Radiators, hot pipes and the heating timer
A radiator left on, or a heating schedule that runs late, can quietly warm the room all night. Quick fix: turn the bedroom radiator down or off, and check your timer.
6. A warm landing or a hot room below
Warm air rises, so a bedroom above a kitchen or on the top floor tends to hold more heat. Quick fix: keep the door to the warmest areas closed, and air the bedroom in the evening.
7. No air movement
Still air feels stuffy. Quick fix: open a window a little, or use a fan on a low setting where it is safe and comfortable for you.
8. Too many pillows and throws
Extra layers add up. Quick fix: keep only what you actually use, and put the rest in a cupboard.
9. A mattress or topper that holds heat
Some mattress materials and plastic-backed protectors can feel warm. Quick fix: use a breathable cotton or wool protector, and check how your topper feels on a warm night.
10. Your own evening habits
A big meal, alcohol, a hot shower or an energetic evening can all leave you feeling warmer at bedtime. Quick fix: try a calmer, lukewarm evening. Our guide to why you get so hot at night goes into more detail.
Quick reference
| If you notice... | Try this first |
|---|---|
| The room is warm by early evening | Close curtains on sunny windows during the day |
| You wake up hot under the covers | Use a lower-tog duvet or a lighter layer |
| Sheets feel sticky or clammy | Switch to breathable cotton, linen or lyocell |
| The room feels still and stuffy | Open a window slightly or add gentle air movement |
| The room is warm before bed | Check the radiator, heating timer and electronics |
Common mistakes
- Changing everything at once. Try one or two fixes at a time so you can see what helps.
- Ignoring the thermometer. What feels fine at 8pm can feel different at 2am.
- Opening the window at the wrong time. On a hot day, open it when the air outside is cooler than the room.
- Forgetting your bedding. Cooling the room helps less if the bed is holding heat.
Your hot bedroom checklist
- Curtains closed on sunny windows by day
- A season-appropriate duvet and breathable sheets
- Electronics and chargers out of the room or switched off
- Radiator and heating timer checked
- Window opened when outside air is cooler
- A thermometer by the bed
A note on your health
This article offers general lifestyle and comfort information. It is not medical advice. If you feel very hot at night for reasons you cannot explain, or you have drenching night sweats, please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bedroom so hot at night?
Most often it is a mix of heat that has built up during the day, bedding that traps warmth, and not enough air movement. A thermometer can help you spot the pattern.
What is the ideal bedroom temperature for sleep?
Many sleep guides suggest around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, but comfort varies from person to person. Use it as a starting point.
Should I sleep with the window open?
It can help when the air outside is cooler than the room. Consider noise, security and air quality before deciding what works for you.
Does a fan really help?
Many people find that moving air feels cooler on the skin. Keep it on a low setting and point it so it is comfortable rather than direct.
Final thoughts
A hot bedroom is rarely down to one thing. Work through the list, change a couple of things, and see how your nights feel.
For a full run-through of your room, take a look at the ultimate sleep-friendly bedroom checklist, or learn how to create a cooler sleep environment.