Summer Bedding Ideas Perfect for Hot Sleepers

Summer is here, and with it comes al fresco dining, fun beach reads, and, yes—sweaty, sleepless nights. Hot sleepers, you know what we’re talking about. But we’ve all experienced evenings when an open window is just no use, your fan (even though it’s working overtime) feels like it’s just blowing hot air around the room, and you just can’t quite get comfortable despite all your tossing and turning. 

Summer Bedding Ideas to Stay Stylish and Cool

For summer bedding ideas that make hot nights bearable and, dare we say, enjoyable, we tapped Genevieve Rosen Biller, cofounder of the Australia-based linen bedding company Bed Threads. Because the right set-up can make all the difference. “Temperature has a substantial impact on the quality of your sleep, and it’s difficult to get comfortable when you feel too hot,” she explains. “Lightweight, breathable bedding in natural fibers will help you to stay cool and ensure you have a good night’s sleep. There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning in sweaty sheets.” (Agreed!)

Ahead, Genevieve fills us in on how to make the perfect summer bed, including some of her go-to products from Bed Threads.

What are the best fabrics for curating a bed for hot summer nights?

While cotton is a natural material, good-quality cotton sheets have a high thread count. This can compromise their breathability as the threads are woven tightly together so the air can’t move through them easily, and heat can become trapped at night.

Linen, on the other hand, is one of the lightest and most breathable fabrics on the market, keeping cool air circulating through its loosely woven fibers. It also contains a higher moisture absorbency, making it the perfect choice for anyone who hates a sweaty night’s sleep. 

What bedding do you recommend stowing during the summer season?

In summer, I recommend stashing away unnecessary blankets and throws and opting for more lightweight bedding that can be layered if warmth is needed and removed if too hot. It’s also time to put away your heavy down duvet insert in favor of a temperature-regulating one or try a quilted bed cover instead for that cozy feeling without the heaviness. 

What simple swaps can people make so they don’t have to invest in an entirely new sheet set?

Swapping heavy covers like blankets and duvet inserts for lighter ones or even sleeping with just a top sheet in a natural fibre is a simple swap you can make to stay cool while you sleep. 

Investing in 100% French flax linen sheets will also serve you year-round, as linen is naturally temperature regulating, meaning it takes its cues to what’s going on both on your body and in the air around you and adjusts its heat accordingly. For this reason, it keeps you cool in summer and toasty in winter, so you can sleep in the same sheets regardless of the season. 

What are your go-to bedding products for summer?

In the fall and winter months, I tend to opt for cosy, earthy hues, so I welcome the change of season by switching up the color scheme to a palette of cooling tones, like mineral and sage. I also really love a neutral look for summer, and our newest colorway, creme, is luxurious and elegant. If bright colors are more your style, nothing says summer quite like a vibrant wildflower duvet paired with fresh white sheets.

On the nights that I find a duvet is too hot, a quilted bed cover is great as a lighter alternative, and I also love our muslin throws for those nights I need an extra layer without adding excessive bulk or warmth—they’re so lightweight and soft.

How do you feel about top sheets? Give us your hot take.

I love the look and feel of a top sheet and think it’s the ideal addition for balmy summer nights to have something covering me when it feels too hot or constricting to have a duvet on. It’s really a matter of personal preference though. Certainly, we are finding some people choose to forgo the flat sheet for a modern aesthetic that is neat and simple, and skipping the flat sheet means making the bed is much quicker in the mornings!

Any additional tips for staying cool on hot summer nights?

Create a cool, dark environment by keeping curtains and blinds closed during the day to stop the sun warming up your room. Keep a window cracked and your door open if you can, to help air circulate through your room late at night. If you have aircon, keep the doors to rooms you don’t use closed so your cool air can flow into the areas you are spending time in. And finally, the fabric you wear to bed matters, too. Wearing pajamas in a lightweight fabric like French flax linen will help you to feel cool and comfortable.