I think it’s safe to say that most of us love summer. Long afternoons that stretch into evenings, barbecues with friends and family, any excuse to sit in the sporadic British sun. However, I assume that you have also been privy to a balmy, restless heat this year that hangs around like thick blackout curtains. All too often I find myself with my face in a fan and my windows flung open, and that’s only during the day. Trying to sleep at night has been unfamiliar territory this year as heatwave after heatwave rolls across the UK. If you too have been tossing and turning, waking up like you are mid-marathon (God forbid!), you’re certainly not alone.
When we’re sleeping, our core body temperature naturally drops. During the majority of the year, our body functions normally in this regard, but when soaking up the sun all day or caught in summer traffic with no air conditioning, our bodies have to work overtime in an environment that they aren’t used to. This thermal strain carries on into the night and makes it harder for our bodies to reduce their core temperatures. However, there are bedding options that can help. Choosing the right material can help your body regulate temperature and enter smoothly into those lovely stages of sleep – REM and all – with little interruption.
Cooling Down with the Right Bedding
The first thing I do when the summer hits is swap out anything heavy or heat-trapping. Lighter fabrics make a world of difference. Think breathable, natural fibres like 100% cotton — soft, airy, and brilliant for letting heat escape. At OHS, we have a comprehensive range of cotton alternatives to your regular bedding that should do the trick. I recommend the luxe 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Duvet Set, available in three understated and versatile colours. The set is smooth and crisp, securing you a hotel like place to rest while cooling you down with its cotton construction.
Similarly, we have on offer cotton sheets and pillowcases which provide a great foundation for further regulating your temperature, giving you a super-soft place to sleep. Consider the Cotton Oxford Pillowcases and the 400 Threat Count Cotton Fitted Sheets.
For something a little more visually stimulating, I love the OHS Waffle Textured Duvet Cover Set. This eye-catching set, although not cotton, features a subtle diamond pattern that helps air move more freely as you turn which will help keep you cool.
Lastly, we have a few bedding products with the express intention of cooling you down while you rest.
Bring the Summer Vibes In
Now, let’s talk about style. While keeping cool is crucial, you still want to boost your mood with a bedroom that looks like a little slice of summer. I like to use summer as a time to infuse my space with a fresh palette, primarily sticking to one colour family with a few variations in tone (say soft blues or refreshing greens) and then layering in different textures to keep things interesting.
We have just got in some fabulous prints across duvet covers that promise to make a bedroom pop. The great thing about these sets is their wide variations in colour and texture, meaning there is really any direction you can take your room in. First up we have a summer essential that boasts the best of both worlds. Featuring the waffle construction we talked about previously, the Waffle Stripe Luxury Duvet Cover Set comes in both a pretty pink hue and a refreshing – fabulous and uplifting summer colours. It also comes in a range of more subdued shades like monochrome and natural if that is more your vibe. Now, one of my favourite recent additions to the collection is the Paisley Print Duvet Cover Set, which brings a Mediterranean vibe to your space and has secured positive feedback on being “super soft and comfortable” with a “beautiful pattern and vivid colour”. Lastly, you really can’t go with a commanding colour on a Plain Duvet Cover Set. I recommend the Denim Blue or Woodland Green to bring that outdoorsy vibe inside.
Refreshing your bedding set for summer is simply about a few thoughtful swaps; lighter fabrics that let your body breathe, cool layers, and a touch of colour and texture that lift the mood with an eye-catching twist. Think of it like giving your room a tall glass of water so that you get to stay cool in it’s company. Trust me, your body (and sleep) will thank you.
Shop the Summer Edit now.