A Guide to Choosing the Right Bedding for the Summer

When the days get longer and the nights get warmer, choosing appropriate bedding for the summer is essential to ensure you feel cool and comfortable as you sleep. Overheating at night can disrupt sleep, making it important to consider various factors when selecting your summer bedding.

How to Keep Your Bed Cool in the Summer?

Before you dive into bed, let’s dive into the considerations you should make when browsing stylish summer bedding options…

Lightweight and breathable fabrics

Lightweight materials are key, and there are many benefits to this. They will keep you covered without weighing you down, and breathable fabrics like bamboo allow air circulation. This helps keep you cool on those irritating nights when it feels too hot to drift off.

Moisture-wicking properties

When the temperature creeps up, we often sweat more at night and might experience more moisture in the air. This can leave us feeling uncomfortable and sticky, further preventing sleep. Moisture-wicking bedding allows for a cool and dry sleep, free from the dampness of the night. 

Natural fibre options

Summer bedding is best when it’s all-natural – fibres like cotton, linen and bamboo work best. Synthetic options are often heavier or slightly itchy, leaving you uncomfortable on hot nights. On the other hand, natural fibres have so many benefits: they’re softer and have that all-important breathability alongside moisture-wicking properties. These natural materials also tend to be more eco-friendly than their alternatives. This means you can be kind to the planet as you snooze.

Avoiding Heavy Bedding

If your bedding is too heavy, it can be uncomfortable—feeling weighed down as you try to drift off will have you tossing and turning for hours. Heavy bedding can also lead to overheating, a big risk during the hotter months. Breathable and lightweight duvets are best, but you might want to opt for just a flat sheet or thin throw to keep you cool at night.

Steer Clear of Synthetic Materials

Synthetic materials, like microfiber bedding, are thick and not breathable, meaning they lack the ability to keep you cool in the summer. They trap the heat, which makes you feel warmer as you try to sleep. You should avoid synthetic materials, also known to trap odours and bacteria – this isn’t healthy for you, your body, or your bed itself. Natural or organic alternatives are perfect for the summer, as synthetic options lack many benefits.

Allergy-Friendly and Hypoallergenic Options

If you have allergies or sensitive skin, it is worth considering your summer bedding. Sleep is a great healer, so you don’t want to be itchy or uncomfortable at night – hypoallergenic bedding materials and covers are a great way to ensure you’re not scratching or sneezing all night long. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, as it is inhospitable to dust mites. These allergen-resistant properties, coupled with how soft and smooth it feels against the skin, make it the perfect choice for those with allergies and skin issues. UV protection bedding is also a great option in the summer, especially for those afternoon siestas…

Easy Care and Durability

The summer is all about having fun and enjoying yourself, so the last thing you want to be worrying about is getting your bedding clean. Look for naturally antibacterial options, which will stay cleaner for longer, and moisture-wicking bedding that doesn’t soak up summer sweats. Easy-care bedding means choosing low-maintenance fabrics, especially if they’re quick-drying. This means you can wash and dry them in time for bed! Durable materials are key, too, meaning you can enjoy your cool summer bedding for years to come. The ease of care and durability of summer bedding is important.

Comfort and Temperature Regulation

You should prioritise comfort over everything else, and this has a lot to do with personal preference; you might want to add a mattress topper for extra comfort and look for cooling pillows and sheets too. Keep your room at the right temperature, and opt for bedding features that keep you comfortable, like cooling technologies, breathable fabrics, and moisture-wicking bedding. Bamboo is naturally thermoregulating, perfect for comfort and temperature regulation: you won’t overheat, but you’ll still feel comfortable as you sleep.

What Are the Recommended Summer Bedding Materials?

Linen Bedding

Is linen bedding good for summer? Absolutely. Linen is a fantastic option for summer bedding due to its unique weave that allows for excellent airflow. It wicks away moisture and remains comfortable without sticking to your body. Linen's breathability and ability to stay cool make it a top choice for hot summer nights. It is also hypoallergenic and can help create a fresh and comfortable sleep environment.

Bamboo Bedding

Bamboo bedding is exceptionally soft and breathable. It provides increased airflow, keeping you cool throughout the night. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking, making it perfect for hot summer nights. Bamboo’s natural properties make it one of the most breathable materials available, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable all night. Bamboo bedding also looks stylish, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice your aesthetic to stay cool.

Cotton Bedding

Cotton is another excellent natural fibre for summer. It is breathable and soft and absorbs moisture well, helping you stay dry and comfortable. Cotton is hypoallergenic and a great option for those with sensitive skin. Its breathability and moisture-wicking properties make it an ideal choice for keeping cool during the warmer months.

Hybrid Solutions

Consider hybrid bedding that combines materials like bamboo and cotton or bamboo and linen to take advantage of the best properties of each fabric. This combination can offer enhanced breathability, moisture-wicking capabilities, and overall comfort. Hybrid mattresses, such as those that combine memory foam with pocket springs, can also provide the perfect balance of support and comfort, ensuring you stay cool and supported throughout the night.

Choosing the right summer bedding involves considering the fabric, weight, and additional properties like moisture-wicking and breathability. You can create a comfortable and cool sleep environment perfect for warm summer nights by selecting materials like bamboo, linen, and cotton. When deciding how to dress your bed for summer, consider these materials and look for lightweight, breathable options that enhance your comfort.