Smack dab in the middle of summer. That’s where we are right now and while we haven’t quite had the unrelenting heat of last year (I seem to remember our back yard brown and yellow, burnt to a crisp by now), the temperatures are set to rise again next week. Of course, for those of you reading outside of our fair island, you may scoff at complaints that this week, the temperatures are predicted to hit around 30 degrees C (that’s around 86F in old money), but well, that’s far too warm for us here.
Ya see, the British (and while I am not British, I’ve been here nearly 20 years so I’ve completely acclimated to the culture and the temperatures) are not used to the heat. We are used to rain and a bit of mist and hey! there’s the sun oh my god get your shorts on and then oh crap, better get the brolly back out. The temperatures are pretty moderate, rarely going below freezing in winter, rarely going above 25C in summer. You do get used to it. But when the sun decides to shine and the mercury rises, we are not prepared.
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We do not have airconditioning here in residential homes, not as the norm anyway. And so when you are trying to sleep in the middle of summer, well, things can be rather difficult. And if there’s one thing that I know I need in order for me to be more productive and happier on a day-by-day basis, it’s getting a decent night’s sleep.
I’m not the best sleeper. I’ve talked on my blog in the past about the many issues I have including a sleep disorder called Night Terrors that I have had since my teen years, bouts of insomnia and the quiet rage I feel for Wayne who seems to be able to fall asleep every night in under a minute. And then snores. It’s a wonder I haven’t smothered him with a pillow at this point but somehow I’ve resisted, normally resorting to sneaking off to the guest bedroom if it gets too loud/annoying.
So, even at the best of times, sleeping can be a bit of a minefield but when it’s hot, it’s even worse. And so I make a few changes to the bedroom in the summer months to ensure I can still manage a decent night’s sleep even when it’s uncomfortably warm.
My first port of call is always changing the duvet to a summer weight one (around 3.5-4 tog). I have one from Soak & Sleep although I don’t believe they sell the particular one I have anymore, there are plenty out there on the market. I’d encourage you to look out for ones made of natural materials if you can as these will breathe better and naturally regulate your temperature as you sleep.
I also have become a total convert to good linen bedding (this is the set I have from MADE that you see in the first image above). It’s light and airy in summer and that naturally crumpled look is so inviting. Again, because it’s a natural material, the fibres allow the material to breathe, meaning you’ll feel less hot and stuffy. If you can’t bear to have a duvet over you, then a flat linen sheet will do the trick nicely on the hottest nights.
We purchased this standing fan recently. It’s not the sexiest looking thing around (my edit below shows a rather stylish table fan below too if you’re after something pretty) but it’s simple contemporary design isn’t at all offensive and the remote control makes it really easy to turn it up or down without having to get out of bed. It’s also really quiet on the lowest settings although I do quite like the whir of a fan as white noise to help me sleep.
Our curtains block out just enough of the early sunrise – I do need just a little sunshine coming into the room to wake me up (I feel much worse feeling jolted out of a slumber by my phone’s alarm when it’s pitch black) but if your curtains aren’t doing the trick, you can actually retro-fit black out curtain linings so the sunshine isn’t blaring into the room at 4:30am or you can simply don a lovely posh cashmere eye mask too ala Holly Golightly.
I recently discovered Desmond & Dempsey and have basically fallen in love with their beautiful pyjamas. Of course, if you forgo pyjamas completely in the summer heat (I wouldn’t blame you), these are still cute enough to wear around the house before climbing into bed for the night.
I’ve pulled together a little buying guide to survive the hottest of summer nights below with some of my favourites…
1 – Desmond & Dempsey Coral Pyjama Set / 2 – Piglet Oatmeal Linen Bedding Bundle / 3 – John Lewis Oak & White Desk Fan / 4 – Gingerlily Silk Filled Summer Duvet / 5 – Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Eye Mask / 6 – Desmond & Dempsey Medina Print Cami / 7 – Desmond & Dempsey Medina Wide Leg Pyjama Trousers / 8 – John Lewis Black Out Curtain Liners / 9 – Ansio Pedestal Fan with Remote / 10 – White Company Sleep Soothing Pillow Mist / 11 – Caroline Gardner Scribble Spot Eye Mask in Pouch
Your turn now… how do you manage to sleep on the hottest summer nights? Any favourites of the items I chose? Are you a convert to linen bedding as well or perhaps you just want to murder your other half for being a better sleeper than you? Let me know in the comments!
When it is really unpleasantly hot, i use the southern method of decamping into ground floor kitchen and setting a mattress on the cool kitchen floor tiles. But yes, it does require ceramic tiles in the kitchen which is not often the case in UK homes. Also damping the towels and spreading them around the room brings the heat down a tad.
Oh my god, I can totally understand getting sleep on the kitchen floor if there are nice cold tiles! Ha! I’ve not heard of damp towels so must give that a go! Thanks for the tip :) xx
Great and timely post Kimberly! I can 100% relate to your sleeping troubles, and the sound of loud breathing and especially snoring next to me is very distressing and disturbing in the night, so after battling this for over 10 years I have finally decided to have a bedroom of my own. My husband and I both get much better night sleep, in fact all my sleeping issues have resolved since. Cotton or silk bedding are a must, also a thin blanket or a sheet rather than the duvet, keeping the blinds closed during hottest part of the day as well as a cooling air purifier that’s on all day are my tricks.
Oh it’s just the worst, isn’t it?! I don’t blame you at all for having separate bedrooms – if it gives you a better sleep then you’re probably less grumpy, well rested and well, that’s just going to be better for the relationship! I am quite grateful we have the guest bedroom – I used to have to go sleep on the sofa ;) All your other tips are great though – definitely good to keep the blinds closed during the day :) xx
Yes definitely the worst :) Thing is, it was me refusing to accept that separate rooms are a solution, my poor hubby was suggesting it for ages, but no, I kept trying, sofa, guest bedroom, feeling inadequate etc etc. You are right, relationship is even better now that we both have a good night’s sleep! Bonus points for me having my dream bedroom and a perfect sanctuary now as well.
Having lived in Australia fir a while, I learned how to deal with the heat, over there, at times, you’d nave to resort to wearing completely wet clothes and wet hair throughout the day just to make it through. Yikes!
It makes perfect sense! But wet clothes and wet hair! Oh my goodness. I enjoy the summer months but that does sound a bit extreme! LOL! xxx
I have utter rage at how quickly Joe can fall asleep even if woken he is straight back off
Hahaha! Yep, Wayne is the same! It’s funny how unreasonably IRATE I become listening to him snoring away next to me ;) xx
Hi Kimberly! Here in Virginia (USA) the temps are in high 90s to 105 F.
Miserable! And very humid. Luckily there is air conditioning in most houses. I do like to change out the bedding to very lightweight, bright white cotton/linen blends. What really helps me fall asleep and stay asleep: 3 mg of melatonin plus a Rescue Remedy Sleep Melt. ( put on your tongue and it melts in a few seconds). Both are natural remedies .
Cheers!
I remember those kinds of temperatures when I lived in Pennsylvania! I suppose you do get used to it but now, it gets to the mid-80s and I just want to die because there’s simply no escape from it! LOL! I didn’t know Rescue Remedy did a sleep melt – I might have to have a look and see if we have it here – thanks for the tip! :) xx
Hi, Kim! It is in the 90s here on Cape Cod which is rather unusual – and I don’t have AC! But I am an all-cotton household so I am somewhat comfortable at night. But the big question is about the linen sheets I would love to buy some but how you like them? Do they “sleep” well? Not worried about the wrinkles and I wear linen almost every day but I would hate to spend $400 and hate them!
Do you give Quito a bit more of a clip in the summer? My poor guys and girls almost refused to leave the house in the summer so we kept them more trimmed in the summer.
And – thank you, Anna from Virginia – the comment right above – I will be ordering some Rescue Remedy tonight!
Thanks, Kim!
Susan (formerly from Virginia), now Cape Cod and soon to be Maine and Quito’s biggest fan!
Hey Susan (and Quito’s biggest fan! Ha! <3) So as I said, I'm a total convert to linen - I was always a fan of Egyptian cotton before and still am but I like linen better. To the point where I'm desperate to buy another full set because I hate NOT having it on the bed when it's in the wash! LOL! And I'm not the only one - Wayne feels exactly the same. It's a little strange at first - it took us maybe a few days to get used to it. It's not quite as soft at first as cotton but there's something rather lovely about the texture which is difficult to explain and it just gets better and better the more you wash it. I don't know anyone who uses linen who's gone back to cotton afterwards, it's just spectacular and worth the investment xxx
Oh sorry, forgot to respond about Quito – so you’re not meant to cut their hair. He naturally sheds his (very very thick) undercoat in summer! It’s a RIDICULOUS amount of hair that comes off him, I could probably make a second dog with how much he sheds!! LOL! I have a few weeks where it’s everywhere and I’m brushing him a couple of times a day to loosen and get rid of it but afterwards, that’s it, he doesn’t shed quite as much for the rest of the year and it all grows back in winter :) xxx