Preparing for the upcoming heatwave? Investing in a sofa bed could be your optimal choice, according to experts - a potential winning move for managing extreme heat.
In the face of rising temperatures and changing climates, finding solutions for a good night's sleep during heatwaves is essential. Amy Lockwood, the Sleep Editor and a Certified Expert on Sleep, has spent the last four years researching and testing sleep products to help us navigate these challenges.
As experts suggest, staying cool in bed during heatwaves can be achieved by using a sofa bed. Many of the air beds and sofa beds recommended by Lockwood have been tested by her personally.
The ideal bedroom temperature for a restful sleep is between 16-18°C. However, with over 9.6 million UK households having poor insulation and inadequate ventilation, the bedroom often becomes the warmest room in the house. This is where targeted cooling and ventilation strategies come into play.
To make a living room more comfortable for sleeping during summer heatwaves, focus on creating a DIY Cool Room. Concentrate cooling efforts on the living room by closing doors and using fans or portable AC units to cool this single space efficiently. This focused cooling is faster and uses less electricity than cooling the entire home.
Portable or ductless AC units can provide efficient cooling for small spaces. Portable conditioners can be moved to where needed and vent hot air outside through a window, while mini-splits offer quiet, zoned cooling without ductwork.
Enhancing air circulation is another key strategy. Set up a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides during cooler times of day and using fans. Position one fan to draw cool air in and another to push hot air out to improve ventilation.
Removing heat-trapping soft furnishings, controlling sunlight and heat gain, using lightweight, breathable bedding fabrics, managing humidity, staying hydrated, and cooling yourself are other strategies that can significantly improve comfort for sleeping in a living room during heatwaves.
Sleeping downstairs during heatwaves is also suggested as a solution. Molly Freshwater, among others, advocates for this approach. Investing in a sofa bed or footstool bed can make sleeping downstairs during heatwaves more comfortable. A double-height air bed is recommended for a more comfortable sleep on the floor when decamping downstairs.
Amy Lockwood leads a team of testers to ensure product testing encompasses various sleep positions and temperature needs. The Habitat Roma Sofa Bed is one of the best value chair beds on the market, recommended by Lockwood for its comfort and value. Lockwood has clocked up over 10,000 hours of pillow, duvet, and mattress testing experience, ensuring her recommendations are based on extensive research and testing.
High bedroom temperatures can disrupt your circadian rhythm, leaving you tired and less alert the next day. By following these tips, you can create a cool and comfortable sleeping environment in your living room during heatwaves, ensuring a restful night's sleep even in the hottest summer months.
- To create a conducive sleeping environment during heatwaves in the living room, consider investing in a sofa bed like the Habitat Roma Sofa Bed, tested and recommended by Sleep Editor Amy Lockwood for its comfort and value.
- Given that bedrooms in households with poor insulation often become the warmest rooms, focusing on cooling strategies such as using portable AC units, creating a DIY Cool Room, and enhancing air circulation can significantly improve comfort for sleep during heatwaves.
