The Ideal Room Temperature For Sleeping

The Ideal Room Temperature For Sleeping

Everything You Need To Know


“How did you sleep?” are often the first words we say to someone in the morning after, perhaps, “Is there coffee?”. Whether you’re a night owl who struggles to get to sleep, a light sleeper who wakes at the slightest noise or a worrier plagued by racing midnight thoughts, we are all searching for that one recipe that ensures a decent night’s sleep. As our wakeful hours become more frantic and our need for rest becomes more pressing, we are desperate for our sleep to be, well, perfect.  

There are of course many factors that lead to a good night’s sleep but the one we want to focus on today is temperature: why it’s so crucial and all importantly, what is the ideal temperature for those uninterrupted eight hours of sleep.

How does temperature impact your sleep?

Being too hot or too cold means you are more likely to wake up and your restorative, slow-wave sleep (the sleep stage where you get the most rest) may be shorter. 

Too hot -  As you get tired in the evening, your body temperature will drop slightly which might make it tempting to turn up the thermostat in the bedroom before bed. Resist this urge if you can, as a warm, stuffy room is much more likely to negatively impact your ability to get to sleep and lower the quality of the sleep itself. Tossing, turning and sweating due to an overheated room is never going to lead to a restful night. 

Too cold - While a cold bedroom is generally considered better for sleep than a warm one, if you’ve ever woken up shivering under a blanket that is too thin, you’ll know how badly that can impact your night! Ensure that your bedding is the right weight for the season and keep a blanket at hand for those chillier nights. 

So, what is the optimal room temperature?

The general consensus is that for the ideal night’s sleep, keep your bedroom between 16-19.5 degrees Celsius (60-67 degrees Fahrenheit). This might well be cooler than the rest of your house and where possible, try to keep your bedrooms slightly cooler than the rooms you spend time in throughout the day, either by regulating your radiators accordingly or setting a thermostat in your bedroom.  

Do babies need warmer rooms?

Infants may benefit from a room a few degrees warmer (up to 20.5 degrees C / 69 degrees F) as, up until 11-12 weeks, their still-developing bodies are more sensitive to room temperature. It is not recommended for a baby to sleep in a room much above this, where possible. 

Our tips on maintaining the ideal temperature for sleep:

  • A flow of fresh air is great for sleep and will get rid of old, musty air along with any feelings of stuffiness. If you can, leave the window open. An open window, even on cooler winter nights, will help keep you asleep longer (provided the bin lorry doesn’t wake you up in the early hours!)
  • What you sleep in makes a huge difference to maintaining an ideal body temperature. Make sure your bedding is made from natural fibres. Naturally, we recommend linen bedding, known for its amazing temperature-regulating properties and moisture-wicking abilities. 
  • Ensure your sleepwear is also made from natural materials. Synthetic fabrics can facilitate sweating which, when it cools, leaves you cold and uncomfortable. 
  • On hot, sunny days, keep your curtains or blinds closed to keep out as much heat as possible. 
  • Lastly, keep your bedrooms cooler than the rest of your house or set your bedroom thermostat so that it drops in the evening. Getting dressed for bed might feel a little chillier, but it will make your night’s sleep so much better. 

For more inspiration on natural bedding options, look for Piglet in Bed’s Bedding Bundle Builder, as well as our full range of natural Duvet Covers and Pillowcases

Something went wrong, please contact us!

Your Shopping Bag

You've earned Free Shipping
check icon gift icon
Your cart is empty
You may also like
  • Standard Merino Wool Pillow

    Merino Wool Pillow (single)

    £79.00 GBP

  • White Linen Pillowcases

    White Linen Pillowcases (Pair)

    £45.00 GBP

  • Merino Wool Duvet

    Merino Wool Duvet

    £159.00 GBP

  • Merino Wool Mattress Topper

    Merino Wool Mattress Topper

    £199.00 GBP

  • Oatmeal Linen Pillowcases

    Oatmeal Linen Pillowcases (Pair)

    £45.00 GBP

  • White Linen Fitted Sheet

    White Linen Fitted Sheet

    £89.00 GBP

  • Dipped Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    Dipped Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    £40.00 GBP

  • Dotty Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    Dotty Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    £40.00 GBP

  • Silver Dotty Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    Silver Dotty Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    £40.00 GBP

  • Cider Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    Cider Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    £55.00 GBP

  • Dandelion Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    Dandelion Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    £55.00 GBP

  • Felt Parsnip Christmas Decoration

    Felt Parsnip Christmas Decoration

    £10.00 GBP

  • Red Dipped Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    Red Dipped Christmas Bauble Set of 6

    £40.00 GBP

  • Felt Dog Christmas Decoration

    Felt Dog Christmas Decoration

    £10.00 GBP

  • Felt Fox Christmas Decoration

    Felt Fox Christmas Decoration

    £10.00 GBP

  • Felt Mushroom Christmas Decoration

    Felt Mushroom Christmas Decoration

    £10.00 GBP

  • Felt Sheep Christmas Decoration

    Felt Sheep Christmas Decoration

    £10.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Barberry

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Barberry

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Goldenwood

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Goldenwood

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Groundnut

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Groundnut

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Madder Root

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Madder Root

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Mother's Milk

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Mother's Milk

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Nettle

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Nettle

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Sage

    2pk Beeswax Dining Candle Sage

    £16.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Stubby Candle Barberry

    2pk Beeswax Stubby Candle Barberry

    £21.00 GBP

  • 2pk Beeswax Stubby Candle Mother's Milk

    2pk Beeswax Stubby Candle Mother's Milk

    £21.00 GBP

  • Oatmeal Linen Fitted Sheet

    Oatmeal Linen Fitted Sheet

    £89.00 GBP

  • Tawny Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    Tawny Merino Wool Hot Water Bottle

    £55.00 GBP

  • Moonlit Blue Cotton Towels and Bath Mat

    Moonlit Blue Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Warm Blue Terry Towels

    Warm Blue Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Birch Cotton Towels

    Birch Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Cinnamon Cotton Towels

    Cinnamon Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Warm Clay Cotton Towels

    Warm Clay Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Meadow Green Cotton Towels

    Meadow Green Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Good & Proper English Breakfast Tea Bags - Piglet in Bed

    Good & Proper English Breakfast Tea Bags

    £5.00 GBP

  • Good & Proper Earl Grey Tea Bags

    Good & Proper Earl Grey Tea Bags

    £5.00 GBP

  • Reviving Room Mist

    Reviving Room Mist

    £10.00 GBP

  • Peony & Gardenia Candle

    Peony & Gardenia Candle

    £10.00 GBP

  • White Cotton Towels

    White Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Room Mist Bundle

    Room Mist Bundle

    £24.00 GBP

  • Coffee, Kaolin, Rosemary & Peppermint Soap

    Coffee, Kaolin, Rosemary & Peppermint Soap

    £10.00 GBP

  • Oatmeal, Lavender and Clary Sage Soap

    Oatmeal, Lavender and Clary Sage Soap

    £10.00 GBP

  • Ochre Gingham Wool Blanket - Piglet in Bed

    Ochre Gingham Wool Blanket

    £129.00 GBP

  • Warm Blue Gingham Wool Blanket - Piglet in Bed

    Warm Blue Gingham Wool Blanket

    £129.00 GBP

  • Orchid Terry Towels

    Orchid Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Botanical Green Cotton Towels

    Botanical Green Cotton Towels

    £6.00 GBP

  • Botanical Green Gingham Wool Blanket - Piglet in Bed

    Botanical Green Gingham Wool Blanket

    £129.00 GBP

  • Orange & Patchouli Soap

    Honey, Poppyseed & Orange Soap

    £10.00 GBP

  • It looks like you’re in the {{country_code_current}}

    Would you like us to take you to the {{country_code_suggested_store}} store?

    No thanks, I’ll remain on the {{country_code_current_store}} store