Households urged to remove pillows from bed on Thursday

Households are being urged to strip back their beds ahead of Thursday’s scorching temperatures, with experts warning that common bedroom accessories could make it even harder to sleep during the latest UK heatwave.

As temperatures are forecast to climb to 35C in parts of England, many people are expected to struggle with hot, uncomfortable nights.

While many turn to fans or cooling gadgets, interiors experts say one of the simplest ways to stay comfortable is by removing unnecessary items from the bed.

Suzanne Hayes, interiors expert at Headboards & Interiors, said many people unknowingly create a sleeping environment that traps heat by leaving winter bedding and decorative accessories in place throughout the summer.

“When the weather gets hot, we don’t always think about how much heat our bedding is holding onto,” she said.

“We tend to dress our beds to look cosy all year round, but all those extra layers can make a warm bedroom feel even warmer.”

She added: “You don’t have to completely redesign your room for summer. Sometimes it’s just about taking a few things off the bed and making it feel lighter.

“It won’t magically cool the room down, but it can make getting into bed at the end of the day feel a lot more comfortable.”

One of the first items she recommends removing is decorative cushions and extra pillows, which often end up cluttering the bedroom once it’s time to sleep.

“I love a well-styled bed, but if you’ve got six or seven cushions piled up, they all have to go somewhere when it’s time to sleep,” she said.

“They usually end up on a chair or the floor, creating more clutter in a room that’s already feeling stuffy. Keeping the bed simple during a heatwave just makes the whole space feel calmer and lighter.”

She also advises putting away thick knitted throws and blankets, which are ideal during winter but can make a bedroom feel warmer during hot weather.

“A throw folded neatly across the end of the bed looks lovely, but in the middle of a heatwave it isn’t doing you any favours,” she said.

“It’s another heavy layer sitting in the room, and it can make the whole bed feel warmer before you’ve even climbed into it.”

Another key recommendation is swapping heavy winter duvets for lighter summer alternatives.

“This is probably the biggest change people can make,” Hayes said.

“So many of us forget to switch to a lower tog duvet, then wonder why we’re waking up overheating.

“If you have a lightweight summer duvet or even just a cotton top sheet, it’s worth making the change as soon as the temperatures start climbing.”

She also recommends storing away faux fur cushions, velvet bedding and other heavy fabrics until cooler weather returns.

“Faux fur, thick velvets and heavier fabrics instantly make a room feel warm and inviting, which is exactly what you want in winter,” she said.

“In summer, lighter cottons and linens naturally make the bedroom feel fresher.”

Hayes also advises removing books, folded blankets and other unnecessary accessories from around the bed, saying a less cluttered room can feel calmer and more comfortable during hot weather.

Alongside simplifying the bed, she recommends keeping curtains or blinds closed during the day to block direct sunlight, opening windows once outdoor temperatures begin to fall in the evening, choosing breathable cotton or linen bedding and leaving space around the bed to help air circulate more freely.

The advice comes as the Met Office forecasts temperatures could reach 35C in parts of England on Thursday, with warm overnight temperatures expected to make sleeping difficult for many people.