If one room is becoming unbearably warm, start by stopping more heat from entering. Close curtains or blinds before direct sun reaches the window, keep warmer outside air out during the hottest part of the day, switch off unnecessary heat-producing appliances, then open windows safely when the air outside becomes cooler. A fan can make you feel more comfortable and help move cooler evening air, but it does not chill the room itself.
This simple order matters more than buying a cupboard full of summer gadgets. It also works whether you are dealing with a sunny bedroom, a top-floor flat or a living room that holds the heat.
Choose the one room that matters most
Trying to cool every room at once can make the job feel impossible. Decide where you most need relief and treat that as your cool room. During the day it might be the room where you work or look after children. In the evening, the bedroom may become the priority.
Close the door if neighbouring rooms are much hotter, clear unnecessary electrical equipment from the space and move lamps, chargers or computers elsewhere when they are not needed. If another room is naturally cooler because it faces away from the afternoon sun, consider using that room for a few hours instead.
Some homes are more prone to overheating, including top-floor flats and rooms with large windows facing east, west or south. The UKHSA keep cool at home checklist is a useful place to check the practical risks in your own home.
Stop the sun before it warms the room
Window glass can let strong summer sun heat floors, furniture and walls. Once those surfaces are warm, they continue releasing heat into the room. Close curtains, blinds or shutters before the sun reaches the glass, rather than waiting until the room already feels hot.
Use the window covering you already have first. If a sunny bedroom needs more light control, read about the year-round benefits of blackout curtains or browse blackout curtains. For a lighter seasonal look, our guide to choosing curtains for summer living explains the options.
Do not forget small sources of heat. Turn off lights that are not needed, avoid running the oven at the hottest time of day and move a hot laptop away from the room where you are resting. Even small changes help when the room is already struggling to lose heat.
Should windows be open or closed in hot weather?
The answer depends on whether the air outside is cooler than the air inside. If it feels hotter outside, opening the window can bring more warm air into the room. Keep windows closed during that period, provided the room remains adequately ventilated and it is safe for everyone inside.
When the evening cools, open windows safely to release trapped heat. If possible, open windows on opposite sides of the home, or open an internal door and a second window, to create a route for air to travel. Never compromise home security, child safety or fire safety for extra airflow.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has detailed home-cooling advice if you want to work out the best ventilation pattern for your property.
Use a fan to cool people and move air
A fan helps moisture evaporate from the skin, which can make you feel cooler. It can also help move evening air through a room. Place it where the airflow reaches you without creating a trip hazard, and keep the cable clear of doorways.
Once the air outside has cooled, try positioning the fan near an open window so it encourages air through the room. If the room still feels stuffy, test the fan facing towards the window for a short time to push hot air out, then turn it back towards the room. The best direction depends on the window layout and where cooler air can enter.
UKHSA guidance says fans can help when temperatures are below 35 degrees Celsius. During very hot weather, check current UK heat-health alerts and follow the latest official advice, especially if someone in the home may be more vulnerable to heat.
How can you make a hot bedroom easier to sleep in?
Start cooling the bedroom before bedtime. Keep the window shaded through the sunny part of the day, remove unused electrical equipment and wait until the outside air is cooler before opening windows. Pull curtains well away from an open window so they do not block the airflow.
Reduce heavy layers on the bed and keep a lighter cover nearby in case the temperature drops overnight. Our guide to making a bed more comfortable in hot weather explains how breathable cotton and simpler layers can help the bed feel less stuffy.
If the bedroom remains the hottest room in the home, sleeping in a cooler room for a night or two may be the most practical option. Comfort matters more than keeping to the usual room.
A one-hour evening reset
When the temperature outside starts to fall, use this short routine:
- Check that it now feels cooler outside than inside.
- Open safe windows and internal doors to create a path for air.
- Move the fan near that path and test which direction clears heat fastest.
- Turn off cooking appliances, bright lights and electronics you do not need.
- Prepare the bedroom with lighter layers before you are tired.
After an hour, close any ground-floor windows that would be unsafe to leave open. Keep the coolest room shaded again from early the next morning, before the sun has time to rebuild the heat.
What if the room still will not cool down?
Persistent overheating may point to a bigger problem with shading, ventilation or the building itself. Renters can record the time of day, indoor temperature and which windows receive direct sun, then raise the issue with the landlord or managing agent. Homeowners may benefit from advice on external shading, safe ventilation or insulation that has been designed with summer comfort in mind.
For today, keep the plan simple: choose one room, block the sun early, stop adding heat and ventilate when the air outside is cooler. That sequence gives the room its best chance to become more comfortable without air conditioning.
