Here it comes, London: a genuine summer heatwave.
While such glorious warmth is welcome after having wished for it all year, it turns out that there can be too much of a good thing. Especially in the week or when you’re trying to sleep; those 30+ temperatures can be less of a dream and more of a living, sweaty nightmare.
With many working at home for at least part of the working week, the lack of integrated AC means we must find other ways of keeping cool. There are the obvious things, such as staying hydrated and eating lighter and fresher meals to beat the afternoon slump.
Counterbalance the lack of office air-con with the fact that you can wear whatever you feel like at home: office workwear stays in the wardrobe, and breathable t-shirts, bikini tops and short shorts are in (though perhaps keep a t-shirt on standby for sudden video calls).
Throw open the windows to let fresh air circulate around your space, and make sure ice trays are filled for a cool, refreshing drink when you need it.
When it comes to products, there are a few swaps you can make to make warm-weather living and sleeping easier.
We’ve rounded up the best options per room to help make life equal parts easy and breezy.
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Bedroom
It might be the nicest day of the year, but not if you’re a sweaty, sleep-deprived mess from the humid night before. Swap your winter duvet for a lighter low tog one, or do away with it altogether in favour of a blanket or sheet instead.
If you sleep in pyjamas, try switching to cooling, moisture-wicking fabrics like linen and cotton.
And if you only do one thing, make it this: invest in a tower fan that is low-noise and comes with a timer, so you can drift off to sweet breezes without worrying about switching it off.
TEMPUR CoolTouch™ Original Elite Mattress
With trademarked CoolTouch technology, Tempur has designed this mattress specifically to absorb excess heat and keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night. From the mattress cover, to the open cell structure, there’s temperature-regulating technology throughout.
These elements come part in parcel of the Elite Mattress renowned for its cosy, cloud-like feel. It has a medium firmness and foam construction that adapts to the shape of your body to relieve pressure and bounces back to the original shape as soon as you get up. We found back pain immediately relieved and a sound night after much sleeplessness.
When you purchase a mattress from Tempur, you know that you’re getting a premium product with impressive support.
Buy now £1499.00, Dreams
M&S Supremely Washable 4.5 Tog Duvet
Perfect for the warmer months, this 4.5 tog duvet is a great upgrade for your bedroom this summer. Made right here in the UK with blended silky fibres, M&S’s duvet is bulky enough to snuggle into without feeling suffocated; all the comfort of down minus the heat.
As an extra bonus, the cover is super soft and silky, helping add another layer of coolness to your bedroom environment. It’s also machine-washable at 40 degrees and quick-drying to help you keep it fresher for longer.
Buy now £29.50, M&S
TEMPUR Original SmartCool™ Standard Pillow, Medium/Firm
Legendary memory foam mattress label Tempur launched this specialty pillow with all the comfort, support and softness that the brand was known for. It comes in various sizes and has a patented CoolTouch heat-absorbing construction with a super comfy fabric cover. Your neck and head will feel cradled throughout the night as the foam adapts to your shape.
Buy now £149.00, John Lewis
Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool Formaldehyde purifying fan
Settings: 10
Keeping air flowing around the room is all good and well, but if you live by a busy street, you run the risk of bringing unwelcome pollutants to your space too.
Enter Dyson, long the leader when it comes to smart home electricals, and it’s Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool Formaldehyde purifying fan which not only cools warm air, but ‘washes’ it of nasty particles like formaldehyde (emitted from household paint, varnishes and printers), nitrogen dioxide (caused by road traffic, tobacco and fuel-burning heaters), PM10 particles from pollen and allergens (a godsend for hayfever sufferers and asthmatics) and general household odours (think cooking, pets and kids).
It comes with a magnetic remote control, which can sit happily atop the unit, but can also be controlled through your phone’s Dyson Link app via Bluetooth. There are 10-speed settings, and it propels cool air into the room using its patented air multiplier technology.
The smartest thing of all is that it continually detects dust, allergens, mould and formaldehyde particles in the room, before trapping them into high-performance filters that never need replacing. So, while it’s expensive, buying new filters is one cost you won’t have to factor in past the initial purchase of the machine.
It oscillates and also can remain stationary, giving you the choice of focused or circulating cooling. And you can set it to a timer or keep it on Night Mode to keep sticky nights at bay.
As flexi-working means we spend so much more time at home and with busy roads and general pollution tainting our space, Dyson’s latest device is a real investment in home air quality improvement. The twin action function - purifying and cooling - means it will become a household must-have this summer. Simple to set up and even easier to use, after just one night we felt the difference.
Comes with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £599.99, Dyson
Dimplex Ion Fresh cooling fan
Settings: 3
While this fan can’t be controlled by anything other than the included remote and control system, it’s smart thanks to a feature called the Ioniser. This optional mode washes the air clean of dust particles, which is particularly helpful if you live with someone with allergies or your home is by a busy street. So, rather than pushing air around the room, it will flood your space with fresh air - a healthier prospect all around.
The tower design comes in a black and copper colour scheme and also has a tilt feature and 70-degree oscillation so you’ll always find the right angle to enjoy cooling breezes, wherever you are in the room. Meanwhile, a natural mode mimics outdoor wind and the sleep mode gradually cuts the fan’s speed before shutting down completely, a godsend when you’re trying to catch your 40 winks. Comes with a three-year manufacturer guarantee.
Buy now £75.00, Argos
Piglet in Bed Warm Blue Gingham Linen Pyjama Shorts Set
Linen is famously a summer-friendly textile, drawing sweat and heat from the body to leave you comfortable and cool. So, a perfect choice for sleepwear then. Piglet in Bed's cute-as-a-button shorts come with a matching shirt and make for comfy WFH clobber when it's boiling outside. Available in XS - XL.
Buy now £125.00, Piglet in Bed
Living Room
Sticking to the sofa when you’re trying to relax or watch telly is not the one.
Add a bladeless or pedestal fan to your lounge set-up to get the air moving - setting one up in front of a bowl of cool water can turn down the temperature by a few notches more.
Some air-purifying plants will also help make the place feel fresher.
AirGo Smart Fan
Settings: 6
Picture the scene: a sweltering night before a day WFH. Avoid toiling at a stuffy desk and turn your fan on while you’re brushing your teeth; the AirGo can be controlled through an accompanying app. You can use it to adjust the speed or temperature when you’re busy fixing lunch or making a call - handy if the fan is on the other side of the room.
It also works with Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistants so you don’t even have to use your handset if it’s charging or not in the immediate vicinity.
Noise-wise, it comes with noise-reduction technology which means it won’t make a racket when you need to concentrate or are trying to get off to sleep.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
De’Longhi Pinguino PAC EX120 Silent
Best for: easy assembly and instalment
Our favourite thing about this three-speed standalone air conditioner? It’s both incredibly easy to use and shockingly simple to install, thanks in part to its slimline hose.
Navigating its hi-tech digital interface is a breeze (excuse the pun) and the temperature, fan speed, timer and cooling function can all be tweaked using the remote control, which slips handily into a holder at the top of the machine.
It’s also one of the quietest air conditioners we’ve come across (the decibel range is between 49 and 53) which makes it ideal for various spaces, whether it’s a child’s bedroom or a sun-baked dining room. Shifting it from room to room won’t result in an accidental back injury either, not only because of its four slick wheels but also its weight, which comes in at 32kg – surprisingly low for such a powerful air conditioner.
It’s also one which will earn its keep year-round – during the cooler months, simply switch to ‘dehumidify only’ mode to keep any dampness at bay.
Buy now £819.99, Amazon
Patch Plants Starter Set
This is the perfect trio set to kick-start your indoor garden. Easy to look after – suitable for all light conditions and only requiring a little water every now and then – these low-maintenance plants are super chilled, pretty difficult to kill and will add some calming natural aesthetics to your home. Patch Plants provide quick facts and care instructions for each plant, regarding the water, light and humidity they like, and give them each a quirky name – a unique feature we love.
Pippa the peace lily will fill your space with its green luscious full leaves and will sprout pretty white flowers in spring. Susie snake plant’s long build will bring a stylish edge to your interiors, and Rapunzel the golden pothos will look great draped over a table or shelf with its molten quick-growing stems. Pay a little extra to have the chic pots included.
Buy now £37.00, Patch Plants
Bloom and Wild The Snake Plant
Bloom and Wild might be a top choice for flower delivery in bouquet form but the online florist also offers a big range of plants, too. Just as pretty as their flowers but with a higher chance of staying alive if you forget to water them, Bloom and Wild’s The Snake Plant offers all of the fun of a houseplant and none of the stress. So, if you’re shopping for a low-maintenance plant, pick this one. Snake plants thrive when they’re left alone, so this one is perfect for a newbie plant owner. All it needs to be happy is a wipe down when it gets dusty, a watering every now and then and a nice sunny spot.
Buy now £35.00, Bloom and Wild
Kitchen
It’s easy for the temperature to shoot up when you’re cooking meals.
Time to turn off the stove and invest in an air fryer, which not only cooks faster but contains the heat inside the cooking chamber so that it doesn’t emit into the rest of your space, like the hob or a traditional oven might.
Better yet, forgo cooking altogether and prep healthy salads in step with the season. Whether you want a nice cold glass of H2O or you’re mixing something stronger, an ice machine can make those chips, cubes and crushed ice at a snip of the time as regular freezing.
And if you’ve been eyeing up an ice cream maker, now’s the time to pounce.
Cookworks 1.8L Ice Cube Maker
Best for: large capacity, small price
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just want a few rocks for your evening G&T, never run out of ice again thanks to this clever little gizmo from Cookworks. It can make small and large-sized ice cubes in eight minutes and comes with a little scoop and ice basket so you can reach them easily. Running on 105W, the ice cube maker has a large 12kg storage capacity, allowing it to house around 100 ice cubes. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £120.00, Argos
Cuisinart Style Collection Ice Cream and Dessert Maker
Turn your kitchen into a dessert destination thanks to Cuisinart’s miracle machine which can not only whip up fresh ice cream in its depths, but frozen yoghurt, sorbet and frozen fruits too, all in as little as 25 minutes.
Simply pre-freeze the bowl overnight before use, or keep it in your freezer so it’s always ready to go. The included ice cream paddle will churn your recipe into a smooth, tasty dessert while the fresh fruit paddle can blend soft fruits whilst freezing them for a healthier alternative, and less waste of fruit that’s about to turn.
Take your creations to the next level by adding ingredients through the lid during churning: think nuts, chocolate chips, fruit pieces or even sauces to create a ripple effect. Comes with a five-year guarantee.
Buy now £70.00, Amazon
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
In small or large, transparent or opaque, stainless steel, borosilicate glass or BPA-free plastic, OXO has a salad spinner to suit all needs.
The smaller models are best suited for single-use, couples or smaller families with a 1L capacity, whereas the larger will have you ready and rearing to go during hosting duties, packing 6L of salad goodness within the bowl.
The brand is known for its innovative kitchen solutions and these salad spinners are no different. Place into the colander provided in the interior to wash and drain the leaves, fruit or vegetables in question - and then the real fun begins. With just one hand, you push down on the top and the spinning starts. There’s a brake button to instantly stop, but throughout it should stay firmly in place on your counter thanks to the non-slip base. Then dress and serve. It’s as easy as that.
The parts can be removed and placed in the dishwasher. The entire spinner is hard-wearing and sturdy, and looks far more attractive than the cheaper versions of these products. The bowls can take you from prep to serving to save you on the washing up. and you’ll notice the durability too as the hard-wearing plastic shouldn’t crack over time.
Buy now £29.24, Amazon
Polarbox Cooler
A Barbiecore, 80s-inspired design that’s bang on trend, this delightful cooler from Polarbox makes us feel like we’re an extra in Grease. The retro look is available in a number of sorbet shades and can hold up to 20 litres, proving it’s not just a pretty face.
Buy now £35.95, Amazon
Quechua Fresh Compact Camping/ Walking Ice Box
This cooler keeps food and beverages cool for 11 hours, making it ideal for all-day use. There are two mesh storage pockets on the exterior, and inside there’s a band to keep bottles steady, plus two additional net pockets.
The cooler self-inflates, which means it’s a lot lighter than a hard case, but that doesn’t mean it’s flimsy. The reinforced polyester (PES) 600-denier fabric that’s on the bottom layer helps keep it sturdy. Folds down from 40cm high to 21cm.
Buy now £39.99, Decathlon
Garden
If you’ve sought refuge in your outdoor space, make it all the more comfortable with outdoor furniture so you have somewhere decent to hang out.
A parasol or shade sail will give you much needed cover from the strongest of the rays while keeping the door open for much-needed breezes.
You don’t need to have kids to have a paddling pool, but they might make things more legit. Or, give the neighbours something to stare at by investing in a hot tub: just fill it with cool water for the summer.
Lay-Z-Spa Helsinki 7 Person AirJet Hot Tub
Dimensions: H180 x W180 x H66cm
At first glance, this seven-seater tub may look like it’s been crafted from wood, but it’s actually made from premium Drop Stitch material. You can use it any time of year thanks to Freeze Shield and it also features a 180 AirJet Massage System for therapeutic bubbles and water pummelling sore muscles, a fast 40 heating system and timer so there’s no standing around in your bathing suit waiting for it to warm up. The best bit? It inflates in less than five minutes! Weighs 38.7kg and requires a 13A socket.
Buy now £375.00, Argos
Dakota Fields Drummans 2m x 2m Triangular Shade Sail
Available in grey, blue, cream and light green colours, this triangle canopy creates a shady spot over your decking, grassy area or pool without obstructing anything at floor level. It comes with rope ties but no posts so be sure to measure the intended area first and check for anchors. This design is machine washable, making it easier to keep clean.
Buy now £9.99, Wayfair
H2O Mount Splashmore Water Park
Dimensions: 2.57m x 1.45m x 91cm
Less paddling pool, more mini water park, this design promises hours of delight in the safety of your garden. The inflatable pool comes with a built-in slide (with mesh guards at the top to stop little ones tumbling off), a climbing wall with rope, sprinklers and water blasters making for endless hours of splashing fun.
Buy now £245.00, B&Q
Intex 7.5ft Swim Centre Round Family Pool with Chair
Dimensions: 229 x 218 x 76cm
If it’s the lounging life you’re after, this pool has it in spades. The blow-up design features high edges and bench-style seating for up to three to sit in the 640L compartment in style. A match XL headrest and an integrated cup holder on either side finish the look. There’s plenty of space in the front for splashing about too.
Buy now £45.95, Amazon
Intex 58448NP Watermelon Pool
Dimensions: 168 x 38 cm
If you’re after a paddling pool with bags of juicy style, look no further than Amazon, where you can pick up this watermelon-themed design with Prime delivery. The inflatable pool is designed for the young (and the young at heart) and uses three valves to get it inflated in double quick time. Too cold for a splash? Fill it with balls instead to create a ball pit of your very own.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Foldable Pet Bath Tub
Dimensions: 80 x 76.2 x 30cm
It’s easy to forget that when the weather warms up, your pets need to cool off too. Let them join in the paddling pool fun with this purpose-built pool that’s ideal for small to medium-sized dogs. No inflating required here, the durable PVC sections fold up to create a watertight enclosure for your pets with a built in plug on the side for easy drainage.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
