If you are finding it hard to sleep this summer for heat consuming you at night, there might be a simple storage mistake in your bedroom at the root of it all.
Home cooling experts and professional organizers warn that keeping lots of items stored underneath your bed could be the reason you can't cool down at night.
Here, they detail the common storage mistake to avoid, and exactly why it drives up heat-related discomfort at night.
As Kevin Pennington, a member of the Institute of Refrigeration, advises in collaboration with Sharps, the area of concern is, surprisingly, your underbed storage ideas.
'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air is near the floor,' he explains. 'If you have lots of belongings stored under the bed, you are not allowing cooler air to circulate, and it traps warm stagnant air right under where you are trying to sleep.'
In turn, this thwarts any efforts you make to cool down a bedroom fast, and any more general attempts you make to sleep better in hot summer weather.
Amber Taggard, Professional Organizer, Storage Expert and Founder of The Organizer Chicks, agrees. 'Summer is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for every possible way to make your home feel cooler, calmer, and more comfortable.
'While we absolutely want the space under our beds pulling its weight when it comes to storage, we also don’t want it working against us during the hottest months of the year.
'One surprisingly common storage mistake I've seen repeatedly in my 15 years as a Professional Organizer? Packing the area under your bed so full that air can no longer circulate properly.
'Think of the area under your bed as part of your bedroom’s breathing system. When air can move freely, heat and moisture have a better chance of dissipating. When every inch is packed tight, that airflow is reduced.'
The 30-Second Swap to Keep Your Bedroom Cool
Fortunately, the fix is both quick and simple − all you need to do is clear the space. As Kevin explains, this works because the space under your bed acts as a reservoir for cool air, and keeping the area free of any clutter will help avoid any hidden mattress mold caused by underbed storage, too.
'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air in your bedroom sits right at floor level, and that gap beneath the mattress allows it to circulate naturally and draw heat away from you while you sleep.'
And, if you're wondering what the worst underbed storage offenders are, Kevin warns that solid plastic storage boxes, vacuum-packed winter clothes, heavy spare duvets, and cardboard boxes full of shoes are all listed among those to avoid.
'These are all dense, non-breathable materials, and if you've got the space rammed full of them, you're effectively turning the bottom of your bed into a solid block that traps warm, stagnant air right where you're trying to sleep,' he shares.
Instead, if you can't sacrifice your underbed storage space, opt for breathable, low-profile solutions, such as the Breathable Underbed Storage Bins, available at Amazon. Leave plenty of room around them, and periodically pull items out to clean beneath the bed to prevent dust buildup, which can affect air quality.
'It also comes down to how much you're storing. One or two small items pushed to the middle won't do too much damage; air can still move around them,' continues Kevin.
'But most people are short on space, so they pack those big under-bed drawers wall to wall. If the space is full, you're killing the natural airflow of the room. Even just leaving generous gaps around the edges makes a real difference.'
What to Shop
Alternative, breathable solutions for beneath your bed can be a simple swap you can make today so you don't have to lose that coveted storage space entirely.
Whether you're upgrading or overhauling, when decluttering and organizing the area under the bed, it's also crucial to keep this area clean and free of dust, so I've also included our top-rated handheld vacuum for cleaning behind and under beds without moving them.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This under-the-bed bin prevents your storage in this space from becoming an eyesore. The low profile and addition of wheels to lift it off your bedroom floor allow cool air to circulate above and below it, beneath your mattress.
Instead of relying on the space under your bed, using breathable bins like this on shelves and in cupboards is an excellent alternative. The mesh panel on the front makes it easy to identify exactly what you have in each, and the stackable design saves space.
These low-profile underbed storage bins are made of one hundred percent breathable polypropylene fabric, with a transparent top that allows you to identify contents as a glance. They're designed to fit under a bed or on a shelf.
These underbed storage bags are made of breathable non-woven fabric that allows air to circulate inside, preventing moisture and your items from becoming musty. The sturdy side walls can hold their shape, even if the storage bag isn't completely full.
Rather than hiding your small item storage away, why not make it a statement part of your decor? This stylish basket features integrated handles for convenient portability and features a sturdy construction of handwoven natural seagrass over a strong iron frame.
This is our top-rated cordless vacuum, and the slim design makes it perfect for removing dust from tricky-to-reach cracks and crevices beneath your bed. 'It picked up virtually all debris and hair in a single pass while its laser revealed dust that my eyes couldn't see,' said our expert floorcare tester, Dan Fauzi.
Meet the Experts
'Remember: having your best nest isn’t just about maximizing every inch of storage,' says Amber. 'It’s about creating a home that helps you breathe easier, sleep better, and live more comfortably.'
These hidden bedroom storage buys also offer a stylish alternative to underbed solutions.
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