The first summer I lived in New York City was a sweltering reality check. Coming from the Northwest, I had never had an air conditioner, and I didn’t think I could afford one (or the higher electric bills). I spent that first summer tossing and turning in the muggy heat. By the following summer, I had wised up and invested in an A.C., but even then the window unit didn’t effectively cool my space.An air conditioner is the obvious best fix for a hot bedroom. But if you don’t have one, there are some relatively simple and affordable steps you can take to keep your bedroom cool. And if you do have one, you can maximize all that conditioned air by keeping heat from entering your bedroom — or the cool air from escaping. Switching up your bedding can also go a long way to making you more comfortable.With that in mind, here are five cheap(ish) things to help keep your bedroom cool even on the hottest nights of summer.(And if you’re looking to invest in an A.C., Wirecutter has recommendations for window units and brackets to install them, as well as portable units for when a window A.C. isn’t an option.)Blackout shadesA DIY paper optionRedi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper ShadeThis inexpensive paper option doesn’t look as nice as other blinds we tested, but it’s a great quick fix. You can trim it to any size, and it hangs from an adhesive strip.$30 from Amazon(36 by 72 inches; pack of six)$30 from Walmart(36 by 72 inches; pack of six)$9 from The Home Depot(36 by 72 inches)Window treatments can make a big impact on keeping your room cool. Nearly any shades or curtains will help reduce solar heat coming through the windows, but some are better at the job than others. Insulated cellular shades are particularly effective at blocking out light, but a paper option like the Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade should also get the job done. While these shades won’t keep all the sunlight out, they still blocked a significant amount of light in our tests. These paper shades can be cut to custom fit your windows, and are easy to install, with a peel-and-stick application process. Shades should fit tightly, meaning no gaps at the sides of the window frame.Weatherproof your windowsThe best window insulationFrost King M13WH V-Seal Weather-Strip These adhesive foam strips are a simple and cost-effective way to close the gaps around your windows, so you can keep the inside air where it belongs (and keep your energy bill down).$5 from Amazon$4 from Lowe's$4 from The Home DepotDrafty windows and gaps under a door can defeat much of the work of an air conditioner. Leaks from the windows and under doors can let hot, humid air inside (and allow cool, conditioned air to escape). I realized this firsthand several summers ago, when my apartment remained stubbornly muggy despite cranking my A.C. unit. After I stuffed foam weatherstripping in the gaps of my windows, I noticed an immediate improvement in the chill factor. To fill any gaps along the side rails of single- and double-hung windows, or around a window A.C. unit, Wirecutter recommends V-seal stripping and foam strips. In a pinch, you can also use a rolled-up towel at the bottom of a door to help keep cool air inside.A good fanEffective and affordable fanDreo TurboPoly Table Fan 312This inexpensive fan doesn’t feel cheap — it’s quiet, easy to clean, and comparable in performance to our pricier picks.$40 from Amazon$45 from WalmartA fan won’t lower the temperature of your room, but it will move the air around, which can make you feel cooler by helping sweat to evaporate. We like that the Dreo TurboPoly fan is quiet, effective and affordable. For those without air conditioning, you could also use a window fan like the Bionaire Twin Reversible Airflow Window Fan to draw cool air into your room. Just keep in mind that window fans are most effective at cooling when used in a mild or dry climate.Cool, crisp sheetsThe best percale sheetsL.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet SetWe’ve been recommending these soft, breathable sheets since 2014. They’re crisp, cool, comfortable, and get softer the more you wash them.$170 $145 from L.L.BeanUse promo code WCBEAN15 (queen)Just as the shift of seasons calls for a change of wardrobe, switching to lighter sheets will help you stay more comfortable in warm weather. I prefer linen sheets, because they’re extremely breathable, but they can be quite pricey. For a more affordable option, Wirecutter recommends a variety of lightweight percale sheets, including affordable sets from L.L. Bean and Brooklinen. While they’re less expensive than linen, they’re not dirt cheap; in tests, Wirecutter found that really inexpensive percale sheets can feel very scratchy.A lightweight blanketAiry and built to lastRiley Four Layer CoverletGauze blankets are perfect for summer nights and for hot sleepers, but they’re often thin and flimsy. This one is thicker and sturdier than any other gauze blanket we’ve tried.$207 $120 from Riley HomeUse promo code WIRECUTTER4L (queen or king)The best cotton blanketL.L.Bean Maine Twill BlanketA tightly woven twill blanket with a clean, classic look that feels soft against the skin and will last you for a long time.$180 from L.L.Bean(queen)Spring and summer nights can be unpredictable, so it’s good to layer linens, just as you do with clothes. If you want something that’s just slightly heavier than a top sheet, consider the Riley Four Layer Coverlet, Wirecutter’s pick for a gauze blanket that’s durable, breathable, and looks nice in the room. It snags easily, but it’s very breathable and reasonably priced, especially in comparison to our other picks. If you need something more substantial for cooler nights, Wirecutter recommends the L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket. It’s the perfect weight for a New England or Northwest summer.