The lighting in a dorm room, to be frank, is depressingly dim. The fluorescent bulbs above your head in Forest or Briscoe are hardly welcoming and can make the nicest decorations look like they’re attempts to liven up a jail cell. Who wants to walk into a dreary box of a room after a long day of college shenanigans? Alternative lighting options can add warmth to any space and almost make you forget you’re living in a filing cabinet for humans. Almost.
Fairy lights
If you are a college student, chances are you already have fairy lights strung about the corners of your room. They’re Instagram ready, perfect for taking a selfie while basking in a glow you don’t even have to get out of bed for. These run from cheap plug-em-in-the-wall options to remote-controlled and battery-powered ones for those wanting to spend a bit extra. But it doesn’t matter where on the price range they land, they look great up in any room. They’re in every room.
Himalayan salt lamp
Carved from pink salt rock and illuminated from within by a bulb that isn’t too bright or too dim, Himalayan salt lamps emit a warm, pink glow that makes any room into a relaxing atmosphere. According to the product’s lore, they’re mined from the Khewra Salt Mine near the Himalayas in Pakistan. Minerals present within the salt give it its signature pink color, but it’s mostly just sodium chloride like good old table salt. While they’re marketed as having numerous health benefits, like improving air quality, mood and sleep patterns, there’s little scientific support for these claims. But who cares? It’s pretty and pink.
Light up essential oil diffuser
For a room to reach peak #aesthetic, an essential oil diffuser is just that — essential. Some options online have gentle color changing lights. When used correctly, it can make a cramped dorm room smell like a spa, as the air is filled with a lavender or eucalyptus-infused mist. This is definitely the most expensive option on this list, between buying the lamp itself and buying (and eventually replacing) the various oils needed to use it.
Just the regular dorm lights
But who needs to spend extra on lighting, anyway? Remember: the real purpose of a bedroom is to sleep, and that’s a lighting-free activity.
