Dorm 101 - Lighting

Safety First!  Many colleges do not allow halogen lighting of any kind.  Make sure you check in with your Residence Life contacts and your Student Handbook to make sure your lighting choices adhere to their guidelines!

There's a lighting solution for every taste, style and need.

There are four types of lighting to consider when thinking about your dorm room:



 Overall Light– Your ceiling fixture is going to give you light, but it will be hard to control.  Give yourself some area lighting with a floor lamp.  They are available in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors, and are often dimmable.

Desk – No study area is complete without proper lighting. The light level is important, because nothing brings a night of hard-core studying to a screeching halt like a headache from too much squinting.  Try to choose a light that’s adjustable, so you can direct the light where you need it to go (your books) and not where you don’t (your sleeping roommate’s bed.)

Reading – This might sound like another term for "desk lamp", but some folks like a little study/reading time away from their desk.  A nice, comfy chair or beanbag; maybe a futon or couch.  A reading lamp can be a part of a floor lamp, or a separate lamp you can clamp on a table, bookcase, or headboard.

Atmopheric – These lights may not serve a specific function, but might just be cool, colorful, or funky.  The Christmas lights you string around the underside of your loft may look awesome, but they also shed just enough light that you don’t stumble and wake up your roommate coming back from a late night. These can also be lava lamps, black lights, or even flameless candles.

For more ideas and inspiration from IKEA, click here!