Moving into your first dorm room? Congrats! Starting college is such an exciting thing, and you’ve got a lotta good times ahead. So, you’re probs in full prep mode and want to make your room look as cute as poss. One of the best and most practical ways to do this? All the lights, bestie.
They’re such a great way to create a cozy ambiance, making your li’l room feel like your li’l home. Not only this but there are so many varieties. String lights? So cute. Desk lamps? So handy. Floor lamps? So bold. Adhesive lights? …OK, you get the point. There are so many options.
Quick Menu:
1. Floor lamps
2. Adhesive lights
3. Desk lamps
4. Fairy lights
I’ve rounded up a variety of different lighting options that are perfect for dorms. They’ll both help you bring your personality into the space, while at the same time providing lighting for all occasions — from studying to buddying.
Scroll on down for all the twinkly inspo…
These dorm room light buys are so fab and functional
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Make your dorm room look oh-so-dreamy with a range of lighting choices. BTW, I've broken these down into different sections, so you can find what you need easily.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
Floor lamps for dorm rooms
For when you don’t want the big light on, but still want to see everything.
Size (in.): H70.07 x W10.23 x D10.23
Made from: MDF and linen
Price: $50.99
Why buy a floor lamp and a set of shelves when you could get two in one? It’s narrow enough that you can tuck it into a corner, so it doesn’t take up lots of room, while at the same time providing plenty of light. Style it with plants, books, and personal mementos to add an extra bit of flair to it.
Size (in.): H46.5 x W17.5 x D17.5
Made from: Cotton, polyester, wood
Price: $110
OK — this floor lamp feels seriously grown up. It’s giving such quiet luxury vibes, which I’m all about ATM. The tripod legs are adjustable, so you can adjust them depending on how much space you have to fill. You can also grab it with a bulb for an extra $5, which is probably wise as you don’t want to rock up to your dorm without one.
Size (in.): H64 x W12.2 x D17.85
Made from: Iron
Price: $60.99
This is such a timeless design, you guys. AKA, it will fit in wherever you go, even beyond your dorm room. You could either position this over your desk for extra study lighting or even near your bed. It comes in three colors, but the chic gold is def my fave. Oh and BTW, it comes with a remote — so useful!
Adhesive lights for dorm rooms
Obvi you’re not allowed to drill your dorm walls, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put lights wherever you want — they just need to be stick-on.
Size (in.): H0.98 x W2.76 x D2.76
Made from: Plastic
Price: $11.99 for 5
I’m such a sucker for anything that’s little, and these dinky bad boys are just the right size for sticking all over your dorm. You could dot these around your bed headboard, stick them under your desk, or even have them on your wall. So basically, you can have as many or as few as you want. Then, just simply give ‘em a push, and they’ll light up. Easy AF.
Size (in.): H0.98 x W2.4 x D7.09
Made from: Acrylic, walnut wood
Price: $38.99 for 2
I’ve seen these ones so many times on TikTok, and can totally see why everyone is obsessed with them. I think they’d be so useful for dorms, such as for going to the bathroom at night. You also get two in this pack, so you and your roomie can have one each. They’re also rechargeable, so they’re a breeze to keep juiced up.
Size (in.): H2 x W1.6 x L13.4
Made from: Plastic
Price: $21.99
Did somebody call for the most versatile light ever? This would work really well in a variety of places in the dorm, such as over the desk or even inside the wardrobe for extra bougieeness. As a bonus, it’s also dimmable, so if you’ve got some late-night studying to do, you can adjust it as needed.
Desk lamps for dorm rooms
Keep your eyes on the prize (that degree, sis!) with a lamp to illuminate your studies.
Size (in.): H14 x W5.20 x D5.20
Made from: Metal
Price: $7.88
Do you remember that adorable Pixar lamp? This is giving me that vibe. It’s such a classic design and is perfect for adding a pop of color while still being functional AF. The gooseneck is adjustable, so you can shine a light on whatever you need to without having to move the whole lamp. Plus, at under $10, it’s a major bargain.
Size (in.): H18.8 x W5.75 x D9.75
Made from: Metal
Price: $33.99
No matter what your style is, this gorgeous lamp has got you covered. Coming in hot in four shades, you can choose between black, chrome, rose gold, and white for your dorm desk. It has 10,000(!) five-star reviews, with Wayfair shoppers loving how cute it is and how good value for money it is too.
Size (in.): H4.25 x W5 x D7.5
Made from: Plastic
Price: $16
Say hey to the lamp that has everything you need for your desk, all in one. This also doubles as a desk organizer, so you can put all your pens and sticky notes in one place, so you don’t lose them. There’s also a USB port, so you can charge up your phone while you’re getting down with your textbooks.
Fairy lights for dorm rooms
I had so many fairy lights up in my college dorm room, and loved how cozy they made everything feel.
Size (in.): H0.75 x W6.93 x D5.55
Made from: Copper
Price: $9.99 for 12
These li’l fairy lights will be so simple to weave around your dorm, thanks to the flexible wire. I def recommend lacing them around your headboard for a super cute bedroom set-up. You get literally twelve in a pack, so you can string up as many as you like all at once, or can keep some to switch out once the batteries go.
Size (in.): H5 x W5 x D0.5
Made from: Metal
Price: $11.99 for 12
One of the best parts about college has got to be the parties. So, whether you’re sipping on soft drinks or something more fruity, chances are you’ll have some bottles left over from them. A fun way to preserve those memories is by decorating them with fairy lights, and these cork-style ones are a perfect fit for all kinds of containers.
Size (in.): H5.51 x W3.5 x D3.11
Made from: ABS
Price: $7.99
I had similar lights to these in college and hung up pictures of my family, so I could glance up and feel less homesick. As my first year went on, I ended up mixing them up with pics of my new friends and my new city too. The warm light option is super beautiful, but this does also come in multi-colored too if you want something funkier.
FAQs
How do I get good lighting in my dorm?
The key to good lighting is by having plenty of it. Make sure to bring a variety of different lights with you, such as floor lamps, desk lamps, and fairy lights, so you can light up your room as much or as subtly as you want.
Are LED lights allowed in dorm rooms?
This will depend on your dorm room and college restrictions, so be sure to check your accommodation contract before buying any.
Where to buy dorm room lighting
- Amazon dorm room lighting
- At Home dorm room lighting
- Dormify dorm room lighting
- Etsy dorm room lighting
- Urban Outfitters dorm room lighting
- Target dorm room lighting
- Walmart dorm room lighting
How we chose these dorm room lighting buys
As a former college student myself, I know how important it is to have a range of different lighting options in your dorm. That’s why I made sure to pick a variety of lights that will be useful to have, as well as make sure they looked super aesthetic. Plus, I looked through plenty of sites for lights with lots of positive ratings and love from shoppers.