This IKEA Dorm Staple Is the Cutest Pop of Color (Perfect for Avoiding the “Big Light”)

I’ve learned there are two types of people in a dorm: those who don’t mind the overhead light, and those who go to great lengths to avoid it. When I was living in the dorm, many of my friends had the stick-on LED lights that surrounded the perimeter of the room. I loved the look of the colors changing and decided to hop on the trend as a sophomore, but taking them down was a nightmare and damaged my walls. I wish I would’ve known about the IKEA FADO table lamp when I was in the dorms, because it achieves the same colorful look without the hassle or damage. 

What makes IKEA’s popular glass table lamp so perfect for dorm living is that it is large enough to provide the light you need to see what you’re doing — whether that’s studying or deep cleaning during a Sunday reset — without needing to flip on the switch for the often harsh overhead lighting dorms are known for.

IKEA is a go-to spot for dorm shopping, and the FADO lamp has been a staple for a while. It’s the perfect subtle mood light for a dorm room, and you can easily make it light up in plenty of different colors (more on that later).

If you’re doing homework or hanging out at night, putting this 10-inch round light on your desk or your side table is a great alternative to the “big light.” The lamp itself sits on a barely there base with three touchpoints to keep it steady wherever you place it. It sits 9 inches tall, and the cord measures just over 6 feet, which makes it a good pick for a small space with a few outlets. Also, fair warning: The globe-shaped lamp is glass, so be careful when opening the box and moving it around. 

If you’re going for more of a classic look, IKEA recommends using the E26 opal white LED bulb inside of the lamp. According to the website, this will create an even distribution of light around the entire sphere. I think this is the perfect alternative to a nightstand lamp — those can get so bright and harsh. It seems like this would make the perfect cozy vibe for reading or scrolling in bed at night. The lamp’s maximum is 75 watts. 

I think the most exciting thing about this lamp is the ability to customize it with the light bulb you choose to add. If you add a colored TRÅDFRI bulb, you can use a remote control to adjust the brightness and color of the light. You can choose from nine different colors, including pink and blue, and you can control the lamp with a remote. 

If you’re anti-big light and looking for a solution, this lamp is it. Plus, if you and your roomie both get one, keeping them on different colors could create an awesome color scheme in the room as well.