Daylight savings time ended last weekend, making 4 p.m. sunsets near. At the beginning of the semester, the sun still shone after 6 p.m. Now, the sky is already black by the time students’ classes end.
Earlier sunsets can be unnerving. As it gets darker sooner, many of our dorm rooms need a little more light. If you don’t appreciate the darkness of the late fall and winter months, here are four ways to brighten your room this fall without turning your overhead lights on.
Implement glowing decor
If you’re not a fan of using your dorm’s lights, you can always buy a lamp, wall lights or fake candles if you haven’t already. There are many different lamp types, including floor lamps, small desk lamps and lamps with adjustable heights. There are also many different colors and sizes to choose from.
If you don’t like lamps or want to adorn your walls, wall lights are an excellent alternative. Like lamps, there are diverse color options for wall lights. There are also various length and shape options.
Fake candles are great as well if you live in a dorm. Real candles are an option for those living off campus, and they help make your room smell a little better too. While they’re usually small, they radiate a lot of light. If you live on campus, make sure to buy battery-powered ones because real candles are prohibited in the dorms, according to the University of Connecticut Housing Contract.
These decorations can be purchased online or in stores such as Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes.
Open your blinds
If you usually keep your blinds closed during the day, now’s the time to open them. Having your blinds open will allow extra light into the dorm, which will be beneficial for earlier sunsets and shorter daylight hours.
Clean your windows
This may not have crossed your mind, but the quality of your windows makes a profound impact on how much light seeps into your dorm. If your windows are coated in dust or stains, then not as much light will flow through them. It’s important to keep your windows spotless to maximize the amount of light that enters the room.
Keeping your windows clean is easy. All you need to do is scrub them with soap, water and a sponge. If they’re really dirty, you can use additional cleaning materials like Windex or Simple Green.
Clear your windowsill
Another thing you may not have considered is your windowsill. While it sounds like a small factor, objects on your windowsill contribute a lot to how much light enters your dorm. If your windowsill is clogged with items and decorations, not as much light will be let through. If you have other spots in your dorm for your those items, I recommend placing them there.
Longer nights can be a drag, especially as we begin preparing for final exams and projects. However, by considering one or more of these ways, your dorm will become a livelier place.