The thought of buying a nightlight sounds rather juvenile, doesn't it? After all, these light features are most commonly found in children's bedrooms – helping to aid little ones in falling asleep and eliminate their fear of the dark. So, why would an adult need one in their home?
This was the exact question I asked myself after seeing IKEA's MÖRKRÄDDLED Nightlight with Sensor – a best seller from the brand with over 700 reviews. Why is this child's light getting so much attention? I thought. But with each glowing review I read (pun intended), I realized just how ridiculous I had been for discounting nightlights as a childish lighting idea.
Contrary to my previous opinions, nightlights are, in fact, highly practical, space-saving light solutions that make sense for pretty much any room of the home (most notably, bathrooms and entryways) – not just a child's room.
Sold in a pack of two, this nightlight pack is a practical and convenient light source for your home. Since each is designed with a sensor, these plug-in nightlights turn on automatically when a room is dark and off when it's light. These lights are long-lasting, too, holding up to 25,000 hours of power.
This nightlight is so convenient for adult living spaces for several reasons, but the two that stand out to me are as follows: it takes up hardly any room and it requires little to no effort to use. All you have to do is plug it, wait for nightfall, and watch its soft glow shine across a room. Unlike a table lamp or floor lamp, you don't need to find a spot to style it, and you don't have to constantly turn it on and off. Just find an open outlet to plug it into, and this nightlight will do the rest of the work for you.
In terms of light output, this nightlight radiates a soft, ambient glow rather than a harsh, strong light – perfect for creating a calming atmosphere in a dark space. Plus, its design is simple, sleek, and stylish. When turned off, it doesn't draw too much attention to itself, and it certainly won't hinder the design of any room in your home.
As far as where to position this nightlight, the obvious choice is to use it as a bedroom lighting idea. It could become especially useful if you don't like to sleep in total darkness. That said, there are many other practical places around the home to use this nightlight as well. Lots of reviewers explain how perfect it is as a bathroom lighting idea – rather than turning on a big, overhead light in the middle of the night, this light acts as the perfect, soft-glowing alternative. It can also work as a hallway lighting idea – guiding you from room to room while it's dark in your house. However, I think this nightlight would be best as an entryway lighting idea – it can help you enter the house calmly while it's dark outside without scrambling to find the light switch.
In my opinion, this clever little plug-in light from IKEA is proof that nightlights are not just for children. Rather, they're a practical and convenient light solution that can enhance any dark spot in your home – from the bathroom to the entryway. And at just $7.99 for a pack of two, why not try it out for your home?
If you want to weigh your options before impulse buying IKEA's MÖRKRÄDD nightlight, check out three alternatives that are equally as practical, below.
This nightlight is nearly identical to IKEA's MÖRKRÄDD nightlight, the only difference is its light output. This model features two light sources, one that shines upwards and another that shines downwards. That said, it features the same sensors to turn on when it's nighttime and off when it's daytime.
Similar to a nightlight, this battery operated light can help light up some of the darkest spots in your home. It's perfect for closets, pantries, or even deep bookshelves. Just put in the batteries and let it illuminate your space.
Although larger than other nightlights, this lamp is just as convenient for illuminating dark parts of your home with a soft, ambient glow. Since it's battery operated, you don't have to worry about positioning this lamp near an outlet. Just turn it on when you need more light and move it from room to room depending on your needs.
If you're looking for a more impactful light source that can move with you around the home, check out our roundup of the best portable lamps on the market – styles that'll illuminate your home and look stylish while doing so.
