The first snowfall of the season is an early sign that we will be spending much more time indoors. When it starts to get dark at 4 p.m., we are forced to crawl back into our dorms and recreate a semblance of light, or else we end up in a gloomy hobbit hole. The tiny ration of light we get these days is becoming smaller, and we need all the light we can get. This means confronting my worst enemy: big lights.
What do I mean by “big lights?” I mean those blaringly white overhead lights which are the default in most indoor spaces, creating that perfect “dentist waiting room” aesthetic. They are painfully artificial, and to be honest, I would rather just sit in the dark than under the blasting spotlight that is the “big light.”
I am not the only one who hates this. According to The Washington Post, the term “big lights” started on social media and is used to refer to all kinds of overhead lighting, like mount domes, ceiling fan lights and even chandeliers. One audio, which refers to a soundbite on the platform TikTok, went viral with a creator saying, “I don’t have many rules for my house, but I do have one, and that is that we never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever use the big light.” The quote was accompanied by videos of people showing off their different lamps and how they avoid using their overhead lights. A sort of interior design movement began, as people could finally put their finger on what felt off about their rooms: the big fluorescent light on their ceiling. It has this oppressive glare, beating down on the room and creating ghastly shadows. It is not just about the way big lights make the room look, it is more than that. It is about mood. It makes me feel like I am produce on the shelf in a supermarket waiting to be bought, or like I am waiting in line at 7-Eleven. It is uncomfortable. If these overhead lights are so abrasive, why are they everywhere?
An article in The Washington Post says it is partly because of profit, and that building these lights into homes is just the cheapest option. The article also mentioned that overhead lighting was a remnant of history, stating, “A fixture up high sheds light more broadly … which is helpful if you’re relying on an oil lamp or a chandelier.” Overhead lighting is basically just the next best thing we could come up with after candles. And it is the worst.
Are there any pros to the big light? It is not universally hated. It is more functional and offers greater coverage of the room, more suited for a larger number of guests and more practical for a workspace. However, the big light does not only have aesthetic faults: it also has physical effects. Medical professional Dr. Mariana Figueiro says, per The Guardian, “the amount of light that enters your eyes triggers and regulates the circadian cycle … so it’s best to have light at eye level, because … light actually reaches your eyes.” This eye-level lighting is more conducive to being focused and alert. She goes on to say that fluorescent overhead lights do not accurately mimic natural light, because surprisingly, they are dimmer than sunlight. Lights that already feel way too bright may actually be fainter than natural lighting. This creates a “continuous twilight” effect, confusing our circadian cycle. The next time you walk into a room and the whole space feels artificially bright, it may be because the overhead lights are technically dimmer than you are used to.
So how should you light your dorm, home or living space? It is best to start with warm lighting, instead of white. In a similar article from The Washington Post, psychologist Jennifer Veitch says warm-toned lighting is relaxing, and it primes us to socialize. Warm lights feel cozy and welcoming. The next step is to get rid of the big light. As a Noyesian, I love the unique spherical light fixture hanging from the ceiling in my dorm room, as it makes the room so much cooler. Unfortunately, it still has that overpowering effect of a big light. It has become a decorative staple of my room, and as a replacement, I believe in the power of lamps. There are so many possibilities. Victorian lamps with beautiful lacy fabric, modern floor lamps with curving spines and cool geometric bulbs, or even stained glass lampshades with intricate mosaic patterns. The alternatives to overhead lights are so much more interesting. When using warm lighting it is imperative to “layer” the lights, according to interior designer Young Huh from the previously mentioned Guardian article. “Layering” light sources means having some light on the floor, some on desks and shelves, and some mounted on the wall, creating a “soft glow everywhere,” as she refers to it. This keeps the room cozy and well lit, even without an overhead light.
As college students, our decor is limited and we cannot be world-class interior designers. The lighting of our rooms is far from our biggest priority. But with dreary winter days right around the corner, ditching the big light can make a difference. Using simple tricks like warm lighting, stylistic lamps and “layering” light can transform our spaces from glaring interrogation rooms into spaces that feel calm and inviting, physically and mentally. Turning off the big light can make studying, socializing and even sleeping feel more natural. It is one of those little things you can do to brighten your mood, with only the flip of a switch.