Here’s something I never thought I’d say: I am in the grips of obsession with a $12 light bulb. It seems that I’m not the only one. After moving into a new apartment with landlord-approved hideous lighting, I made it my mission to never turn on the «big lights,» opting instead for sporadic lamps that I diligently turn on one-by-one until my home feels cozy rather than fluorescent. It was on a scouting mission to IKEA that I discovered this hidden gem: A donut-shaped, light-diffusing bulb that I could attach to a number of fixtures, and that I immediately fell in love with.
IKEA MOLNART LED Bulb
For those of you who, unlike me, can speak electrician, the specs go as follows: The MOLNART bulb is an E26, 120 lumen light that can be easily attached to a number of bases. I opted to pair it with the IKEA marble MARKFROST table lamp, but it works with a variety of options. Currently I own two of these configurations, one on each of my nightstands, which I switch on to read or wind down at the end of the night. The effect is a soothing warm light that doesn’t sting the eyes or feel too bright in a dark room.
Just a week after my discovery, I was scrolling on TikTok when I saw not just one, but two interior design creators raving about the very same set-up. Beyond the smugness I felt about owning the bulb before the social media pop-off, I realized that I was far from the only one on an endless hunt for cozy interior lighting that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. It really is incredible the difference a $12 light bulb can make in your space, and I think the effect is gives is well worth the cost.
Here, find some of our other go-to lamps to add an immediate air of coziness:
Urban Outfitters Oliver Paper Lantern Floor Lamp
Now 13% Off
Dawnwake Mushroom Lamp
CB2 Pill High Gloss Table Lamp
Tatjana Freund is Hearst’s Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She’s a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
