It's A Thing

13 Best Night-Lights So Cute They’ll Make You Smile

Note: Paper lanterns and neon signs make some of the best night-lights, too
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Photo: Bobbi Lin for Food52

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Let it be known: Little ones (and others who may be afraid of the dark) aren’t the only people who enjoy using the best night lights out there. Anyone who needs to find their way around the house in the middle of the night—thirsty people, pet owners, parents, the jet-lagged, insomniacs, etc.—would be delighted to find a dark hallway actually navigable with the soft glow of a night light. And a literally shining piece of home decor can make falling asleep a dreamier experience all around. Better still if said illumination also looks nice in daylight hours, which is often the harder piece of the night-light puzzle to figure out.

One might be tempted to pick up a flat, innocuous plug-in that all but disappears against a white wall until the lights dim. But why not use the lowly night-light as a decorating opportunity?

We’ve rounded up some super cute night lights that have lots of fun features—like color changes or dimmer switches. Some of them would fit in just as well as decor pieces in your hallway or living room, and many of them would make the best gifts. LED lamps even work to provide ambient light in environmentally-friendly ways thanks to their low-energy bulbs.

Whether it's a night light projector that will transform your ceiling into the beautiful starry night or a more traditional battery-powered option, we've rounded up some night light picks that truly shine. Many of them will even arrive in two days’ time thanks to shipping on Amazon.

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Himalayan Salt Lamp Night Light

Aside from creating ~vibes~ Himalayan salt lamps are said to do all sorts of things like improve your skin or ease your allergies, but we’re not guaranteeing anything when it comes to the mini version. We are, however, sold on its tiny stature and soothing, warm glow alone.

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Deep Scallop Sea Shell Nightlight

Our love of seashell decor has not faded with time, and neither will the ambient light provided by this single shell plug-in night-light.

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Mushroom-Shaped Energy Saving Sensor LED Night Light with Plug

Very magical and only slightly creepy, this luminescent mushroom brings a bit of the wonder of the indoors into your house. It's a must-have for the cottagecore enthusiast.

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Ladybug Nightlight

Try not to smile when you look at this pink ladybug nightlight. Go ahead, we’re waiting.

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Carrie Portable LED Lamp

Attach the tall, lantern-like handle and this portable LED lamp can go from room to room (or surface to surface) with ease.

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Dew Drop Wired LED Lights

String these tiny, twinkling LED lights around a doorway and it’ll immediately transform into a magic passageway instead.

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Northern Lights Aurora Projector

Not just a night light for kids, this star projector offers up everything from twinkly stars to sweeping auroras. It would also be a nice way to gaze away any anxiety you’re fighting off as you’re trying to fall asleep. It features an LED night light and comes with a remote control. The projector lamp can also be adjusted to emit a bright light or more dim, comforting glow.

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Amethyst Lamp

A single LED light bulb provides all the ambient light you need when filtered through this amethyst stone. Bonus points for looking equally as fetching in the daylight hours as a table lamp.

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Miffy Floor Light

Meet Miffy, the pop-culture icon designed by artist Dick Bruna. Miffy's a 20-inch tall night light. Need we say more?

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Ubrite Miffy Nightlight With On/Off Switch

If you love Miffy but the nearly two-foot version feels like overkill, you can try a slightly smaller and plug-in version.

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Rainbow Neon Wall Decor

Neon signs can be night lights too!

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Lumio Book Lamp

A best-seller in the MoMA Design Store, the Lumio book lamp “turns on” when you open it up (like a book) and can be laid flat or propped up on its side.

A modern interpretation of Japanese lanterns, Akari table lamps come in two different playful silhouettes and emit the perfect hazy glow.