Sleeping with the lights on might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a good night’s rest, but when you’re staying in a hotel or motel, it could actually be one of the smartest decisions you make. Many seasoned travelers swear by the practice of leaving the bathroom light on overnight, especially when sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings. While it might sound like a strange habit, it turns out that there are several practical and even psychological reasons for keeping that light glowing softly behind the bathroom door.
For starters, one of the biggest advantages of leaving the bathroom light on is pest control. Hotels and motels—particularly those with exterior entrances—can sometimes have issues with bugs or small critters. These pests often gravitate toward the darker corners of a room. By illuminating the bathroom, you may be able to draw them away from your sleeping area. This helps ensure that your night remains undisturbed by buzzing insects or unwanted visitors. Some travelers have shared their personal experiences on platforms like Quora, where one user explained that keeping lights on does tend to discourage cockroaches from emerging. However, they also cautioned that certain types of insects might still be attracted to light, so the effect can vary.
Beyond the bugs, there’s the simple matter of navigation. Being in a strange hotel room means you don’t have the muscle memory you would at home. If you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or get a drink of water, having some ambient light can be the difference between walking safely and tripping over a suitcase or banging your shin on a coffee table. A softly lit bathroom, with the door slightly ajar or even closed, allows enough light to spill into the main room to create a path without being overly bright or disruptive to your sleep.
One woman who frequently travels for work shared online that she always leaves the bathroom light on when staying alone in a hotel. Her reasoning is simple but smart—if an emergency were to occur, such as a fire or an urgent need to evacuate, she wants to be able to move quickly and safely. Trying to locate your glasses or shoes in pitch darkness, in a place you don’t know well, can cause unnecessary delays and added danger. For her, it’s part of a personal safety protocol that she follows religiously.
Then there’s the psychological side of things. Not everyone feels comfortable sleeping in a completely dark room, especially in an unfamiliar environment. A soft glow coming from the bathroom can help take the edge off the discomfort of a strange place. It can offer just enough light to ease your mind and help you fall asleep without feeling overwhelmed by the black void of a pitch-dark space. This can be particularly comforting for solo travelers, children, or anyone who suffers from mild anxiety about sleeping away from home.
One practical tip that’s often shared among experienced travelers is to keep the bathroom door closed but leave the light on. The light that spills out from beneath the door is usually enough to provide visibility without overwhelming the room. It’s a middle ground that offers safety, comfort, and functionality all at once.
Another advantage of this simple trick is its potential as a deterrent. Just as people often leave lights on at home to give the appearance of occupancy, doing the same in a hotel room can help discourage unwanted intruders. While most modern hotel rooms have solid security measures, including keycard access and 24-hour surveillance, an extra visual cue that someone is awake inside could make a difference. For example, a lit bathroom in an otherwise quiet room might suggest to a would-be intruder that the occupant is up and alert, not deeply asleep. This minor deterrent can add another layer of peace of mind, especially for those staying alone.
Some travelers even report that this method helps them sleep better overall. Rather than tossing and turning in complete darkness and silence, the subtle presence of light creates a sense of familiarity. It breaks the eerie quiet of a strange place and makes the room feel just a little more lived-in. When you’re hundreds or even thousands of miles away from home, those little touches of comfort can go a long way toward helping you rest peacefully.
Of course, not everyone will find this practice necessary, and that’s okay. Some people can fall asleep anywhere under any conditions. But for others—especially the cautious, the frequent travelers, and the light sleepers—it’s a small effort that yields big returns. The next time you check into a hotel or motel, consider testing this out. Simply switch on the bathroom light and close the door before turning in for the night. You might be surprised at how much more relaxed and secure you feel.
This little tip can be the key to a smoother and safer night’s sleep, and it’s especially helpful when you’re in an unfamiliar place. While it may seem like a minor detail, the positive impact it can have on your comfort and security shouldn’t be underestimated. From keeping bugs at bay to helping you navigate safely, from easing anxiety to deterring intruders, leaving the bathroom light on offers benefits far beyond its simplicity. It’s one of those small travel habits that can quietly transform your overnight experience and leave you waking up feeling just a bit more refreshed—and a lot more at ease.
