Inside TikTok’s ‘cold room’ trend — and how to create one in your home

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen cold rooms trending.

Cold rooms—also known as cold-air dorms, CADs, or cold airs—are spacious, quiet, and dimly lit areas in sorority and fraternity houses, furnished with multiple bunk beds to accommodate members for sleeping.

While members typically have private rooms for studying and socializing, it’s a tradition for them to sleep in cold rooms together to foster a sense of community.

These rooms normally sleep 20 people or more—and even though they’ve been a staple of sorority and fraternity houses for decades, many people had never heard of these cold rooms until they went viral on social media.

Cold rooms were inspired by sleeping porches, which were extremely popular in the early 1900s before air conditioning was widespread. They were furnished with beds, so sleepers could enjoy a nightly cross-breeze during the hot summers.

Some of the larger sororities and fraternities have used these cold rooms to house many members when individual rooms were in short supply.

Today’s cold rooms are sparsely decorated with rows of bunk beds and are devoid of dressers or other furniture. There is no overhead lighting, and windows are covered with blackout curtains or shades.

The air conditioning runs full blast 24/7—and is typically set at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Sorority and fraternity members often stop by the cold room to catch a quick nap between classes or assignments.

“In today’s fast-paced, sleep-deprived world, napping isn’t just indulgent—it has health benefits, too,” says sleep coach Elina Winnel, who is known as “The Sleep Expert.”

She says short, 10- to 20-minute naps can quickly boost alertness, mood, and performance, offering a valuable reset during the day without interfering with nighttime sleep.

“Meanwhile, longer naps of about 90 minutes allow for a complete sleep cycle, aiding memory consolidation, physical recovery, and enhancing creativity,” explains Winnel.

For those who stay up too late or pull all-nighters, naps provide a good way to catch up on rest.

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“As more people struggle to meet their nightly sleep needs, incorporating naps as a practical tool can help mitigate sleep debt, keeping both mind and body sharp,” says Winnel.

However, strategic timing is key. Napping too late in the afternoon can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep at night, so be sure to watch the clock.

The cooler temperatures in a cold room “make it easier to fall asleep by supporting the body’s natural thermoregulation and circadian rhythms,” explains Winnel.

She says most people sleep best in environments around 60 to 68 degrees.

During sleep, your core temperature drops by 1 to 2 degrees, signaling to your brain that it’s time to rest.

“A cool environment helps maintain this drop, preventing overheating that can disrupt deep, restorative sleep,” explains Winnel.

Cooler temperatures can also help promote deeper stages of sleep, such as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is crucial for memory consolidation and overall restfulness.

Supermodel Kendall Jenner once told Vogue that total darkness is essential to her sleep routine, declaring her “blackout curtains are amazing.”

But why are blackout conditions so conducive to catching some zzz’s?

Even with your eyes shut, light can filter through your eyelids and lead to occasional awakenings.

“Blackout curtains help eliminate light disturbances, creating optimal conditions for deeper rest,” says Winnel. “No compromises here.”

In addition, darkness triggers the release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep—so blackout conditions should help tire you out.

You don’t have to live on a college campus or be in a sorority or fraternity to reap the benefits of a cold room.

Here are the top 10 ways to hack the cold-room vibe in your own home.