Hi,
I recently set up my office in the basement and I’m in search of a solution to softening a really harsh recessed led light that sits directly above my desk and creates some strong shadowing during video work calls. These are dimmable and currently on a dimmer, but dimming isn’t a great solution as it drops the lighting too low.
Is there’s a simple retrofit or DIY replacement you would recommend to help me?
Thanks!
When you say the lighting is harsh, can you elaborate a little?
There are flat and baffled trims as another poster suggested. The flat trim will have the least amount of downward projection and the widest beam angle. A baffled trim will have more downward projection and a tighter beam angle. The trim or fixture will have a brightness level expressed in lumens, the average 4-6” recessed fixture will have between 65-850 lumens, although there are other options for brighter fixtures.
Fixture placement, lumens, beam angle, ceiling height, and color temperature will all effect how the light “feels” in the room. I suspect your fixture is in the 4-6k color temperature and may appear too blue or stark white for your liking, especially if dimming the light isn’t helping.
@Emerson
I think the issue is that it’s too downward and therefore is casting shadows on my face (lines from my hair onto my forehead). I have a small light box for my webcam, but it’s outmatched by this overhead light.
@Cameron
I don’t have the exact model, but they look a lot like this. Slim and flat with no baffling
@Cameron
My understanding is that a problem with shallow puck lights on the ceiling is that they have too wide of beam angle and generate glare. It’s not the way to do recessed lighting.
If you’re renting, a possible solution is just to turn them down and/or forget about those things and get some lamps.
@Cameron
As u/Wild-Main-7847 alluded to, a solution requires a clean diagnosis of the problem.
If the problem is shadows on your face, the solution is additional lighting from somewhere else.
Penn said:
@Cameron
As u/Wild-Main-7847 alluded to, a solution requires a clean diagnosis of the problem.
If the problem is shadows on your face, the solution is additional lighting from somewhere else.
Makes sense. Thank you. Same way you go to the doctor and tell them all of the specifics they need to know about the pain without them asking.
Problem solved:
Disconnect or cover the downlight and use desk lamps. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Really need more information to help.
Define “harsh”.
Do you know the color temperature, lumens, and CRI of what you’re using?
What’s the ceiling height?
Easiest short term fix. Dim that light, and supplement with a table lamp.
Funny I was just searching for something unrelated and came across an item/design called “baffle trim” which says it resolves exactly this problem… they look like something you could purchase online and pop in
@Finley
Thanks! Can you link please?
Cameron said:
@Finley
Thanks! Can you link please?
Like this from Home Depot or Google “baffle light design” and you’ll see others
Baffle trim would resolve the issue. You can get them I. A lot of different places .
Haru said:
Baffle trim would resolve the issue. You can get them I. A lot of different places .
How does a baffle trim solve the issue when it’s due to a very bright light directly over his head? The solution needs to be more or alternate light sources that are not directly overhead such as table lamps etc.
My guess is you’re using a daylight LED bulb 5000K+. If you can change the bulb get a 2700K or 3000K warm white bulb. If it’s a can retrofit fixture, get a color selectable version and replace it.