Opens in a new tab

How-toDesk & game room1 min read

How to light a desk setup without the glare

Bright enough to work, soft enough for the camera, and no reflection on the screen. The three-light trick, step by step.

By The ArcadeWrld team

Published

A pug wrapped in a beige blanket on a bed

Where glare comes from

Glare happens when a bright light bounces off your screen into your eyes, or sits behind the screen so your eyes keep adjusting. The fix is to move light, not to add more of it.

The three-light setup

  1. Main light from the side. A desk lamp to the left or right of the screen, never behind it and never above it.
  2. Soft light behind the screen. A light bar or LED strip on the wall behind the monitor cuts eye strain in the evening.
  3. Room light on, but dimmer. Working in a dark room with a bright screen tires your eyes faster.

Small fixes

  • Turn the screen brightness down to match the room
  • Use warm light in the evening, cooler light in the day
  • Tilt the screen a few degrees to dodge a window reflection

Cheat code

Hold your phone where your face is and take a selfie. If you see a bright spot on the screen behind you, that light is causing glare.

Was this guide helpful?

  • #Desk setup
  • #Lighting

Share

The odd list

First dibs on the odd stuff.

New finds hit your inbox before they hit the homepage. Gaming lights, clever fixes and the occasional thing we still can’t explain.

  1. Drop your email

    Takes about four seconds. Five if you double-check the spelling.

  2. Get first dibs

    Early looks at new drops, plus a heads-up when a sold-out favorite is back.

  3. Leave whenever

    One click. No guilt trip, no “are you sure?” pop-up.