Lighting
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a headlamp for hands-free lighting in dark areas like garages, sheds, or while camping.
It is useful when there are no lights or it is dark out.
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Look for 11-14W LED bulbs for higher brightness.
They provide more lumens (around 1-1.5k) than lower-wattage options.
one person who lived it
Use a red light for nighttime camping to preserve your night vision.
White lights make you blind to everything else and require your eyes to re-adjust in the dark.
one person who lived it
Check for state-specific per-bulb taxes on fluorescent lights before buying them at discount retailers, as these can negate the low price.
In some states, there is a per-bulb tax on fluorescents that can add significant cost to discounted items.
one person who lived it
Point a flashlight towards a white or light-colored ceiling to illuminate a room evenly and reduce shadows.
Reflection and diffusion of light makes it easier on the eyes, eliminates shadows, helps identify items, and makes the environment feel less creepy.
- Only works if the ceiling is decently reflective, like white paint.
- Does not work well with flashlights that are 'throwers' (focused beam), which will just make a bright circle.
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Set smart lightbulbs to circadian rhythm mode so they dim in the evening and brighten in the morning.
Dimming helps you become aware of the time, while morning brightness helps you wake up; constant tone and power are ineffective.
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Do not put LED lamps within fully covered or lensed lighting fixtures.
Trapped heat kills them.
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- Do not install LED bulbs in enclosed fixtures or areas with restricted airflow.1
- Use LEDs in fixtures with covered lenses cautiously, ensuring enough ventilation, as heat buildup is a primary cause of premature failure.1
Select LED bulbs with a color temperature between 2700K and 3000K to imitate the look of incandescent or halogen lights.
Higher temperatures like 4000K or 5000K appear too blue, while 2700K-3000K provides a warm, yellowish, natural look preferred by most.
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Experiment with LED color spectrums to find what suits your mood and art viewing preferences.
The spectrum affects your mood and how you see art.
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Install soft green night lights in rooms and hallways to provide illumination for navigation without affecting night vision.
Soft green glow provides enough light to see and avoid objects without being too bright.
2 people, independently
Use LED bulbs in exterior, cold weather, or refrigerated applications where they excel.
They love cold and turn on virtually instantly regardless of temperature, unlike other bulbs that may dimly glow or take time to warm up.
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Replace bulbs in fixtures with wattage limits with LEDs to increase brightness without exceeding safety ratings.
LEDs allow for higher equivalent brightness while staying within the fixture's power limit.
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Use a diffraction grating to inspect the light spectrum of bulbs if you want to see if they are missing frequencies.
It reveals that cheap fluorescents have 'choppy' spectra and are literally missing frequencies of light.
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Be aware that high temperatures, such as those in enclosed warm spaces or canned lights, can shorten the lifespan of LED bulbs.
LEDs hate high temperatures.
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Choose LEDs over CFLs if you need consistent color temperature and quality.
CFLs have poor CCT consistency and color quality.
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Install LED-lit toilet seats or dim motion-sensor lights to provide visibility without disrupting night vision.
These light sources provide enough illumination to navigate safely while maintaining dark adaptation.
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Swap out closet light switches for motion sensors to avoid arguments about turning off lights.
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