Recommendations for behind-desk lighting?

morningz · February 13, 2020, 3:53pm

Hey all,

Last night I wrapped up my work desk overhaul and I was thinking a light in the style of a Hue Play would be a great addition to light up behind my monitors.

But some sticker shock on the $130 needed to make that happen.

This piqued my interest: (Edit: actually nvm on this, it's not color)
https://www.amazon.com/Quotra-Wireless-ZigBee-Compatible-Required/dp/B07VWMDX3N/

I am also considering the $44 2 meter Sengled strip but was looking for other suggestions?
https://www.amazon.com/Sengled-Multicolor-Required-2000-6500K-Assistant/dp/B07QD2SGDB/

Trying to avoid a strip because light could directly shine out the window, trying to avoid that.

Here's what I am working with, obviously looking for something that ties into HE

lairdknox · February 13, 2020, 4:58pm

A simple can light with your favorite bulb works great in corners.

https://www.amazon.com/Mainstays-Leaf-Fabric-Uplight-Room/dp/B01E5WHEC0

SoundersDude · February 13, 2020, 5:22pm

The timing of this is fantastic, as I need the same thing as I tend to work when it's super early and super late (dark out) and am on Video call often where the shadows on my face are less than ideal.

morningz · February 13, 2020, 5:40pm

I'm circling back around to the Hue Play again, $60 for a single one:

It doesn't include the power supply, but I do have an extra one in a bin somewhere.

I don't have anywhere behind to mount a lamp, besides that becomes less cost effective when one takes into account the $25 for a Sengled bulb + the cost of lamp

zarthan · February 13, 2020, 5:57pm

@morningz and @SoundersDude with such clean desks, you aren't working hard enough to justify any lighting.

SoundersDude · February 13, 2020, 6:40pm

Haha. What you are not seeing is right now I have 3 coffee mugs and about 80 reciepts all over the place.
But, clean is how I start my mornings!

april.brandt · February 13, 2020, 6:59pm

Someone linked a tower light using an LED strip on here one day. A corner light made of pvc, but you couldn't tell it was pvc or something rigid.
I want to try this in my home somewhere. I just think it's cool.
Love the cat in the window, BTW.

zarthan · February 13, 2020, 7:00pm

The three coffee mugs is a pretty bad drinking problem (coffee wise) so early in the day.

morningz · February 13, 2020, 7:02pm

That thing would be exactly what I am thinking

april.brandt · February 13, 2020, 7:04pm

I think it could be an easy diy project. And obscured because it's behind your desk. If you do it, I'd be interested in your build for it.

zarthan · February 13, 2020, 7:05pm

Very interesting find. I may do that too.

SoundersDude · February 13, 2020, 7:37pm

Hey now, this is a safe zone....

zarthan · February 13, 2020, 7:39pm

Sorry I woke up very accusatory this morning. I will try to check that at the door before I post from now on. Thanks for calling me on that.

april.brandt · February 13, 2020, 8:03pm

I just mix up the ol' 44 ouncer right away and avoid the interoffice "coffee judgement"

cj_rezz · February 14, 2020, 12:11am

I did something similar. I went with LED strips on the back of the monitor as I wasn't competing with a window behind the monitor but I think you would be ok. I also went with a straight 6500K white led strip as this is the recommended 'bias' lighting to make colors pop on your screen as well as reduce eye fatigue in darker environments. These lights were only $30 or so on Amazon. Powered by USB and I have a ton of USB AC adapters around the house. You could put the LEDs a few inches in from the edges of your monitor and be fine I'm sure.

I have mine hooked into a smart plug. Then using @stephack 's 'Boot Me Up Scotty' App and a Samsung Smartthings multi-purpose sensor, when I pull my chair out, the led strips on the back of the monitor turn on and the computer comes out of sleep mode. When the multi-purpose sensor is inactive for 20 minutes, the lights turn off.

cj_rezz · February 14, 2020, 12:13am

This light is awesome! I wonder where the wires are power source are hidden!?

SoundersDude · February 14, 2020, 1:02am

Mind sharing what strips you bought?

I'm not 100% sure this could actually shine light on my face though, I might need to go with a light that is a bit high up, not sure...

cj_rezz · February 14, 2020, 4:32am

These are the light strips I bought: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01LR3RAVU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

njanda · February 14, 2020, 3:33pm

Cable exiting the right leg by the looks of it.

morningz · February 23, 2020, 8:26pm

I ended up caving in and buying a Hue Play. Got it in yesterday, whipped up a piece of ABS to mount it on the monitor stand arm pointing it up and at the back wall

I'll definitely dig this for those late nights coding sessions