Lighting changes both how your setup looks and how comfortable long sessions feel. Good gaming lighting comes in three layers.
Lighting works together with screen position and desk layout, which our guide to the whole gaming setup covers.
Layer 1: Bias lighting behind the monitor
Bias lighting is a soft light strip on the back of your monitor or desk, shining onto the wall behind it. It:
- reduces the harsh contrast between a bright screen and a dark room,
- makes blacks on screen look deeper, because your eyes adjust to the gentle surrounding light,
- is the cheapest and most effective lighting upgrade for comfort.
Keep it dim, only a fraction of your screen’s brightness, and neutral white if you care about accurate colors.
Layer 2: Ambient room light
You still need general light in the room so you’re not playing in a cave.
- Use indirect light (a lamp aimed at a wall or ceiling) rather than a bright bulb in your line of sight.
- Avoid lights that reflect on your screen. Sit down and check the screen with the game off: any bright spot you can see is glare.
- Prefer warmer bulbs (2700–3000K) for evening sessions. They’re easier to relax under.
Layer 3: Accent and RGB lighting
This is the style layer: LED strips under the desk, light panels, and case and peripheral RGB.
- Hide the light source and light the surfaces around it. Strips under a desk edge or behind shelves look far better than visible LEDs.
- Pick two or three colors and stick to them. When every device cycles through a rainbow, it looks messy.
- Sync your software (or use one hardware controller) so peripherals, the case and strips match.
Streaming? Light your face too
If you use a webcam, add a soft key light in front of you. RGB looks great in the background but makes skin tones look strange.
Hide Cables for a Clean Look
