Balance Layers, Avoid Hotspots
Glare in attics comes from aiming lights down the slope and overusing punchy spots. Start with a soft ambient layer (IC/AT wafer LEDs or surface disks) placed across the room, not in a straight line down the pitch. Add task lighting at desks, benches, and reading nooks, and use accent light—linear LEDs in knee-wall millwork—to wash vertical surfaces and visually expand the space.
Color, CRI, and Controls
Choose 2700–3000K with 90+ CRI for ambient; reserve 3000–3500K for task-only zones to keep contrast crisp without a clinical feel. Program scenes (Work, Wind-Down, Guest) on smart dimmers so the same room shifts function gracefully. Multi-zone dimming also lowers heat and energy use.
Skylights, Shades, and Reflections
Pair roof windows with blackout or light-filtering shades to prevent midday washout. Use matte finishes on slopes to reduce reflected glare and wall-wash trims near angles to avoid scalloping. Keep drivers/dimmers on tested compatibility lists to eliminate flicker.
See attic-friendly layouts and fixture schedules in our lighting design for NYC attic remodeling guide.