What’s the best lighting for puzzling?

There’s nothing worse than getting in the puzzling zone—only to realize you can’t actually see what you’re doing. Whether you’re puzzling by day or night, having the right lighting makes a huge difference. 

So what’s the best lighting for puzzling? Let’s break it down.

Natural Light: The Daytime MVP

If you’ve got a space near a window, take advantage! Natural daylight is usually the easiest on the eyes and makes it easier to distinguish subtle color changes in puzzle pieces. I love working next to a window when I can—but if the sun is coming in at a weird angle or too bright, you’ll want to pull the curtains a bit or shift your table.

Pro tip: Watch out for glare on glossy pieces. Even sunlight can bounce right off the surface and blind you.

Overhead Lights: A Decent Backup

Overhead lights are fine in a pinch, but they don’t always hit the puzzle at the best angle—especially if you’re dealing with shadows from your own hands or head. If it’s your only option, aim for daylight bulbs and consider adding an extra lamp or two on the side to fill in the shadows.

Task Lighting: Game Changer

If you’re serious about puzzling (or just want to stop squinting), a good task lamp is a total game changer. Look for:

• Adjustable arms or goosenecks so you can move the light exactly where you need it
• LED bulbs with adjustable brightness so you can fine-tune it depending on the time of day
• Color temperature control, if you want warm or cool lighting based on your preference or the puzzle image

Things to Avoid

• Dim lighting: Obvious, but still worth saying—your eyes will hate you.
• Harsh spotlights: Bright, direct beams can wash out color and create glare.
• Yellow bulbs: These can distort color accuracy, which makes puzzling harder than it needs to be.

My Take

If I could have my ideal puzzling space? A window with soft daylight, a ring light off to the side (thank you YouTube setup), and a flexible LED lamp for nights. But realistically, even one good directional light with a daylight bulb will make your puzzling life so much better. I would also suggest trying puzzles with matte pieces like from Magnolia, Holiyay or Happily to avoid glare!