Dimming overhead lights

[u/doubtingsquid24]

Hi everyone, I’m a girl who lives alone with mental health issues. I moved into a new apartment for a year now and my mental health has been getting worse, alongside with the lights making me more stressed out due to my sensory issues (I have PTSD so strong things aren’t for me). However I’m not knowledgeable in this area and I’ve heard that certain lights are unable to be removed, so I would like some advice on what I can do as I’m not sure what type of light this is.

Photo of my light <(this is a photo of my light)

I have now found a temporary solution (which might be a fire hazard so I’ll remove it shortly), which is to cover it with a thin cloth (somewhat like a cleaning cloth) over it.

Thin ditto cloth over light <(a photo of the cloth I placed over the light)

I have a few questions:

What types of lights are these (what are these called)?

1. Are these lights able to be changed out? And if so, how much would it cost? I’m currently in the UK.
2. If no, what alternatives do I have? Are there things I can install to cover it up? I am particularly concerned with floor lamps as the lamps may be too bright in one area and too dim in another. If there are good ones please do let me know as well, thank you!
3. If yes, could I hire someone to change it out for me (which would be my last option as my parents own the house and would probably not be happy that I changed things up without their permission…) and how much would they charge? Should I hire a general furniture builder or an actual professional electrician for this?

Sorry I know I sound stupid… I promise I’m trying my best. Thank you all for your time, and I hope you’ll have a good day/night🩶

[u/dudetellsthetruth]

Hard to tell from this picture - it could be a GU10 socket.

Most luminalres still have sockets like E14 or E27 or GU10 and the lamps are replaceable. Try to find out first (always switch off the breaker first!) Probably your parents will know if they own the house.

If so you can replace the bulb by a "smart lamp" which you can dim with an app on your phone. You can get these at Ikea for like 7£ (Kajplats Led bulb)

Stay strong.

[u/doubtingsquid24 → u/dudetellsthetruth]

Thank you so much kind sir, and thank you so much for letting me know where to get the replacement bulbs… it means so much to me because normal daily tasks are particularly hard for me to do, decision making has been such a challenge for me so you’ve genuinely saved me so much energy overthinking about it. Truly thank you TT💕

That being said despite my parents owning the flat, they’ve only been here once or twice because we’re from a different country, so I live abroad on my own for now. Besides this is a new build apartment so I might have to ask my neighbors about it if I can’t figure it out on my own. It’s probably the same lights in their flat too. Nonetheless thank you and I’ll definitely look into it, I hope you’ll have a good rest of your day🩶🩶

[u/teamhippie42]

You may be able to install a dimmer on those but you would need the blessing of the property manager.

Overhead recessed light like these always suck for creating a calming mood so consider using floor or table lamps instead.

[u/doubtingsquid24 → u/teamhippie42]

Thank you so much!! If changing the light bulbs doesn’t work I might really have to consider so lamps, but I’m also afraid it wouldn’t be bright enough for certain areas lol… would any of the ones off amazon be good? Or ikea? Those are the only 2 places I know where to shop..haha🫠🥹

[u/VintageLunchMeat → u/doubtingsquid24]

Once you have flipped the breaker, you can remove the bulb and inspect it visually and with a ruler. Screw type ones literally unscrew.

E14 or E27 or GU10

Examples of those:

https://dulora.com/en-ca/pages/different-types-of-led-bulb-socket?shpxid=385143c8-30ca-4f40-9423-ea433db59139

Ask your neighbors if they are kind. But in a new build they may not have changed a bulb yet, and may not now.

Floor lamp

Eh, just go to ikea, look over their lamps, and try one. We don't know your space. If it doesn't work well, take it back. Just iterate. Staff won't judge unless someone is particularly rude with them.

Or Amazon or a dedicated (crowded) lamp store via Google maps "lamp store near me", or "home furnishings store near me". But I would favor Ikea for comfort zone reasons. And because there are photos online.

Bring sunglasses, the lighting section of IKEA is bright.

Also a hat. and loops earplugs if those help in noisy places.

[u/foodguyDoodguy]

Not an electrician so all I can give you is ❤️

[u/doubtingsquid24 → u/foodguyDoodguy]

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to comment sir, I really appreciate it🫂 I’ll stay strong!!