Top 5 tips for your office lighting
As humans, we often underestimate how sensitive our bodies are to external lighting. It affects everything from our energy and motivation levels to our sleep-wake cycle, and in order for us to perform at our best, it’s important to know the amount and type of light source we can physically cope with, and from which we can thrive.
In an office environment, getting the lighting right is essential for preventing headaches and eye strain. It’s only inevitable that office lighting will change throughout the day – so it’s important that your office has the ability to adapt its lighting accordingly.
Many offices make the mistake of having one overhead light source. This doesn’t tend to cater for those who are taking on more precise tasks, such as reading; so, as an employer, how can you ensure that your lighting meets individual needs?
Utilise natural lighting
Natural lighting is the best, healthiest source of light we can receive – so trying to maximise it in the workplace is essential. When renovating your office space, try to incorporate windows wherever possible, and avoid blocking them with furniture. Additional artificial lighting should then only be placed to compensate for a lack in daylight.
Natural lighting has also been shown to improve mental health, offering an instant mood boost and reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. Try to place desks near to windows, and open them wherever possible to encourage connections with nature.
Swap your fluorescent lights for LED bulbs
Overhead lighting is often fitted with fluorescent bulbs, which, subsequently, have been shown to have adverse effects on eye strain and the environment. In today’s climate, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we’re doing our bit to help save the planet – and opting for environmentally friendly LED bulbs can make a significant impact. They’re also thought to be better for eye health, and unlike fluorescent bulbs, they don’t flicker. Although more costly initially, in the long term, LED lights are a more cost-effective solution.
Make use of corrective lighting
Glare is a common issue in the workplace, and can be facilitated by shiny surfaces and computer screens. Small corrective lights can be a great solution for computer screen glare when placed nearby; alternatively, you can aim to cancel out light glare by placing brighter lights in darker areas.
Task lighting
In addition to natural and overhead lighting, office spaces should be equipped with task lighting. This is a more focused, direct light source and is essential for ensuring that individual needs are met, and has the most impact when added as an adjustable feature. Try adding spotlights in focus areas, or equipping each desk with an adjustable desk lamp. This will work to add additional illumination for when overhead lighting isn’t quite enough.
Adjustable overhead lighting
Overhead lighting should be used to complement natural lighting, but is nevertheless essential for productivity, particularly during the darker months. When fitting overhead lighting, it’s a good idea to plan for adjustable lights so that you can change the intensity to suit. Alternatively, you could look into overhead lighting that adjusts naturally to exterior light sources – this is also a more environmentally friendly option.
It’s best to think about your lighting options at the very start of your office renovation, so that you can really make the most of the space. To speak to a member of our team about your office design, please click here.
