In this blog post, you’ll learn what the best lighting is for offices. Sometimes, the wrong lighting in an office environment is the main culprit for poor productivity. Not many people realize that lighting sets the mood for most work-related activities, including productivity, focus, and energy levels.
That said, the type of lighting used in an office space will make or break the overall work atmosphere. Choosing the right kind of lighting leads to adequate illumination and promotes a positive and productive environment.
But what kind of lighting makes the most sense in offices? To answer this question, we must first understand the different types of lighting available and their respective benefits.
Natural Lighting
Natural lighting is the most desirable type of light for office spaces. It refers to light that comes from natural sources, most notably sunlight. Natural lighting has benefits, including boosting vitamin D production, reducing eye strain, and increasing energy levels.
Research has shown that employees who work in offices with ample natural light report better sleep quality, higher productivity levels, and better overall well-being than those working in dimly lit spaces. Likewise, incorporating natural light into an office design effectively reduces energy costs by minimizing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.
Task Lighting
Task lighting provides targeted illumination for specific tasks, i.e., reading, writing, or working on a computer. It is typically used in combination with other types of lighting to reduce eye strain and increase focus.
Task lighting can come in the form of desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting, or adjustable light fixtures. When properly placed and adjusted, task lighting boosts productivity and accuracy in the workplace.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting refers to general illumination that provides overall brightness in a room. It creates an inviting atmosphere by filling in any shadows cast by natural or task lighting. Ambient lighting sources include overhead lights, recessed lights, and track lighting.
In offices, ambient lighting helps create a balance between natural and task lighting while providing an overall sense of brightness and warmth. It reduces glare on computer screens and minimizes eye strain and fatigue.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting highlights specific areas or elements in a space. You see it in artwork, plants, or architectural features. Its purpose is to add depth and dimension to a room, thereby creating a focal point for the eyes.
Accent lighting is strategically placed to draw attention to important elements like company logos or motivational quotes. It also adds visual interest and personality to the workspace.
Best Type of Lighting Based on Different Parameters
Choosing the best type of lighting for an office setting involves considering various parameters, including energy efficiency, employee well-being, productivity, and adaptability.
Let’s look into these parameters:
Energy Efficiency
Natural lighting is the gold standard for energy efficiency, as it doesn’t require electricity during the day. By maximizing the use of sunlight, offices reduce energy consumption. Installing skylights or larger windows will also boost natural lighting but may come with initial costs associated with structural changes.
In contrast, LED lighting is the most energy-efficient artificial lighting option. LEDs consume substantially less electricity compared to old incandescent or fluorescent bulbs and they last longer, too. It translates to reduced environmental impact and lower utility bills over time.
LED lighting makes sense in an extensive office space where natural lighting is limited or unavailable. Installation may require a one-time investment, but the long-term payoff is worth it.
Employee Well-being
Lighting directly impacts employee well-being. Exposure to adequate natural light is known to improve mental health, as it aids in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm. Proper lighting mitigates headaches, eye strain, and fatigue, common complaints in inadequately lit workplaces. When natural lighting isn’t an option, using light bulbs with a spectrum similar to daylight, such as full-spectrum LEDs, can mimic natural lighting conditions, promoting better mood and alertness.
We recommend full-spectrum LEDs for employee well-being for three reasons: They emit low amounts of blue light, don’t flicker, and have a high colour rendering index (CRI). Blue light exposure is a major cause for concern in office environments, as it suppresses the production of the sleep hormone – melatonin.
Flickering lights can also cause headaches and eye strain. CRI measures how accurately colours appear under a light source compared to natural lighting. The higher the CRI, the better the quality of light.
Productivity
Task lighting is essential for enhancing productivity by providing focused illumination that casts minimal shadows on work surfaces. This reduces eye strain and enhances concentration during activities requiring visual clarity. Adjustable desk lamps with brightness and angle control allow employees to tailor lighting to their specific needs, optimizing comfort and performance.
Meanwhile, combining task and ambient lighting provides a well-rounded environment conducive to sustained focus and productivity throughout the workday. Natural light can be combined with task lighting during the day, and ambient lighting can be used for evening tasks.
Adjustable desk lamps equipped with dimmer control are a popular form of task lighting that elevates productivity in office environments. These lamps allow employees to customize the brightness level to their preference, aiding in reducing glare and eye strain during prolonged periods of focused tasks such as reading or computer work.
The ability to conveniently adjust the angle of the light ensures that it effectively illuminates the task at hand, minimizing unwanted shadows. This personalized approach to lighting enables employees to create a comfortable workspace that fosters concentration and efficiency, tailored to their specific requirements and time of day.
Under-cabinet lighting provides consistent illumination directly onto the work surface below, ensuring documents and screens are well-lit. It is mounted beneath shelves or cabinets, saving valuable desk space and offering a clean, uncluttered look. This type of lighting makes so much sense for tasks that require a high degree of visual attention, such as reviewing intricate designs or detail-oriented paperwork.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt lighting conditions to various tasks and times of the day becomes crucial in dynamic work environments. Using dimmable lighting fixtures, both task and ambient, allows employees to modify light intensity as desired. Smart lighting systems, usually controlled via smartphones or computers, offer unmatched flexibility. These systems will automatically adjust lighting based on time of day or occupancy, ensuring the office environment is always conducive to both work and energy conservation.
Combining natural, task, ambient, and LED lighting with smart controls provides the most comprehensive solution, addressing energy efficiency, employee well-being, productivity, and adaptability. This practical approach guarantees the office lighting is optimized for various tasks, eventually improving the overall work atmosphere and promoting a healthier, more efficient workplace.
If you are looking for new office lighting then give Gladiator Electric a call. We specialize in all types of office lighting and can recommend a solution that works for you. If you would like a free consultation then fill out our online enquiry form.
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