The Basics of Home Office Lighting

Your home office, like any other living area in your house, requires well-balanced lighting -- much more so than other rooms because you spend eight hours or more a day concentrating on a variety of tasks. Most people focus on the big-ticket items when setting up a home office -- the PC, the speakers, the home office desk, and chair, etc. Lighting is sometimes overlooked to the detriment of the remote worker. While working from home, the nature and quality of lighting in your home office might help you be more productive. Inadequate workplace lighting may sap your energy, depress your mood, cause eyestrain and headaches, and ultimately hinder your ability to work successfully.

Home office spaces are now constructed with the idea that working circumstances have an impact on productivity. Lighting is one of the most important components that contribute to a pleasant home office working environment.

The following tips are things to think about when choosing lighting for your home office workspace.

Natural light

Natural light, whether you want to believe it or not, is the most significant form of light in a home office; nonetheless, a balance of natural and artificial light is best. To begin, if possible, move your home office desk in front of a window. This single action will be by far the most beneficial thing you can do.

Not only can sunshine bring many benefits that artificial light cannot, but the look out and connection to the outside world. If you can't sit by a window, try to locate a location with plenty of natural light. At the very least, this will assist to reduce the quantity of artificial light you use and keep down those rising electricity bills.

Task lighting

Task lights focus a light source on a certain activity. Choose a specific source dedicated to what you're doing for computer work, paperwork, and other task-intensive chores. A desk lamp that is adjustable can direct light exactly where you need it and help you with a range of chores. Set up specific task lighting for each workstation that you may have in your home office.

Eliminate screen glare

It's vital to remember that the computer screen emits light, and gazing at one for lengthy periods of time causes eye strain. Dimming the brightness of your computer screen may help to alleviate pain. This, however, causes glare and reflections since the smooth and shiny surface of the screen acts as a mirror. When your surroundings are extremely bright, the same rule applies.

Screen glare can be caused by light sources that are immediately behind you, directly overhead, or desk lamps that are too near to the screen. Simple measures to lessen glare include moving desk lamps farther away, replacing bright lights with dimmer bulbs, and adding fabric or frosted glass covers to diffuse light.

To avoid glare and reflections, make sure the space in your field of vision is lighted with evenly diffused light while the rest of the room (including you) is darkened. This prevents items in your immediate vicinity from being reflected on the screen. Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid putting reflecting items or light sources behind your computer, which might irritate your eyes.

Maintain indirect home office lighting

Work away from the direct glare of overhead lights. Look for techniques to filter the ambient light that will highlight your working environment instead. Lampshades soften and disperse harsh light, whereas an upward-facing floor lamp bounces light off of walls and ceilings. The objective is to brighten the whole room without causing excessive brightness or contrast, while also avoiding casting shadows. Remember to keep the light sources indirect in your home office to get optimal illumination. Overhead lights, such as recessed lights, ceiling fan lights, pendant lights, or chandeliers, are examples of direct lighting sources. Direct overhead lighting can generate glare and shadow, making it difficult to work and putting you at risk for eye strain and headaches. Instead, use indirect lighting sources such as table lamps, accent lights, task lights, and floor lamps to brighten your office. Shaded fixtures will help to bounce light about the room and provide an equal distribution. In addition, gentle indirect lighting will make you appear your best on camera.

The right light levels for your home office

A home office should have lighting that is at least 4,000 Kelvin (Kelvin is the unit of measurement for color temperature) and your work area should have an illumination of 500 lux. Light with moderate amounts of blue will you keep you up on your feet, active, and help you concentrate better.