Whether you are working in a home office or a traditional office, it is important to create a comfortable, productive workspace. But did you know that the lighting in your office could affect how you feel and how much work you and your team can get done?
We’ve put together this handy guide to help you use the right type and colour lights to boost productivity and mood in the office.
The Benefits of the Right Lighting in Your Office
Easier to Complete Your Tasks
You need ample lighting to be able to complete your tasks. Otherwise, you are going to spend more time trying to see what you are doing rather than getting your work done. With the proper lighting, you can improve your concentration and ensure your tasks are completed accurately.
Reduces Fatigue and Increases Focus
The right amount of lighting can reduce the fatigue that keeps you from work done. In return, this boosts your focus, motivation, and productivity. If you find yourself dealing with a midday slump often, you may need to re-evaluate your lighting choices. Sometimes even switching on an additional light at this time is all you need to regain focus and get back to work!
Increases The Safety of Your Office
You need to stay safe in your home office or traditional office, and it is hard to keep safe when you cannot see everything. While natural light is a good start, you need more than just the sun to brighten your space. You can safely move around the office with the right products and ample lighting.
Improves Your Overall Work Environment
The right lighting can make your office feel bigger and brighter, as well as cheerful and motivating. It is easier to get down to business when you are not working in a dark and dull space. You can even find fixtures that allow others to control the lighting in their personal workspace so they can create an ambience that’s right for them.
How To Achieve the Right Lighting in Your Office
Maximise Your Natural Light
Natural light is an excellent start to creating a brighter workspace. Consider moving desks closer to the window to make the most of the sunlight shining through. In the summer, you may need to add blinds or tinted window film to block the glare without blocking out the light.
Look into Overhead Lights
Most offices don’t get enough natural light, and you’ll need to look into using artificial lighting to illuminate the space appropriately. Overhead led batten lights can brighten your entire workspace, making it easier for you to focus on your work. In a home office, recessed or pendant lighting may do the trick.
Invest in Desk Lights
In addition to overhead lights, desk lamps are perfect for brightening individual workspaces. Desk lights allow team members to decide when they are needed and can be angled to shine towards the specific task you are working on.
Consider Your Backdrop Lighting
Also known as ambient lighting, backdrop lighting can help reduce eye strain from staring at computer screens and mobile devices throughout the day.
Keep Up with Maintenance
You can ensure your light fixtures are working properly by keeping up with regular maintenance. It is incredible the difference you can make to the brightness of a room when you remove the layers of dust and grime which have built up on light fittings over time!
As you can see, the light fixtures and fittings you choose can make or break your workday. With the right ideas and products, you can easily create a bright, productive workspace.
How the colour temperature of your lights can make a big difference
Getting the right amount of natural, overhead and task lighting is a great start, but to boost productivity and mood, it’s important to consider the colour temperate of the globes you use in your workplace.
What does Lighting temperature mean?
What is lighting temperature? How do these elements work together to change the mood of a space? These are good questions to ask before purchasing light fixtures and lamps for your office.
The lighting temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), which is the measurement of the colour emitted from a bulb.
With LEDs, the light will usually give off a warm or cool glow. You may have noticed a warm, yellowish glow in a living room and a cool, white glow in an office space. This is also known as the colour temperature.
Colours Emitted from Light Bulbs
Let’s look at the colours that are emitted from certain light temperatures. Remember, this is also known as the type of glow emitted from certain bulbs.
· Up to 3,000K: Lower colour temperatures, which range from red to yellowish-white, giving off a warmer glow.
· 3,100K to 4,600K: Mid-range colour temperatures, which give off a cool white glow.
· Over 4,600K: Higher colour temperatures, which give off a blue-white glow, are also known as cool or daylight colours.
How To Use the Right Lighting Temperatures in The Workplace
Colour Temperatures in A Traditional Office:
Lower Colour Temperatures: With such a warm glow, it is best to use lower colour temperatures in more intimate settings, such as the lobby and break room. These create a warm, welcoming ambience and add a sense of comfort and relaxation to the space.
Mid-Range Colour Temperatures: This cooler glow works in a conference room because you are more alert and ready to discuss work, however, the light isn’t overly bright or ‘cold’.
Higher Colour Temperatures: The cool, daylight glow of higher colour temperatures is ideal for your actual workspace because it reduces fatigue while increasing your mood and focus, resulting in a productive workday.
Colour Temperatures in Your Home Office:
- Lower Colour Temperatures: Ideal for the spot of your home office designated for taking a break after several hours of work. You may want to place a lamp with a lower colour temperature next to a chair in the corner of your home office.
- Mid-Range Colour Temperatures: In a home office, you may want this cooler glow on the couch, where you handle emails, phone or video calls, or in-person meetings.
- Higher Colour Temperatures: Use this colour temperature at the work desk in your home office.
Colour Switching Technology
Some light fittings and globes use a technology that allows individuals to switch between lighting temperatures. For example, in a meeting room, you might switch to a warmer light for a client meeting where you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and then change to a cooler, brighter light when your team get together for a brain storming session.
Over to you! Could you improve the lighting in your office to improve productivity and mood?
You really can make a difference to a home or traditional office environment when you get the right type of lights, with the right colour light bulbs.
Start by assessing your current lighting situation and talking to your team about what they like, and don’t. Then make a few small changes and see what works best for you and your team, and you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect environment for a wonderfully productive workday!
“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."
