When it comes to creating the perfect home office, there’s a lot to consider. You want it to look great, but you also want it to be comfortable, inspiring, and a space to be productive. Alongside the decor and furniture, how much thought are you putting into the lighting in your office? Utilizing lighting tips for your home office can make all the difference.
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Why is lighting so important?
Other than it is necessary to see, lighting in an office is essential for your overall health too. Poor lighting can cause eye strain, headaches, and dizziness. Dim lighting and glare are both issues you have to try and reduce.
Lighting Tips For Your Home Office
Utilize Natural Lighting
You must make the best use of any natural lighting your home office has. Place your desk in the best position to take advantage of the natural light. You’ll be getting both the health and productivity benefits of this. If you’re worried that it might be too bright during the summer months, then invest in some blinds or other window shades to regulate the light coming through the window.
Not only will making the most of natural light lower your bills but there are many other benefits of having it in your workspace, including:
- Better sleep – more exposure to daylight, even through windows, is associated with better quality sleep.
- Stronger immune system – lower instances of illness. Vitamin D is also important for mood regulation.
- Fewer headaches – less eye strain leads to fewer headaches and neck pain.
- Increased productivity – it has been shown that those who work in places with more natural light are more productive in their roles.
If you want to make the most of the natural light in your home office, you might even want to think about getting more light in. Installing more windows or bigger windows will allow you to benefit from even more natural light streaming into your home.
If you’re thinking of new windows, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, think about the direction the windows will face and what time of day they will receive the sunlight. When you’re choosing the design of your windows, you’ll also want to think about the overall style of your home. You want windows that fit the current style and maybe help to enhance it. As a bonus, new windows could improve insulation too.
Overhead lighting
Other than natural daylight, the main lighting in your room should include ceiling lights and task lighting. Overhead lights need to be bright enough to light the place properly, but not so bright that they cause headaches or unnecessary glare. Try using bulbs that are close to natural light for the best results.
Lamps and Task Lighting
Lamps need to be more than decorative. Use lamps that give enough light but have a shade or a dimmer. Additionally, a task lamp for your desk allows you to focus on detailed tasks that need lighting. Articulated lamps are popular choices as they are easy to bring light to where it’s most needed.
Light placement is also essential. Consider where you place furniture and yourself. For example, if you put lights behind you, you will cast shadows over your work, which may make it difficult to see things easily. The same goes for lighting on your desk, as it makes sense to place it where your arm or phone won’t cast a shadow.
Lighting Tips for a Basement Office
My office is in our basement, so there isn’t much natural light. We have small windows, but nothing great. Since natural light isn’t an option in a basement office, the next best options are LED lighting or incandescent lights. You can incorporate recessed lighting and use table lamps, sconces, and pendant lights.
Lighting Tips
Don’t let the lighting in your home office be an afterthought. It can and does affect your productivity and health. You may have to move things around and experiment to get it right, but it will be worth it.
