How to light your home office for maximum productivity
Are you trying to set up your home office, but having trouble deciding how to light the room? Does it seem like there’s no way to make it dark enough to concentrate on your work and bright enough to allow you to see your computer screen? If so, you’re not alone – these problems are common among people who work from home. Fortunately, they’re also easy to solve with a few simple tweaks in your home office lighting strategy. The rest of this article will discuss ways to light your home office effectively, so you can get back to work!
Lighting Basics
Lighting is one of those things you don’t realize has an impact on your day-to-day life until it stops working. In order to be productive in a work environment, lighting should be three main things: white, natural, and bright. All of these are used by professionals and interior designers alike when choosing their own light sources.
Colour Temperature: The Warmth of Light
If you’re working at night, it may be worth investing in a lamp that emits low-level infrared light, which has been proven to help people fall asleep faster. According to a 2011 study published in Chronobiology International, wearing something with infrared LEDs (like these) at night will raise your body temperature and help you sleep faster. You can also invest in a special desk lamp or fixture that is specially designed to emit red spectrum light, which has similar properties.
The Best Colours for Office Lighting
In an ideal situation, you’ll have a mix of overhead and task lighting, but regardless of what type you choose, it’s important that you select lights in colours that won’t trigger fatigue or increase stress. Stay away from bright blue, which can be energizing but is also known to cause headaches and difficulty concentrating. That leaves warm-to-cool white (blue does have its place in some offices), yellow, orange, pink and red.
The Best Types of Lighting
The task lighting will help you focus on one aspect of your work at a time, while general lighting highlights a room’s features and ensures that each task feels like part of a larger environment. Office spaces differ in terms of size, purpose, and amount of natural sunlight—take these variables into account when deciding what type(s) of lighting will suit your space best.
Lighting Your Home Office Creatively
Creating a productive work environment is all about finding an environment that inspires you. While interior design trends like industrial style and open floor plans help to do just that, it’s important not to overlook one of the most important factors in setting up a functional space: lighting. Poor lighting can make even a beautifully designed room feel stuffy and dark—but choosing quality fixtures and using them creatively can help you create a comfortable, well-lit workspace where you can get stuff done.
Maximizing Natural Sunlight in a Home Office
Windows are a major source of natural lighting in any space, so it’s smart to place your desk near one. The amount of sunlight you receive will depend on several factors: window size, proximity to other windows and doors, and time of day. Try moving around in your chair throughout the day—the sunshine should fall across different parts of your face as you spin from side-to-side.
DIY Home Office Lighting Ideas
Ambient lighting is best, as it doesn’t interrupt sleep patterns or concentration, but you don’t want a dark room either. LED lights are perfect because they emit very little heat and use less energy than traditional bulbs. Purchase dimmable LEDs and consider adjustable LED wall mounts so you can direct them at your workstation or place them on a shelf above—this will save space and make sure you get just enough light.
