4 Ways to Ensure Your Home Office Has Best-Practice Lighting
Get the right mix of natural, task and accent lighting to increase your productivity and relaxation
If you’re among the millions of people currently working from home, it’s more important than ever to get your study or workspace lighting right. Consider these ideas for ensuring your home office draws in natural light, is functional, adjusts to the time of day, and above all is comfortable.
This alcove home office in Los Angeles, USA, didn’t have any windows, so JWT Associates strategically added a skylight above the desk nook.
Tip: While natural light can help reduce eyestrain, it can also cause issues with glare, particularly if you work with a laptop or computer. Consider installing blinds to filter light and adding anti-glare film to your computer screen to reduce glare from the sun and overhead lights.
Tip: While natural light can help reduce eyestrain, it can also cause issues with glare, particularly if you work with a laptop or computer. Consider installing blinds to filter light and adding anti-glare film to your computer screen to reduce glare from the sun and overhead lights.
2. Add task lighting
We need directed light to help us see what we’re doing, often referred to as task lighting. Adjustable lamps can bring illumination right to where you need it most.
Other task lighting, such as under-cabinet and recessed lights, can help to brighten desk alcoves, too. The team at Designs Australia brightened the desk in this Melbourne home office in Victoria by attaching LED strip lights to the bottom of the shelf, illuminating the desktop.
We need directed light to help us see what we’re doing, often referred to as task lighting. Adjustable lamps can bring illumination right to where you need it most.
Other task lighting, such as under-cabinet and recessed lights, can help to brighten desk alcoves, too. The team at Designs Australia brightened the desk in this Melbourne home office in Victoria by attaching LED strip lights to the bottom of the shelf, illuminating the desktop.
3. Embrace change
Spending long hours in a static lighting environment can be harmful to our health and can mess with our circadian rhythms. Our bodies require lighting environments that change – we need more light in the mornings and less in the evenings.
If your work at home occurs on a varied schedule, consider adding lighting that adapts to your needs and changes based on the time of day. Having multiple layers of illumination, including indirect ambient light and task lighting as well as dimmers, can help you customise your lighting environment.
The home office seen here in Boston, USA, designed by Kelly McGuill Home, includes large windows to bring in natural light during the day; pendants that bring light closer to the desk, and recessed ceiling lights on a dimmer switch, so they can be adjusted throughout the day.
Browse more beautifully designed home offices to inspire your own
Spending long hours in a static lighting environment can be harmful to our health and can mess with our circadian rhythms. Our bodies require lighting environments that change – we need more light in the mornings and less in the evenings.
If your work at home occurs on a varied schedule, consider adding lighting that adapts to your needs and changes based on the time of day. Having multiple layers of illumination, including indirect ambient light and task lighting as well as dimmers, can help you customise your lighting environment.
The home office seen here in Boston, USA, designed by Kelly McGuill Home, includes large windows to bring in natural light during the day; pendants that bring light closer to the desk, and recessed ceiling lights on a dimmer switch, so they can be adjusted throughout the day.
Browse more beautifully designed home offices to inspire your own
4. Make the space comfortable
Just because many of us use our home offices for work doesn’t mean they should be cold, sterile and inhospitable, like some office spaces of the past. A home office should be comfortable, and proper lighting is key to setting the scene for a relaxing work environment.
Accent lights, lamps, pendants and wall sconces can all improve a room’s mood and comfort level. A bevy of library sconces and a task lamp on the desk provide a warm glow in the traditional home office seen here in Paris, France, designed by Nooor Architecte d’Intérieur.
Just because many of us use our home offices for work doesn’t mean they should be cold, sterile and inhospitable, like some office spaces of the past. A home office should be comfortable, and proper lighting is key to setting the scene for a relaxing work environment.
Accent lights, lamps, pendants and wall sconces can all improve a room’s mood and comfort level. A bevy of library sconces and a task lamp on the desk provide a warm glow in the traditional home office seen here in Paris, France, designed by Nooor Architecte d’Intérieur.
It’s easier than ever to design great lighting that helps you to feel more productive and relaxed in your home office. Check out this illustration that reviews what to do and not do when lighting your space.
Your turn
Have you used any of these lighting tips in your home office? Share your secrets for great lighting in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on home improvements? Check out 5 Exterior Colour Palettes & Combos That Will Be Huge in 2021
Have you used any of these lighting tips in your home office? Share your secrets for great lighting in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on home improvements? Check out 5 Exterior Colour Palettes & Combos That Will Be Huge in 2021
The best commercial office designs tend to include large windows, atriums and skylights to bring daylight to as many desks and their occupants as possible, and your home office should be no different.
Windows and skylights provide views of the outdoors that can reduce eyestrain and make your work environment more enjoyable and productive. Where possible, position your desk near a window, with the chair facing the view.
Need to call in the experts? Find lighting professionals near you to customise your lighting plan