If you're looking to improve your staff productivity, one of the best things you can do is update to better office lighting. Good office lighting can help to reduce eye strain, improve focus and concentration, and even boost mood. As a result, this will improve the productivity of your staff and contribute to higher organizational performance.
The importance of proper lighting in an office space environment shouldn't be underestimated. So if you are wondering what specific steps should be taken and what to consider, we've put together a guide with office lighting tips.
Why is the Right Office Lighting Important?
When it comes to creating a productive work environment, office lighting is often one of the last things that people think about. However, the truth is that it can have a huge impact on employee productivity and comfort levels.
For instance,
one study has found that employee efficiency, as well as well-being, can be significantly reduced because of poor lighting. In addition to poor productivity, bad lighting can also lead to a range of other health problems, contributing to higher burnout and turnover rates.
Therefore, if you want to create a productive and healthy work environment, it's important to ensure that your office has the right lighting.
Lighting and Productivity
There is a direct relationship between lighting and productivity in the workplace. Poor lighting can lead to a range of problems that impact employee productivity and employee motivation. Good lighting affects productivity in a positive way by reducing errors, increasing alertness, and making it easier for employees to see their work.
Task performance directly relates to the level of illumination in an office building. For example, if an office is too brightly lit, it can cause glare which makes it difficult for people to see their computer screens.
In contrast, dim lighting can lead to eye strain and the inability to perform work-related functions effectively.
So too bright light may affect productivity as negatively as dim lighting.
Interestingly, effective artificial lighting positively influences cognitive functions such as
memory, attention, perception, and learning. It also results in fewer headaches.
LED Lights for Your Office
LED office lights are one of the most popular choices for office lighting because they offer a number of advantages.
LEDs in your office use less energy than other types of lighting, which can reduce energy costs and contribute to lower operating expenses. As they say, a dollar saved is a dollar earned. That is why reducing lighting costs is essential for your business.
In addition, LED light color temperatures are much better compared to fluorescent bulbs and other light sources. They provide a stark white light that is less harsh on the eyes and helps to improve focus and concentration.
Finally, LEDs have a much longer lifespan than traditional light sources. This means that you won't need to constantly replace lights in your office, which can save money and time.
If you are looking for an office lighting solution that can help to improve productivity and reduce operating costs, LED lights are a great option for the modern workplace.
Tips for Using Lighting More Effectively
Eliminate glare and shadows
Glare and shadows can be a big problem in office spaces, particularly if you have large windows or rely on artificial lighting.
To reduce glare, you can use window treatments such as blinds or curtains. For shadows, you might need to rearrange your furniture or add additional light sources. It can be recommended to use ergonomic furniture that doesn't block the light.
Install task lighting
In addition to general office lighting, you should also consider adding task lighting to help your employees focus on specific tasks. You can use floor lamps, desk lamps, or pendant lights. Remember that desk lamp shades should be white or light-colored to diffuse the light and reduce glare.
Use indirect lighting
Direct lighting can be harsh and unforgiving, so it is often best to avoid it in the workplace. Indirect lighting is a much more subtle and effective way to light office space.
Indirect lighting is a great way to add some extra light to your office space without making it feel too bright or overwhelming. Combine different sources of indirect lighting, such as table lamps, floor lamps, and overhead lights.
Overhead lights are a good option for indirect lighting, as long as they are not too bright. You can use dimmer switches to control the amount of light that is cast by overhead lights, which can help to create a more relaxing and comfortable working environment.
Indirect lighting is perfect for creating a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in your office, and it can also help to reduce eye strain and avoid blurred vision that can be caused by staring at bright lights for extended periods of time.
Brightness and color temperature selection
The key component contributing to better lighting is proper brightness and color temperature selection.
Brightness
Brightness refers to the intensity of light, and it is measured in lumens. The optimal brightness for office space depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the room, the number of windows, and the type of work that is being done.
Generally speaking, an office space should have a minimum of 40 lumens per square foot, and the light should be evenly distributed throughout the space.
Color temperature
Lighting temperatures should perfectly fit the environment as lightning affects how people feel and perceive their surroundings.
The best color temperature for office spaces is "cool white" or "daylight white," which has a color temperature of around 3000K-5000K. This color temperature closely resembles natural sunlight.
Avoid using warm colors as they tend to make people feel drowsy and less productive.
The Importance of Natural Light
While artificial light is important for productive and comfortable office space, it is also essential to take advantage of natural light whenever possible. You should always combine artificial light with natural light sources to save energy and achieve optimal lighting.
If your office space has large windows, ensure access to natural light by keeping them clean so that natural light can easily enter the room. You might also want to consider adding reflective surfaces to your office, such as mirrors and whiteboards, which can help to bounce natural light around the space.
Direct sunlight can be too harsh for office space, so it is important to use window treatments such as blinds or curtains to control the amount of light that enters the office space.
Natural lighting use is crucial for improving your lighting situation, and the best lighting solutions always combine both artificial light and natural light sources.
Why are LEDs Better than Fluorescent Lights?
Unfortunately, many offices worldwide are still using fluorescent light bulbs, which results in improper lighting and a lot of wasted energy.
Fluorescent light bulbs are very inefficient, and they emit a high level of blue light, which is associated with adverse health-related effects. Blue light contributes to
higher eye strain and increases the risk of macular degeneration.
Additionally, blue light may negatively affect the sleep patterns of employees, which in turn will reduce workplace productivity.
LED bulbs are much more efficient than fluorescent lights, and they emit very little blue light. Thus, they are a better option for office space.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection
While LED bulbs are rather efficient in terms of energy consumption and environmental protection, you should also use automated lighting systems and programmable lighting that regulate light intensity based on the time of day and the presence of people in the office.
This will further reduce your energy consumption and help you save money.
It is important to note that lighting accounts for a significant portion of office energy use, so even small reductions in energy consumption can have a big impact on your energy bills.
Additionally, using energy-efficient lighting solutions is good for the environment, as it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusion
Using the appropriate interior design, adding more natural light, and relying on LEDs as the major artificial light source is crucial for achieving the best lighting for your office space.
