What does it take to create a conducive home office or study room?
Besides having an ergonomic table and chair, a computer, and an Internet connection, it is also essential to have a good lighting set-up. A well-lit space can increase productivity and prevent headaches and eye strains from occurring, making for a more pleasant working or studying experience.
Read on to learn more about the role of lighting in your home office and study room.
Access to Natural Lighting
Not only is natural lighting an excellent source of illumination, but it also has mood-enhancing benefits, keeping you energised and productive. Additionally, sunlight promotes vitamin D production, which increases motivation. Hence, we recommend choosing a space with access to sunlight.
It is best to position your workspace alongside the windows—if you face the window directly, the sun may cause a glare on your laptop and cast shadows across the desk.
LED Over Fluorescents
You should choose LED over fluorescent lighting for several reasons: LED bulbs have longer lifespans, generate less heat, and save more energy.
If you will be in your office or study room for long periods, it is always best to make an energy-efficient choice because it will help prevent your electricity bill from skyrocketing.
Balanced Lighting
An overly-lit space is just as bad as a poorly-lit one.
Ensure that the lighting in your home office or study room is balanced by mixing general, accent, and task lighting. Hence, it is best to experiment with various fixtures; for example, you can buy hanging lights and desk lamps for general and task lighting at different levels.
Overhead Lights
In the absence of natural light, overhead lights are commonly used for general illumination. These lights should be kept indirect; if your workstation is directly underneath the fixture, you will have difficulty working under its direct glare.
Task Lights for Specific Activities
Task lighting is critical if you have focus-intensive tasks such as computer work or document filing. This typically consists of wall lamps, desk lamps, and LED ceiling track lights.
Wall lamps and track lights are especially useful if you work in a compact space because they leave your desk with more room for work documents or study materials.
If you opt for desk lamps, we recommend getting one with an adjustable neck and head so that you can easily adjust the lighting direction to suit different tasks.
Note that one task light for an entire room may be insufficient; each workstation should have at least one light source.
Moreover, be mindful of the location of your light fixtures. For example, a lamp on your right side may cast shadows on your work if you’re using your right hand to write. Additionally, a light source directly behind you will cause a glare on your monitor. Therefore, plan your space well and evaluate your lighting arrangement to reduce shadows and glares, which may cause eye strain and damage.
Colour Temperature
We recommend opting for cool white lights (4000K to 4500K), which energise the human body and boost productivity and focus.
Conclusion
Lighting is one aspect of home offices and study rooms that is often taken for granted. While it may seem less important than factors like furniture choice, a well-designed lighting plan can make a big difference in your performance and work or study experience.
If you’re looking for lighting in Singapore, check us out at TLUX. Browse our selection for LED strip lights, pendant lights, and more.