We’re probably all aware of how lighting can affect the way we feel about space. Especially if we’re talking about working space. There have been numerous studies dealing with the subject of office lighting. Nowadays, when our homes replaced the office, this issue is more relevant than ever. Therefore, we’ve chosen to write about the best lighting for a home office to reduce eye strain.
That’s right, today we’ll consider the lighting scheme inside your home office. Also, we’ll try to point out just how important lighting actually is. Anyway, if you were looking for some productivity tips, you’ve come to the right place. Here, at Shoppanel, we’re quite dedicated to boosting productivity, Therefore, don’t go anywhere!
So, shall we begin?
Table of Contents
Why is home office lighting important?
As we’ve said, we’ll expand our talk to cover the importance of lighting. We’ll put the focus on lighting inside a home office setting. Okay, so why’s home office lighting such an important topic?
Once you’re working from home, the quality of lighting will affect your productivity. Needless to say, poor office lighting will greatly decrease your energy. Without energy, you’ll notice how your productivity levels drop. Not only that, but you’ll experience headaches, eyestrain, mood swings, and so on. Therefore, good office lighting is a necessity.
If you’re not able to enjoy a lot of natural light, you’ll need to rely on artificial lighting. Of course, that will require some good planning. However, it’s not so hard when you’re equipped with the right info. In the rest of the text, we’ll show you to reduce eyestrain using home office lighting. Stick around for some valuable tips!
Oh, and if you’re wondering how to soundproof a home office, follow that link.
Tip #1: Keep it indirect
That’s right, you’ll want to keep your lighting indirect. Care to explain? Well, you’ll want to steer clear of working under the direct glare of overhead lighting. You’ll need to find alternative solutions. In other words, try to diffuse the ambient light that will brighten your home office. Your best bet is to light up the whole space without creating undue glare.
Keep in mind that:
- lampshades will soften & scatter otherwise harsh, rather unpleasant light.
- upward-shining floor lamps will bounce the light off your home office walls & ceilings.
Okay, let’s see what else we’ve got in store. Also, here are some tips on how to hide cords in a home office.
Tip #2: Rely on natural light (if possible)
As was somewhat implied earlier in the text, natural light is THE BEST. By relying mostly on natural light, at the same time, you’ll:
- cut down on your energy bills.
- greatly boost your productivity.
- prevent eyesight damage.
Who could ask for more, right? Right. So, what can be done about this? Well, you could place your desk next to a window. Or, you can simply lift those curtains once and for all.
Also, we’ve got some facts to back up that statement about natural light’s superiority. There have been numerous studies about its effects on productivity. Most of them are unanimous in their findings: natural light boosts productivity. Also, other studies have shown that three hours a day outside makes a huge difference. In terms of your eyesight and general well-being, of course.
So, yeah, see that you make the best out of natural light that comes into your home office. Anyway, let’s continue!
Tip #3: Wear blue-light glasses
We’ll take a “wild guess” and assume you’re spending at least eight hours a day in from of a PC. Are you aware that the blue light from the screens is able to mess with your circadian rhythm? Also, it might do some damage to your good night’s sleep, too. Ironically, this is mostly directed at the so-called night hawks.
Ever heard about blue-light glasses? Now that you have, they’re your best assistance in battling sleep-disturbing rays. Needless to say, you might want to opt for a pair of those. If you’re fond of working your way well into the night, they’re a necessity.
Oh, it’s not only the screens that emit these rays. It’s other parts of your home office lighting system, too.
Tip #4: Do away with glare and shadows
Here’s something you need to remember: always consider where’s your light coming from. Why? Well, just think about it. If there’s a light source behind you, it will create an irritating glare on your screen.
Also, you should think about shadows. If your work involves writing on paper (some work without a PC), shadows might mess with you. That’s why you want to place your lamp in a manner that won’t cast a shadow of your arm over the paper. This will put some relief on your eyes.
Tip #5: Ambient light to the rescue
So, as we’ve already said, there’s really no point in having all light directed at your workspace. Even though some might think that’s a good idea, it clearly ain’t one. Instead, one should opt for low-level ambient light. Folks sometimes call it general lighting.
However you choose to call it, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that ambient lights are essential for a home office. They’ll fill your workspace with gentle light. Therefore, your eyes will remain protected.
Tip #6: CFLs, anyone?
Now, some of you mightn’t have a spare room designed to be a home office. If you fit into that category, this one’s for you. Anyway, you’ll want to consider hanging a light bulb over your workstation. You might be wondering: what kind of a light bulb should I opt for?
Our suggestion is that you go for CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights). It’s much better for your eyes. It will most definitely reduce eye strain. Not to mention that it emits a much lower amount of UV radiation. That can’t be a bad thing, right?
Tip #7: Install some decorative lighting
Got some artwork hanging on the walls of your home office? If so, you’ll want to add some lighting in order to highlight them. That way, you’ll design your home office in your own style. In other words, it will add some non-utilitarian charm to your workspace. That’s always good.
Also, decorative lighting might seem unpractical, but only at first sight. That’s right, it can also serve as a reminder. It will remind you that it’s time to take a so-called eye break. Have you heard about the 20-20-20 rule?
The 20-20-20 rule
Let’s see what hides under this mysterious name. Here’s the catch: take a small break every 20 minutes. Look at something that’s 20 ft away from about 20 seconds. This rule will clearly help your eyes rest. It will reduce eye strain caused by staring at a computer screen for a good amount of time.
Tip #8: Supplement natural light
As we’ve already said, lack of natural light isn’t good. It can have a negative effect on the production of sleep hormones. Also, it can mess with our mood & our internal clock. In some cases, it might even lead to a so-called SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Luckily, there’s a solution to this.
You can supplement natural lighting with a SAD lamp. Our suggestion is that you opt for this one. You’ll notice its benefits as early as two hours “into the show”.
Tip #9: Layering is key
Here’s the last item on our list of best lighting solutions for a home office. We’ll try to quick. Anyway, you need to think about your office lighting in terms of layers. In order to light up the space properly, that is. You’ll want to mix various types of lighting and see what kind of combo works best for you.
Okay, folks, there were the best lighting solutions for a home office. We still have some space left for a bonus round of tips. So, shall we see them?
Bonus round: General home office tips
For our last part of the show, we’ll show you some general tips when designing a home office. Here they are:
- Mind the ergonomics. Position your chair in a manner to allow your feet to rest firmly on the floor. Also, place your keyboard so that your forearms are parallel with the floor. Lastly, the computer screen should be positioned so that the top of the monitor is at eye level.
- Don’t hesitate to invest in a quality chair. Your health should be the priority. Not your wallet. You’ll thank us later.
- Be creative & original. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Try to design your office space so it matches your personality. However, you don’t want to install a lot of distractions. A PS5 inside your home office ain’t a good idea.
- Keep it dedicated. Don’t do anything else except work inside your home office. It will ruin the magic. That was corny, we know.
Guess that’s about it! Oh, and don’t forget to keep your home office clean.
Final words on the subject of best lighting for a home office
Alright, folks, that’s about all there’s to say on the subject of best lighting for a home office. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this one as much as the last one. Now you know what kind of lighting is essential for a home office. Anyway, if you’re looking for more remote-work-related tips, visit our blog page. Until next time!