Having the correct lighting in an office benefits businesses massively. Lighting fixtures that are ergonomically designed enhance your employees’ concentration. Also, having the correct lighting in an office can improve the efficiency of your energy consumption.
Adequately lighting an office may seem like a simple undertaking at first glance. But on closer examination, you’ll realize that there are a variety of scenarios and requirements that you should take into consideration.
You’ll realize that having the correct office lighting solutions can affect the mood and productivity of personnel. Recent research into ergonomics; the study of people’s productivity in their work environment shows that this phenomenon is nothing but true.
According to a 2018 international survey by staples, one-third of employees are much happier in an office that’s well lit. As a result, having the best lighting for your office should be a top priority for you and your interior design team.
What’s The Relationship Between Office Lighting and Productivity?
Whether an office gets its light from natural or artificial sources, whether the light is bright and blue or dim and yellow, the kind of light that employees are exposed to on a day to day basis not only impacts their mood, physical health, and circadian rhythms but it also affects their creativity and productivity.
There are many interesting studies focused on the nature of an environment and how it affects the brain’s ability to perceive and function in various ways. For instance, according to lighting experts, good lighting allows people to be more creative and have better ideas.
Adequate lighting in an office can put personnel in a more alert and energized state, enhancing their productivity. On the other hand, if the lighting is too dim, it can strain their eyes and make them feel exhausted.
On the other hand, very bright lighting is harsh to the eyes and can cause strain, which will in turn trigger migraine symptoms. In addition, if the brain is working extra hard to counter the effects of extremely bright or dim lighting, it can inhibit the ability of a person to be creative.
What Is the Best Lighting Option for an Office?
With so many lighting fixtures and different color tones to choose from, it can be daunting to decide what type of lighting is best suited to your office. But worry not; we will direct you toward office lighting that will ensure your employees are feeling inspired and healthy.
LED Bulbs Vs. Fluorescents Lamps
In recent years LED bulbs have become a favorite for lighting various spaces because they are energy efficient compared to fluorescent lamps. The downside of LEDs is that they are expensive to purchase compared to fluorescent lamps.
However, LED bulbs will save you a lot of money in the long run because they don’t guzzle as much energy compared to fluorescent lamps. LED bulbs also have a longer life span, and its estimated LED bulbs last up to 20 times as much as fluorescent lamps.
LED bulbs can also be valuable to the health of your employees. There is no factual data to show that fluorescent lamps could cause migraines, but they may trigger symptoms of migraines in individuals who suffer from them.
Some employees stay in the office past sundown, and fluorescent lamps can interfere with sleep patterns of such employees by hindering the production of melatonin. On the other hand, LED bulbs don’t have the same effects; they can be dimmed to match the time of day, making them the ideal option for an office when considering employees’ health.
What Is the Best Color and Temperature for an Office?
The color and temperature of lighting in an office should vary based on the activities taking place in the space. In general, warmer orange or yellow tones tend to be more relaxing, whereas blue and white tones are ideal for concentrating and getting the work done.
If possible, the color and temperature of lighting in an office environment should vary based on the time of day. For instance, the lighting should have cooler and brighter tones to enable employees to stay alert in the morning. As the day progresses, the lighting should have warmer tones to help employees conclude the day.
Is Natural Lighting Better for Illuminating an Office Compared to Bulbs?
According to research done by the department of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, personnel exposed to natural light in the office reported an 84% drop in headaches, blurred vision, and eye strain.
Another study done by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicated that exposure to natural light helps control hormones and keep circadian rhythms in check. This allows your employees to sleep better at night and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. As a result, they will work better and be more productive.
It is for this reason that when architects are designing buildings, they factor in the layout of the building, ceiling height, and obstructions from neighboring buildings to maximize the impact of direct sunlight.
In most modern buildings, the areas with better access to natural light are designated as common areas rather than private working spaces so that as many personnel as possible can have access to natural light.
How Bright Should the Lighting in an Office Be?
With regard to brightness, the most important thing to factor in is the task being done in the office. It makes sense to designate common areas to spaces with better natural light because employees aren’t looking at computer screens when they’re in these spaces.
On the other hand, when working, the light from a computer screen is nowhere near as strong as the power and brightness of natural light. This is why workspaces should be in a more controlled environment where the intensity of natural light can be blocked out or worn down.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, the type of lighting used in an office can significantly impact employee productivity. There are various aspects to consider when choosing lighting for an office, such as the type of bulbs, the color temperature, and brightness, as illustrated above.
