The Most Suitable Lighting for Working from Home

The Most Suitable Lighting for Working from Home

 

If you work from home, you know the importance of having a good home office. But what about lighting? It also affects our productivity and performance. Here are 7 expert tips on how to light your home office:

 

Plan General Lighting

Planning general lighting that evenly illuminates the workspace is essential for better performance and not ending the day feeling tired.

 

 

 

1. SEEK NATURAL LIGHT

Several studies have shown that daylight greatly contributes to our productivity and satisfaction. So, whenever possible, choose a workspace with as much natural light as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

2. AVOID HAVING NATURAL LIGHT BEHIND YOU

Working with light is ideal, but not at any cost: "It's best not to have your back to the window because all the reflection would hit the screen, dazzling you. The best position is facing the window. And, above all, use good curtains to help filter not only the light but also the heat during the hotter months," says decorator Natalia Zubizarreta.

 

3. GENERAL LIGHTING IS BEST

"Contrary to what we might think, the best lighting for work is general lighting. It should be diffuse and not cast shadows or reflections, especially if you work with monitors. Therefore, it's crucial that it's always over the workspace and never behind, because you end up casting shadows on yourself and can't see anything," recommends Úrsula Sobenes, lighting specialist at Años Luz.

 

 

 

 

4. USE A DESK LAMP

 

If there's no way to reinforce general lighting, you can use a desk lamp to illuminate the workspace. When placing it, keep in mind that it's best to have it on the opposite side from where you write to avoid shadows, especially if you often take handwritten notes.

 

 

5. THE IDEAL DESK LAMP

"The desk lamp should have an arm above your head and be centered on the work area. It's crucial that the screen has the widest possible opening and that the light source is hidden to avoid dazzling you. In this regard, linear desk lamps are the best. Those that offer adjustable intensity are also practical because they allow you to set the light you need at any time of the day," says Sobenes.

 

6. RECOMMENDED LIGHTING LEVEL

The minimum recommended lighting level for the desk area is around 500 lumens. If the lighting is too low, it can strain your eyes and lead to decreased concentration and productivity. It's also better to light an office space with the most uniform type of light possible without too much contrast, to avoid shadows or reflections.

7. THE MOST SUITABLE LIGHT TEMPERATURE FOR WORKING

 

In offices, it is common to have cool light, at least 4,000º K, because bright light with high blue content keeps you alert, active, and supports your concentration. "Personally, I don't like white light, but it is common in offices to extend the workday without noticing the change of time or the passage of time. For me, the best light is neither too warm nor too cool. Around 2,700º K would be comfortable," explains Sobenes.

 

Source: Revista El Mueble - Natàlia Bosch, journalist specializing in decoration

 

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