Using the right type of lighting in your office is essential for several reasons. It is now well known that office lighting can have a significant impact on employees, from their productivity and mood to their overall health and wellbeing. From the colour to the harshness of the lighting and more, the choices you make when it comes to office lighting can make a big difference.

The Importance of Office Lighting

Light influences humans at a fundamental level, helping to regulate the daily circadian rhythms that dictate countless biological functions, from sleep to digestion to hormone levels. Broadly speaking, light with a brighter, cooler ‘colour’ (or temperature, expressed in kelvins) encourages alertness and focus, while warmer light makes people feel comfortable and welcomed in the office. For example, dimmed warm lighting can help employees relax in break rooms.

In addition to its importance for a business’s human assets, lighting can also be used to subtly reflect brand identity. Smart choices about the type and style of lighting can complement this – just as poor ones can detract from it by making key areas like receptions and meeting rooms feel slightly ‘off’. Lighting makes up a big part of your office interior design, and the right office lighting features can really tie a room or space together.

Key Sources of Office Lighting

Natural Light 

Daylight is one of the easiest sources to integrate into your office lighting scheme. It’s particularly beneficial if you have lots of office plants and a more biophilic design.

Of course, the quality and amount of natural light available varies depending on how a building is oriented. North-facing spaces receive colder, indirect light. South-facing offices will be the most brightly and directly lit throughout the working day, although this can also lead to screen glare and hotspots. So it’s essential to understand how natural light affects your office, both to get the most from it and to choose effective artificial office lighting.

You could, for example, change your office’s layout to maximise natural light – for example, orienting the desks in a north-facing office towards the window that gets the most light ensures that people can benefit from it as much as possible.

LED Lighting

When it comes to artificial light sources, LED (light-emitting diode) lighting is more energy efficient and sustainable than older technologies like incandescent and halogen bulbs. It is also more durable and therefore a better option in terms of cost, as it’s unlikely you’ll be regularly replacing it.
In addition, LED lighting is highly customisable and flexible. For example, it can be installed as downlights, strips and tube lights, and can deliver a wide range of lighting temperatures, even replicating natural daylight if desired.
The adjustability of LED lighting, from dimming to flexibility on installation and placement, is a particularly attractive feature.
Therefore, when it comes to lighting which is cost and energy-efficient and versatile, LED lighting could be the way to go as the major artificial light source in offices.

Main Types of Office Lighting

Ambient Light

This is the primary light source in an office, often from overhead spotlights or strips together with natural light. Ambient light can also be layered by adding in other sources, like wall lights. Designed thoughtfully, ambient lighting can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your office, while also enabling people to do their work without glare or eye strain.

This type of lighting can help create a natural and relaxed feel in your office, allowing workers and visitors to feel calm and comfortable.

Task Lighting

Depending on your sector or industry and the specific needs of people in your workplace, task lighting could be a valuable addition to a lighting scheme.

This category of lighting can include anything from desk lamps to under-cabinet lighting. It can add real value to illuminate individual workstations, because different people are likely to prefer different levels and types of lighting for the specific jobs they need to perform. Task lighting delivers this individual customisation, helping to promote focus and productivity.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the ideal choice for when you want to highlight certain areas or features in your office.

For example, if you want to draw attention to a logo on your wall or your reception desk, installing accent lighting helps to tell your brand ‘story’ by subtly directing clients and contacts’ attention precisely where you want it as soon as they enter the office space.

Where to Position Office Lighting

Creative Lighting Solutions for Modern Offices

Here are some lighting ideas for your modern office:

 

• • Pendant Lighting: A classic for any office, pendant lighting can work in all kinds of spaces, from meeting rooms to individual workstations. Depending on proportions and positioning, pendants can look chic, as well as being versatile enough to suit a wide range of colour schemes.

• • Track Lighting:For offices with a more modern or pared-back look, track lighting is a great option. Giving the impression of an art studio or industrial space, track lighting running across the ceiling is customisable and unobtrusive, yet highly practical.

• • Recessed Lighting: As the name suggests, this style of lighting doesn’t extend out of the walls or ceiling. As a result, it distributes light around the room evenly, eliminating shadows and contributing to a calm, cohesive feel.

Smart Lighting Systems

Nowadays, there are all kinds of clever lighting options to enhance the working environment and make people experience work more positively. Here are a few.

Circadian Rhythm Lighting

One smart office lighting system which has become increasingly popular is circadian rhythm lighting. As the name suggests, this type of lighting follows the human circadian rhythm – as mentioned above, the body’s 24-hour clock governing countless daily biological functions.
Circadian rhythm lighting automatically adjusts office lighting colour and intensity through the day to mimic daylight. This kind of smart lighting system can keep employees, customers and clients in your office comfortable, as well as boosting concentration.

Motion-Activated Lighting

Another smart lighting system which an increasing number of businesses are installing is motion-activated lighting.

Many offices already have motion-activated lighting in toilets and similar areas, but there are several benefits to be had by integrating this technology into more areas of the office.

As motion-activated lights remain off until switched on by someone moving below, they’re both environmentally-friendly and cost-effective – and therefore an ideal choice for most offices.

Practical Tips for Office Lighting Design

Assessing and Improving Existing Lighting

Getting an office lighting system right begins with regularly maintaining your existing system. By doing this, if there are any issues, you can rectify them quickly before the costs begin to mount.

In addition, regular maintenance means you’ll be able to tell when it’s time to replace or upgrade existing lighting, from a practical perspective. You can also regularly monitor how much the lighting system is costing to run, and calculate whether there is a financial reason to make changes.

Budget-Friendly Ways to Upgrade Office Lighting

There are a few different ways to keep your office lighting upgrade as budget-friendly as possible.

For example, choosing lighting systems which are easy to install can help cut the costs. Doing so means that the installation can be done in house, or – if you decide to get an expert to do the job – it’ll be quicker and less expensive overall. Options include ‘plug and play’ track lighting kits and magnetic LED strip lights.

It’s important to note that paying a little more upfront for a durable, long-lasting lighting system (such as LEDs) can save a lot of money in the long-run, so this could be the most budget-friendly method overall.

Lighting as Part of a Redesign or Renovation

When redesigning or renovating, the right office lighting ideas can make a significant difference to the outcome. It’s essential to ensure that your lighting and light features work in sync with your colour scheme, as well as the overall aesthetic of your office and your brand identity.

Therefore, when you’re thinking about redecorating or overhauling your office, consider lighting systems and options and clearly articulate lighting goals in your overall plan.

Time to Brighten Up your Office Environment?

As we’ve seen, there are lots of options for bringing more, and the right kind, of light into the workplace. There’s no shortage of customisable options out there to suit every workplace’s budget, style and brand identity.
The best office lighting type and system will always depend on the specific needs and priorities of your workplace, in addition to cost-effectiveness, durability or initial pricing. Some workplaces demand brighter lighting – such as in architects’ offices and dental practices.
As daylight is a cost-free solution, boost its power by keeping windows clean at all times.  A reputable office cleaning company like The Clean Network, has the expertise and specialist equipment to keep office windows sparkling, making the space look good inside and out. Get in touch to discuss how professional office cleaning can augment your office lighting to create a bright, inspiring working space.