The best office lighting for employee productivity
Here are some guidelines for selecting the lighting type that will promote productivity, inspiration, and general wellbeing.
On a sunny weekday, go for a stroll in the middle of the day to see how lighting can affect your mood and productivity. Recent ergonomics research demonstrates that this phenomenon is not just in your mind. Ergonomics is the study of people's productivity in their working environment.
In reality, a 2018 international survey by Staples found that a complete one-third of workers said they would be happier at work if they had better lighting in the office. The majority of workers, 80 percent, indicated that they valued adequate lighting in the workplace. For good reason, office managers and design teams now place a high emphasis on finding the best office lighting.
Workplace ambiance and efficiency
The type of light that workers are exposed to affects not only mood, circadian rhythms, and physical health but also productivity and creativity. This is true whether the light source in a workplace is natural, artificial, bright and blue, or dim and yellow. According to Star Davis, who is in charge of WeWork's worldwide team of committed lighting specialists, "there are a lot of interesting studies around the nature of your environment and how it affects your brain's ability to perceive and function in different ways.
The presence of lights encourages people to be more imaginative and generate more original ideas, according to Davis. When it comes to creativity, being well-rested, awake, and energized are key factors, and the correct lighting can help you achieve these states. However, dim lighting can strain your eyes and leave you feeling sleepy and exhausted. On the other hand, lighting that is too bright can harm your eyes, interfere with your ability to slumber, and cause migraines. The extra mental effort required to fill in the blanks can wear you out and limit your capacity for creativity and productivity, according to Davis.
selecting the ideal workplace illumination
It can be difficult to decide which type of lighting is best for the office because there are so many different light colors and fixtures available. You should follow these recommendations and recommendations to choose office lighting that will inspire, engage, and maintain the health of your staff.
Office lighting alternatives to fluorescent
As an energy-efficient replacement for incandescent lights, LED lights have gained popularity recently. While LED lights may initially cost a little bit more than fluorescent ones, they will probably end up saving a business money when used in an office. This is due to the fact that LED lights typically last longer than fluorescent lights and don't emit excess energy as infrared radiation like fluorescent lights do.
Employee wellness may also benefit from LED lighting. Fluorescent lights are unlikely to cause migraines, but they may produce migraine symptoms in people who are predisposed to them. Fluorescent lighting, which prevents melatonin production, can also disrupt sleep patterns because workers frequently remain at the office past sundown. However, LED lights are a superior option for workers' health because they can typically be dimmed to match the time of day and the season.
maximize ambient lighting
According to study by Cornell University's department of design and environmental analysis, workers who were exposed to natural light in the workplace claimed an 84% reduction in eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. Additionally, according to research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, exposure to natural light helps regulate hormones and maintains a healthy circadian rhythm, promoting restful slumber at night and productive work the following day.
In order to optimize the effects of direct sunlight, says Davis, "we take into account the ceiling height, orientation of the building, latitude, and neighboring building obstructions" when designing buildings. Common areas rather than private offices are usually assigned to spaces with windows so that as many people as possible can benefit from natural light.
If your workplace lacks windows, think about installing skylights.
Temperature and color of workplace lighting
Depending on the purpose of the area, the color and temperature of office lighting should change. According to Davis, "The right amount of light and the health implications of various spectrums and intensities of light are elements we consider in our design.
Warmer yellow or orange lighting is typically preferable for unwinding, whereas colder blue and white lighting is better for working, waking up, and focusing. If at all feasible, lighting hue and temperature should change according to the time of day. To aid in keeping workers alert and focused, early light should ideally be brighter and cooler. The lighting should become cozier throughout the day to aid in the workers' ability to unwind.
How bright should workplace lighting be?
The job you're performing should come first when thinking about brightness, according to Davis. It makes sense to have natural light flooding common areas and kitchens because it is diffuse and workers aren't typically gazing at screens in these settings.
We are, however, constrained by our technology in offices. The brightness of natural light can overpower what we can see on laptop displays because "the light from the laptops and desktops is nowhere near the power and brightness of the sun," according to Davis. Desks and workspaces need a more controlled atmosphere because of this—one where some of the sun's intensity is filtered out or diffused.
office lighting to conserve electricity
Useful energy-saving light bulbs include compact fluorescent lights, halogen incandescent bulbs, and LEDs (CFLs). Installing motion-sensored lighting in frequently used spaces, such as bathrooms, basements, and supply closets, is another way to save electricity. By preventing lights from being left on when no one is in the room, setting lights on a schedule can help save money. Additionally, adding dimmers enables you to lower the lights when minimal brightness is needed for your task.
The strength of the proper illumination
Whether it's to energize and create a productive working area or a relaxation zone, or both, "our lighting team's breadth of experience and technical knowledge enable us to dive really deep," says Jenny Werbell, a senior lighting lead who closely collaborates with Davis. If you're interested in learning more about the fascinating world of lighting, Davis suggests reading Welcome to Your World: How the Built Environment Shapes Our Lives by Sarah Williams Goldhagen, which is replete with research highlighting the impact of ambient design on general wellbeing.
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