How to Light Up Your Work From Home Space to Increase Productivity

Lighting gives purpose and life to the spaces. Well-thought-out and strategic lighting amplifies the ambience of a room, often dictating its mood. “Illumination forms an interrelated relationship with the space, directly influencing the energy of the environment and its inhabitants,” says Vinayak Diwan, Design Director, Lightbook, an international lighting design firm.

Home offices have seen growing attention in recent times, given the ability to customize them based on individual preference. It is often recommended to assign a space exclusively used for work, to keep one from getting distracted from the various functions in the house. According to Vinayak, such makeshift home offices can be made professional by following three simple guidelines:

Harness natural light

There are ample health benefits of natural light on the human mind and body. As a great source of synthesizing Vitamin D in the body, a serotonin booster and a way to save energy, daylighting must be tactfully integrated into a workspace. “To prevent glare on your screens from harsh light, it is recommended to place your desk perpendicular to the primary source of illumination. Placing your desk against a window makes it possible to harness about 1,000 lux to carry out tasks such as reading or drawing, which ideally require 500-800 lux,” advises Vinayak.

Use task lighting

For work that involves screens, paperwork, and other tasks involving concentration, choose a well-defined light source directed at the task at hand. The required illumination level for visual tasks is 800-1700 lux, showing the advantages of using daylight whenever possible. Desk lamps or hanging lights create visual appeal, break the monotony and reduce shadows that light sources might have cast from slightly far away. “In case of the lighting concept being devised in the initial stages of construction, it is vital to make a provision to suspend the hanging lighting fixture from the ceiling before the plastering stage. After that, users can select fixtures based on the interior design language,” says Vinayak.

Mindful lighting choices

An LED lamp should be at least 600 lumens to achieve office lighting of 300 lux; cool-toned light is better for office work as it keeps you from getting drowsy. Although task lighting meets the required lumen levels in a home office, equal consideration should be given to aesthetics as to functionality. “A combination of ambient or accent lighting concealed in coves or under cabinets offers a cozy and artistic visual appeal, as well as prevent eye strain. Energy efficiency is an underlying principle to all lighting decisions, for their impact on the environment and ease of maintenance,” adds Vinayak.