If you thought that designing a comfortable and productive office space was all about office furniture and choosing the right colour to paint the walls, you’re mistaken. There are countless facets that come into play when designing an office, either from scratch or during a revamp, and all of these facets need to be given equal consideration. One consideration which is often overlooked, is the element of lighting. 

What type of lighting do you have in your office? Do you even know? Most people don’t, they just say they have lightbulbs, i.e. they flick a switch and boom! There is light! The thing is, there are several different types of lighting, and all have their PRO's and CON's. If you want to achieve the most comfortable, healthy, and productive office space, you need to know about those PRO's and CON's, and make your choice based on the information at hand. 

Of course, we also have the environment to think about. Being environmentally aware has been forced upon our attention over the last few years, simply because we have been so reckless with this planet of ours for so long. Nowadays we are all thinking about being more ‘green’, sustainability, and doing what we can for this planet we call home. Hopefully it won’t be too little too late, but doing our bit now is better than nothing at all. Ironically, by doing your bit, you’re also saving yourself money, especially if you’re looking towards changing your lighting method towards something more energy efficient. The double whammy here is a better effect on the environment, and cash remaining in your bank account. As a business, you should know how important that is! 

Redesigning your office is of course about placement of your new, amazing office furniture and ensuring that the space is easy to work in and comfortable for employees, but lighting should never be overlooked. This guide is going to tell you all you need to know about office lighting, the PRO's and CON's of each type, and talk about how it all ties into employee health and productivity. 

Ready to begin?

Adequate Lighting Versus Inadequate Lighting

Having the right type of lighting within your office space is vital if you want to ensure your staff are comfortable, productive and healthy during their working time, sat in their office chairs. Think back to times when you’ve been sat in a room with lighting that hurt your eyes; perhaps the lighting was too bright, too dull, or maybe it was flickering. Did you feel comfortable? Of course not! It’s likely that you came away with some degree of a headache, so can you imagine sitting in that kind of environment for 7 or so hours every day and trying to work? Impossible!

Check out this infographic for a quick take on how lighting affects productivity in particular

Source: www.focusearth.com/2016/02/03/how-lighting-affects-productivity-in-the-workplace-infographic

As you can see, lighting isn’t simply there to show you the way, it’s there to make life more comfortable! 

An office which is well-lit, i.e. it has adequate lighting, enough natural light, and the lighting methods that are in place aren’t too bright or too dull, helps to boost health and wellbeing. In these types of offices, employees are able to focus on the work at hand, and without headaches and eyestrain. This increases morale, because everyone is able to hit their deadlines on a daily basis, and morale means productivity! So many businesses underestimate the impact that lighting has on business performance, and it is one of the key basic responsibilities of an employer, to ensure that the office has the right type of lighting, to ensure comfort overall. 

Let’s break it down into simplistic terms. 

An office with poor lighting, e.g. too bright, too dull, the wrong type, too much glare, etc, causes:

• Headaches and eye strain
• Tiredness and general fatigue
• Frustration
• Low mood and low morale as a whole
• Low productivity levels throughout the entire office

In comparison, an office with good lighting, e.g. enough natural light, the right types of light across the entire space and in a personalised manner, just bright enough but not too bright, and no glare, ensures:

• A more comfortable experience for employees and visitors to the space
• A better first impression for visitors
• Increased productivity due to better lighting
• Increased mood and morale

It really is a no brainer, and a shame that so many offices don’t place the right amount of importance on office lighting, instead choosing to focus on other, less important areas. 

The Main Types of Office Lighting

As with home lighting, there are several different types to choose from. The main ones are: 

• Natural light
• Fluorescent lighting
• LED lighting
• Solar lighting

We’re going to talk about each one in turn and highlight their PRO's and CON's, so you can make the right decision, but it’s also worth pointing out that it’s possible to have a mix of different types. No office is uniform, i.e. there are always going to be some spots which are darker than others, and some areas where there is a huge amount of natural light. That means that you need to think about a bespoke lighting plan. Some areas might need a brighter or different type of lighting than others, whilst some spaces might only need a boost in the natural lighting stakes. It’s about knowing your office space and acting accordingly. 

Natural Light 

Here at Calibre Office Furniture, we have to admit that we are a little bias in the lighting stakes, because natural light is without a doubt the number one choice. Natural light is Mother Nature’s best, and it’s important that we get enough natural light on a daily basis in general, not only when we’re sat in an office at work. 

To highlight this point, a study – by the Northwestern University of Chicago – showed that employees who worked in offices with windows versus those who worked in windowless offices showed major differences in various areas. The study showed that there is a strong connection between how much exposure we have to natural light and sleeping quality and pattern, mood, and our general quality of life. The more exposure to natural light, the more positive the effects, and the less exposure, the less positive. 

This direct correlation is no surprise when you start to look into the beneficial effects of nature in the working environment. It has long been thought that bringing elements of the outside, inside can bring major advantages to those working within those four walls. This means thinking about plants, greenery in general, cool, natural colours, and natural materials, such as a solid oak boardroom table.  

This very same study mentioned earlier also showed that employees who worked in an office with windows, slept for 46 extra minutes per night, with a higher quality overall. If you do any research into sleep quality and deprivation, you’ll instantly realise why extra sleep is a good thing! Sleep deprivation makes stress far easier to come by as one down side, and stress in the workplace is something we all need to do everything we can to avoid. On the flip-side, those who worked in offices without windows experienced less sleep, due to the effect on the body’s circadian rhythm. This is basically about hormones and the sleeping cycle, something which natural light helps along a little. 

If that science lesson isn’t enough, the benefits keep on coming. Natural light is also known to help boost mood. Think about times when you’ve been outside on a sunny day; did your mood instantly lift, even if just a little? Of course! Natural light helps us feel better, and with society’s current trend towards anxiety and depression as a whole, anything which helps us feel more uplifted is a very positive step. 

You’re also getting a boost of that all-important vitamin D when you’re exposed to more natural light. Vitamin D is vital for the body’s general running, e.g. the immune system and cognitive function, and without it, everything runs in a sluggish and negative manner. 

Put simply, natural light helps us feel less stressed, more upbeat, less fatigued, and more well rested. All of this helps us make better decisions, less mistakes, and increases our general productivity. 

Let’s sum up. The PRO's of natural lighting are:

• Employees have a better sleep pattern, which leaves them well rested and less stressed
• Increased vitamin D absorption, which is vital for overall health and well-being
• Increased mood
• An increase in productivity due to feeling more upbeat, less stressed, and less tired
• Less mistakes due to tiredness
• Better decision making ability, due to feeling well rested and upbeat
• Money saved – Natural light is free!
• You’re doing your bit for the environment

Are there any downsides to natural light? Not many, but we should mention them for completeness’ sake. 

• It’s unlikely that an office can be lit entirely by natural light, due to dark nights in winter, bad weather etc, so a mix of natural and artificial light is the usual course of action
• Offices tend to have dark corners and light corners, e.g. where the light doesn’t hit, which can make lighting with natural methods a little more difficult. For instance, if you have a 6 seater office table, you want everyone at that table to have the same lighting effects.

Fluorescent Lighting 

Fluorescent lighting is still one of the most common types of office lighting you will find, in fact lighting in general. This type of light is the most artificial of all and it is often blamed for headaches and eyestrains. Fluorescent lighting is also likely to cause flickering, especially when the bulb is about to finish, and excessive glare. 

We’re painting a rather negative picture of fluorescent lighting here, but the fact remains that it’s used for many reasons.
Firstly, it’s a cheaper option for most offices, and it does the job of creating a well-lit office, especially if the office is particularly dark to begin with, and during the winter months. The bad side is that fluorescent lighting isn’t that great for the environment and whilst it’s a cheaper way to light an office, the costs still mount up over a year; if you can add in natural light and reduce the amount of fluorescent lighting you’re using, you’ll become more energy efficient, save cash, save your employees’ eyes, and you’ll do your bit for the planet. 

Now, fluorescent lighting isn’t all bad, but it does get a bad reputation. This type of lighting is often blamed for migraines, especially when lights are flickering. These types of lights can be arranged in any type of pattern, e.g. strip lights, squares etc, and they’re usually placed over a desk, so the glare goes directly onto glass desks and reflects back upwards, or onto a computer screen, and directly into the eyes of the employee. Having said that, fluorescent lighting on its own isn't a major cause of migraines per se; it doesn’t help, but when they’re working correctly, these types of lights can’t be blamed entirely. It really depends on the person and what their migraine triggers are, e.g. being very sensitive to light or flickering. 

Another idea about fluorescent lighting is that it can cause radiation which may cause cancer in certain cases. CFLs, or compact fluorescent lights, do emit some radiation, but probably not enough to cause any health issues. To put it into perspective, your mobile phone also gives off some radiation, and nobody is really concerned about using their phone! To put this myth to bed, for the sake of fairness, the World Health Organisation has found that these types of lights don’t emit enough radiation to cause cancer. 

However, a study – by the Trent University in Canada – did find that fluorescent lighting may cause more in the way of eyestrain, headaches, and dizziness in those who already have a predisposition towards it. In addition, fluorescent lighting is thought to affect your sleep pattern, due to that circadian rhythm we mentioned a little earlier.

If you are going to go for fluorescent lighting it’s best to go for CFLs and not strip lights. These are far more energy efficient and have less in the way of harmful effects on the environment. 

Let’s sum up on the good and bad points for this type of lighting. 

Good points:

• A cheap way to light a room, especially one which has darker furniture, such as black contemporary office furniture
• CFLs aren’t as harmful to the environment as the old fashioned strip lights
• Produce enough light for a well-lit office, to give a bright and breezy feel
• Can be used in conjunction with natural light

Bad points:

• Old fashioned fluorescent lighting is not energy efficient
• There are links towards migraines, headaches and eyestrain in those who already have a predisposition towards these issues
• Can affect the body’s sleep pattern and therefore cause tiredness, which leads to low mood and low productivity
• May flicker or be too bright which affects everyone in the office, including those sat in reception chairs – this doesn’t create the best first impression.

LED Lighting

The next choice is a better one in terms of saving the planet, but still not on par with our favourite choice of natural lighting! Yes, we’re biased once more!

LED stands for ‘light emitting diode’ and is one of the increasingly common types of lighting found in offices and homes around the country. LED lighting is better than fluorescent lighting in many ways, and it can easily be combined with natural light to give a very effective method for a modern day office. In addition, LED is thought to be as close to natural light as possible, without actually being natural.

Most offices install LED lighting systems to ensure that the space is lit in an even manner, e.g. there aren’t dark spots and areas which are too light. When an office switches to LED from fluorescent choices, the energy efficient savings are quite large, and can be anything up to around 80% savings. That’s a huge amount of cash that can be saved or reinvested into your business, perhaps revamping the office space and purchasing some funky reception furniture to make a positive first impression to visitors.
That in itself increases business revenue and possibilities!

Several studies have found that by switching from fluorescent lighting to LED, productivity rises by around 3% instantly. This is thought to be a better working environment and less in the way of headaches and eye strain, whilst also ensuring that staff are well rested, due to a better sleep pattern. It’s very difficult to prove that claim with numbers but it makes sense when you consider the PRO's and CON's of fluorescent lighting against those of LED. 

Let’s sum up. 

The main advantages of LED lighting are:

• Energy efficient and will bring huge savings to a business who have relied upon fluorescent lighting for a long period of time
• Better for the environment
• Can be used in conjunction with natural light very easy
• Lights and office in an even way, without dark and light spots
• As close to natural light as possible, without actually being natural
• Increased productivity, due to a more favourable working environment
• LED lighting isn’t thought to affect the body’s circadian rhythm, therefore not affecting sleep patterns

The possible downsides include:

• Whilst better than fluorescent lighting, LED lighting still ranks behind natural light
• Can be expensive to install LED lighting, but cost effectiveness kicks in after installation and shows on energy bills. The savings can be used to furnish your office to a higher standard however, perhaps with commercial office equipment made of natural materials.

Solar Lighting

A very cost effective and natural way to produce energy, not only light, is to go down the solar route. Many businesses are put off solar lighting because there needs to be solar panels installed, and this can be costly at the beginning. Once the installation is over however, the cost of running solar energy is far lower than any other type apart from natural, and many energy companies will also subsidise and offer payments to those who are willing to try solar energy. This is because solar energy is a far more sustainable and natural method of producing energy and is therefore extremely beneficial for the environment.

Basically, by going on this route you’re getting the benefits of artificial light (reliability), without having any environmental damage on your hands. Some businesses find solar panels to be quite unpleasant to the eye, but technology is increasing all the time and these are far less conspicuous and large than they used to be a few years ago. 

To give you an idea of how solar panels work, and how they generate energy for lighting, check out this interesting video. 

The main advantages of solar lighting include:

• Extremely beneficial for the environment
• Drastically cuts down on energy bills after the initial installation
• Some companies will allow you to sell excess energy to them for a fee
• Gives you the benefits of artificial light without the environmental fall out
• May help your business if clients know that you’re being environmentally conscious

The main disadvantages include: 

• The cost of installing solar panels can be high at first and may look out of place if your office is quite small. This is something for the one sat at the CEO office desk to consider in terms of overall cost effectiveness
• Solar energy is quite consistent but there may be times when lighting isn’t as bright as others

These are the four main types of office lighting that you will regularly see offered, and whilst they all have their PRO's and CON's, it really comes down to the individual office in terms of which is best. Whilst natural light is always going to be the number one option, it won’t always be the best route. It depends on where your office is, for example. Perhaps you have small windows, or the view from your office directly points to another building, which is a very short distance away. This means you’re not going to get the same benefit as an office with large windows, facing out over a field or park area. 

The best advice is to weigh up the decision for your business alone and go with the route which makes the most sense in terms of energy efficiency and comfort for your employees. You should also combine this with the best office furniture quality, to create a wholly beneficial change. 

How to Increase the Amount of Natural Light in Your Office

You will no doubt have realised that natural light as far as possible is the best route for lightning a modern office, and whilst it isn’t going to be the only method you choose, there are a few ways you can maximise the natural light that enters your office space, and therefore cut down on the amount of artificial lighting you need to use. This reduces your energy bills and also gives you more of the feel good factor associated with natural light. You can also give the illusion of more natural light, which will have the same effect. 

A few methods include:

• Decluttering the office space to allow more light to enter
• Taking anything away from the window spaces and allowing them to be completely free of furniture or storage
• Removing blinds and allowing windows to be open whenever possible
• Opting for a light colour scheme, e.g. white office furniture, which will reflect the light and give a brighter feel
• Using glass to also reflect light and increase the effects. This can also work in a reception area, perhaps by choosing a blue and glass reception desk to give a seriously stylish impression!
• Installing skylights if you are able to do so
• Think about mirrors on the walls, although be careful not to add glare
• Look at your flooring option; laminate flooring will reflect the light better than a carpet, but a light coloured carpet will have a brighter effect than a dark one
• If you need to have blinds at the windows for privacy, make these light and thin, to avoid darkening up the space

If you have large windows, be sure to make the most of them and allow as much natural light to enter the office as possible.
If your windows are small, you can try and reflect the light using some of the methods we’ve just talked about, and that will have a similar effect. Basically, it’s about making the most of what you have, and even if you only have a certain amount of natural light, it’s better than none at all!

These lighting tips will help you create the right working environment for your staff. 

Considerations When Changing Your Office Lighting Method

We’ve already mentioned that you’re highly unlikely to be able to rely solely on natural lighting, so that means you’re going to need to add some kind of artificial lighting to your office, to a certain degree. When you choose your specific type there are some sub-categories you need to pay attention to. 

Firstly, think about the PRO's and CON's we mentioned before and come to a decision which suits your budget and your office space.
From there, consider the following elements too: 

• Think about brightness – If you’re going for an LED option, it’s a good idea to think about a smart sensor. This means that the sensor will automatically adjust the brightness, according to how much natural light is making its way into the space. In that case, you’re not going to have an extremely bright environment when the sun is shining, with dark spots. These sensors will come at a slightly higher cost, but they’re certainly worth it and when you’re saving cash on your energy bills anyway, perhaps that’s where you could reinvest the cash! In addition, this also means that if you’re using modern collaborative office furniture, those attempting to brainstorm won’t be affected by changes in light quality.
• Consider the light temperature – Temperature isn’t just about how hot or cold a room is, it pertains to lighting too. Light will emit some kind of heat, and LED lighting is considered to be cooler than fluorescent. If you have a particular hot office and you have fluorescent lighting currently, switching to LED could help to cool down the space, as well as give you added lighting-related benefits.

Avoiding Glare

When you’re changing your lighting method you also need to think about glare and how to minimise it. This is also something to think about when you’re moving around office seating and desks. As a general rule, it’s not a good idea to place a desk so that the person has their back to a large window. This means that the natural light is going to hit the computer screen and then bounce straight into their eyes. Instead, a stylish office desk could be placed facing the window – it also gives the employee a great view to boost their morale!

Workstations which are placed directly underneath lights, especially fluorescent lightings, have a tendency to attract glare, so make sure that when you design your office seating plan, you avoid this pitfall. Of course, it is impossible to avoid glare altogether, and in that case you could look towards purchasing extras, such as glare hoods and filters. Employees can also turn down the brightness on their monitor to help them see the screen better and not have to squint their eyes – a big headache and eye strain cause!

There are many cool office furniture ideas when it comes to situating furniture in certain places, and you simply need to be a little inventive in order to avoid situations which are likely to cause discomfort to your employees.
Being careful of the main dos and don’ts of lighting is vital, and the information we’ve given you will prove useful. 

Conclusion

It’s crazy how many businesses fail to realise how vitally important office lighting is, and how much of a direct connection there is between lighting and productivity. A simple change can bring major benefits, such as increased morale, higher productivity, increased profits, and savings on energy bills. All of that by simply being more aware of the types of lighting on offer, and thinking carefully about which suit the workspace and the employees working within it. 

We’ve shared several tips for choosing the right office lighting, but there is no uniform, one size fits all answer. It’s certainly advisable to do your best to increase the amount of natural light making its way into your office space, but that depends upon the office itself.
By being aware of your choices, you can make better decisions for your employees, your energy bills, and for the environment overall. 

Choosing great office furniture will also go a long way to increasing the feel-good factor in the office, reflecting the light and creating a space which employees feel proud of. 

Thank you for reading!