When a person walks into an office, they immediately notice the atmosphere. Some offices seem dark and stuffy, while others draw people in and make them want to stay for a bit. The lighting in the office plays a key role in how a person feels at this moment. The right lighting transforms the ambiance of the office, and business owners must recognize this when designing their office space.
What many people don’t realize is the lighting in an office determines how employees perceive the workplace. Employee performance can be enhanced by altering the lighting in the workplace. In addition, the lighting can add or detract from the aesthetic appeal of the office. Office Lighting Resources is of great help in improving the lighting in any workplace, so be sure to check it out.
How can a company improve its lighting? What changes should be made to improve the mood, productivity, and overall health of all employees? The following steps should be taken to achieve this goal.
Overhead Lights
Avoid overhead lights that have a glare. Overly bright lights produce this glare. Try to position overhead lights so they don’t shine directly over an employee’s desk. If they must do so, use masking film to minimize the glare. White-out tape is an alternative to masking film that should be considered, as it fulfills the same purpose. When the time comes to upgrade the lighting fixtures, consider those that are anti-glare to avoid this issue in the future.
Mimic Natural Daylight
Natural daylight provides the best form of illumination in the workplace but is hard to come by. A business can work to overcome this lack of natural daylight by installing light bulbs that mimic the sun. Look for bulbs with a color temperature between 5000 and 7000K for the best results.
Avoid Fluorescent Lighting
Business owners often turn to fluorescent lighting to save money. However, this lighting can be detrimental to employee health and well-being. The lights are extremely bright and are harsh. They may bother workers who are prone to migraines and those with sensitive eyes. Choose other lighting options to avoid these issues.
Know Local Codes
When upgrading the lighting in the workplace, ensure any new fixtures and bulbs comply with local lighting regulations. For example, many localities have regulations regarding the amount required in an office setting. Although a business owner might find they cannot have the desired lighting fixtures or scheme they envisioned, always comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues.
Lighting for Different Areas
Never use the same lights throughout the office. Ambient lighting works best in conference rooms, while workstation lighting is needed at desks. A conference room may not need anything more than standing lamp lights or lamps to provide the right ambiance while still allowing people to get work done.
Consider the Changing Seasons
During the winter months, the sun isn’t as bright and this becomes obvious in the office. Everything looks and feels dark and gloomy, but it doesn’t have to. Account for the missing light outdoors by using brighter and warmer bulbs in light fixtures. Doing so helps to keep energy levels high while sustaining the natural circadian rhythm of the body. Employees may not know why they aren’t as dismal this winter, but they will appreciate how they feel.
Dim the Lights
Consider investing in lighting that allows a user to increase or lower its intensity as needed. An employee can lower the intensity of the lighting as the day winds down. Changing it to a warmer tone allows them to relax before heading home. If the employee must work at night, the light should stay warm to prevent the blue screen from computers interfering with their sleep schedules.
Eliminate Buzzing Lights
As light bulbs age, they may make a buzzing sound. This is extremely common with CFLs, and the noise can irritate and distract employees. If a bulb begins making a buzzing sound, immediately replace it with an LED version. LED lights never develop this issue. In fact, LED lights throughout the office increase performance.
Signage Considerations
Lighting in an office goes beyond ambient and task lighting. Consider the safety and exit signage lighting. These signs must remain lit at all times and be repaired promptly if they fail. Many offices choose to switch to LED signs of this type, so they can feel confident the lights will last for years to come.
Exterior Lighting
Don’t overlook exterior lighting when it comes to the office. Employees must be able to travel safely when entering and exiting the building. Ensure all exterior areas where employees might walk remain well-lit to prevent accidents and the possibility of a lawsuit.
Request Employee Feedback
Speak with employees regularly to see if the current lighting meets their needs. If it doesn’t, ask them what they feel is wrong with this design. Using the feedback they provide, consider making changes to the lighting arrangement. Besides improving the light in the office, this simple task will improve employee productivity. The employee will feel as if their opinion matters, which motivates them to work harder.
Install Floor Lighting
Move ahead of the competition by installing floor lighting. Most offices have yet to take this step, and employees will appreciate the effort. When installing the lighting, consider offering custom lighting options to each employee. They can customize the light scheme for their particular workstation without disrupting others in the office.
Another option to consider is strip lighting placed along baseboards or the walls. People can move with confidence throughout the workplace, as they know they won’t have to fumble around in the dark.
Variety is best when it comes to the lighting scheme in an office. Consider mixing direct and indirect lighting. Install task lights in certain areas and use ambient light for general tasks. The right lighting scheme can take any business to the next level, so research the options offered today. Business owners who do are thrilled to see the excellent return on investment they get.
