Lighting is often among the last considerations when designing a workplace. However, new research indicates that certain types of lighting directly affect workplace mood, productivity, and even well-being. Discover the ideal office building lighting types to enhance productivity, efficiency, and well-being. Create an optimal workspace with Valenti’s top recommendations for the best office building lighting solutions.

Best Office Building Lighting Types

The U.S. General Services Administration sets the standard for office lighting. By their recommendation, a normal workstation requires 500 lumens of light per square meter. Lighting, however, may differ in the workplace both in strength and tone. Learn more about types of lighting and options for office spaces.

Bulb Type

Light bulb type can drastically affect the lighting style of a workplace. LED and fluorescent lighting is most often associated with modern office spaces. Both options have a long lifespan, but LED lighting offers significant advantages, like energy efficiency and damage resistance, over their fluorescent counterparts; the older option for lighting.

One important side note in bulb type is preventing bulb flicker. For this reason, choosing a newer bulb option, such as an LED bulb, may help reduce the chance of a flickering bulb in the workplace. If you do go for the fluorescent option, however, staying up to date with maintenance and replacement schedules can go a long way to making sure your employees never have to deal with annoying, migraine-inducing flickering bulbs.

Both bulb options come in an array of different sizes and designs. Some office spaces prefer in-ceiling lighting, whereas others prefer hanging or other external designs. It comes down to a choice of aesthetics as each bulb is capable of performing well in most standard fixtures.

Brightness Matters

As we’ve said above, there are certain standards when it comes to lighting that most workplaces operate by. But did you know that lighting brightness can affect the workplace in several ways?

According to modern studies, brightness affects the mood and energy of employees. A bright light in the morning is best for alertness, activity, and creativity. A dimmer light is better for afternoon focus when fatigue sets in.

Modern LED fixtures allow you to adjust the brightness setting of your office lighting. This can help maximize employee productivity and help maintain the well-being of those in the workplace.

Importance Of Placement

There are two types of lighting for office buildings: direct and indirect. Direct lighting comes from something such as a desk lamp. Indirect is the most common office lighting. Think, overhead lighting projecting light over a large area.

Combining lighting schemes in a way that minimizes shadows and provides ample light at the right time of the day is critical in maintaining a productive office atmosphere.

Remember, it is best to supplement light. Where there are openings for direct lighting, utilize them. The rooms will feel fuller and productivity will likely increase.

Don’t Forget Natural Light

The amount of natural light a space gets depends largely upon the architecture of the office building. While older buildings typically have larger windows that allow ample light to pass through, the same cannot be said for newer office spaces.

Ensuring that an office utilizes every available ounce of natural light is good for mental health and can stimulate employee productivity. A recent study showed that employees exposed to a large amount of natural light experienced a sharp decrease in headaches, migraines, and eye strain when compared with those who spent the majority of their time under artificial lighting.

If ample natural light is not an option where you are working, consider installing lighting options that mimic natural tones and brightness levels in some work areas. This can act as a stress reliever for employees and can stimulate work productivity.

Choose Valenti

Office lighting has a direct effect on the employees in the office. Choosing the right bulb type and fixture may seem challenging, but there is no shortage of resources available to make choosing the right office lighting seamless.
Discovering the right office lighting scheme with Valenti is your best bet for ensuring your office is up-to-date with the most current research and expertise.