Did you know that office lighting influences the concentration, health, mood and motivation of your staff? In addition to a good indoor climate , the right lighting is crucial for a productive work environment. Poor lighting is one of the most popular complaints in the office. Too little or too much light can cause headaches, fatigue, watery or tired eyes. How much light should there be and what kind of office lighting is best?
How to improve your office lighting
The first step is to check your current lighting. One of the best ways to find out if your office is poorly lit, is to ask your employees a few questions about certain complaints: do they suffer from tired eyes? Halfway in their workday, do they squeeze their eyes so they can see better? Do they often suffer from headaches while looking at their computer screen or paperwork? These complaints could indicate poor office lighting.
what should you pay attention to?
There are a few important things to keep in mind to create the perfect light balance at work. Luminosity, color temperature and diffused light play an important role.
Luminosity
Luminosity is expressed in lux and tells you how much light reaches a certain surface. There are a number of federal guidelines guidelines that determine the minimum light intensity of a room:
- 200 lux for a dining area or dressing room
- 300 lux for a reception or sports hall
- 500 lux for a meeting room or desk work
- 750 lux for sewing or technical drawing
Always make sure your office has the right luminosity so your employees can work comfortably. If the light intensity is too low, it can strain the eyes and lead to lower concentration and a decrease in productivity.
Color temperature
Productivity is key in an office. Choosing the right color temperature for your office lighting can help you create the the best work environment. It's been scientifically proven that people work better under a neutral to cool white light. So, light with a high color temperature is the way to go. A low color temperature will rather create cosiness and warmth, which is recommended for a more homely atmosphere.
Diffused light
An office space is best lit as evenly as possible without too many light contrasts. With direct diffused light, the light source is filtered, creating an even distribution which means the room will be illuminated equally. It also ensures less shadow effects or reflections and less light contrasts in the room.
Keep these three key features in mind when looking for the perfect office lighting. This way you create the ideal workspace where your employees can deliver their best work.
natural light
Windows not only provide a view, they are also a source of natural light. Several studies have proven that daylight contributes enormously to employee productivity and satisfaction. So make sure your office has as much natural light as possible and try to furnish your office accordingly.
dynamic lighting: efficient and practical
Desk work can be mentally exhausting. Dynamic lighting can help give your employees more energy throughout the day. You can set a specific light pattern or schedule adjusted to the rhythm of your workplace. The purpose of dynamic lighting is to mimic natural light (or sunlight) as closely as possible. The color and intensity of sunlight depend on the time of day. For example, in the afternoon there is a cool white light, while in the evening it is more of a warm color. Research has shown that our lighting needs are related to natural light. Dynamic lighting ensures that an office is perfectly lit at any time of the day. Luminosity and color are automatically adjusted throughout the day to optimize employee productivity.
In most offices the lighting goes out in the evening when the employees are gone. Staff that is still at work use desk lights which means everything around them is dark. That's not only unpleasant, but also has a negative impact on their productivity. With a belux multisens net you can configure a range of lighting options throughout the room, which are simply activated by the presence of a person in a particular workplace. Multisens-net communicates not only with the surrounding light sources, but with all lighting elements in the room. This means the lighting system guarantees flexible, yet energy-efficient lighting.
It's definitely worth it to invest in an efficient lighting plan. Good lighting determines the comfort, concentration and performance of your employees. A professional lighting designer can provide expert lighting advice and can help you to create the best work environment possible.
