How to Get More Light in Your Home Office

How to Get More Light in Your Home Office
Cathy Hobbs
4/15/2015
Updated:
4/23/2016
Lighting can make a tremendous difference in a home office, impacting everything from your productivity to your outlook, and your mood.
Lighting can make a tremendous difference in a home office, impacting everything from your productivity to your outlook, and your mood.

While lighting is an often-overlooked part of a space, the right lighting can have a tremendous impact on the overall look and feel of a room. It can also impact your mood, helping you to feel more alert, awake, and motivated.

A study by the Light Right Consortium found that people who are more satisfied with their lighting rate the space as more attractive. They’re also happier, and are more comfortable and satisfied with their environment and work.

Ensuring that there is adequate lighting in your home office is important. Here are three ways that you can achieve optimal lighting in your space.

Natural Lighting

Whenever possible, opt for natural lighting –the best possible source of light. If you have a window that makes natural lighting available, invest in some high quality window treatments that make it easy to adjust the level of light that filters into the room. You should also arrange your office furniture to take advantage of the natural light. Working with your side to the light may be the best option, since directly facing a bright, open window may be too bright, and positioning your back to the sun can cause screen glare.

View: <a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/bulb-glass-vial-wall-sconce.html">Clear Glass Vial Wall Sconce</a>
View: Clear Glass Vial Wall Sconce

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting can be used in addition to any main ceiling fixtures, and can help to fill in any dark spaces that may need illuminating in your office. This lighting can also serve to create atmosphere and to serve as a decorative element.

View: <a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/industrial-tiered-shade-lever-desk-lamp.html">Industrial Tiered Shade Lever Desk Lamp</a>
View: Industrial Tiered Shade Lever Desk Lamp

Task Lighting

Task lighting comes in handy when you’re working in low lighting situations, and need to focus on something apart from your computer screen. Look for an adjustable lamp to help you to focus easily on visual tasks without having to strain your eyes.

View: <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/20828058/Murray-Feiss-Holloway-Transitional-Pendant-Light-X-BXT-SB5821P-transitional-pendant-lighting">Murray Feiss Holloway Transitional Pendant Light</a>
View: Murray Feiss Holloway Transitional Pendant Light

General Lighting

General lighting provides the main source of lighting in a room, and usually comes in the form of a single light fixture in the ceiling. When it comes to general lighting, it’s important that you don’t use light bulbs that are too bright or dim as this will strain your eyes. Also consider the size and overall layout of the room, and to choose lighting that can most effectively illuminate the entire space.

When it comes to optimal lighting, having dimmers installed can be a simple way to adjust the amount of lighting in a room; helping you to get the most from your lighting situation.

Have you thought about upgrading the lighting in your home office?

Remember to LIKE Cathy Hobbs, Interior Designer on FACEBOOK, and Follow Design Recipes on TWITTER for more design tips and inspiration.

Original Post: Cathy Hobbs Design Recipe 

5-time Emmy award winning television personality Cathy Hobbs (ASID) is the founder and creator of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes™. Cathy currently hosts her own self-branded design television series, Design Recipes, airing on the top rated “PIX Morning News” on WPIX-TV in New York City. Cathy was a finalist on Season 6 of HGTV's Hit Reality Series "DESIGN STAR and most recently served for a year as the green expert for “The Life Improvement Squad” a national campaign with IKEA and O Magazine.
Author’s Selected Articles
Related Topics