Here are 25 lighting ideas which you can implement in a commercial or home office:
1. Go the fluorescent way:
One of the most common types of lighting fixtures which are used in commercial offices is tubular fluorescent lighting. You find these lights in different sizes and shapes, with different types of lenses and bulbs. You can either install these lights separately or even suspend them from the ceiling. The popularity of fluorescent commercial light is based on efficiency as well as the long life of the lamps.
2. HID (High-Intensity Discharge):
High-intensity discharge (HID), or metal halides are the typical lighting in warehouses as they are very suitable for large spaces. Metal halides consist of a suspended pendant hanging from a ceiling with a number of bulbs attached. However, the number of bulbs and the size of the tiles may differ depending upon the requirement, but in general metal, halides create a very bright light and are most suited for higher ceilings.
3. Incandescent Lighting:
One of the most traditional and well-known types of lighting is incandescent lighting used for commercial purposes. The light thrown by these lights is much similar to the light from the sun, but, the downside is that these lights have a shorter lifespan and one of the less efficient light sources. Incandescent lights are mostly used as desk lights and recessed lights in office areas.
4. Halogen Lights:
If you have a large office area, you can go for halogen lights which provide a bright, intense and white light. These lights are twice as efficient as compared to incandescent bulbs with two to four time longer life spans.
5. LED Lighting:
LED lighting provides the aesthetic and practical qualities of conventional lamps, as well as being very efficient and environmentally friendly. LED panels can be mounted to the walls or hanged on the roof or mounted on the surface of other objects, which makes it suitable for a wide range of applications.
6. Suspended Ceiling Light Fittings:
If you have higher ceilings on your office suspended ceiling lights are a great fit. They can offer direct, indirect or dual light distribution. Another type of suspended lights is office pendant lighting, that works well above individual desks or in clusters above a conference table.
7. Desk Lamps:
Today the office culture is moving away from paper towards digital records, however, desk lamps continue to hold an important place whether you are in the office or at home. You need a lamp that can deliver the right amount of light exactly where you need it to work comfortably, prevent headaches and eyestrain, and boost your energy. While most homes and offices come with overhead lighting, and you may even be lucky enough to have your desk by a window, a desk lamp can deliver focused lighting just where you need it.
8. Floor Lamps:
Floor lamps are perfect to work around a home office décor and they also provide a casual source of illumination. These lights are usually placed in the corner of the room and add a contemporary touch to your workspace. You can use different lights like energy efficient, LED floor lamps to traditional arc lamps, you can always find a lamp that suits your needs and preferences.
9. Usher in some natural light:
Natural light is a wonderful element to increase productivity in your office especially if you know how to use it well. If you have a glossy surface it can sometimes be a problem but you can still make the optimum use of the same, allowing it to blend beautifully with the artificial illumination.
10. Inspire creativity with a statement lamp:
You don't always have to play safe with a practical approach to your office. So forget bland corporate style and splash out on a desk lamp that will (quite literally) light up your working space. A lamp in an unusual color or shape will make space your own. In turn, your office will become a haven, rather than a space you avoid at all costs.
11. Fix a task light to the wall:
If you don’t have additional space to fit a lamp on your desk you can easily mount it on the wall. This will help you to reduce the clutter on your desk and help you to enjoy your desk by keeping a vase or plant which adds a smile to your face.
12. Track Lighting:
You can easily create a family-centered workplace with the help of this efficient task lighting. This fixture can be adjusted easily to illuminate the room's desk, shelves or blackboard. You can add a rice paper floor lamp for some additional illumination to your room.
13. Use Indirect Lighting:
You need to avoid any kind of unnecessary light which will distract you from your computer screen. You can easily design a home office and feature wall scones on it which will help to provide some indirect illumination which will wash the walls of your room with light.
14. Location of the light:
Always consider the location from which the light enters your office. If you have a light source behind your computer screen it will definitely create some unnecessary interruption to the work that you have to do. So look out for lamps which will not cast an unnecessary shadow to your working space especially when it comes to task lighting. Also, consider the location of windows when setting up your workspace.
15. Accent and Decorative Lighting:
It is often observed that many home offices feature lighting which is diffused throughout the space and task lighting on the workstations. You may also accessorize with other types of light in your workspace like decorative and accent lighting to improve the ambiance of your office. Accent lighting like mantel or picture lights draws attention to objects or other elements in the room, while decorative lights—such as wall sconces—provide direct visual appeal.
16. Hang a bulb from the ceiling:
Hanging a bulb from the ceiling is one of the best solutions especially if you have a small room with a narrow desk. If you want a simple yet decorative look you can opt for a bare bulb with a decorative flex which will help to provide great illumination and it will not be too fancy also to distract you from the work.
17. Use lighting to add color:
If you want to add that wow factor to your office without spending a lot of money you can opt for lamps with some funky color. However, it is important to create a restful environment where you can focus rather than give yourself a headache. That said, a few little accents can go a long way, putting you in a bright mood, ready to work. This aqua blue desk lamp, paired with a sunshine yellow chair brings a jovial tone to this otherwise muted palette.
18. Recessed Architectural Lighting:
Any kind of architectural lighting will help to make space feel large, open and airy. It can be used for aesthetics and can create a great visual appeal for anyone who visits the office. For giving a more modern look you can also use recessed lighting on walls and ceilings.
19. Oversize suspensions:
If you add an oversized light fixture to the room, it automatically makes the place feel more comfortable. In open offices, where ceilings are high with plenty of overhead space, large pendants and suspensions are the perfect solutions for filling in the open area and warming up the atmosphere. Choosing the right oversize fixture will have your employees working productively in a perfectly lit and cozy environment.
20. Pop of color pendants:
These color pendants are a wonderful idea especially for collaborative workspaces and will add extra energy and vibrancy to the atmosphere creating an optimal environment to share creative ideas and solutions for the projects. For a modern office, try combining large oversize colored pendants for a fun, high-energy feel, or a pop-of-color with smaller pendants to add an accent and liveliness to the room.
21. Play with the angles:
When you talk about smart lighting it is all about playing with the right angles. If you are an architect or a designer who works more on sheets and paper instead of tech gadgets, then a flood of natural light is a welcome addition. One of the smart decision that you can take is aligning your workstation to the north or the south to avoid any natural shadow that may hinder you in your workspace.
22. The right ambient light:
If your room is not blessed with natural light, artificial lighting becomes all the more important. The most common type of ambient lighting is overhead lighting or many times even recessed lighting may take care of the job. But the existing lighting is not always sufficient for the home office so think about adding plenty of ambient lighting.
23. A game of gloss and glare:
Lighting the home workspace is a game of gloss and glare, and you are not going to win it if you stick to just one layer of lighting. Think of lighting the room as a layered effort where the ambient light provides the base, the task lighting offers functionality and accent lighting puts the sparkle on top of it all. Each layer must be at a different level to ensure that one does not interfere with or overwhelm the other.
24. Light Control System:
These systems are designed to save energy efficiently by optimizing each area of office use. If you add a light saving system to your office it means that you get the most out of your new lighting in terms of performance ability and energy capabilities. This system will help to benefit in areas like corridors, toilets and meeting rooms which are not often in use. Occupancy control sensors ensure that the areas are lit when in use and that lights are switched off when they are not needed.
25. Place your desk by the window:
Ideally, you should find a working spot with lots of light – this will not only save on your electricity bill but will also boost your mood. It's scientifically proven* that exposure to natural light in an office will increase your productivity, health and overall well being. Being able to stare off into the distance is another benefit, as regular screen breaks will prevent eye strain.
Conclusion:
So don't settle for a "one size fits all" approach to lighting: do your research to find office lighting solutions that are efficient, stylish, and create the right kind of illumination for the work at hand. After all, choosing the correct lighting is an integral part of styling your office from deciding on the right light bulbs to finding lamps that simulate natural light.