Get switched on to working from home: Task lights and other home office lighting ideas
Working from home… Sounded dreamy, didn’t it? For many, though, the reality of being stuck at home during the pandemic is a far cry from what they used to imagine when friends waxed lyrical about the freedoms of working at home. There are so many distractions at home, not to mention chucking home schooling into the lockdown mix, so actually managing to get some work done is a triumph!
Some lucky people already have a separate study, but for most of us creating a working area in the home means claiming a space already used for something else. Adapting a room for dual use for those working from home doesn’t have to mean compromise, though.
Here’s our Top 5 ideas on how to light your way to working from home. We’ll be looking at:
- Making the most of daylight
- Targeted lighting with task lights
- Floor lights for dual use
- Spotlighting adjustable wall lights
- Creating zones with lighting
Plus, how to choosing the right bulb for your light
TIP 1. Brighten up your home office space naturally
Natural light is important here. Daylight boosts our productivity and also cheers us up! Ideally, site your desk near a window, so you can rest your eyes by staring into the distance. Align the computer or laptop screen at right angles to it to avoid reflections, glare or shadows.
There is such a thing as too much daylight though! Fit a venetian blind or a sheer ‘daylight’ roller blind to control the amount of light and keep it balanced.
After considering natural daylight, the next thing is to properly illuminate your work space.
TIP 2. Adjust your focus with targeted lighting: Desk lamps
In most homes the lighting scheme tends to be more ambient than functional, so is insufficient for home office lighting. You could use an existing table light, but do ensure it directs the light onto your work surface or keyboard, and not into your eyes. The right lighting is vital to avoid eye strain and headaches. Desk Lamps – also known as table lights or work lights – are just the thing for focusing on the job in hand. Consider dedicated task lighting for every area you will be working; fumbling in a dark cupboard or squinting at file labels is not recommended.
For your desk, choose an adjustable or articulated task light like our Frederick – its small footprint is crucial where desk space may be limited, and it gives out lots of light – or the equally smart Ashworth.
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TIP 3. Stand tall: Floor standing task lights
If your table surface space is minimal, an alternative solution is a floor lamp, which can be dual use as they are ideal for the speedy change back to a living space. Choose one that will pool light where you need it, like the sleek Wellington with a handy flexible stem.
So-called ‘mother-and-child’ floor lamps have a built in task light for reading. The very best floor lamps for working from home comprise two separate, fully adjustable and dimmable lights in one. Our splendid Oundle also has a dimmer with a memory; or, where floor space is tight, there is the Gettis, with a nicely angled stem.
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TIP 4. Off the shoulder: Adjustable wall lights
Low level lighting is advisable, but even the tiniest desk can be lit well by making good use of a wall lamp. Position an adjustable spotlight like the Ashworth on the wall above you and to the side. For a highly portable solution ideal for a quick change of use, check out the playful clip-on Osaka.
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TIP 5. Set the tone in zones: Living with a home office space
You won’t be working all the time, we hope, so it’s important to be able to change the focus and mood of a room. Switching the emphasis of your living space between day and night will help your concentration while you are working, and also make it far easier to switch off in the evenings. You can do this with clever lighting, choosing lamps with soft fabric shades in non-work areas for a homely feel; use calming, warm white bulbs (2700 Kelvins) in your living area.
Adding dimmer switches, accent lights such as picture lights, fun statement lights like our golden pineapple Safa Table Lamp, and purely decorative lighting to the mix injects contrast to the working day scheme.
A note on choosing the right bulbs for home office lighting
Fit your home office lighting with bulbs in a cool white colour (5000 Kelvins) as things appear sharper and clearer. This tone is more akin to daylight and will keep you awake and focused. It is also a good plan to use the same colour tone in all your task lights as this will minimise distractions. We always recommend an LED bulb, like the dimmable vintage filament LED in Amber, as it is kinder to the planet. Not only are LED bulbs energy efficient but, most importantly, they have a low heat output, making them much more comfortable to work near. Using less energy will also keep your bills down, which is an important consideration for unintended homeworkers.
Like this post? Why not see more inspiration on Instagram or browse our full collection of home office task lights?
