wHave you ever wondered if office lamps have any impact on your productivity levels? Individuals have unique requirements based on the sort of work they undertake and their age.
Where natural light is scarce, alternative lighting solutions can be integrated with the proper product selection. Today, we’re here to teach you all kinds of interesting stuff about lighting in the workplace.
What makes a good lamp? What are some of the best office lamps to choose from? We’ll answer all your questions and provide some of the best suggestions for office lamps.
Importance of Proper Office Lighting
Poor lighting may have several negative effects on employees. It can be a safety hazard, impact the quality of work, has an effect on one’s productivity level, and even be a health hazard, resulting in eye pain, eye strain, and headaches.
Additionally, poor illumination can result in different kinds of body pain as people are forced to stretch their bodies or crouch into awkward postures to see well. Of course, a good office chair also comes into play here too.
Clear, bright lighting has been found to improve a person’s mood, assisting them in achieving a sense of vitality and motivation as they progress through the working day and encouraging them to think more positively.
Fluorescent lights, on the other hand, will make people feel more lethargic or exhausted, as they provide less brain stimulation.
Dim illumination can also contribute to sadness, as a study released by the National Center for Biotechnology Information demonstrates.
They explain in the study how “inadequate illumination might lead to the poor response to therapy and aggravation of mental illnesses, including mood disorders.” In contrast, strong lights have significant therapeutic and biological benefits.
Different Types of Office Lighting to Consider
Task Lighting
In contrast to ambient lighting, which illuminates a large area, or mood lighting, which shines for atmospheric purposes, task lighting illuminates a specific area and facilitates the completion of a job. Concentrated lighting is critical to an ergonomic workspace since it alleviates eye strain.
LED bulbs are used in task lighting since they are less harsh on our retinas. As with other ergonomic items, the majority of work lights are adjustable. They let users change or place lights according to their specific requirements and preferences.
Lamps that are either excessively bright or too dim cause strain on the eyes and can result in a variety of visual issues. This is when contrast enters the picture. Contrast is influenced by a variety of parameters, including the positioning of the lamp, lamp intensity, and the interplay of task and ambient illumination.
However, severe contrasts between task and ambient illumination cause the pupils of the eye to contract and frequently dilate, resulting in eye fatigue and strain.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting, or what is more generally referred to as general lighting, is the predominant source of illumination in a space. It serves as the basis for the rest of the room’s illumination. Apart from providing fundamental lighting functions, ambient lighting enhances a room’s or space’s impression of warmth and depth.
It works by providing an adequate degree of illumination without creating excessive glare. This also enables you to securely travel a whole room. It is critical to have a primary source for each space to establish an excellent lighting design.
An ideal source requires a plan for determining which lights to use and where to position them in the space. If you’re interested in light for a home office, you want to achieve a range of light levels to create an intriguing mood and ambiance that complements the house’s architecture.
Since this is a private place, you may be a little more daring. You may hang a statement chandelier, for example, or utilize lighting to draw attention to a piece of artwork or employ wall washing to enhance the decor.
Spotlights
Spotlights use LED lights, which are extremely energy efficient and can operate continuously for tens of thousands of hours. This is typically considered to last around three years of continuous usage, with many lasting up to fifteen years.
You can place them in various locations around the house, making them quite the versatile lighting solution. You can group placements and create zones within a space, which is particularly useful for practical areas such as kitchens, workshops, and home offices.
Adjustable Lights
While swing arm lights include a movable arm, desk lamp types have different adjustment options. Some models include telescoping rods that allow for adjustment of the lamp’s height up or down, as well as the ability to tilt the lamp’s head in several directions.
The most adaptability is provided by a gooseneck lamp, so named for its pliable metal body resembling the neck of a duck that can be twisted and bent into various positions.
Swing Arm Lamps
A swing arm lamp is ideal for operations that require focused light, such as crafting. Its movable arm pivots and swings into several positions, allowing you to modify the lamp’s height and the direction in which the light illuminates.
This layout enables you to move the light over your desk’s width without picking up and moving the lamp in its whole.
The best swing arm lights have sturdy metal constructions such as brass, aluminum, or bronze. Additionally, they include many adjustment choices for adjusting the light’s intensity.
Cordless
Without the need for an outlet, cordless lights are a beautiful and cheap option to illuminate your home. These battery-operated lights provide convenient and portable illumination wherever you need them.
They’re perfect for dim nooks, portable lights, and areas without readily accessible outlets. Apart from their utility, their cordless style is attractive and can assist decrease cord clutter.
Different Types of Light Bulbs for Office Lamps
Incandescent
While incandescent light bulbs are still extensively used, they have generated controversy due to their inefficiency. Approximately 90 percent of the energy consumed by these bulbs is wasted as heat. That is, they convert only 10 percent of the electric energy into visible light.
This squandered energy results in wasteful greenhouse gas emissions, which have a detrimental effect on the environment.
Another disadvantage of incandescent light bulbs is that they typically last just about a year before requiring replacement, which is significantly less than the lifespan of other bulb types. However, they are dimmable and exist in a wide variety of sizes and wattage options.
Because incandescent light bulbs are constructed of non-toxic materials, they can be disposed of in the trash. Always check to see if items may be recycled before throwing them in the garbage. When discarding old bulbs, store them within other materials to protect the glass from shattering.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs were considered a major improvement from the incandescent bulb because they replaced inert gas fillings with halogen ones. That increases their lifespan about two or three times compared to standard incandescent lights.
They are non-toxic bulbs due to the filament held by halogen gas. Should you be unable to locate a recycling program that will accept your old halogen bulbs, it is safe to discard them in the garbage. Simply place them in something cushioned to prevent the glass from breaking.
CFL
CFL is short for “compact fluorescent lamps”. Many people find the spiral form of these particular bulbs unappealing. Additionally, they require some time to warm up. As a result, the majority of consumers will avoid using CFL bulbs in statement light fixtures, such as chandeliers.
While CFLs are not normally compatible with dimmer switches, they do work really well in areas where you frequently read or work on projects, making them a popular choice for offices.
One particular type of CFL constitutes linear fluorescent bulbs. They are tubular in shape and are available in a variety of colors, power outputs, and sizes. Fluorescent tube bulbs are frequently used in task lighting.
Regrettably, compact fluorescent lamps contain trace levels of mercury vapor. This means that we must properly recycle all CFLs for safety concerns. Numerous retail and hardware establishments in your neighborhood will take them in and handle recycling on your behalf.
Alternatively, you can inquire about the policies of your local service provider. The third alternative for recycling CFLs and fluorescent bulbs is to contact a mail-back service.
LED
Short for “light-emitting diode”, LEDs have been around since 2008. LED light bulbs have decreased in price by more than 85 percent since their launch in 2008. They’re now an inexpensive option that consumes up to 80% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
LED bulbs to contribute to the wow effect because they can last up to 25 longer standard incandescent lighting. Because LED bulbs contain no hazardous chemicals, they can be disposed of in the same manner as halogen and incandescent lamps.
The majority of LED bulbs, on the other hand, are constructed of recyclable materials. This implies they will almost certainly be recyclable alongside some of your other similar trash.
Warm Light Vs Cool Light
The majority of individuals are concerned mainly with the light bulb’s brightness. Initially, luminance was expressed in watts. However, because energy-efficient bulbs can generate the same amount of light using a lower number of watts, the lumens measure has been adopted.
Lumens refer to the amount of light emitted by a light bulb or to its brightness. Bulb brightness is measured in lumens. Brighter lights have a greater lumen rating.
The concept of warm and cool light arises, and since it may be confusing for some, we wanted to take a moment to talk about it.
| Warm Lights | Cool Lights |
| ● Emit a color close to candlelight.
● Are suitable for creating a relaxing ambiance. ● Work well in bedrooms and living rooms. ● Their color temperature ranges between 2,700 to 4,000 Kelvins. |
● Is closer to natural daylight.
● They are suitable for security purposes and for performing different tasks. ● Work well in garages, offices, kitchens, bathrooms, and shops. ● Their color temperature is at least 4,000 Kelvins. |
How to Choose the Best Office Lamp
Sizes
The amount of space available on your desktop has a significant impact on the size of your light. There is no hard and fast rule about light size, but it should be proportionate to your work surface. In general, they should not exceed 1.5 times the height of the desk’s surface.
To determine the proper lamp height based on the size of your desk, measure the height of your computer or laptop display and use that measurement to determine the approximate height of your light. Do not overlook the lampshade.
While it may not take up much visible space, it might become a problem if it collides with your monitor or blocks your vision.
Styles
Selecting the best furniture and equipment for your office is key to creating a happy work environment, especially when you add your own personal style. When it comes to lamp styles, there are a variety of different options to choose from:
- A clip-on lamp is an adjustable light without a base that is very useful if you do not have a permanent workstation.
- A magnifying desk lamp is ideal for fine precision work such as crafting, repairing jewelry, etc. It includes a magnifying glass encircled by a ring of light. These lights magnify complex and tiny things, allowing you to notice fine details in your creations.
- If your workspace is restricted or you have a tendency to accumulate clutter, a lamp with an integrated organizer is an excellent addition. These lights have storage compartments for holding small office necessities that may take up valuable desk space.
Wattage
Wattage represents the amount of energy used to generate light. This has been the accepted technique of determining the amount of illumination necessary in a certain situation.
For most uses, 40 watts is plenty. It is the equivalent of 450 lumens. 60 to 75 watts is suitable for more sensitive jobs. It is comparable to around 800 to 1100 lumens.
Floor or Desk Placement
All desk lights provide task illumination, but before you choose one, consider its primary use. If you’re illuminating a vast area, get a higher lamp: The greater the height of the bulb, the more area it can illuminate.
If you share a office desk or perform several jobs, a lamp with a range of light intensities and the flexibility to be tilted and adjusted is probably the best option for you.
If you don’t have enough room on your desk for a lamp, you can always choose a floor lamp. They typically have adjustable heights and are more versatile in terms of placement since they don’t have to be on the desk.
Power Source
If your desk has an outlet or a power strip, you can use a corded light. If not, cordless alternatives are battery-operated, while others have USB charging connections.
If you’re interested in portability, a battery-powered lamp is your best bet, but note that it can be more expensive due to the lamp’s rechargeable batteries. They may, however, not be as powerful as lamps that use electricity to run.
Longevity
The longevity of an office lamp is often a matter of what type of light bulb it uses but taking into consideration that light bulbs can usually be changed for new ones, it’s also a matter of construction and quality of wiring. A good desk lamp should last at least two years of daily use.
Brightness
It is critical to get a light that can emit a bright enough light for your specific purposes. Lumens are used to quantify brightness. More lumens mean a brighter light.
While writing and reading require around 450 lumens, more complicated occupations such as embroidery, building model trains or vehicles, and painting may require up to 1,100 lumens. Certain desk lamps enable users to alter the brightness level, which enhances the lamp’s performance.
Aside from taking note of the brightness, consider the color temperature of the lamp as well. Color temperature, expressed in Kelvin units, describes the coldness or warmth of light.
Cooler light stimulates the brain and is frequently the best choice for job lighting that minimizes eye strain. Warmer light is more relaxing and maybe a better choice for nighttime use.
Dimmable vs Fixed Light
Adjustable/dimmable desk lights provide a range of brightness settings. This enables you to adjust the illumination to the optimal level for computer work, reading a book, studying, or doing some other tasks you might be required to do.
Dimmable desk lights frequently include at least three, if not more, different brightness settings. A disadvantage of dimmable lights is that they require regular adjustment, which may get tiresome.
Fixed illumination does not require adjustment, and there is no need to bother about adjusting the brightness for various jobs. With fixed lighting, however, there may be occasions when a desk lamp appears to be either too dim or too bright for certain tasks.
How Many Lamps Do You Need in Your Office?
According to the United States General Services Administration, each type of work setting requires a specific quantity of light for workers to operate well. According to office lighting regulations, a typical workstation needs 500 lumens per square meter of illumination.
This indicates that each cubicle measuring 6 by 6 feet should have the same amount of light as the one emitted by a 35-watt incandescent bulb.
Calculate the square footage of the room. To find this value in a rectangular space, multiply the width and length of the floor by two; this yields the area in square feet.
Determine the room’s foot-candle needs. A foot candle is used to determine the brightness of a light that is at a one-foot distance from its source. It’s essential to keep in mind that various spaces require a varied number of foot candles.
Calculate the number of lumens required to illuminate a room. Simply double the square footage of your room by the foot-candle requirement.
Major Differences Between Desk Lamp and Floor Lamps
With pretty intuitive names, desk lamps are meant to sit on the top of your desk, while floor lamps are placed directly on the floor. Below you can find a table with the major differences between these two categories, so you can determine which one is more suitable for you.
| Desk Lamps | Floor Lamps |
| ● They are placed on tabletops.
● Good for task lighting. ● Are smaller. ● They are usually not adjustable. ● Rarely have swing arms. ● Are more portable. |
● They are placed on the floor.
● Very good for reading. ● They are taller and even wider. ● Many have an adjustable height. ● Many have swing arms. ● It can be heavy and difficult to move around. |
Top Office Lamp Suggestions
Brightech Leaf Floor Lamp: Best Floor Lamp
The Leaf’s large 1,150 lumens output and shade, which concentrates the light on a small area, make this lamp ideal for brightening the office for task work. Its slim, slender form makes it ideal for tucking into a corner. Its rotating head and swingarm enable you to direct the light precisely where you need it.
The integrated LED light consumes 12.5 watts, with bulbs that have a 15- to 20-year lifespan, which means you will never have to replace a bulb anytime soon. Due to the integrated dimmer, you can’t attach an external one to this model.
AFROG Multifunctional LED Desk Lamp: Best Desk Lamp
With a 5V2A wall adapter and a portable design, this multifunctional LED desk lamp is just the type of versatile and practical desk lamp you’ve been looking for. You can choose between no less than 25 brightness modes because there are five modes with five levels of brightness.
It integrates a wireless charger for your mobile devices but also a USB charging port for gadgets that lack the wireless charging feature. It has a timer which can be programmed at 30 or 60 minutes. So, if you choose to use this as a bedside lamp, you can fall asleep, and the lamp will shut off automatically.
Architect Desk Lamp: Best Task Lighting for Office
When you have certain tasks to perform at the office, and you want a light that’s able to illuminate your working space, this is one of the best desk lamps to consider. It has a gesture-control system which means that you can turn the lamp on and off by simply waving your hand over it.
It has a metal swing arm and comes with an adjustable angle, so instead of moving stuff around the desk to get closer to the light or having to move the entire lamp, simply swing the arm so that the light falls on a certain area of the desk. You can adjust the brightness and have three color modes to choose from.
TROND LED Desk Lamp: Best Adjustable Office Lamp
As far as adjustable desk office lamps go, the TROND is one of our most favorites. The combination of a unique surface lighting source and an innovative light guide panel results in an anti-glare, flicker-free light that is perfect for several office setups, be they official or home-based.
To enable three unique illumination modes, long-press the LED power indicator. Choose the appropriate color temperature for your various lighting moods with this desk lamp. You may change the brightness up to seven levels by swiping at the dimmer groove.
HROOME Modern Decorative Lamp: Best Modern Office Lamp
When it comes to some of the most amazing designs for floor lamps we’ve ever seen, the HROOME is truly a piece worth talking about. It is designed to be shaped like a person and built with ergonomics that allow you to adjust the posture, which makes it feel like you have a different lamp each time you fiddle with it.
With a modern design, this lamp weighs a little less than 10 pounds, so it’s not that difficult to move around the room if needed. It comes with an integrated LED bulb, being energy-efficient as much as it is cool-looking.
VGAzer Magnetic Levitating Lamp: Best Unique Office Lamp
If you want your desk to stand out of the crowd or add a functional light that is practical, decorative, and completely eye-catching, you’re going to love what the VGAzer magnetic lamp has to offer. Using magnets, this lamp appears to levitate, creating a stunning visual effect.
This unique concept might have some people puzzled as to how this lamp can function without wiring. Well, it uses wireless power transmission, which means the bulb can still draw power from the nit. The lights are controlled by the buttons located on the wooden base.
Spiral LED Table Lamp: Best Stylish Office Lamp
When it comes to stylish designs, this baby has a lot to offer. The lamp is constructed from a high-grade aluminum that has been coated in silver. It is sturdy, well-made, and will provide great lighting for many years, as it is designed with a non-slip metal material placed on the base for further stability.
It has a color temperature of 3200K and a lumen output of 550, allowing you to change the light according to the occasion with the press of a button. Brighten while you’re reading or studying, or dim when you want to create a gentler atmosphere. This is the optimal choice for a relaxed, modern, or meditative setting.
Simple Designs LD1003-BLK Basic Lamp: Best Cheap Office Lamp
Wanting to save money in this day and age is perfectly normal, so if you’re willing to give up on fancy design and techy features, the LD1003-BLK lamp is a basic yet reliable model that’s available for a very low price. It is a stylish, affordable, and effective desk lamp that will fulfill your basic illumination requirements.
This desk lamp has a painted metal shade, a plastic base, a flexible hose neck, and an on/off switch conveniently positioned on the base—ideal for a home office desk that doesn’t need anything pretentious.
FAQs
Answer: LEDs are regarded as the ideal alternative for office lighting since they consume less energy, produce little heat, and are ecologically benign.
Answer: For those of you that spend a lot of time behind a desk, an office lamp with bulbs that emit between 5,000 and 6,000K is the best. 2,700K LED lights are also good for desk lamps.
Answer: The majority of jobs demand an abundance of bright, cool light, which is best delivered with LED or CFL light sources. Halogen and incandescent bulbs create a warmer, lower-contrast light that is excellent for skin tones but not ideal for the majority of work lighting applications.
Answer: Office lighting may be both fashionable and functional, making a significant impression in a tiny area. Low-profile ceiling lights and LED bulbs offer ambient illumination for the whole area, while the floor and desk lamps provide task lighting where it is most needed.
The Verdict on Office Lighting: Which are The Best Office Lamps?
Light has a significant influence on a worker’s health and productivity. According to several scientific research, exposure to natural light can have a variety of beneficial effects on an office worker.
Selecting the appropriate lighting and fixtures may prompt you to examine options other than the initial lumen output. Even home office lamps need to be given the proper importance.
Feel free to ask us any lamp-related questions if this article doesn’t tell you anything you need to know about the best office lamps. And for more excellent tips and suggestions on home lighting, check out our guide to the best lamps for your home and outdoor areas!
References
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