Ergonomics. The mere mention brings up ideas of standing workstations, irregularly shaped chairs, and office equipment that make you extra comfortable. The unifying thread in every one of those products is, of course, comfort, but that doesn't stop with things you sit in or work at. When creating the proper workspace for you, lighting is just as crucial as a height-adjustable desk or an ergonomic chair.
Even though you might already have some light sources in your workspace, with the recent trend of lights turning all LED, task lighting alternatives are changing, providing even more customizable and economical options than ever. We are learning so much about how natural lighting improves psychological well-being as research accumulates; nonetheless, natural light alone is insufficient for most jobs due to the significant fluctuation in light intensity. This can be a problem for some businesses. What works for one individual may not work for another, which is why it's critical to consider all lighting conditions when evaluating whether you need an additional light source in your workplace. Furthermore, even within the same lighting circumstances, our eyes do not all perform the same way. And our eyesight deteriorates as we age. To put that into context, persons in their twenties have eight times sharper vision than individuals in their sixties under the same light levels. As a result, light can be utilized as a reinforcement to assist elderly users in keeping their eyes strain-free.
Benefits of Task Lighting
Saves Money
Because LEDs can augment light while needing less electricity while using less energy, task lighting lowers total lighting expenses. Rather than just installing more light fixtures, providing staff with task lights and allowing them to aim them over their workstation may be a better alternative for you. LEDs are used in the majority of modern task lamps. LEDs utilize 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. Reduce cooling costs by using lights that emit less heat than incandescent ceiling lights. If your energy bill is too high, consider adding more targeted task lighting to your workspaces.
Helps With Productivity
Productivity and lighting are inextricably linked, so it's not just an issue of lighting the space. When your eyes become fatigued from adapting from screen to room and back to screen, you are more likely to suffer migraines and eye strain, both of which make it challenging to be effective.
Even if you start each day with appropriate lighting and vigor, as the day progresses and we try to be productive, our eyes have to work on keeping up. When pressures and distractions are competing for our attention and focus, this eye strain worsens. Task lamps and desk lamps are more customizable for the individual, monitor and manage the quantity of light they have at any one time. This leads us back to the principle of ergonomics: control and comfort are essential. With a task lamp, you and your workforce will have complete flexibility to alter their lighting throughout the day.
Tips for Better Lighting
When it comes to workstation lighting, artificial lights are much more vital if there isn't enough natural light. Many homes and offices feature ambient lightings, such as overhead or recessed lights, but it's a mistake to assume that these are sufficient. Conventional ambient lighting is not meant for functional lighting in the home and office; thus, additional sources must be added. Here are five things to think about while choosing office lighting.
Get Rid of Shadows and Glare
Always realize where your light is emanating from: A light source placed behind you while working on your computer will almost surely cause an obnoxious glare on your screen. Similarly, keep an eye out for unwanted shadows generated by task lighting bulbs. For instance, if your dominant hand is on the right, your arm and hand may generate shadows if the work light is also on the right. When arranging your workplaces, keep the location of windows in mind.
Maintain Indirect Office Lighting
Work away from the direct glare of overhead lights. Look for strategies to filter the ambient light that will highlight your working environment instead. Lampshades mellow and disperse intense light, whereas an upward-facing floor lamp reflects light on walls and ceilings. The goal is to brighten the entire space without causing excessive glare or contrasts and to prevent casting shadows.
Natural Light
Sunlight may create warm lighting, which can help in enhancing the environment. You may have to adjust for direct sunlight, which might cause excessive glare at specific periods of the day. To reduce glare and optimize your outdoor views, it's better to have natural light or in front of adjacent to work desks and computer screens. You can also face your desk north or south so that the sun does not cast a shadow at any time of day. Solar shading is used to handle different amounts of brightness throughout the day.
Install Task Lighting
Pick a well-defined source of light focused on what you're doing for paperwork, computer tasks, and other task-intensive duties. A desk lamp that is adjustable or articulated can direct light exactly where you need it and help you with various activities. Set up specific task lighting for each station in your home or office workspaces, such as a desk for computer and phone, a sorting area, and a table for examining pictures and designs.
Think about Decorative Office Lighting
The majority of home workspaces will have ambient lighting dispersed across space, and task lighting focused on specific desks. Aside from these two types of practical lighting, you may want to consider adding ornamental and accent lighting to significantly boost your space's visual character. Accent lighting, such as fireplace or portrait lights, attracts attention to specific objects or aspects in the area, and decorative lighting, such as wall sconces, provides immediate aesthetic impact.
The bottom line is that task lighting is a low-cost and straightforward means to enhance ergonomics at home and work. Don't forget about illumination while selecting objects to complement your room.
