First, it is helpful to understand the different light types and how they can impact your eyes, energy levels, learning efficiency, and even appearance. Natural light is considered the best light in most aspects, but you cannot control the sunlight 24/7. There are many different ways to create indoor illumination, but not all are ideal for long hours reading, concentrating, or working on a computer. Finding the right light bulb for the job it needs to do is the first consideration.
Dim light is hard on the eyes – it can cause eye strain and impact your cognitive ability when used for long periods. You want bright lighting, but also in a color temperature closer to outdoor light. Brightness is rated in lumens (lm) per watt – for LED lights, about 450 lm in a 6 to 9-watt bulb offers sufficient brightness for most kinds of work and study.
For the type of light, you want to consider color temperature, with cooler temps simulating daylight. Daylight, or natural light, is the easiest on eyes for work, study, or screen time. Measured in Kelvin (K) units, cooler “daylight” temps generally range from 5000 to 10,000 K. The ideal color temperature for work-study lighting is a Kelvin rating around 4500-6500, matched with a bulb with the right brightness (lumens or watts). Work-study lighting will differ from what most people prefer when thinking about lighting for ambiance and relaxation. Different rooms or spaces within a room may call for variations in lighting solutions to meet specific purposes and moods.
The easiest way to adding the correct lighting to a room for work or study is with a desk lamp with the correct light bulb. Finding a desk lamp with a dimming adjustment is ideal for emitting a broader band of light at the right brightness and temperature for the time of day. However, if you want a permanent space for working or studying at home, you may want to consider changing the overhead lighting in areas that will be dedicated as work or study space.
There are a wide variety of options for creating the right lighting for your home office or school space. You can change the bulbs in existing lighting fixtures, but there are some innovative options to upgrade your lighting. Some ideas include:
With new lighting, your study or home office can help you be more productive. If you need lighting design consultation, electrical installation of new fixtures, or added outlets in your home’s work or study area in the Washington, DC area, contact us at Wilcox Electric - we are your source for home electrical improvements.