Choosing an Office Lighting Scheme That You Can be Proud Of

On a late Friday afternoon, as I finished work, I decided to meet an old colleague of mine at her new office in KL Sentral. While waiting for her in the front lobby I realised it was beautifully decorated with potted plants, giving off an airy, tropical vibe. But a moment later, what really caught my eye was the lighting….string lights adorned the reception, and the overall office ambience was warm and inviting, instantly making me feel comfortable. I just realized the difference good lighting makes in any space!

Why is a lighting scheme important to an organization? And what exactly is a lighting scheme in the first place?

We all know the importance of an office design plan and choosing the right furniture. Likewise, planning a lighting scheme is just as crucial for a beautiful and functional workplace. Besides the most obvious purpose of providing illumination and reducing eye strain when working, it also creates a warm ambience promoting wellbeing, mood and employee happiness.

What is an Office Lighting Scheme?

Any space whether home or office needs good quality lighting. In the workplace, lighting plays an important role, especially if you want your staff to perform well. We, humans, are wired to work in the day when there is plenty of natural light. Unfortunately, not all offices are blessed with large windows allowing natural light in. Hence there is a need to think of creative ways to illuminate all workspaces in an office premise in an affordable and appropriate manner. This is what Office Lighting Scheme is all about.

For an ideal and well-designed office, the lighting scheme has a considerable impact on the office environment and, in turn, your workforce. Thus, when designing the physical layout of your workplace do take lighting into consideration.

Why is a Lighting Scheme Important?

As mentioned above, light has an impact on the office environment and its employees. The workplace is where most individuals spend a major part of their day. For employees to have optimum performance, favourable and comfortable working conditions are crucial.

Did you know that poor lighting can actually equate to poor productivity? Here are some reasons and how they can be avoided…

• Bright, good-quality lighting helps in concentration. Dim lighting causes tiredness and headaches
• Direct lighting can cause eye strain and headaches eventually leading to low productivity. The use of indirect lights such as side or table lamps or adding corrective lighting helps to address this
• Different types of lighting should cater to different spaces in an office. Brighter and warm white-based lighting equals energy and wakefulness for employees, boosting performance and productivity, while dim lights cause drowsiness and lethargy. Use brighter lights at the workstations and dimmer lights in recreational areas to create a more relaxed atmosphere
• Daylight colours, like white and blue-white, give the feeling of being in the sun and the benefits of it. This improves overall well-being

5 Best Lighting Options for your Office

Now that you know the importance of lighting on employee wellness let us explore the options available.

1. Natural Light

• Bright, happy spaces not only look great but feel great and give the illusion of space.
• Provide translucent window covering instead of opaque covers. This allows some light to pass through.

2. Ambient Light

• Provides general brightness or glow in a room
• Create a cosy, residential feel with lamps throughout your space. Patterned lampshades add warmth and style, and a dimmer option adds atmosphere

3. Task Light

• Targets light on individual workstations. Provides extra illumination to prevent eye strain
• Choose lights with adjustable fixtures for height and proximity

4. Overhead light

• Placed on the ceiling and offers a good amount of light thrown downwards
• Florescent light is usually used in office buildings. Can be replaced with LED light

5. Controlled Lighting

• Uses timers or sensors for energy-conscious businesses
• Lights are only on in areas where people are actively working. Unused areas like conference rooms and lunchrooms will remain dark until somebody enters them

To end on a light note…

There are many things to consider when choosing the right type of light for your office. Different work areas will require different types of lights. And the options are aplenty! If you are in the midst of designing or redecorating your office then work with our office interior experts and make sure you light it up with the right solutions