Office employees and customers spend a lot of time in your business’s commercial building. Providing an adequately lit workspace can have a significant impact on the aesthetic appearance of the building and can increase your employees’ comfort, health, and productivity. If you are a commercial property owner looking for ways to enhance your guest and tenant experience, considering the office lighting design is a great place to start.
Here are some ways to improve the lighting in your office.
Understand the Impact of Light
Lighting can significantly affect the way we act and feel, even subconsciously. Studies have shown that bright lighting causes people to react more emotionally to choices than they would in softer light, while dim lighting can negatively affect one’s sleep cycle. Making conscious decisions to change the office lighting can create a much healthier and more effective work environment for your employees.
Make Use of Natural Light
Whenever possible, you should maximize the amount of natural light available in a room. Our bodies evolved with natural light, so having it prevalent and available throughout the day makes for a healthier lifestyle. Research has proven that employees in offices with high natural light tend to sleep better, feel more motivated to exercise, and are significantly more creative and productive (some studies showed a 40% increase in sales compared to those of employees working in artificial light). Maximizing natural light also lowers your electricity costs, since your employees will rely less on artificial light throughout the day. Keep window shades open during the day to allow sunlight in. If you are building a new office or installing windows, be sure to include some on the south- and west-facing walls if possible–these directions receive the most sunlight and will have the most significant effect on brightening your workspace.
Install a Lighting Control System
Lighting control systems save energy and money while optimizing your office’s light. Occupancy sensors will turn off the lights in spaces that aren’t constantly used, such as hallways, conferences, and bathrooms. Dimmer sensors will dim artificial lights with plentiful natural light and slowly turn the artificial lights in as the sun sets. By automating the lights, you ensure your employees always have an appropriate amount of light to work by.
Incorporate Task Lighting
Often, office lighting relies solely on ceiling lights to illuminate the space. To properly provide light for the desks below, these ceiling lights need to be quite bright, leading to glare, dry eyes, and mental exhaustion for your employees. You can avoid this harsh overhead lighting by lessening its intensity and supplementing instead with task lighting like floor lamps and desk lamps.
Use Lighting for Ambience
You can create a more welcoming atmosphere in several ways. Try sectioning off areas of your office by using different lighting methods. You can offer the employee’s eyes and brains a break by using softer, dimmer lights such as pendant lights or lamps in break areas. Pendants also are a great way to bring groups together around a conference table or other gathering area. Increasing available lighting in dark locations like a warehouse or storeroom will prevent eye strain and improve the comfort of your employees.
By making some alterations to your lighting, you can make sure your employees are happier and healthier as they work in your office. Just a few changes can have a significant impact. You may wish to consider these lighting tips during your next renovation.
Promise Electric employs a team of Sarasota master electricians skilled in residential and commercial electrical services.
