The best office lighting for employee productivity

Here’s how to decide which lighting option will enhance productivity, creativity, and overall well-being

Take a midday walk on a sunny workday and you’ll experience firsthand how lighting can affect your mood and productivity. Recent research in ergonomics—the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment—shows that this phenomenon is not just in your head. 

In fact, a full one-third of workers would be happier at work if they had better lighting in the office, according to a 2018 international survey conducted by Staples. An overwhelming 80 percent of employees said that having good lighting in an office was important to them. Finding the best office lighting has, with good reason, become a top priority for design teams and office managers. 

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Office lighting and productivity 

Whether an office’s light source is natural, artificial, bright and blue, or dim and yellow, the type of light that employees are exposed to not only impacts mood, circadian rhythms, and physical health but also affects productivity and creativity. “There are a lot of interesting studies around the nature of your environment and how it affects your brain’s ability to perceive and function in different ways,” says Star Davis, who heads up WeWork’s global team of dedicated lighting specialists. 

On the plus side, Davis explains, “Having lights around allows people to be more creative and have more creative ideas.” Creatively, you are at your best when you are well rested, alert, and energized, and the right lighting can put you in the right state. But lighting that is too dim can strain your eyes and make you feel drowsy and tired. Too-bright lighting, on the other hand, can be harsh on your eyes, mess with your sleep, and trigger symptoms of migraines. “If your brain is working extra hard to fill in the blanks, it causes fatigue and impairs your ability to be creative and productive,” Davis says. 

Choosing the best office lighting 

With so many kinds of light colors and fixtures, it can be tough to determine what type of lighting is best for the office. These tips and guidelines should direct you toward office lighting that will keep your employees inspired, engaged, and healthy. 

LED versus fluorescent office lights

In recent years, LED lights have come into favor as an energy-efficient alternative to fluorescent lights. While LED lights may be slightly more expensive than fluorescent ones, when used in an office, they’re likely to save a company money in the long term. This is because LED lights generally have a longer lifespan than fluorescent lights and don’t use excess energy in the form of infrared radiation the way fluorescent lights do. 

WeWork White Square in Moscow.

LED lights can also be beneficial to the health of employees. Although it’s unlikely that fluorescent lights could cause migraines, they may trigger symptoms of migraines in people who are predisposed to them. Because employees often stay at the office past sundown, fluorescent lights can also interfere with sleep patterns by inhibiting the production of melatonin. LED lights, on the other hand, can usually be dimmed to match the time of day and the season, making them a better choice for the health of employees. 

Make the most of natural light

Employees who were exposed to natural light in the office reported an 84 percent drop in eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision, according to research by the department of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University. Research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine also showed that exposure to natural light helps regulate hormones and keeps your circadian rhythm in check, helping employees sleep soundly at night and work productively the next day.

“When designing buildings, we take into consideration the ceiling height, orientation of the building, latitude, and neighboring building obstructions,” in order to maximize the impact of direct sunlight, says Davis. Areas with windows are typically designated for common areas rather than for private offices, so that as many people as possible can have access to natural light.  

If your office is windowless, consider skylights, like the one in WeWork Prestige Central, our latest HQ building based in Bengaluru, India, which features a large skylight and materials that radiate the light.

WeWork 450 Park Ave S in New York City.

Color and temperature of office lighting 

The color and temperature of office lighting should vary based on the function of the space. “The right amount of light and the health implications of different spectrums and intensity of light are tremendously important and are elements we consider in our design,” Davis says. 

In general, warmer yellow or orange lights tend to be better for relaxing, whereas cooler blue and white lights are good for working, waking up, and concentrating. If possible, the lighting temperature and color should vary based on the time of day. In the morning, light should ideally be brighter and cooler, to help employees stay alert and concentrate. As the day goes on, the lighting should be warmer, helping employees to wind down. 

WeWork One Culver in Los Angeles.

How bright is too bright for office lighting? 

“In terms of brightness, the most important thing to consider is the task that you’re doing,” Davis says. It makes sense to have common areas and kitchens drenched in natural light, as this light is diffuse, and employees aren’t usually looking at screens in these settings. 

In workspaces, however, we are limited by our technology. “The light from the laptops and desktops is nowhere near the power and brightness of the sun, so the brightness of natural light can overwhelm what we’re able to see [on laptop screens],” Davis says. This is why desks and workspaces require a more controlled environment—one in which some of the intensity of the sun is blocked out or diffused. 

Office lights for saving energy

Energy-efficient light bulbs worth using include LED, halogen incandescents, and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Another way to save energy is to set up motion-sensored lights in areas that are used periodically, like bathrooms, basements, and supply closets. Putting lights on a timer can help save money by ensuring that they aren’t left on when no one is in the room. Also, installing dimmers allows you to turn down the lights when your work doesn’t require maximum brightness. 

The power of the right light 

At WeWork, “our lighting team’s breadth of experience and technical knowledge allow us to dive really deep, whether it’s to energize and create a productive working space or a relaxation zone,” says Jenny Werbell, a senior lighting lead who works closely with Davis. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the bright world of lighting, Davis recommends Sarah Williams Goldhagen’s book Welcome to Your World: How the Built Environment Shapes Our Lives, which is filled with studies that speak to the importance of environmental design on overall well-being.

Jenna Wilson is a senior associate on the social media team at WeWork and a writer for Ideas by We. She writes about impact, sustainability, and WeWork’s employees around the world.

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Office lighting is about more than seeing the papers on your desk—it can be the difference between a sluggish staff and an invigorating work environment. For this reason, commercial lighting fixtures for your office must meet certain requirements to be a success.

From effective illumination for work tasks to energy efficiency to lower utility costs, there are many factors to consider for office lighting.

In this article, we'll explore the three kinds of office lighting, a few different types of fixtures for your office setting and why Warehouse-Lighting.com is the best place to shop for the right office lighting products for your property.

Lighting Fixtures for Your Office Environment

While some offices have large open spaces that use skylights and large windows to take advantage of natural light, offices typically require artificial lighting solutions to illuminate their workspace.

The main types of indoor lighting used in offices tend to come from the big three: incandescent, fluorescent/compact fluorescent (CFL), and LED.

Incandescent Office Lighting

Incandescent bulbs are the least desirable lighting option in terms of office lights. Incandescent lights are found in older office fixtures. The least energy-efficient of the three, incandescent bulbs burn at a hotter temperature, consume more energy, and have a shorter average life rating.

The only big benefit of this type of lighting is that it comes to full lumen output faster than fluorescent lights. It is also seen as environmentally friendly despite the higher energy consumption because the filament is made from tungsten, a non-hazardous metal, while the comparative fluorescent bulbs tend to use mercury.

Incandescent bulbs are often decorative, making them more prevalent in accent lighting or task lighting fixtures than in ambient lighting.

Fluorescent Office Lights

When compared to its incandescent counterpart, fluorescent lighting may be considered a better solution. It lasts almost 20 times longer than incandescent in most cases. It also burns at a cooler temperature while offering a higher lumen output. Fluorescent/CFL bulbs are not without fault, though. They often use mercury which can be tricky to dispose of safely and they are more prone to flickering than other options. Fluorescent ceiling fixtures offer a wide scope of illumination. They are commonly utilized in office settings in the form of T8 and T5 tubes which are easy to install and replace.

LED Office Lighting

LED lighting is seen as the best solution for many reasons:

• Longest-Lasting: LED office lights have an impressive lifespan – anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 hours. Unlike fluorescent lamps, LED lights retain their excellent output quality throughout their life. Part of the reason for their longer life is they run at cooler temps, so they're less likely to shatter from getting overheated.
• Low Wattage: LED bulbs have the lowest wattages with exceptionally high lumen outputs.
Cost-Effective: While the initial cost may be higher than the other two options, LEDs last longer and use much less energy, so you get a good return on your investment.
• Versatile: LEDs come in various lighting models perfect for office lighting such as tubes, bulbs, rope lighting, and more.

When considering the different types of office lighting, you should evaluate which factors are most important to your location such as cost, energy consumption, or output. Once you have decided the best one to meet your needs, then you can start looking into which model is the best fit for your location.

Types of Office Lighting Fixtures

Flat Panel LED Light Fixtures

The right overhead lighting solution can make your space brighter and more productive for office staff. LED flat panel ceiling lights are a high-performing solution, featuring traditional-style lighting fixtures nestled behind ceiling panels to provide light for the entire office space while keeping office light fixtures out of sight.

As well as determining the right shape and size of your flat panel LED office lighting fixtures, you'll need to determine which configuration is best for your office space:

• Edge-Lit Panels: Featuring a thinner profile, these flat panel LED office fixtures cost a bit more and use more power than other types of LED office lighting.
• Back-Lit Panels: The LEDs are positioned behind the frame instead of the edge, enabling them to shine right through the diffuser. Back-lit panels are less expensive than edge-lit panels, making them the more popular choice.

Suspended Office Lights

There are office spaces that require a more nuanced light source. In these instances, you can create beautiful lighting with suspended office lights. Linear suspended LED office lights provide a lovely diffused light that is easy on the eyes while providing ample light output. Easy to install and maintain, there are more than a few different styles to choose from in this type of architectural lighting fixture.

Recessed Lighting Fixtures

LED recessed lighting is installed into openings in the office ceiling at evenly spaced intervals. In this way, recessed lights create patterns of light that shine from the ceiling, with a direct light that's concentrated in a downward direction.

Office Lighting Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions others have asked about office lighting fixtures.

What are the best office lighting fixtures to use in a drop ceiling?

There are two types of light fixture solutions that work well in drop ceilings:

• Troffer Light Fixtures: Troffer light fixtures illuminate indoor spaces and are placed in T-bar ceilings, grid ceilings or suspended ceilings. They can be laid into a ceiling grid that is recessed and sit above the grid but can also be suspended or surface-mounted.
• LED Flat Panel Lights: This is the most common type of lighting fixture in warehouse lighting as well as office spaces. Flat panel light fixtures are installed behind ceiling tiles.

Warehouse-Lighting.com Has the Best Solutions for Your Office Lighting Fixtures

Whether you're lighting individual offices or large open spaces, Warehouse-Lighting.com has the right lighting fixtures to get the job done. Our experienced professionals will help you choose the lighting fixtures for your next project.

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