What type of lighting should I choose for my office?
When we talk about comfort at work, we immediately think about chairs, desks, ergonomics, etc. And we often forget about lighting! However, lamps, their light, colour and power are just as important for preserving everyone's eyes and concentration.
Visual comfort
Even though illuminance is defined in lux, it is really not a ... luxury! In the office, light is essential for the visual comfort of employees. It enables us to carry out all our tasks without tiring our pretty eyes.Several criteria must be taken into account in order to assess the effectiveness and relevance of lighting:
the average level and uniformity of illumination colour rendering light balance to avoid glare
It is clear that not all workplaces need the same amount of light. Needs are determined by use and the activity performed:
| Involved areas | Average illumination required (according to NF en 12464-1) |
| Transit areas | 100 - 150 lux |
| Reception areas | 300 lux |
| Work areas | 200 - 750 lux |
Choice of lighting fixtures and lamps
Desk lamps, chandeliers, floor lamps, wall lamps ... Each type of lighting fixture has its own specific characteristics. However, to achieve good lighting, various complementary lamps are required. Let's take a closer look at the role of the different types of lamps.Chandeliers and ceiling lamps: they light up the whole room. Desk lamps: often equipped with directional lighting, optimise the brightness of the work surface. Ceiling lights and wall lights: provide indirect lighting because their light is reflected off the wall or ceiling.
This complementarity contributes to a good working atmosphere that is conducive to concentration. And what about light bulbs? How should we choose them?
Choice of light bulbs
Because a luminaire without the right bulb is just as useless as a pencil without the right filling, you need to choose your light source carefully. LED, fluorescent, halogen ... Before you order, pay attention to:Lifespan: an average lifespan of more than 4000 hours is preferable and we take into account the induced energy consumption (more practical and economical!)
The Colour Rendering Index (CRI): we do not go below 80 for professional use.
The temperature of the light (in Kelvin): below, for reference, the display for each Kelvin range.
- < 4000K: warm light for relaxation.
- 4000 - 5000K: natural light, close to daylight.
- > 5000K: stimulating light, ideal for concentration.
Reflection and light
The phenomenon of luminance (reflection of light on surfaces) must also be taken into account in order to prevent glare, which affects the ability to concentrate and leads to visual fatigue.For a bright office in direct sunlight, darker colours and matt surfaces are chosen and blinds are installed. For a dark office, light colours are used to diffuse the light and increase visual comfort. The ideal office combines very light ceiling colours, light wall colours and darker floor colours. This arrangement optimises the diffusion of light, limits glare and also gives the occupants a feeling of security.
We hope these technical and practical tips will help you save your eyes and your concentration. And if you want to see things even more clearly, take a look at our Buyer's guide for lighting.