Office lighting is inextricably linked to ergonomics and quality of working life . This is why the labor code includes standards in this area.
Paying attention to lighting allows you to offer better working conditions to your employees, but also to improve the company's performance .
There are good practices to promote better office lighting, but needs can vary depending on the layout of the space, the tasks to be performed, or even the season.
Discover here all our tips for properly lighting your workspace by optimizing natural light and intelligently complementing it with artificial light sources .
Why is it important to properly light your office?
The issue of office lighting is far from secondary. It is inextricably linked to the well-being and productivity of workers .
Adequate lighting, favoring natural light, directly influences our health and performance.
Impact of natural light and ergonomic lighting on health, concentration and productivity
No one can live without natural light , as it regulates our biological clock. Being deprived of it for 8 hours or more, when confined to an office, therefore disrupts our natural rhythm.
By regulating melatonin production, natural light promotes a regular circadian rhythm . This allows for better sleep at night, increased alertness during the day, and helps prevent chronic fatigue. Melatonin is not the only hormone whose production varies according to light levels. Indeed, daylight also stimulates the secretion of serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and controls that of cortisol (the stress hormone).
In addition to making work environments more pleasant, it has a direct impact on cognitive performance, stress levels, health, motivation, and employee satisfaction . To learn more, you can consult this survey on the effects of lighting in the office , this study on the influence of lighting on employee well-being and productivity, or this comprehensive North American study from 2018 .
However, not all premises receive equal exposure to sunlight, and working hours often extend beyond daylight hours. Therefore, solutions must be found to compensate for the lack of natural light .
The ideal is to create ergonomic lighting that closely resembles this.
Consequences of inadequate and artificial lighting
Unlike natural light, unsuitable artificial lighting does not stimulate hormones.
Whether too dim or too harsh, poor lighting has detrimental effects on health and morale . Workers may, for example, suffer from headaches, eye strain, or irritability, which impair the quality of their work. Production and concentration suffer, increasing the risk of errors and workplace accidents .
Because of poor visibility, you are tempted to lower your head and bring it closer to the screen, leading to posture problems and musculoskeletal disorders .
Read our article on working on a screen and eye strain .
Lighting as a design and employer branding element
Lighting shapes space, making it a major element of interior design .
Properly lighting your workspaces makes the office atmosphere more pleasant and comfortable . There are many ways to use light. For example, you can play with the transparency of glass partitions, install blinds to control glare, or add statement pieces such as designer light fixtures.
Because good lighting influences employee satisfaction, motivation, and cognitive abilities, it proves to be an interesting, even essential, investment for employers.
A more functional, bright space also helps to enhance the company's brand image, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and attract and retain talent .
How to properly light your workspace?
Certain general standards and measures aim to regulate the lighting of professional spaces.
Standards governing lighting in the workplace
Laws in the Labour Code (articles R4213-3, R4223-3 and R4223-4) and European standards (EN 12464-1) regulate office lighting in order to provide adequate working conditions.
They all encourage the optimization of natural light in professional premises, to be complemented by electric lighting .
The average brightness of an office should be around 300 lux (minimum 200 lux continuous in windowless offices) and that of the work surface at least 500 lux.
However, the level of lighting may vary depending on the type of task:
- Dining and circulation areas: 50 to 200 lux,
- Ordinary administrative work: 300 to 500 lux,
- Precise and detailed work: 750 to 1000 lux,
- and very fine work: 1,000 to 1,500 lux.
The color of the lighting is also important. In this regard, the INRS (National Institute for Research and Health) recommends luminaires that emit between 3,300 and 5,000 kelvins for neutral lighting, neither too warm nor too white, as well as a color rendering index (CRI) between 80 and 90% for a satisfactory result.
Safety and visual comfort
Compliance with these various regulatory standards is essential for the health of workers.
These must be complemented by other parameters to guarantee visual comfort and prevent eye strain, such as:
- the absence of glare (luminance phenomenon, i.e. the reflection of light on surfaces),
- the uniformity or gradual variation of light,
- stable light output (no flickering bulbs),
- and good contrast between the screen and the environment.
From a safety perspective, the more precision a job requires, the more the workstation needs to be lit to avoid accidents or errors.
Balance of natural and artificial light
While it is essential to bring as much natural light as possible into offices to benefit from its properties on health and performance, it generally needs to be supplemented by sources of artificial light.
Daylight varies depending on the time of day, the season, and the weather conditions. Furthermore, not all rooms receive equally much light, especially those located in older buildings.
Good lighting, even and glare-free , relies on a balance between natural and artificial light . Carefully managing your lighting involves choosing your supplementary light sources wisely, considering their color, intensity, and placement.
Direct and indirect lighting
In addition to balancing natural and artificial light, it is also necessary to learn how to combine direct and indirect lighting .
Indirect lighting is recommended at 80-90%, compared to 10-20% for direct lighting . Indirect lighting promotes visual comfort by illuminating larger areas in a diffuse and even manner, without creating shadows. It should always be supplemented with direct lighting at the workstation.
How to optimize natural light?
For ecological and health reasons, it is advisable to maximize natural light in interiors.
Maximize the intake of daylight
To make the most of natural light, start by positioning your workstations near windows . The ideal desk position is perpendicular to the light source to avoid glare. The desk's orientation also depends on your dominant hand. It should be on the side opposite the window to avoid casting shadows on the desk.
The windows must be cleaned regularly and not obstructed by bulky furniture.
For interior design, opt for partial or transparent partitions to allow light to flow into the different spaces.
Other architectural elements exist to bring light to areas further away from windows , such as light screens, interior courtyards or skylights.
From a design perspective, light colors tend to reflect light better and improve the brightness of a room. Also consider mirrors , which can amplify light in offices through reflection.
While light plays a central role in individual offices and open spaces, it should not be neglected in other spaces either, particularly in break areas or collaborative spaces.
Avoid glare and shadows
When your premises are bathed in natural light, you still need to make a few small adjustments to avoid glare and shadows .
Installing blinds and curtains on windows allows you to filter direct sunlight and modulate the light intensity according to the time of day and the weather.
Avoid lacquered and glossy surfaces that reflect light in very sunny areas.
Another tip to prevent reflections is to position your screen perpendicular to the window .
Finally, add supplemental lighting in areas lacking natural light to reduce shadows and even out the lighting. Also, carefully manage the transitions between brighter and dimmer spaces to avoid harsh contrasts.
Integrating natural light into an overall design
The integration of natural light into offices is therefore considered within a global design framework .
Depending on the natural light in the room, you will not favor the same colours or materials.
To brighten a dark office , the focus is on warm and neutral tones, light materials and reflective surfaces to diffuse light and improve visual comfort.
Conversely, in naturally bright rooms , it may be advantageous to opt for darker colors, matte surfaces and blinds or curtains to limit glare.
The arrangement of furniture and plants must also allow light to spread without creating shadows.
How can natural light be complemented with artificial lighting?
Artificial light should complement and harmonize with daylight , favoring a similar color temperature for greater consistency and homogeneity.
Multiply the light sources
For uniform lighting and to reduce shadow areas, it is better to multiply the light sources .
Using multiple light sources makes it easier to adjust and adapt lighting to different tasks and times of day . For example, you can supplement the natural light in your workspace with a ceiling light and a small desk lamp.
Diverse lighting also helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Start with general lighting
Before optimizing the lighting of each workstation, we address the overall brightness of the premises . Although mainly provided by daylight, it generally needs to be supplemented by diffuse artificial lighting , using, for example, ceiling lights, recessed ceiling lights or LED strips.
Choosing the right light bulbs for your office: color temperature and light intensity
Your light bulbs must guarantee the homogeneity of the lighting , that is to say it must be uniform and diffuse in the different spaces, but also harmonize with the daylight.
Choosing the right light bulbs is essential for quality lighting at work. This choice is based on several criteria to select the appropriate model.
What criteria should be used to choose light bulbs for the office?
Several criteria are crucial when choosing light bulbs for your office lighting.
Light intensity (lux)
Light intensity corresponds to the amount of light that falls on the illuminated surface and is measured in lux.
For general room lighting , a light intensity of 300 lux is sufficient, while a minimum of 500 lux is required for a typical office workstation. In an open-plan office, the light intensity should be increased to 700 lux to ensure uniformity throughout the space.
The more meticulous the tasks become, the more the workstation needs to be lit.
Color temperature (kelvin)
Light bulbs are available in different color temperatures . This criterion is crucial in the perception of space, depending on the atmosphere you wish to create.
Color temperature is measured in kelvins and is divided into 3 main categories :
- Warm white or warm light , below 3300 K, creates a welcoming atmosphere. While suitable for break areas, it is not recommended for areas requiring concentration.
- Neutral white , between 3300 and 5000 k.
- Cool light , above 5000k, is used to stimulate concentration and mental energy. The problem is that it can cause fatigue in the long term.
For offices, we recommend light bulbs with a color temperature of around 4,000 kelvins .
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
The color rendering index corresponds to the ability of a light fixture to reproduce the colors of objects more or less faithfully.
The recommended CRI for office light bulbs is a minimum of 80 .
Bulb lifespan
This criterion has no impact on the ergonomics of the lighting, but it is crucial for your energy consumption .
Opt for light bulbs with a lifespan of over 4,000 hours .
What types of light bulbs should I use to light my workspace?
There are several types of light bulbs , such as:
- halogen lamps from 7 to 60 watts,
- fluorescent lamps of 5 to 15 watts,
- and, the most widespread today, LED bulbs of 3 to 20 watts.
Choosing LEDs allows you to save energy . They are now available with different power levels and brightness levels.
For professional spaces, adjustable-color LEDs that meet the aforementioned criteria are preferred to closely approximate daylight. Above 4500 K, LEDs emit a significant amount of blue light, which promotes mental alertness and concentration but can eventually lead to visual discomfort and eye strain.
For workstation lighting, we try to match the brightness to that of the screen to limit contrasts that tire the eyes.
Some manufacturers now offer low luminance spotlights and anti-glare bulbs , a sensible alternative to avoid discomfort and improve visual comfort.
Choosing the right lighting fixtures for the space
Lighting fixtures are essential design elements . The choice therefore depends on your decorating style and furniture, but also on the lighting objective.
Among the lighting options for offices , you will find:
- ceiling lights, track lighting and chandeliers,
- floor lamps and standing lamps,
- wall lights,
- desk lamps.
There is no exact formula, but it is always best to multiply the light sources and types of light fixtures for more freedom of lighting and to reduce intensity contrasts.
We begin by choosing a ceiling light, chandelier, pendant light, or track lighting for general, indirect, and diffused lighting throughout the room. We then add a desk lamp for direct and task lighting . Ideal for personalizing the brightness of your workstation, it's best to choose one that is adjustable, with adjustable intensity and color temperature. Finally, we can add indirect lighting with wall sconces, modern floor lamps, or LED strips to structure the space and create an atmosphere that reflects the company's image.
Accent lighting is a plus for giving a unique atmosphere to your office and improving well-being.
Position your lamps correctly
Choosing the right light fixtures is a crucial step, but you also need to know how to position them correctly .
For general lighting, ceiling lights should be spaced at the same interval to ensure uniformity and installed parallel to the windows.
Regarding your desk lamp, it is always placed opposite your dominant hand to avoid shadows, rather to the side and at the back of the work surface.
In general, remember that a light fixture positioned too low will cause glare and one positioned too high will create shadows.
Vary the lighting according to the time of day and the task.
Modern lighting systems can be adapted to the natural light in the room and your specific needs .
Biodynamic lighting takes into account the variation of sunlight throughout the day. Automatically, it adjusts the light intensity and color temperature to compensate for the lack of natural light and ensure adequate lighting throughout the workday. To respect the body's natural rhythms and prevent fatigue, cooler light is preferred in the morning and more neutral to warm light in the afternoon.
Many light fixtures also allow you to adjust various brightness settings (intensity, color, temperature), either manually or automatically, to suit your tasks. For example, you can increase the light intensity and coolness of the lighting for precision work, while opting for neutral to warm light for creative tasks.
Best practices for sustainable and economical lighting
Maintenance and upkeep
A well-maintained lighting system remains efficient for longer . Therefore, we encourage you to regularly clean the light bulbs and fixtures in your business premises . Generally, quarterly cleaning to remove accumulated dust can increase the brightness of your bulbs by 10 to 25%.
As soon as a light bulb starts to flicker, it must be changed as soon as possible to prevent eye strain and premature wear of the light fixture.
Energy management
Your lighting should be part of a sustainable approach . Say goodbye to energy-guzzling light bulbs; you can opt for more ecological and economical solutions.
The first rule in terms of energy management for office lighting is, of course, to make the most of natural light . Numerous examples of modern offices illustrate this trend, particularly those stemming from biophilic principles.
The use of LED bulbs has become widespread, allowing up to 75% less energy consumption than incandescent bulbs.
But other technologies now exist to optimize your energy consumption , such as:
- Daylight sensors: these adapt artificial lighting to the ambient natural light. This automatic biodynamic system allows for up to 80% savings on energy costs.
- Motion detectors: in passageways, the light can switch on for a short time. There are also more advanced systems that detect your presence in the room and automatically switch off the light as soon as you leave.
- Light dimmers: they allow you to adapt the brightness, color and temperature of the lighting according to the task and the environment.
Conclusion
Ergonomic office lighting demonstrates tangible results in terms of employee health, well-being, and productivity . It is a mandatory investment for employers to comply with standards and provide good working conditions for their staff.
To do this, you need to intelligently combine natural and artificial light , by choosing the appropriate bulbs and light fixtures.
Are some employees complaining of eye strain or glare? It might be time to review the lighting in your office space by integrating it into a comprehensive design strategy: colors, furniture, furniture layout…
