Good desk lighting isn’t just about how well you can see. A study by the Centre for Performance at Work found that lighting is one of several factors that can help promote engagement, wellness and productivity at work. And poor lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches, fatigue, musculoskeletal issues, a higher risk of accidents, and low mood.
So, if light is known to have a range of biological and psychological effects on humans, how can we ensure our desk lighting — where we spend a large portion of our time — has a positive impact on our health? This is where our guide can help. We share our top, expert-backed tips to ensure your desk lighting is set up for peak performance and comfort.
But first, what is “good” desk lighting?
What is “Good” Desk Lighting?
Poor lighting can lead to physical discomfort and low mood, while well-planned lighting can enhance concentration, reduce stress, and improve mood. What makes lighting “good” is somewhat subjective depending on your needs. But as a general rule of thumb, good desk lighting is balanced, adaptable, and ergonomically positioned. This means that it often adopts the following characteristics:
- Adequate brightness.
- Even light distribution.
- Limited glare and shadows.
- Adjustable lighting levels.
- Balanced colour temperature.
These encourage light to have a positive effect on your health. With that in mind, here are our top tips for lighting your desk.
How to Light Your Desk
1. Encourage Natural Light
Natural light is best when it comes to lighting your desk. Exposure to daylight has been shown to regulate circadian rhythms, improving sleep and, as a result, overall health. A study by Northwestern Medicine found that employees working in offices with natural light experienced 46 minutes more sleep per night than those without.
If possible, position your desk near a window to maximise how much daylight you get.
However, be mindful of glare and harsh contrasts on your screen and during video calls — adjust blinds or use sheer curtains to diffuse direct sunlight.
What If You Can’t Get Natural Light at Your Desk?
Not everyone has access to a window or natural daylight while at work. If you’re in a dimly lit office or a windowless room, consider using full-spectrum LED bulbs, circadian rhythm bulbs or a light therapy lamp to mimic natural daylight. These adjust throughout the day to align with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
2. Supplement with Task Lighting
With or without ample daylight, task lighting is another essential. Task lighting refers to dedicated light sources for specific activities like reading, writing, or computer work.
Adjustable LED desk lamps with dimmable settings allow you to control colour and brightness based on the time and task you’re working on. Research suggests that:
- Cool white light (5000K-6500K) improves concentration and alertness, making it ideal for detailed tasks. We recommend using it in the morning.
- Daylight-balanced bulbs (4000K-5000K) provide a neutral option that reduces eye fatigue and helps you maintain concentration. Use in the afternoon.
- Warm white light (2700K-3500K) creates a relaxing atmosphere, which is perfect for winding down or going to sleep. Use after work to switch off.
3. Minimise Blue Light
Light from electronic screens comes in all colours, but the blues are the worst. When staring at a computer screen, your body will suppress the production of melatonin, which can make it hard for you to sleep.
To resolve this issue, see if your devices have a function to dim and change the colour temperature of the screen at night. For computer monitors, Windows’ built-in “Night Light” mode or applications such as f.lux can have the same effect.
4. Use Layered Lighting
However, a well-lit workspace should combine ambient, task, and accent lighting for a balanced effect.
Ambient lighting, such as ceiling lights or floor lamps, should provide general light for the whole room, whereas accent lighting highlights specific areas (often for a decorative touch), such as through LED strips.
Relying solely on overhead lighting can create harsh contrasts and fatigue, while only using task or ambient lighting may not provide enough overall brightness. Layering different light sources helps to distribute light evenly in your space, and at your desk.
5. Consider Smart Lighting
Prone to forgetting to turn the light on? Smart bulbs and desk lamps with voice or app control can provide automatic or simple lighting adjustments. Built-in motion sensors, brightness presets, and circadian rhythm settings help create a desk space that adapts.
6. Avoid Glare
And while all of this light is good, make sure it's indirect. If the light is hitting your screen, this can cause glare, which might mean you have to strain your eyes to see your screen, putting you at risk of headaches, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
Using a monitor arm or laptop stand can help you to better position your screens to avoid harsh, direct glare.
7. Keep Ergonomic
Proper desk lighting should promote ergonomic positioning and posture. Regardless of your setup, make sure you:
- Position lights at eye level to reduce glare and strain.
- Avoid direct downward-facing lights, which can cause shadows.
- Use anti-reflective coatings on screens or lamps to minimize reflections.
- Adjust brightness regularly to adapt to changing daylight conditions.
Looking for a light for your home office or workspace? Check out our full collection of ergonomic accessories, including the EnergyByLight Lamp by Bakker Elkhuizen, available for next working day delivery if ordered by 3pm.
Need additional help choosing accessories? Get in contact with our expert team with any queries.
Otherwise, our blog provides more useful tips on ergonomic office accessories for a more balanced lifestyle. Feel free to contact us with any questions, with the handy live chat feature on our site, or via email at info@ergodesks.co.uk.
