Avoid this one simple mistake that's ruining your home office lighting

Lighting a home office isn't always as simple as it sounds, particularly if your home office design has been created around a bedroom or shared living space. Creating a lighting scheme that works for both business and pleasure can be tricky to navigate, and do well.

After all, lighting a home office well means taking into account not just the aesthetics of the end result, but also the impact this can have on your health and wellbeing.

Although it can be easy to assume a simple desk lamp will be sufficient, you'd never expect this to be the only lighting in a commercial office space, so don't make this simple mistake at home. Instead, follow this expert advice to creating a scheme that's stylish and saturated with substance.

Factors to consider when lighting a home office

Before you can start choosing lighting for your home office design ideas, you will need to think about several key factors and ask yourself certain questions in order to help you create the most effective lighting design scheme for you.

After all, “designing the optimum lighting scheme in your home office is very important as working with lack of light or the wrong kind can cause problems with eyestrain and headaches," explains Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky.

"It can also affect your mood and energy levels, so getting it right from the get-go is key to help you feel more inspired and productive."

Before you begin, and in order to avoid lighting design mistakes, ask yourself the following:

• What time of day will the office be used the most?
• Who will be using the room?
• Will there be more than one person working in here at a time?
• How much natural light does the room receive and where does it enter the space?
• Are there areas you want to highlight, such as shelves or within cupboards?
• Will the room be used for other activities other than working (such as for a guest bedroom)?

For example, if you realise that two people will often be working in the room at once, you will need two sources of task lighting. Likewise, if you come to the conclusion that you will often be working in the space in the evening, you will need to carefully think about the best artificial light sources to provide enough light for you to work comfortably.

Jo Plant

Jo Plant is Head of Design and Production for Pooky, which is based in England’s Cotswolds region.

How much light does a home office need?

When designing a lighting scheme you will see two common measurements – lux and lumen.

Lux refers to how much light falls on a surface, whereas lumen indicates how much light is emitted by a light source (usually a bulb). You might also see a Kelvin level.

"The Kelvins (K) is the colour temperature and it’s best to use either 2700K or 3000K for an office," says Luke Thomas, design director at John Cullen Lighting. "For a home office I would go with 2700K so it is not too stark and you achieve a softer ambience”.

When it comes to lux levels, it is advised that for general office work, a lux level of 250 and above is required, while school classrooms require at least 300 lux and computer work areas should have 500 lux.

Lighting temperature as well as the amount of light matters too. “When working on a laptop for most of the day, the colour and intensity of lighting is also vital," adds Jo. "We always recommend using a soft warm yellow or white light, rather than a stark white, and use a dimmer to find the right intensity for different times of the day," she suggest.

Luke Thomas

Luke has been in the lighting industry since 2008 and heads up the UK design team. Working collaboratively with top designers, architects, contractors and clients, Luke has been involved in a wide range of projects offering design-led solutions which improve our experience of spaces.

Don't dismiss the importance of natural light

Although it can be easy to assume home office lighting is mainly based on artificial lights, the beauty of being based at home is that you will often have more access to natural light. With no-one else fighting for the window desk, it's yours to have if your room design permits. And it's important to make sure you make the most of, it say lighting experts.

“When it comes to home office lighting, it is important to strike the right balance between wellbeing, function, and style. Natural light is key for boosting mood and reducing eye strain, so when possible, look to position your desk near a window, ideally facing the natural light, so that you also have the best lighting for video meetings," advises Mara Rypacek-Miller, founder of Industville.

“Designing a workspace and home office layout that embraces natural light can transform the overall ambiance, especially when paired with vertical storage that draws the eye upward and encourages a sense of openness," suggests Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps. "Built-in elements contribute to a clean, uninterrupted flow, allowing light to circulate freely and fostering a calm, breathable atmosphere ideal for focused tasks."

“Natural light is very beneficial when considering your design lighting scheme for your home office," confirms Jo Plant. "We recommend positioning your desk or table next to a window and as close as possible to an alternative source of natural light which doesn't always have to be a window. This can also be under a roof lantern or skylight or by a glass door."

In small home office ideas, "if you’ve got limited access to natural light, mirrors can work as a good trick to add depth to the room and reflect the available light around it," suggests Jo.

Make sure you avoid any problems with glare

While windows are of course beneficial, it's also important to consider the orientation of your house and how the sunlight comes into your home office windows.

"When planning the balance of natural and artificial light, make sure to pay attention to the direction any windows may be facing," says Rachal. "For example, a south-facing window may need more ambient lighting to balance harsh sunlight, or sheer curtains to help soften the incoming glow."

Not sure which type of window covering will give you the best control of the natural daylight?

Ellie Kennedy, an interior expert at 247 Blinds shares her recommendations.

“Venetian blinds are a great option for those who work from home. They can help you to angle the daylight away from laptops and monitors using the slats. Not only does this help to reduce screen glare, but it also allows for more privacy, whilst still keeping your workspace bright and airy.

"Colour and style are also very impactful in small workspaces, and your blinds can play a role in this. Try sticking to minimalist designs and neutral tones to open your space, limit distractions, and create a calm environment perfect for focus."

Top tip: If you find sitting at a window too distracting, place the desk at a perpendicular angle to the window instead so you can still benefit from the natural light, but avoid unnecessary glare.

Mara Rypacek-Miller

Mara is the industrious founder of Industville, the place for handcrafted lighting, interiors and art. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship, Mara focuses on designs which tell a story of timeless elegance and environmental responsibility.

Rachal Hutcheson

Rachal Hutcheson is a National Retail Manager at Sharps, with a vast array of knowledge on how to make the most of bespoke fixtures and fittings, including lighting, when designing your home office

Ellie Kennedy

Ellie Kennedy is an in house interior expert at 247 Blinds. She is an authority on window dressings offering creative and practical styling advice for both blinds and curtains.

Why layering your lights is a must when lighting a home office

“The best approach to lighting a home office is to layer lighting and combine different kinds of light that will work together effectively," says Jo Plant.

If you have not come across the idea of 'layering' light before when it comes to lighting design ideas, the term simply refers to combining different types of light to ensure that all the requirements that a particular space demand are met.

You are probably already using layers of light elsewhere in your home, perhaps without realising it. Did your living room lighting ideas include recessed downlights and a selection of floor lamps when you designed the room? Is there a central pendant light in your bedroom along with bedside table lamps? If so, you are already layering light.

There are several different types of light that make up these layers and some are more suitable for certain rooms than others. In your home office layout, you need to consider how to incorporate three different types of lighting: ambient, task and accent.

However, before you think this means creating an overly complicated space, don't worry. "As this is a space of productivity and focus, it’s best to keep the overall design simple to avoid visual clutter or distractions," says Mara Rypacek-Miller.

"When choosing artificial lighting sources, simply make sure to add extra illumination to areas where you'll read, write and type so your vision doesn't fatigue unnecessarily. Wall lights and lamps – both table and floor – are a great way to add this extra layer without cluttering the space.”

Lighting a home office: The key types of lighting

Ambient lighting

"Ambient lighting is considered as the overall light that you get in a room, this would include the main lights and the natural light available," says Jo Plant. It serves to illuminate the entire space and is usually provided by windows, a roof lantern or skylights, a central pendant light, recessed downlights or a selection of wall lights.

It can also help provide you with the start of your overall design scheme if you are looking for home office ideas in general, says Mara Rypacek-Miller.

"Start with an ambient lighting source in the form of a statement ceiling pendant or flush mount to create a focal point and guide the look and feel of the rest of the scheme. Then echo shapes, textures and colour palettes in the other chosen fittings."

Task lighting

"Task lighting, also known as targeted lighting, is used to carry out specific tasks, for example if you need further attention on your screen or notepad," explains Jo. "It's a very practical type of light and in a home office, task lights often come in the form of directional desk lamps, although floor lamps and even low hung pendants over your work area can work too."

Accent lighting

"Finally," says Jo, "accent lighting is used to highlight any features or objects in the room, for instance, this can be a nice piece of art. We recommend lighting a home office with a combination of generous ambient lighting and targeted task lighting to support with all your activities.”

Accent lighting is also sometimes called directional light. Good sources include hidden LED strip lights, wall washers and uplights. While this type of lighting is not as crucial in a home office as task or ambient, it helps to make the space pleasurable to be in.

Products for lighting a home office

Positioning lights when creating your home office lighting scheme

The positioning of your home office lights is just as crucial as the fittings you choose.

“A grid pattern will often light dead space, but lighting towards the walls and other vertical surfaces makes rooms feel bigger and brighter" advises Luke Thomas.

"Avoid harsh shadows on the desk area," he continues. "Place two or more low glare LED downlights to cross light the work space. Ensure fittings are positioned so that the user is not working in their own shadow – you do not want to position them behind the desk.

"When selecting a beam, go for a wide beam for any downlights and maybe consider adding a honeycomb lens to soften the light and reduce glare."

Additonal tips for lighting a home office

Feeling more knowledgeable about lighting a home office? Experts share some additional tips for bringing the spark back into your workplace.

“Along with the usual desk lamp, we recommend an additional task light to enhance the light levels," says Jo Plant. "Consider a hanging pendant directly over your desk or an extendable wall light, both space-saving and beautifully decorative, these extra light sources offer flexibility for when you need more light throughout the darker seasons of the year.

“Additionally, installing dimmer switches gives you the option to control and adjust light levels to your needs, bringing a more balanced glow into your space.

“Cordless table lamps and wall lights, also make for a fantastic addition to your office," she adds. "If you’re struggling for plug sockets being used by desk equipment, a cordless table lamp is a perfect task light alternative. Cordless wall lights also avoid the mess of installing wiring and can be easily moved around your space with the seasonal light change."

You can find a wide range of rechargeable lighting at Pooky, with options for table, floor and wall lights if you aren't able to run new cables to suit.

"One technique to create a comfortable and glare-free space is to incorporate wall lights into your lighting design," adds Mara Rypacek Miller. "Plus, a smart lighting system also allows you to adjust colour temperature and brightness for optimal productivity and comfort.”

FAQs

How do I light a home office that doubles as a guest bedroom?

“If your home office also doubles as a guest room, there are a few simple things you can do with your office spare room lighting scheme to ensure the space is both functional and feels great for either use," says Mara Rypacek-Miller.

"As an office requires higher light levels for focus, while a guest room requires lower levels for sleep and relaxation, dimmer switches make an excellent addition to these double-use spaces; allowing you to tailor the ambience at the touch of a button.

"Lamps also work particularly well in these spaces as they provide the flexibility to be moved around – from the bedside when guests are staying, to the desk when used as an office," says Mara. "They provide vital task lighting for either function and should be complemented with additional ambient sources for a well-rounded lighting scheme.”

Industville has an excellent selection of table lamps stylish enough to work in a guest bedroom, but practical enough for your home office.

Wondering how to distinguish between your home office and the rest of your room? Using lighting and materials can be a good way to define spaces says Rachal Hutcheson.

"Tactile materials like wood, paired with structured detailing such as slats or panelling, create a grounded, cohesive aesthetic that balances warmth with clarity. Thoughtfully placed task lighting can further define distinct zones within a shared environment, enhancing both functionality and comfort."

For more inspiration on where to put your home office, take a look at these home office on landing ideas, or why not relocate your work space to a garden office instead, giving you free reign over every part of your new 9 to 5 location.