Home Office Lighting
Author
Discussion

CorradoTDI

Original Poster:

1,761 posts

187 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
Hi all,

We use the the spare bedroom as a office for WFH.

It's a fairly large room in a loft conversion (21sqm roughly) and has one single ceiling rose plus a couple of lamps.

Due to the smallish window, the light is on most of the day time anyway and I always find I get (what I'd describe as) eye strain around 4PM when it gets dark outside and I'm sure it's getting darker earlier this year!

The obvious solution to this is a big LED strip light, especially as the room is rectangular (6 x 3.5m) but I was also thinking about these hexagon lighting systems that people are fitting in garages etc but don't know much about them.

Can anyone advise and also tell me what type of light temp and how many lumens I might require etc to make it a good office space - we have everything else sorted, just lighting is not great.

Regbuser

5,736 posts

51 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
If it's in a loft, with sloping headspace, then you'd be better getting 2 or 3 floorstanders with warm white lamps, to provide comfort illumination, with say a cooler temp desk light

CorradoTDI

Original Poster:

1,761 posts

187 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
Regbuser said:
If it's in a loft, with sloping headspace, then you'd be better getting 2 or 3 floorstanders with warm white lamps, to provide comfort illumination, with say a cooler temp desk light
Thanks - it's actually flat though where the light is currently.

Just realised what I refer to as an LED strip, Screwfix call a batten light

Looking at something like this but maybe need daylight rather than cool??

https://www.screwfix.com/p/knightsbridge-bats6h-si...

Regbuser

5,736 posts

51 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
Daylight is 5000 to 6500k
Cool white is 4000k
Warm white is 3000k

Bright overhead lighting can be harsh if not uniformly distributed across the ceiling, with glare, severe contrast, and pockets of gloom.

I think those hexagon light frames would provide even illumination across the ceiling, but being at least 4000k, would create a clinical feel to the space, and be uncomfortable for office type work.

Useful guide here > https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lightin...

RizzoTheRat

27,013 posts

208 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
For your working consider an LED screen bar. I have a BENQ one that sits on my monitor and runs of a USB port, adjustable brightness and colour temperature and does a great job of illuminating my desk without any glare on the screen.

Regbuser

5,736 posts

51 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
RizzoTheRat said:
For your working consider an LED screen bar. I have a BENQ one that sits on my monitor and runs of a USB port, adjustable brightness and colour temperature and does a great job of illuminating my desk without any glare on the screen.
That sounds good thumbup

CorradoTDI

Original Poster:

1,761 posts

187 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
RizzoTheRat said:
For your working consider an LED screen bar. I have a BENQ one that sits on my monitor and runs of a USB port, adjustable brightness and colour temperature and does a great job of illuminating my desk without any glare on the screen.
Thanks - I have that exact one already although I use 3 x 24" screens and only have the bar on the centre one (which is usually my primary workspace)

CorradoTDI

Original Poster:

1,761 posts

187 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
Regbuser said:
Daylight is 5000 to 6500k
Cool white is 4000k
Warm white is 3000k

Bright overhead lighting can be harsh if not uniformly distributed across the ceiling, with glare, severe contrast, and pockets of gloom.

I think those hexagon light frames would provide even illumination across the ceiling, but being at least 4000k, would create a clinical feel to the space, and be uncomfortable for office type work.

Useful guide here > https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lightin...
Cheers, I'll have a read...

I don't mind spending money but might try a cheap option first just to see what difference it makes.

JoshSm

1,722 posts

53 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
I like the 'daylight'/6500K colour temperature more than other options but it's a bit pointless if it's a cheap 80CRI source so check that specification too, not just temperature & brightness.

pacenotes

373 posts

160 months

Friday 29th November 2024
quotequote all
You don't want brighter lights but just more light.

It's better to have 3 to 5 lower bright lights than 1 brighter light.

I went with this one https://www.screwfix.com/p/4lite-advantage-twin-4f...

2 of those on the roof.

Then I have 2 x lights behind my screens pointed at the walls that reflect the light back onto me (Great for webcam btw!)

This floods the room in light but it's not too bright which I find is more of a strain than bright lights.