Benefits of great office lighting

On an average work week, those with desk jobs spend around 40 hours in the office.

That adds up to almost 2000 hours a year! With so much of our time spent within the confines of our office spaces, can office workers really be blamed for taking steps to make their workplaces feel more comfortable?

There are a lot of things you can do to build yourself a conducive working environment. Some people bring in potted plants. Others line their desks with photos of their loved ones.

Lighting is another variable we can adjust to make our offices feel inviting and boost office productivity.

But it seems that many offices haven’t yet received the memo.

The American Society of Interior Design reports that 68 percent of employees complained about the lighting situation in their offices. This particular complaint could affect work productivity and efficiency, and in fact, effective office lighting can fall under Workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

In this blog, we’ll be discussing the benefits good lighting can have not just on the atmosphere of your office, but also how good lighting increases workplace productivity.

The problem with poor office lighting

Bad office lighting can have negative effects on a person’s physical and mental well being as well as office productivity. 

 “Too dim” or “too harsh” are two phrases we often hear when people talk about their lighting pet-peeves in their offices.   

When lighting is poor, you may find yourself subconsciously straining your eyes. You might have lost motivation and feel sluggish or drowsy.

However, it’s also possible to have a space which is too brightly lit. Harsh lights can cause migraines, make it hard to focus, and affect our concentration.

These are just some examples of the most common negative effects of poor office lighting.

Lighting plays a more important role in an employee’s day-to-day work life than you might think.

Aim for good workplace lighting

It’s important to find the perfect “level” of light for your office.

Given the physical and mental hazards that can manifest from bad lighting in the office, should focus on making sure that lighting in the workplace meets certain standards.

The right level of lighting can work wonders for your office’s efficiency. Good lighting can:

• Create a brighter and cleaner work area
• Promote better visibility
• Improve employees’ accuracy and concentration
• Improve overall work performance

During office fit-out and design, various trades all work together to ensure a safe, practical, and beautiful space.

And while an architect is responsible for creating a clever layout, and an interior designer is responsible for the internal fittings and trimmings of a space, an electrician’s role is to generate a smart and practical lighting solution that perfectly blends aesthetic and practicality.

Here are some of the considerations that go into lighting a productive office space.

Colour temperature

Good lighting goes beyond just having a well-lit office! The colour and tone of the lights used in your office are often overlooked but can be just as important as the level of light.

Cool blue lights can promote productivity, fight fatigue and increase mental sharpness.

While on the other hand, warm yellow light has the opposite effect, creating a sense of comfort and relaxation.

If you’re unsure about what type of light to install in your office place, you can always talk to your local electrician to go over options. Speak with the experts at Briggs Electrical today to change the way lighting impacts your team.

Natural light

Natural light is a huge selling point for houses. Why should our workplaces be any different?

There’s a reason offices are now being designed with an eye towards large windows and plenty of sunlight! Natural light has been linked to:

• Healthier sleep cycles
• Better mental alertness
• Increased productivity
• Boosted creativity
• Overall, healthier people

Additionally, according to this research, “daylight” is the #1 wanted element in workplace design.

Along with natural light comes important considerations including sun glare and reflections.

Going beyond the confines of the office…

When we usually talk about the office, our minds automatically think of the four-walled space where work happens.  

But there’s much more to an office building than just the spaces where people sit down to work.

Good lighting should also be in place in all areas in an office building:

• A well-lit stairwell bright stairwell can reduce accidents (while exit and emergency lighting is required in certain building types)
• A bright lobby can leave a good impression on visitors
• A warmly lit staff room can make employees feel more comfortable during breaks

When considering office lighting, it’s easy to overlook these areas. If your office lighting is lacking, but you mightn’t be quite sure what needs to change, get in touch with Briggs’ commercial electricians.

Need an electrician to improve your office’s lighting?

Whether you’re in the early stages of an office fit-out or are clocking up 10 years in your current space, Briggs Electrical can help!

We can also help you with maintaining your office’s existing lighting fixtures through general and intermittent commercial maintenance.

Fill in this contact form today to light up your workspace!