{"id":4676,"date":"2025-05-23T12:44:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T11:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bespokelights.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4676"},"modified":"2025-05-23T14:07:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T13:07:28","slug":"ideas-to-help-with-lighting-a-home-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bespokelights.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/05\/ideas-to-help-with-lighting-a-home-office\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO LIGHT A HOME OFFICE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Put your home office in the best possible light with some help from a well placed desk lamp<\/a>. In these challenging times many of us now find ourselves working from home, often for the first time. Working from home is great \u2013 you can start late, finish early and no one will know if you stay in your dressing gown all day! To help you stay focused and motivated, and perhaps avoid these bad habits, we have put together some clever lighting hints and tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is important to create a well-lit space that is comfortable to work in. If you are lucky enough to have a home office or study then you already have a ready-made dedicated work space. Otherwise you will have to improvise and find a space where you can work productively whilst being mindful of others in the household. Whether you create a quiet workspace in your summerhouse at the end of the garden or set up a desk and chair in the corner of your living room there is one thing that is definitely essential and that is good lighting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This work space has been set up by the window to take advantage of the natural light and the addition of the blind gives greater control over the light level during the day. Extra task light has been provided by our Brock retro style desk lamp<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It may take a little time to figure out exactly what lighting will work best for you, but don\u2019t get discouraged as you will be able to tweak things as you go along. Good office lighting will keep you awake, boost your productivity and reduce eye strain so it will be time well spent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess the Natural Light<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first thing to look at is how much natural light you have. If possible, try to avoid hiding yourself away in a depressing dark corner – you won\u2019t get much work done and will resent the time you spend there.  A good level of natural light during the day will enhance your mood. If your chosen work space is by a window then move your desk to take advantage of the light \u2013 either position your desk right under the window or at right angles to wash your workstation with light. Daylight is much kinder on the eyes and if you have a nice view with little distraction you will have the perfect position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Layer the Light<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When formulating a home office lighting plan, you will need a combination of different light fittings to supplement the natural light you have available. Depending on your chosen location this could include desk lamps, ceiling lights, wall lights, spotlights<\/a>, downlights and floor lamps<\/a>. Aim for a balance of light that incorporates both ambient lighting (general or background light) and task lighting (directional light for reading and close work). A flexible lighting scheme that gives you sufficient light to work comfortably throughout the day without glare but bright enough to be able to read documents would be ideal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The recessed ceiling spotlights<\/a> shown above will give you directional light. Or opt for a surface mounted spot light<\/a> Each spotlight is separately adjustable to direct the light where it is needed.\u00a0 For a more streamlined appearance, recessed downlights give a discrete low profile look. The Minima range of white recessed spotlights<\/a> will give a good background light. The version shown on the right can be tilted and rotated to direct the light and is designed for use with LED spotlight bulbs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overhead Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overhead lights will provide you with ambient or background lighting. It is unlikely that overhead lighting on its own will be sufficient, but it does give an all-round background light that will fill in any spaces that other light sources don\u2019t reach. You are looking to achieve a calm even distribution of light. It may be worth checking the light bulbs in your fittings as you may be able to change to lamps with a higher or lower lumen level to provide a more comfortable working light. LED bulbs tick all the boxes \u2013 they are long lasting, energy efficient and more importantly they have a low heat output making it easier to work nearby. If possible, also consider installing a dimmer switch so you can control the light level depending on the time of day and the amount of natural light available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More commonly seen lighting kitchen islands or breakfast bars, the linear style pendants also provide excellent background lighting that would be perfect for a workstation. The Arvin island pendant<\/a> above with its charismatic vintage look<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overhead lighting<\/a> can be supplied by flush or hanging ceiling lights, spotlights, ceiling bar pendants, downlights and even floor lamps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uplighter floor lamps will reflect light off the walls and ceiling brightening up any dark corners and adding a little accent lighting into the bargain. Spotlights that can be positioned at different angles, downlights with a tilt function or track lights are all ideally suitable for home office lighting. As they are adjustable you can change their position at different times of the day to give you the required light level where you need it. Add a dimmer switch to give yourself even greater flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Floor lamps<\/a> are not the first thing that come to mind when lighting a work space, but they are surprisingly versatile. They take up little floor space and the mother and child style lamps, in particular, offer both ambient and directional light in one fitting. The modern Hahn floor light on the left offers the latest in LED technology. Its uplighter shade provides a good background light whilst the separate reading arm will give a more concentrated task light for reading. Each light is controlled by its own dimmer switch. The striking Astoria uplighter floor standing lamp<\/a>, shown in the centre, is very reminiscent of the Art Deco cinema style of the 1920’s and 1930’s. It provides a good background light over a wide area.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task Lighting <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task lighting is very important when lighting any home office space. Task lights do what they say and give you the required light to perform specific tasks. In your home office this is likely to be reading, writing or working at a computer screen. Although task lighting is important, you should not rely on it solely as this will very quickly give you eyestrain – adding ambient lighting into the mix will soften the more focused task light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This trio of retro style desk lamps will add character to any workspace and provide directional light when needed. They are all in varying shades of grey which is surprisingly easy to team with other colours. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is little to beat a classic desk lamp for task lighting in a traditional home office. These tried and tested task lights bring everything into focus. They should be positioned so you have an even distribution of light across your workspace and, if possible, place them on the opposite side of the desk to your writing hand to avoid shadows. To avoid glare, aim the light at your workspace and not your computer screen. Desk lamps with a flexible or adjustable arm are ideal as you can adjust their height and angle to suit. As you are illuminating an area that is only a matter of inches away you may need to use a bulb with a lower lumen level. Some desk lamps have an integral dimmer switch which is perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A traditional bankers lamp desk light <\/a>with a flashed green opal glass shade on an antique bronze finish base. These iconic lamps were originally designed in the early 1900’s for using in banking halls in the USA where they were known as Emeralite lamps. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bespoke Lights have a great selection of desk lights to choose from in all sorts of styles and designs. This is your opportunity to add a touch of your own personality to your workspace by selecting a desk lamp to suit your surroundings. Shake off the corporate office image and turn your office into your own little haven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The modern funky Sambia task lamp<\/a> combines a strong stylish silhouette with a pared back industrial design. A handsome addition to a home office, it is available in either red or yellow. It is fully adjustable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Using Wall Lights and Floor Lamps as Task Lights<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Simon swing arm wall light<\/a> offers the perfect mix of style and function. In a contemporary design with mid-century overtones and an elegant simplicity, it provides the best in task lighting. Designed in collaborations with Ellen DeGeneres, the well known American TV host, comedian, actor and author who also has a passion for interior design. The two tone finish of midnight black and burnished brass is a wonderful mix of creative styling and character. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are short of space or only have room for a small desk or table, a good tip is to fix a task light to the wall. These task wall lights are more commonly used as over bed reading lights but will be just as effective in this situation. There is a huge choice of light fittings with flexible arms and adjustable shades that can be fixed to wall to reduce the clutter on your desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These two adjustable and angled wall lights will provide task light and free up valuable space on your desk or table. The Map Room wall light on the left is made in solid brass and hand finished in the UK in a traditional aged patina. It is supplied with a low energy dimmable spotlight bulb that provides the equivalent of a 50 watt halogen bulb. The Rebell angled wall light<\/a>, on the right, is a characterful fitting made in Ireland which is perfect for giving light exactly where it is needed – it is fully adjustable from the three pivot points and has an attractive coolie holophane glass shade which gives a soft light with little or no glare. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you do not have the necessary wiring in place to install a fixed wall light there are versions that can easily be plugged into the nearest socket and attached to the wall where you need it. Some of these wall lights also come with a clip and can be attached to the desk or a shelf \u2013 the ultimate in flexible lighting. Explore Plug in wall lights<\/a> to bring a dedicated task lamp to your office space at home.These plug in lamps make perfect bedside lamps too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Floor reading lamps can work in much the same way as plug in wall lights.\u00a0 Many have adjustable shades and long arms and can be positioned to give you the required task lighting where you want it. Both are by Laura Ashley Lighting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top Tips for Working from Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n