Flick of a Switch: How Lighting Affects Productivity and Mood

How lighting impacts workplace productivity

To learn more about the costs associated with not addressing lighting issues in the workplace, we turned to HOK, a top global design firm. Here are three examples of HOK-designed lighting projects that have provided conducive lighting for a productive workplace.

Workers prefer to control their own lighting.

According to Emily Dunn, a former senior consultant based in HOK’s New York office, employees prefer to adjust their lighting based on their sensitivity and needs. This ability increases workers’ productivity.

“We have found, based on the work that we have done, that control of an environment, whether it be lighting or temperature, helps people feel better about their perceived productivity,” Dunn said.

HOK installed energy-efficient windows in its building that provide natural light and allow employees to dim the electric lighting system in their workstations and multi-occupant stations.

Daylight enhances human performance.

HOK incorporated daylight features to help employees regulate their circadian rhythms. When these rhythms are offset, employees experience stress. Stress and productivity don’t mix. However, a building that incorporates daylight can enhance human performance.

“As our energy levels naturally rise and fall, being able to respond to that with lighting that matches our needs can reduce fatigue and sharpen attention,” said Brett Polich, managing principal at EWP Architects. “Adaptive lighting supports not just individual performance, but team dynamics as well. It allows people to personalize their space, improves comfort and ultimately helps create a workplace where people can do their best thinking.”

Lighting design creates ambience.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to lighting in the workplace. According to Tom Kaczkowski, HOK’s lighting design director, lighting design “depends on the atmosphere that we are trying to create within the work environment.”

When King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia wanted its interior to promote team innovation and creativity, HOK delivered by tailoring each space to its intended use. For example, the conference space was situated in a “shaded, passively cooled outdoor concourse” with a hint of sunlight to produce an inviting environment that kept workers alert. The academic library, designated as a room to keep people relaxed, was fitted with warm lighting to instill a sense of comfort.

Smart organizations know enhancing their team’s performance keeps companies growing and actively innovating.

How to improve lighting in your company office 

Many employees spend eight-plus hours at the office, so an intelligently lit workspace can significantly impact their overall health and productivity. Creating an environment that heals instead of adding to employees’ stress and fatigue will help your company achieve business goals and help your employees realize their career goals. “Done right, lighting becomes an active participant in how people see, feel and perform, not just for illumination or as static background,” said José dos Santos, head of design and user experience, Americas, at Signify. 

Here are a few ways to improve lighting in your company office:

1. Make cost-effective improvements to existing office lighting.

Many offices lack natural lighting. There aren’t enough windows, the building doesn’t face the right direction, or the hours don’t allow for natural light.

Alina Enache, project design coordinator and co-founder at Lamp Genius recommended the following to help increase productivity, reduce fatigue and improve employee engagement.

• Set up desks to take advantage of natural daylight, but make sure you have adjustable blinds to control direct sunlight since during certain times of the day, the sunlight can be too strong.
• Try to position overhead lights parallel to computer screens to avoid frustrating reflections, which can distract staff. “I’d recommend neutral white lighting (4000K to 5000K) with high Colour Rendering Index (80+ CRI) — this keeps people alert without straining their eyes,” Enache said.  
• Employees should be given adjustable desk lamps so they can add extra light where they need it for specific tasks.

2. Consider individual light therapy.

Different employees may have different lighting needs due to their office location or personal sensitivity. If your business has individual offices or a cubicle-style setup, individual light therapy could be an inexpensive way to make everyone happy.

LED light therapy lamps, such as the Verilux HappyLight, can be placed on each desk, either manually adjusted or controlled through Wi-Fi. [Read more about this lamp and other Home Office Products to Level Up Your Workspace] To customize their space, the worker can choose the lighting that most helps their productivity. Most light therapy lamps are portable, so you can take the lights with you if you reconfigure the space or relocate your office.

Of course, if you have an open office plan, individual light therapy can be trickier. Still, light therapy lamps at specific workstations may help if everyone is in agreement.

3. Invest in technology.

While changing office lightbulbs to LED and using natural light will save you money, there are other ways to recoup your investment. Various lighting options can increase office productivity and comfort, from sensors to Wi-Fi control. Try the following technology when upgrading your lighting system:

• Motion sensors: Light is emitted when workers are in the room and automatically turned off when no movement is detected.
• Timers: If you have set office hours automatically, use timers to shut off lights. This will help motivate employees to complete their work on time and save money when the office is closed.
• Smart lights: A program adjusts light temperatures throughout the day using your smartphone or lighting hub to keep workers alert and engaged.

How to improve your home office’s lighting

With so many businesses implementing remote work plans, creating a productive home office environment is crucial. “Video conferencing is a huge part of remote work,” said Colin DaPonte, senior designer at Spectorgroup. “Good lighting helps people look good on camera and translates to increased confidence during these calls.”

Here are some steps you can take to improve your home office lighting situation:

1. Start with your room’s natural light.

Before you charge ahead and fill your room with as many colorful lights as you can, look around and identify ways to make the most of the room’s windows — if it has them. Windows can provide abundant natural light, which is much easier on human eyes and incorporates the world outside your room. Additionally, more natural light around your work desk can help you concentrate on your various tasks more effectively. You’ll also reduce any clutter in your room caused by unnecessary lights.

2. Add overhead lights.

While natural light is ideal for any space, it can’t always fill an entire room. This is where overhead lights come in handy. Placing overhead lights in otherwise dark corners or spaces in your office will help lift the mood and create a more welcoming ambiance. This will keep you alert and focused on your work rather than dreary and unable to concentrate.

3. Layer your lighting.

Combining natural and LED lighting can provide a positive home office lighting experience. Purchase lights that can be layered and rotated throughout the day to complement natural sunlight.  

“My favorite setup is a desk positioned near a window with adjustable blinds, a hanging linear LED pendant directly above the desk and a long-armed adjustable desk lamp with a 4000K color temperature,” Enache said. “The pendant hangs parallel to the desk so it doesn’t light the whole room — just focuses on your workspace. This gives you layers of light you can control throughout the day. The window provides natural light, the pendant gives you targeted overhead light right where you need it and the desk lamp lets you add focused light for specific tasks.”

4. Consider ambient lighting to reduce eye strain. 

Eye strain can seriously affect those who do not fully light their rooms. This is especially true in the digital age, as we work on computers and mobile devices that produce lighting that leaves something to be desired. Ambient light can alleviate the strain from computer and phone screen lighting while offering a welcoming space for employees to work.

5. Create a space that nurtures a healthy work-life balance.

When working remotely, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging, especially if your home office also serves as another space during off-hours. However, having a lighting system that can change throughout the day can help productivity and your mood. 

“The psychological separation between work and home is important,” DaPonte said. “You want lighting that will keep you focused while at work, but relaxed once the workday is through. Increased task lighting helps create that distinction. Using separate lights for work and after-work hours is another way to create distinction.”

Julie Thompson contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.