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Working from home became the norm throughout the pandemic, though many people had been working remotely long before. It’s a safe bet that many others will adopt more flexible schedules going forward that will allow them to split time between the office and home. To successfully work at home, you need to consider all aspects, such as your lighting.
You may have your Zoom-ready shirt and neutral backdrop set up, but have you considered how you light your home workspace? Good lighting can improve your physical and mental well-being, increase your productivity, and make your space look much more professional. We’ve selected eight products that will upgrade your home workspace, and we’ve provided several tips for best practices to make the most of your work-from-home lighting strategy.
1. Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp
Top Features:
- UV-free
- Mimics daylight
- Three brightness settings
Working from home means you are going outside less in general — you don’t have a commute or a reason to run out and grab lunch. Not getting enough exposure to natural light might disrupt your circadian rhythm, which may affect your sleep cycle as well as your mental and physical well-being.
Incorporating this LED light therapy lamp into your workspace will expose you to the recommended 10,000 LUX of brightness. This light emits the colors of daylight to help you combat seasonal depression, improve focus and increase energy. The lamp lasts approximately 50,000 hours and produces a uniform light that will remind you of a midday sun. Three levels allow you to customize brightness for the best efficacy and comfort.
View Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp on Amazon
2. Philips Hue LED Lightstrip
Top Features:
- Easy to install
- Creates warmth
- Concealable
Installing a light strip is a quick and easy way to add ambient lighting to a space. Mount these strips under or above cabinets to conceal the light source while providing an even wash of light along a wall or desk surface. This Phillips Hue LED Bluetooth light strip can be paired with any Voice or Smart Home assistant, including Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Homekit, Microsoft Cortana, SmartThings, and IFTT.
Used in conjunction with other light sources as needed, ambient lighting can reduce eye strain and create a warm, inviting working environment.
View Philips Hue LED Lightstrip on Amazon
3. Eagleton 24″ Gold/Black Desk Lamp with USB
Top Features:
- Mid-century modern look
- Contains a USB port
- Sleek
The most obvious work-from-home light fixture must-have is a good desk lamp. However, just because it’s utilitarian doesn’t mean it has to look it. This elegant, midcentury modern-inspired lamp features a built-in USB port and rocker switch. A curved brass metal arm connects a black circular base and an adjustable black angular shade.
The fixture measures approximately 24” tall and 15” wide. Aim the light at your work surface when task lighting is needed, or angle it toward the wall to provide a warm wash of ambient lighting.
View Eagleton 24″ Gold/Black Desk Lamp with USB on Wayfair
4. Brightech Sky LED Standing Touch-Sensor Floor Lamp
Top Features:
- Super bright
- Pivoting head
- Long-lasting LEDs
A room that lacks adequate overhead lighting or access to natural light can greatly benefit from the addition of a floor lamp. This Brightech Sky Flux lamp features an adjustable head that can be tilted in a variety of angles to deliver a wash of light on the wall and/or ceiling. It delivers 2190 lumens at 3000K warm white, which is enough to light your entire workspace.
Its simple, streamlined design fits in with many decor types. Measuring 63 inches tall, the lamp is available with three different color temperature options —3,000K, 4,000K, or 5,000K — that you can easily access each using the same touch-sensing power button. Alternatively, the lamp can be operated using wall switches or set up with a smart plug that connects with Alexa or other Smart Home devices.
View Brightech Sky LED Standing Touch-Sensor Floor Lamp on Wayfair
5. Lume Cube Broadcast Lighting Kit
Top Features:
- Comes with tripod
- Adjustable brightness
- Adjustable color
Video calls have replaced many in-person meetings and will continue to be a regular part of our workdays. Good lighting is the key to making you look your best on camera. Harsh overhead lighting can emphasize skin imperfections and exaggerate facial features in an unflattering way. In order to best illuminate yourself, you either need to face a window or aim a light fixture toward your face. This iPhone-size light features a built-in frosted lens and additional white diffuser, which has a skin-perfecting effect.
Brightness and color temperature are both adjustable to help complement your skin tone and match your working environment. The fixture can be mounted to your computer with a suction cup or affixed to an adjustable tripod stand.
View Lume Cube Broadcast Lighting Kit on Amazon
6. Paquette 3 – Light 15” Shaded Drum Semi Flush Mount
Top Features:
- Dimmable
- LED-compatible
- Even suitable for damp areas
By now, you can see how having multiple light sources is essential in a well-lit home workspace, but almost any room needs some sort of overhead light fixture. This three-light drum semi-flush mount fixture has a classic look that will work with many decor styles.
A round fabric drum shade runs taut on a metal frame capped by a plastic diffuser and a round finial with a metallic finish. Three 60W bulbs cast a warm, even glow, and the fixture is compatible with a dimmer switch.
View Paquette 3 – Light 15” Shaded Drum Semi Flush Mount on Wayfair
7. Calana 1 – Light Dimmable Armed Sconce
Top Features:
- Dimmable
- Swing arm
- Modern appearance
If your homework area is nestled in the corner of your living room or another space, it’s likely that floor and desk space comes at a premium. An armed wall sconce is an excellent way to provide task light or ambient light above your work surface. Available with either a black or white finish, this fixture features a gently flared shade and a round base for a modern effect.
The metal shade can be adjusted up or down, and the dual-jointed arm swiveled from left to right. The fixture is dimmable, providing a flexible solution for smaller work areas.
View Calana 1 – Light Dimmable Armed Sconce on Wayfair
8. Higgin 66″ Tree Floor Lamp
Top Features:
- Long cord
- Tiltable shades
- Mid-century modern look
A tree-style floor lamp with shades is an excellent choice for a home office or workspace, particularly when space is limited. One light can be aimed at your work surface, another at the wall, and the other at the ceiling to provide a mix of task and ambient lighting with a single fixture. This midcentury-inspired lamp is slim and has a 96” clear cord length, making it easy to fit into a tight corner. It features adjustable brass cylindrical shades with white interior accenting and a base in a sleek brass finish.
View Higgin 66″ Tree Floor Lamp on Wayfair
Tips for Successfully Lighting Your Home Workspace
Need some lighting inspiration for your homework area? These tips can help you pull off your lighting like a pro.
Layer Lighting
Layer lighting in your home workspace by aiming at at least three sources, including general, ambient, task, and natural lighting. General lighting typically refers to light from an overhead fixture. Look for one that provides diffused, uniform light in a variety of directions — down, up, and to the sides.
Ambient light is when you can’t directly see the light source but rather the lighting bounces off another surface. Task lighting provides focused lighting on work surfaces.
Don’t Forget Indirect Lighting
Indirect lighting is typically more flattering and causes less strain on the eyes. Try aiming task fixtures at the wall and ceiling. The light will bounce off the wall surface and provide even illumination.
Paint Choice Matters
Evaluate your wall paint color: Is it light or dark? Is the texture smooth, rough, or patterned? Light-colored walls will reflect more light than darker surfaces, so consider repainting your work area.
Find the Proper Amount of Daylight
Balance daylighting with electric lighting to fill in shadows. If your work-from-home space receives too much daylight, translucent, light-colored drapes will help to diffuse it.
Go Dimmable
Dimmers are your friend. They allow you to adjust electric light levels depending on the conditions outside, whether sunny, overcast, day, or night.
