Light Switch

How office lighting can illuminate your thinking.

by Jenna Boyd, PINK magazine June/July 2005

THE LIGHTING IN YOUR OFFICE can bolster or diminish energy levels, moods, and productivity. Just as the days of summer are long and bright, our moods are more upbeat and carefree than in winter. It’s no different in your office. So flip the switch and brighten your perspective inside, too.

DESK & FLOOR LAMPS

• Add desk or floor lamps to create warmth and coziness, soften fluorescent lights and brighten dim offices.
• Choose an unexpected lamp that shows off your personality or have fun with a colorful lampshade.

 COMBINING LIGHT SOURCES

Add picture lights to hanging artwork to avoid a single light source, which creates shadows and dark spots, decreasing usable workspace.
• If your ceiling is high enough, opt for an overhead light source. Pendant luminaries, as they are called, light vertically, providing both indirect and direct lighting.

 CHECK THE BULBS

• Increase the wattage. Going from 60 to 100 watts makes a big difference. As we get older, our retinas harden and our eyes need more light.
• Try three-way bulbs to adjust light. Halogen lights add a warm glow.

 FLAMES & SUNLIGHT

• Light a candle on your desk to eliminate negative ions.
• Open blinds and hang a mirror for natural sunlight, the best source for lighting.