Studies show that over 80 per cent of our perception occurs through sight. From reading to writing, designing to communicating, the visual field is hugely important in every element of a business and its team. But how does this relate to office design, you ask. It’s simple: lighting.
The light in a space is one of the most fundamental elements in allowing an office space to be functional, comfortable and inspiring. However, as the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recently reported, many companies neglect this aspect of their office design. Whether it be insufficient light for employees’ needs, too much glare, flicker, improper contrast or poor light distribution, ill-thought out lighting can have a significant effect on workers’ experience in the office.
So why is good office lighting so important for productivity in the workplace? Here are our top five reasons.
The first, and probably most obvious reason to optimise your office lighting is for your employees’ health. Poor lighting can cause a number of health issues due to eye strain, from headaches to neck pain. Harsh glare, on the other hand, can lead to migraines and sleep disturbances. In fact, individuals who work near a source of natural light report getting at least 45 minutes’ more sleep at night than their colleagues who are deprived of sunlight during the working day.
With all of these risks in mind, it is essential for your office space to be lit effectively to ensure your workers’ wellbeing and quality of life. Plenty of natural light is a must, but it is also important to ensure areas away from windows are effectively lit to reduce eye strain, without any flicker or glare that could cause other issues.
Good office lighting is also a huge driver of productivity in the workplace. Light plays a central role in our circadian rhythms, which creates our sense of routine and balance throughout the day. Well-lit spaces improve the wakefulness of employees, helping t5 Rehem to focus on their tasks.
It has also been found that well-lit offices reduce absences and illnesses among workers - another bonus for productivity. A study performed by the American Society of Interior Design found that 68 percent of employees complain about the lighting in their offices - making maximising your lighting design something of a no-brainer.
Effectively lit office spaces have also been shown to improve the mood and workplace satisfaction of employees. Happy workers are motivated workers, so ensuring a positive working environment is vital to improving productivity in any company.
Research has found that clear, bright lights boost workers’ moods and motivation, whereas ill-fitted fluorescent lights can make them feel sluggish because they offer less neurological stimulation. Dim lighting has also been said to contribute towards low moods, while bright lights have therapeutic and biological benefits.
Of course, there are also more straightforward reasons to ensure the lighting in your office is intelligently designed. Poor lighting systems are a health and safety risk, making it difficult for employees to see what they are doing when at work.
This is especially important in offices of businesses that require precision work, whether it be designing buildings, assembling components or operating machinery. You might think that only an absence of light would be a safety hazard in a work environment, but actually elements like glare and dimness can also create visual interference that could lead to mistakes being made.
Finally, lighting is a fundamental tool of any office design simply for aesthetic value. Lighting is a fantastic way to enhance the atmosphere of an area, whether it be bright lighting in a meeting room fitted with bright, youthful decor to reflect your creative brand, or softer, warmer floor lamps in a break-out space to create an atmosphere of comfort and leisure.
In fact, one study even found that giving employees personal control over the lighting in their workspace improved their happiness at work. Individuals like being able to tailor the environment they work in, so adding in customisable options such as desk lamps with various settings could be a great way to enhance both the aesthetics and environment of your office.
If you feel that your office space could benefit from a lighting revamp, why not contact our expert office design team today? We can work with your vision to create a well-lit, beautifully-designed space that will have your employees feeling happy, motivated and productive from 9 to 5 and beyond. Just call us today on 0208 226 2161 or contact us to find out more.
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