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Today’s offices in [city] have evolved to have more than just desks and overhead lights. More and more companies are moving away from cubicle farms, creating environments designed to make people comfortable when reading, answering emails, or even just talking to each other.

Apart from furnishings, office lighting systems have also adapted to these modern changes. Lights play a vital role in setting the atmosphere inside an office. They also fulfill a crucial safety function, ensuring workers can see what they’re doing.

Below are a few tips on how to create a modern, productive workspace with lighting.

1. Find Harmony in Layering

Layering your office lights is important as it adds depth to the space. Many business owners make the mistake of just having overhead lighting, only to wonder why the office looks dull and uninspiring. Instead, what you should do is install different types of fixtures:

  • General lighting
  • Task lighting
  • Accent lighting

Each layer works with each other to create balanced lighting. For example, your recessed lights can serve as your primary light source. Each workstation can then have task lights (e.g. pendant lights, desk lamps) to ensure each employee has a dedicated light source. Finally, accent lights like track lights can fill in dark corners or bring attention to things like wall art.

2. Bend the Rules

Light levels need to be set at a consistent brightness in a commercial setting, but this does not necessarily apply to an office. For example, in offices with open floor plans, you can delineate certain areas by using different light fixtures, giving each section a unique look.

This approach can also apply to places like lobbies, general floor areas, and conference rooms. Use different types of fixtures and bulbs to set the mood or create a unique atmosphere where people can work productively.

3. Balance Functionality and Personality

The light fixtures you’ll be using in your workspace should be functional and should also reflect your business’s style and image. At the same time, each fixture should also help workers with their tasks, whether it’s reading documents or working in front of computer.

You might think that you have limited resources, especially if you’re into unique pieces, but more and more light manufactures are offering interesting light fixtures for all kinds of applications. Don’t be afraid to experiment with pendants, chandeliers, and track lights.

4. Light Quality and Color Matters

Choose high-quality light bulbs with high CRI ratings. The CRI, or color rendering index, indicates how accurate colors appear under a light source. The higher the CRI the better. You also want to get fixtures with the same color temperature—this refers to how warm (i.e. red) and cool (i.e. blue) light appears. Decide on a single color temperature and use it throughout a single space in your office.

5. Keep the Space Well-lit

Numerous studies have shown a correlation between light levels and productivity. A dim office makes people feel drowsy and sleepy, not to mention makes it harder for people to see what they’re doing. This, however, doesn’t mean having as many lights in the office as possible. In fact, you can and should natural light whenever possible.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing lights for your workspace to give it a modern look.

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