Lighting in the Home Office | |
The lighting experts at Osram Sylvania tell us, people planning a home office should include lighting for comfort as well as productivity. Dr. Robert Kevin, senior scientist at Osram Sylvania Inc., says overhead lighting is fine for general illumination, but the home office also needs task lighting or localized light sources for specific jobs, such as working on the computer, doing paperwork, or reading documents. "Choosing the right light can significantly reduce eyestrain, headaches and fatigue, all commonly associated with working long hours in poorly lit rooms." Choose ambient (or general) lighting first because this is the light that provides the illumination and atmosphere of the space. Then think about energy- and cost-saving lighting because ambient light sources remain on for long periods of time. Fluorescent bulbs are three to four times more efficient than incandescents, and, they come in two shapes: tubular and compact. If there are long, tubular fluorescent bulbs in the room you're using as a home office, select a tubular fluorescent with improved color. Although cool-white fluorescents are the most common and, therefore, the least expensive, they give off a bluish tone that is unflattering to most skin tones and hard on the eyes. Color-improved, warm fluorescents make colors look more natural. If you're starting from scratch, choose soft white, compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are 10,000-hour bulbs that screw right into table lamps and fixtures and last up to l3 times longer than the standard incandescents. If you burn the bulb for four hours a day, you won't have to replace it for nearly seven years. Compact fluorescents emit warm soft light that's easy on your eyes, and advanced electronics in the base means no flickering when the light is switched. If using the computer for long periods of time, try placing light sources beside or above the terminal to wash light over the wall, diffusing it for the work space. To check for glare, move a small pocket mirror across the computer screen. If you see a bright reflection, adjust the lamp or screen until the reflection disappears. Position the computer screen away from windows and light-colored walls that reflect illumination. The area above the computer screen seen from the work station shouldn't be too bright. If you do a lot of detail work try a 100-watt halogen bulb to direct shadow-free light on to your desk, and place the lamp shade a minimum of 15 inches above the surface. Think opposites: if you're left-handed, place the light source to your right, and vice versa. For light reading in a comfortable chair in the office, place a floor lamp beside the chair, positioned slightly behind you to either side of your shoulder. The bottom edge of the lamp shade should never fall below eye level. Written by the editors of HouseNet Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |