Remote work is no longer a temporary fix. With 58% of Americans working from home at least once a week, people are sinking into their home offices — and ensuring they have the right light to keep them comfortable and productive.

The more time spent in your home office, the more critical the right lighting becomes. More than just illuminating a workspace, good lighting keeps energy levels high and helps keep you focused. On the flip side, the wrong lighting encourages inefficiency and drowsiness — not ideal for getting mission-critical projects over the finish line.

How do you determine the right lighting for your home office? 

Take Advantage of Natural Light
As you begin planning or assessing your home office, the first step is to consider natural light. Is your home office filled with windows, letting in plenty of natural light throughout the day? Are you in a basement office with no windows — and no natural light? Does your space get great natural light for part of the day? By understanding what your day-to-day natural lighting looks like, you’ll be able to determine what’s needed to maximize your artificial lighting. 

PRO TIP: Natural light is directly linked to improved mood, concentration, and overall energy levels. If you have multiple home office spaces to choose from, opt for one with the most natural light. 
If yours is a space with lots of natural light, be sure to place your desk or workstation so it’s perpendicular to the window or windows — this allows you to make the most of your natural light without straining your eyes. It’s also good to layer in curtains or shades that you can use during especially bright periods.

Choose Fixtures & Bulbs That Complement The Space
The next step: consider the lighting fixtures and bulbs that will enhance your space, without pulling from the natural light.

If you want to designate a section of a room as your home office, pendant fixtures are an ideal choice. These artful additions provide focused light at any angle desired.

If your entire space is a dedicated home office, indirect lighting sources like track lighting are good go-to’s, creating a warm, focused ambiance that’s optimal for a productive work day. 

Think About Color Temperature
It’s also important to consider color temperature, which has a direct impact on mood and attentiveness. As you’re planning your space, it’s important to choose bulbs that align with your needs: cooler, brighter light bulbs – bulbs with color temperatures 4000 kelvin and up – drive higher energy levels by stopping your brain’s melatonin production. Because melatonin is linked to sleepiness, brighter lights keep us alert and moving forward — and that makes cooler temperature lights ideal for task-oriented workspaces. Warmer lighting is good for relaxation and could be a good option if your work demands a calmer vibe. 

Alternatively, consider opting for smart LED technology. Viro smart LED lighting enables you to adjust brightness and color temperature as the day goes on. By transitioning from cool, bright lighting early in the day and warmer, softer lighting as work wraps, it’s easy to shift from total focus to easing into your post-9-to-5.