Nov 07 2008
Home Office: Don’t strain just add task lighting
Lighting in a home office is as important as in any other room. Eyestrain from reading and looking at a computer monitor is already an issue. Bad lighting will only add to the situation.
Overall lighting is important but task lighting will make the difference between enough and not enough light. What is task lighting you ask? Simply put – task lighting is lighting that is specifically aimed at the task at hand.
Light for reading needs to be bright enough without being to bright. Glare is harmful to your eyes and will make you tired before the day is over. No glare and few shadows are best. Flexibility is preferable so that the lighting adjusts to you and not the other way around.
Task lighting can save money and energy because it can be turned off when not in use. Lamps are the most common form of task lighting. Some swivel from the wall, some set on desks, some rise from the floor and others clip directly to what you are doing. Portable book lights are a great example of task lighting. All have an off-and-on setting thus the energy costs end when you finish your task.
I would suggest trying out different lighting options before you make a final purchasing decision. Carry a book or magazine along and read them under various lamps. Only buy from stores that will allow returns or exchanges. Don’t get stuck with a lamp that makes a bad situation worse.
