Work more productively with the perfect workplace lighting
The most important things at a glance:
- Optimal workplace lighting promotes your health and concentration.
- The right lighting at the workplace reduces error rates and fatigue.
- Innovative technologies such as LED technology and Human Centric Lighting (HCL) offer individual customization options.
- Designer luminaires from NEONA also combine functionality and aesthetics in office lamps.
Why the right workplace lighting is so important
You spend many hours a day at your workplace - whether in the office, home office or workshop. Inadequately designed workplace lighting can lead to increased visual fatigue and discomfort, which can affect not only your well-being but also your productivity.
Well-designed workplace lighting, on the other hand, can help to reduce visual stress and promote general well-being.
In contrast, optimally planned lighting supports your biorhythm and increases your concentration, which also has a noticeable effect on the error rate.
The right workplace lighting is therefore not just a pleasant extra, but a decisive factor for your well-being and performance. Investing in high-quality lighting concepts is therefore worthwhile for everyone.
Important basics for workplace lighting
Both natural daylight and artificial light sources play a fundamental role in the overall concept. Natural light is considered the best light source as it has a positive effect on biorhythms and mood. Where daylight is not available in sufficient quantities, artificial lighting comes into play.
💡 Recommended illuminance
Illuminance, measured in lux, indicates how much light is available per unit area.
- For office workplaces, experts recommend a value between 500-750 lux.
- Depending on age and field of activity (e.g. delicate work), higher values of between 750 and 1500 lux may also be required.
When planning, the correct illuminance at the workplace should therefore always be individually adjusted.
|
Range |
Recommended lux values |
|
Office workstation |
500-750 lux |
|
Fine or detailed work |
750-1500 lux |
💡 Glare and reflections
Glare and unwanted reflections are common causes of eye strain at the workplace. These phenomena can be caused by incorrect positioning of the light source or careless surface design.
Simple measures can help to prevent these problems:
|
Measure |
Description |
|
Desk position |
Position the desk at an angle to the window to avoid direct sunlight. |
|
Blinds/roller blinds |
Reduce direct sunlight with blinds or roller blinds. |
|
Surface design |
Use matt, non-reflective materials at workstations. |
💡 Uniform illumination
Another important aspect is the uniform illumination of the workplace. Bright, uniform lighting conditions without dark corners help to avoid visual fatigue.
Make sure that strong contrasts are avoided and that all areas of the workplace are sufficiently illuminated.
The right light color in the office
The quality of light at the workplace goes far beyond mere brightness. Two key factors also play an important role here:
- Color temperature
- and color rendering.
💡 Color temperature
The color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and describes whether the light appears warm or cold. In offices, neutral to daylight white light (around 5500 K) is often recommended, as this promotes concentration.
Other rooms, such as living areas, benefit more from warm white light for a cozier atmosphere.
|
Light color |
Temperature range (K) |
Application range |
|
Warm white |
2700-3300 |
Living room, bedroom |
|
Neutral white |
3300-5300 |
Office, study |
|
Daylight white |
from 5300 |
Workplaces with high concentration |
💡 Color rendering
Color render ing is decisive for how "natural" colors appear under a particular light source. A high color rendering index (CRI over 90) is essential for work areas where precise color rendering is important, such as in laboratories or design studios.
Lighting concepts and modern technologies
Optimum workplace lighting is based on a well thought-out concept that combines different light sources. In addition to ambient lighting, solutions
solutions such as
- LED workstation lights,
- desk lamps
- and innovative systems such as Human Centric Lighting (HCL) are also used.
💡 Combination of different light sources
The best solution is to combine differently directed light sources:
- Daylight,
- general ceiling lights
- and individual desk lights.
This mixture ensures uniform illumination that also takes individual needs into account.
💡 Modern LED technology as workplace lighting
Modern LED luminaires offer enormous advantages: they are energy-efficient, have a long service life and enable flexible lighting design. As LED workplace lighting , LED lamps offer flicker-free dimmability and excellent color rendering.
Discover, for example, the designer LED office lamps from NEONA for a modern working environment.
💡 Dimmable and flexible luminaires
Luminaires that can be regulated using a dimmer and whose color temperature can be individually adjusted make it possible to optimally adapt the lighting conditions to the respective area of use.
This not only creates a flexible lighting mood, but also helps to simulate the natural course of daylight as realistically as possible.
💡 Human Centric Lighting (HCL)
Human Centric Lighting (HCL) is an innovative concept. Here, the light intensity and color temperature are controlled in such a way that they correspond to the natural course of daylight.
Based on current research findings, innovative lighting systems such as Human Centric Lighting could have a positive impact on subjective well-being. HCL is becoming increasingly important in modern workplaces in particular.
Lighting solutions for different work areas
Different work areas have different lighting requirements. Whether office workstations, laboratories or workshops - the lighting should be tailored to suit requirements.
💡 Office workstations
System luminaires that provide large-area, uniform illumination are ideal for classic office workstations. The recommended value is around 5500 Kelvin, creating a neutral, concentrated atmosphere.
💡 Laboratories and electronic workstations
In laboratories and at electronic work stations, precisely adjustable rod and articulated arm luminaires are particularly important. These make it possible to illuminate specific work areas selectively. A color temperature of approx. 6000 Kelvin or more ensures an active and concentrated working atmosphere.
💡 Workshops
In workshops, the focus is on high illuminance levels and excellent color rendering. Robust task lights that can withstand dust and dirt are particularly advantageous here. By using state-of-the-art LED luminaires, uniform lighting conditions can be achieved even in large workshops.
Legal requirements and standards for workplace lighting
Legal requirements must also be observed when planning workplace lighting. The Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and the Technical Rules for Workplaces form an important basis for this.
💡 Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV)
The ArbStättV forms the legal basis that stipulates that workplaces must have adequate lighting. These standards ensure that the safety and health of employees is guaranteed even in poor lighting conditions.
💡 Technical rule for workplaces "Lighting" (ASR A3.4)
ASR A3.4 specifies the requirements for lighting conditions in workplaces. It specifies details such as minimum illuminance values, purity, glare-free lighting and other important parameters that must be taken into account during planning.
💡 DGUV Information 215-211
DGUV Information 215-211 deals with the influence of daylight and the line of sight to the outside. This information helps companies to make optimum use of daylight in order to ensure a healthy workplace.
Practical tips for implementing optimal workplace lighting
Here you will find a checklist for implementation:
|
Step |
Recommendation |
|
Use daylight |
Provide as much daylight as possible - position workstations close to windows. |
|
Combination of light sources |
Use a mixture of ceiling lighting and individual desk lighting. |
|
Dimming function |
Use lights that can be continuously adjusted using a dimmer. |
|
Avoidance of glare |
Position your desk at an angle to the window and use blinds. |
|
Optimum color rendering |
Choose lights with a high CRI to display colors naturally. |
💡 Expert tips: When choosing desk lighting, make sure that it can be flexibly adjusted.
💡 Economic aspects of workplace lighting
An investment in high-quality LED workplace lights pays off in the long term - not only through energy savings, but also through increased productivity and reduced downtime. Efficient lighting systems often pay for themselves within just a few years.
Conclusion
The right workplace lighting is a key factor for health, productivity and well-being at work. With modern lighting concepts, high-performance LEDs and innovative systems such as Human Centric Lighting (HCL) , optimum lighting conditions can be created. Companies and private users can thus not only save energy costs, but also improve the working environment in the long term.
With a well thought-out mix of ceiling, desk and wall lighting, workplaces can be designed to meet both legal requirements and individual needs. Invest in high-quality luminaires - so you not only focus on efficiency, but also make a visual statement.
FAQ
How many lux should there be in the workplace?
The recommended value for office workstations is between 500 and 750 lux. For delicate work or for older employees, 750 to 1500 lux may also be appropriate.
What color temperature is best for the office?
A color temperature of approx. 5500 Kelvin is recommended for offices, as this value creates a neutral and concentrated atmosphere.
What is Human Centric Lighting (HCL)?
HCL is a lighting concept that adapts the lighting conditions to the natural course of daylight so that your biorhythm is optimally supported and productivity increases.
Which legal standards are relevant?
The Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and the Technical Rules for Workplaces, in particular ASR A3.4, which define all the key requirements for workplace lighting, are important foundations.
How can I avoid glare at the workplace?
To avoid glare, position your desk at an angle to the window, use blinds or roller blinds and make sure that furniture and work equipment have matt surfaces.
💡 Read other guides on the subject of light: