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When choosing office lighting, there are five important factors to consider: illuminance (lux), glare rating (UGR), colour temperature (Kelvin), colour rendering (Ra) and installation method. You should also consider motion sensors and daylight control. These help prevent unnecessary energy consumption in areas that are not in constant use.
There is no single luminaire that is suitable for every office. For example, you can combine LED panels for workstations with downlights for the reception area. This allows you to adapt the lighting to the activities and use of each individual space.
The right office lighting depends on the function of the room, the activities being carried out and the type of ceiling. LED panels are a good option for workstations and meeting rooms. They distribute light evenly and provide sufficient illumination for working. In rooms without suspended ceilings, LED pendant lights are a suitable alternative. For corridors, reception areas and entrance halls, you can use LED downlights or LED recessed spotlights.
Emergency lighting is also an important part of office lighting. It ensures that employees and visitors can safely find the exits and escape routes in the event of a power failure or emergency. In this blog, you will discover which types of LED lighting are suitable for different office spaces and what to consider when choosing the right lighting.
For a standard office workstation, an illuminance level of 500 lux on the working surface is generally recommended. Lux indicates how much light falls on a surface. Lumens indicate the total amount of light emitted by a luminaire. For office lighting, the number of lux on the working surface is particularly important. You can calculate the required lumens by multiplying the desired lux level by the surface area in square metres.
The required illuminance varies depending on the type of office space:
Workstations involving reading and computer work: 500 lux.
Meeting rooms: 500 lux.
Reception areas: 300 lux.
Copying, archiving and circulation areas: 300 lux.
Archive storage: 200 lux.
Would you like to know how much light you need for different rooms? Read our blog: How Much Light Do I Need?
For office workstations and meeting rooms, a glare rating of UGR 19 is generally recommended. UGR stands for Unified Glare Rating and indicates how much discomfort is caused by glare from lighting. The lower the value, the less glare is experienced. This is particularly important when working at a computer screen.
For reception areas, UGR<22 is sufficient, while UGR<25 is suitable for archive storage. Please note that the actual level of glare depends not only on the luminaire itself, but also on the room, the positioning of the lighting and the viewing direction.
Would you like to learn more about UGR ratings? Read our blog: What Does UGR Mean in LED Lighting?
Colour temperature influences the appearance and atmosphere of an office space. It is expressed in Kelvin (K). For office workstations, 4000K is a good option. This produces neutral white light that is comfortable for working and attending meetings. A colour temperature of 3000K produces warm white light and is more suitable for reception areas and informal meeting spaces. With 6500K, you get cool daylight white light. This colour temperature is generally not used for office workstations.
You should also pay attention to colour rendering (Ra or CRI). This value indicates how naturally colours are reproduced under artificial lighting. For offices, we recommend a minimum colour rendering index of Ra 80. If you work with colours, for example in graphic design, choose Ra 90 or higher.
The right type of luminaire mainly depends on the ceiling, the desired light distribution and the function of the room. At Lightexpert, you can find a suitable lighting solution for every office space.
LED panels provide a good lighting solution for workstations and meeting rooms. They ensure even light distribution, are available in different sizes and offer a choice of UGR<19 or UGR<22. They are also available in various colour temperatures, ranging from 3000K to 6500K.
Does the room have no suspended ceiling? LED pendant lights are a suitable option. These are suspended above desks and meeting tables. Some models can be connected together to create a continuous line of light.
LED downlights are suitable for reception areas, corridors and meeting spaces. These round recessed luminaires provide directional light distribution and often feature a low UGR rating and a CCT switch. Would you like to create a more atmospheric setting or highlight specific areas, for example in a reception or break room? LED Track Lighting with adjustable spotlights is also suitable for highlighting specific areas, such as a wall or reception desk.
Finally, LED Ceiling Lights are suitable for toilets, stairwells and storage rooms. These are compact surface-mounted luminaires that can be installed directly onto the ceiling. Lightexpert offers these luminaires in various sizes.
LED panels are a widely used solution for office lighting. They provide even light distribution and fit into different types of ceilings. For workstations, a panel with a glare rating of UGR<19 is the best option. This helps reduce distracting glare when working with computer screens. For areas where employees spend less time, such as corridors and kitchenettes, panels with UGR<22 are suitable.
LED panels are therefore a good solution for open-plan offices, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and consultation rooms.
LED downlights are compact recessed luminaires that are integrated into the ceiling. This makes them unobtrusive and suitable for spaces where a clean, minimalist appearance is desired. They are particularly suitable for reception areas, entrance halls, corridors and stairwells.
A colour temperature of 3000K creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 4000K produces neutral white light and provides a fresh, bright appearance. This colour temperature is suitable for workstations and meeting rooms. With 6500K, you get cool daylight white light, which creates a bright and crisp lighting effect.
Are you using downlights above workstations? Choose a model with UGR<19 and sufficient light output. LED downlights are also a suitable solution for kitchenettes and lunch areas.
LED pendant lights are suspended luminaires that are installed above workstations and meeting tables. They are suitable for offices without suspended ceilings and provide even light distribution.
Various models are available, including luminaires that distribute light both upwards and downwards. There are also linkable versions that allow you to create a continuous line of light.
Emergency lighting is an important part of fire safety in an office building. In the event of a power failure or emergency, this lighting ensures that employees and visitors can find escape routes and emergency exits.
Emergency lighting switches on automatically when the normal power supply fails. It plays a particularly important role in corridors, stairwells, near emergency exits and in areas where large numbers of people gather. This allows everyone inside the building to leave safely in an emergency.
Overview: which office lighting is suitable for each space?
Office space | Suitable lighting | Recommended specifications |
|---|---|---|
Workstation with suspended ceiling | 60x60 LED panel | 500 lux, UGR<19, Ra>80 |
Workstation without suspended ceiling | LED pendant light | 500 lux, UGR<19, Ra>80 |
Meeting room | LED panel or pendant light | 500 lux, UGR<19, Ra>80 |
Reception area | 3000K LED downlights | 300 lux, UGR<22 |
Corridor, copying room or kitchenette | LED downlights or panels | 300 lux |
Looking for the right office lighting?
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