The office lighting in your workspace has a direct effect on the mood, energy level, and productivity of your team.
Lighting that is too dim will make your employees feel tired and cranky. On the other hand, lighting that is too bright will be hard on their eyes — even triggering migraines — and will disrupt their body’s natural circadian rhythms.
That may seem like a lot — or may not make any sense at all if you’re not familiar with lumens — but it actually breaks down to this: every 6’x6’ (or 36 square-foot) space should receive the equivalent light as from a 35-watt incandescent bulb.
To put that in perspective, most desk lamps use a 60-watt bulb that produces 800 lumens.
The GSA also provides other office lighting standards, including the following:
Fluorescent ceiling fixtures and bulbs are the most basic suggested option
Lighting layout should provide an even amount of illumination for the entire office space
Fill in gaps with task lighting options
Adjust lighting options to minimize shadows
We’ll discuss some of these standards in more detail in other sections of this article.