5 Do's & 5 Don'ts for Professional Office Lighting

Well-designed office lighting improves productivity, reduces fatigue, and contributes to a comfortable working environment. Poor lighting, on the other hand, leads to complaints, distractions, and unnecessary energy consumption. In this guide, we highlight five essential do’s and don’ts for workplace lighting with practical tips for businesses investing in quality and sustainability.

The 5 Most Important Do's for Office Lighting

DO: Have a tailored lighting plan created

A professional lighting plan is the foundation of a well-lit, functional office space. It takes into account the room’s purpose, layout, ceiling height, and reflectance values—while ensuring compliance with BS EN 12464-1 standards, which recommend at least 500 lux for standard office tasks.

A detailed lighting calculation helps avoid issues such as overlighting, uneven distribution, or shadowy areas. It also ensures the right number and type of luminaires are used in the correct positions. This is especially important in open-plan offices or spaces with flexible layouts.

Investing in a proper plan from the start prevents costly corrections later on.

DO: Choose luminaires with a low UGR value (≤19)

The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) measures the potential glare caused by a lighting fixture. For office spaces with computer workstations, a UGR value of 19 or lower is recommended.

Excessive glare leads to eye strain, loss of focus, and reduced performance. Select luminaires with lens technology or shielding that direct the light evenly and comfortably.

For example, LED spots or track lighting with specialised optics offer both focused illumination and visual comfort.

DO: Invest in energy-efficient LED lighting

Modern LED lighting is a smart, sustainable choice that significantly reduces operational costs. LEDs consume up to 80% less power than traditional halogen or fluorescent lamps and offer lifespans of 30,000 to 50,000 hours.

When choosing products, look for a high lumen-per-watt ratio—at least 100 lm/W is recommended for offices. This ensures you’re getting efficient light output with minimal energy waste.

Additionally, LEDs are flicker-free, low-maintenance, and available in various colour temperatures (e.g., 3000K or 4000K), making them suitable for a wide range of office environments.

DO: Utilise daylight and smart lighting control

Combining natural daylight with artificial lighting not only improves workplace comfort but also reduces energy consumption.

Use daylight sensors, occupancy detection, or timers to automatically dim or switch off lighting in unused areas. This is particularly useful in meeting rooms, corridors, or communal areas that are not constantly occupied.

Smart lighting systems are especially effective in larger offices and multi-tenant buildings where energy savings add up quickly.

DO: Choose flexible systems like track lighting

Office environments evolve constantly—teams grow, layouts change, and spaces are repurposed.

With flexible systems such as 1-circuit or 3-circuit track lighting, you can easily reposition, add, or adjust luminaires without new wiring or invasive ceiling work.

Track lighting is ideal for professional office designs and adds a clean, modern aesthetic that complements contemporary interiors.

The 5 Most Common Mistakes in Office Lighting

DON'T: Install lighting without proper planning or advice

Some businesses still opt for quick fixes or low-cost installations—hanging random luminaires without a proper lighting design. This often leads to issues like uneven brightness, glare, and poorly lit workstations.

Poor lighting reduces productivity, causes eye fatigue, and can even lead to physical discomfort. A qualified lighting expert takes into account ceiling height, surface reflectance, colour temperature, and UGR values to create a tailored, future-proof lighting solution.

DON'T: Use decorative or unsuitable spotlights at desks

Not all spotlights are suitable for task lighting. Decorative fixtures or cheap spotlights often have wide beam angles, low output, and high glare potential. Unshielded light sources that shine directly into the eyes cause discomfort, distraction, or even headaches.

Professional-grade spotlights designed for office use feature controlled optics, low UGR values, and focused beams. Accent or decorative lighting can enhance areas like reception or breakout zones—but should only be used as a complement to functional lighting.

DON'T: Rely on outdated fluorescent or halogen lighting

Older lighting technologies such as fluorescent tubes and halogen bulbs are inefficient, high-maintenance, and often provide poor visual comfort. They generate excess heat, flicker, and consume a lot of energy.

By switching to modern LED office lighting, you benefit from lower energy bills, longer lifespan (up to 50,000 hours), and consistently high light quality. Many LED fixtures also offer dimming and low-glare options, making them ideal for screen-based work.

DON'T: Keep lights on all day—even when not needed

In many offices, lights remain on throughout the day—even in rooms that are unoccupied or already well-lit by daylight. This leads to unnecessary energy waste and increased electricity costs.

Install smart controls such as motion sensors or daylight-dependent dimming to automatically adjust lighting based on actual usage and ambient light. This boosts energy efficiency while maintaining visual comfort for employees.

DON'T: Install fixed lighting without considering future changes

During fit-outs or renovations, lighting is sometimes built into the ceiling without considering future flexibility. This becomes an issue when furniture layouts change or spaces are repurposed.

Instead, use modular solutions like 3-circuit or 1-circuit track systems that can be reconfigured as needed—without extra wiring or construction work. This keeps your office lighting adaptive and cost-efficient in the long term.

Conclusion

Professional office lighting is a balance between comfort, efficiency, and flexibility. By making informed choices and avoiding common pitfalls, you create a workplace that’s productive, energy-efficient, and ready for the future. Have questions? Our lighting specialists are happy to help with tailored advice for your office project.