Lighting is one of the factors that most affects the quality of work at home, and one of the most overlooked. Too little light strains the eyes and reduces concentration; poorly positioned light creates screen glare and shadows on the desk. In this article, we explain how to combine the three types of lighting in a home office, which light temperature to choose, and how to select the right lamp for your space.
When setting up a home office, lighting is rarely the first concern. People choose the desk, chair, and organization, while the lighting is left to whatever already exists in the room. In most cases, what is already there is not enough.
Working for hours with inadequate lighting has real consequences: eye strain, headaches at the end of the day, and difficulty maintaining focus. And there is an irony: many people who complain about a lack of energy or concentration when working from home are simply working with too little light or with light positioned incorrectly.
The good news is that the problem has a simple solution and does not require any renovations.
In this article, you will find
The three types of lighting in an office
A well-lit home office combines three layers of lighting with distinct functions. Using only one of them, typically the ceiling light, is the most common mistake.
| Type | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| General lighting (ambient) | Illuminates the entire space evenly. It is the foundation; without it, the other light sources create contrasts that strain the eyes. | Ceiling lamp, flush-mount light, recessed downlights |
| Task lighting | Directs light toward the work area—the desk. Reduces shadows on documents and the keyboard and complements the screen. | Desk lamp, LED strip under a shelf |
| Accent lighting (decorative) | Creates depth and character in the space. It is not essential for working, but improves the atmosphere, especially during video calls. | Floor lamp, wall sconce, LED candle |
Basic rule: general lighting should be sufficient to illuminate the entire space without dark areas. Task lighting adds focused light over the desk. Together, they eliminate 90% of eye strain problems.
Color temperature: warm or cool?
The lamp’s color temperature directly affects your mental state while working. It is measured in Kelvin (K) and ranges from warm yellow to cool white.
🟡 2700–3000K: warm light: creates a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. Good for breaks and the end of the day. It is not the best choice for focused work, as the brain associates this light with rest.
⚪ 3500–4000K: neutral light: the ideal choice for a home office. Bright enough to maintain focus, yet soft enough not to cause eye strain. This is the recommended choice for task lighting.
🔵 5000–6500K: cool light (daylight): promotes alertness and maximum concentration, but may become uncomfortable during long sessions. Suitable for tasks requiring visual precision (drawing, image editing). Avoid at the end of the day, as it interferes with sleep.
For most home offices, the ideal combination is: neutral light (4000K) for task lighting and warm light (2700K) for general ambient lighting, especially at the end of the day.
How to make the most of natural light
Natural light is always the best source of lighting for work and should be maximized before adding any artificial lighting.
- Position the desk perpendicular to the window, not facing it or with your back to it. Facing it, the light enters your eyes directly and creates screen glare. With your back to it, your body casts a shadow over the desk.
- Use sheer curtains instead of blackout blinds; they let in diffused light without direct glare from the sun.
- Keep the window clean; it may seem obvious, but a window with dirt or condensation significantly reduces the amount of light entering.
- Supplement with artificial light at the end of the day, when natural light decreases, the transition should be gradual to avoid eye strain.
Desk lighting: position and height
The desk lamp is the central element of task lighting. Its correct position is just as important as its power.
- Position: if you are right-handed, place the lamp on the left so the shadow of your hand does not fall on what you are writing. If you are left-handed, do the opposite.
- Height: the bottom of the lampshade should be approximately at eye level when you are seated. If it is too low, it creates direct glare; if it is too high, the light disperses without illuminating the work area.
- Angle: the light should fall on the work surface at about 45 degrees, not perpendicularly (which creates screen glare) or parallel to it (which provides little illumination).
- No light behind the screen: the light source should not be directly behind the monitor. The contrast between the illuminated screen and the dark background is one of the main causes of eye strain.
Video call lighting
Video calls have become part of almost everyone's working day, and lighting for calls follows different rules from task lighting.
The goal is to have a well-lit face, without harsh shadows or glare. Three principles:
- Light in front, never behind. The main light source should be between you and the camera, never behind you (it creates a silhouette) or to the side (it creates harsh shadows on one side of your face).
- Natural light from the front is the best free solution: sitting facing a window during daytime calls results in an evenly lit face.
- At night or without a window: a lamp with neutral light (4000K) positioned slightly above eye level and in front of you solves the problem without specialized equipment.
Desk lamps for the home office
The desk lamp is both functional and decorative. It is always in view, appears on video calls and defines the visual character of the workspace. It is worth choosing carefully.
At Gato Preto, you will find table lamps from different collections, with distinct personalities for different home office styles.
Geometric lines and a neutral tone. Fits into any desk without competing with the rest of the space, the right choice for a minimalist home office.
Inspired by medieval forges, made of metal with handcrafted finishes. For those who want an office with character and a striking visual presence.
Lacquered ceramic base with a smooth, refined finish. Ideal for a home office with a touch of color and timeless elegance.
Ceramic base with an artistic heron motif. Takes your desk to another level, for those who value design as part of their work environment.
*Check the product page to confirm the current price; it may be on sale.
Ceiling lighting: the foundation of everything
General lighting for the space starts at the ceiling. A well-chosen ceiling lamp defines the room’s visual character and provides the foundation of ambient light over which task lighting is layered.
For a home office, the ideal ceiling lamp distributes light evenly throughout the room without creating shadowy areas. Two Gato Preto models that work well in this setting:
Spherical shape and contemporary design. Distributes light omnidirectionally, ideal for rooms with little natural light.
Polished gold metal with a handcrafted hammered finish. Lighting and décor in a single piece, for an office with elegance and presence.
*Check the product page to confirm the current price; it may be on sale.
Table, ceiling and floor lamps to light your home office—explore the entire Gato Preto collection.
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