5 Important Considerations for Perfect Desktop Lighting at Work
Workplace Inspiration

5 Important Considerations for Perfect Desktop Lighting at Work

|Mar 13, 2023
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Desktop lighting might sound like a simple decoration on your workspace. However, its benefits should not be underestimated. If you have experienced headaches and eye strain at one point in your life, improper lighting in your space might just be the cause. 

Even if you already use desktop lighting, you might still experience these health problems. In that case, the desktop light you choose may not fit your working style. That’s why it’s important to consider some things before getting your desktop lighting. 

What Is the Optimal Desktop Lighting for Your Setup?

The optimal desk lamp for each person varies according to several factors. Those include the person’s type of job, preference, the desk’s layout and size, and the natural lighting condition in the room. 

You might prefer colorful neon lighting for aesthetic reasons, but your job requires you to spend most of your time in front of your desktop. Here, your lighting choice might not be the best for you. However, if it doesn’t give you any significant issues, then you should have nothing to worry about. 

There is no particular rule for choosing the best LED desk lamp as long as you’re comfortable with your selection. However, if you want to reduce the risk of eye strain, headache, or any other issue caused by improper lighting, there are some guides you can follow.

What Is the Optimal Desktop Lighting for Your Setup?

Cool Temperature Light or Warm Temperature Light?

Choosing between yellow lights vs. white light can be the first step in picking the right type of lighting. Based on their warmth and coolness, there are mainly two categories of lights. 

The first one is incandescent light. This type emits warm-toned light that has a yellowish hue. The other one is fluorescent light. Quite the opposite of incandescent light, it shines cool-toned light with a bluish hue. 

Typically, fluorescent light is the better option for most workspaces since it does not give an intense glare. You may experience fewer headaches and eye strain as a result. This type of light is especially beneficial for those who need attention to details in their field of work, such as graphic designers and architects. 

Even if it is the case, incandescent lighting might not be a bad idea as well. With a good amount of warm tone, your workspace can have a nice little mood and character. If you’re a writer, a researcher, or someone who needs a relaxing ambiance to focus on, try considering this type of lighting. 

Cool Temperature Light or Warm Temperature Light?

Five Tips to Get Perfect Desktop Lighting

Remember that the perfect desktop lighting always comes down to your preference and personal condition. However, if you are still experimenting and don’t know what the best kind of lighting is for you, here are some tips to consider. 

1. Combine Your Lighting Sources

One piece of advice that interior designers often give to their clients is to use several dim lights instead of one very bright light. Having lights from different sources can reduce glare, making it easier on your eyes. 

Try setting lamps on your floor, desk, and above your head, and make sure each of them is not too bright. 

Additionally, it is also a great idea to let natural lights come into your workspace during the day. This way, you can cut the cost of your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. 

Natural light has a chance to increase your productivity. It makes you less prone to blurry vision, headaches, and other health problems related to improper lighting. One way to increase natural light in your room is to have light curtains that will not block the sunlight. 

You might want to play around with various desk lighting ideas to find one that works best for you. 

Combine Your Lighting Sources

2. Carefully Adjust the Lighting to the Size and Layout of Your Workspace

The bigger your space is, the more amount of lighting you need to have in it. Likewise, if you consider your room to be small, you don’t need a super intense source of illumination. 

Moreover, the position of your table or main workspace is equally important. You don’t want it to cast a shadow or uneven light. Pay extra attention so that no item in your room directly blocks the source of light. 

The appropriate size and positioning of both your workstation and source of lighting might have a big impact on your productivity. Therefore, make sure you place them carefully.

Carefully Adjust the Lighting to the Size and Layout

3. Opt for Adjustable Lighting

Adjustable lighting allows you to adjust the settings and positions according to your mood. It gives you more flexibility, so you don’t need to be stuck with the same light setup for a long time. 

These lighting sources can be in the form of a desk and floor lamp or overhead light. You can pick only one type among them or include both in your room. 

With adjustable lighting, you can set the warmth and coolness, hue, and intensity of light that you want. Some lamps might even have more advanced features such as adjustable light direction. It is also important to choose a lamp that can be modified to a certain height and angle that fits your liking.

Opt for Adjustable Lighting

4. Choose the Right Color Temperature

In the previous part, you learned the difference between incandescent light and fluorescent light. Choosing between them can simply be a matter of preference or a consequential situation. You might want to experiment first before getting yourself permanent lighting. Now, this is when the adjustable lamp comes in handy. 

Cooler temperature lights usually have the range of 5000K to 6500K. They are great at forming a focused atmosphere. Meanwhile, warmer temperature lights range between 2700K to 3500K on the light temperature scale. It might be better for you if need a relaxing and comfortable environment.

Choose the Right Color Temperature

5. Add Some Decorative Lighting for Accents

It’s pretty much guaranteed that nobody would love to work in a boring and plain room unless they need to. That’s the reason it would be nice to add some decorative lighting that can accentuate your desktop. It will also give your personal space its personality. 

With desk accessories lighting, you can combine several types of light according to your preference. If cool temperature lighting dominates your desktop, for example, you can add a little touch of warm temperature lighting to balance it out. It also works the opposite way.

Add Some Decorative Lighting for Accents

10 Best Lamps that can Make Perfect Desktop Lighting

Here are some desk lighting ideas that you might love. 

1. SmartDesk Light Bar

The Autonomous Light Bar offers LED adjustable lighting with four light temperatures and five brightness level options. It has a sleek minimalist bar design, just like the name suggests. 

One of the best things about this desktop light bar is that it can store your data and remember your preferred setting. This way, you don't have to waste time adjusting the lamp every time you want to use it.

The desk light bar itself is 31.5 inches long. Meanwhile, the supporting stand has a length of 35 inches. The neck is also flexible, so you can modify the light direction to your liking. 

It has no glare feature, making it easy on your eyes. The body materials are constructed out of sturdy aluminum and metal. It’s made to last long. 

Light Bar

Light Bar

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Dimensions31.5”L x 1.8”W x 35.4”H x 12.56 lbs
ColorsBlack
MaterialsDie casting Aluminum & Metal
Input voltageAC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness1200 lm
Light colors3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty1 year

2. Autonomous LED Desk Lamp

The Autonomous LED Desk Lamp features a bendable, long stand with focused light direction. It provides you with a minimalist design for a professional look. 

Just like the Autonomous Light Bar, this ultra-wide LED desk lamp can also have four color modes and five brightness levels with this lamp. The lamp has a length of 21 inches and a width of 7.5 inches.

You can build this desktop lighting into your desk’s corner for extra sturdiness. It is made from die-cast aluminum and metal that are guaranteed to last for a long time. 

People have expressed their love for this lamp. They say that it is easy to adjust, flexible, and non-distracting. The battery can last for 50,000 hours as well. 

LED Desk Lamp

LED Desk Lamp

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Dimensions21”L x 3”W x 7.5”H x 18 lbs
ColorsBlack
MaterialsDie casting Aluminum & Metal
Input voltageAC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness600 lm
Light colors3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty1 year

3. Gingko Design Octagon One Portable Desk Light

The design of this portable desk light is one-of-a-kind. You wouldn't be able to find something like this anywhere else. It has an octagon-shaped base with a straight neck that connects directly to the light. You can call this style modern, classic, and industrial at the same time. 

The lamp comes in so many different colors and you can choose from walnut, black marble, ash, black, maple, white, white marble, and aluminum silver gray. 

It is rechargeable, portable, and has a touch-sensitive control button. The body is made from aluminum with various finishes. You can’t ask for a lamp with a better design than this one. 

Gingko Design Octagon One Portable Desk Light

Gingko Design Octagon One Portable Desk Light

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Dimensions85mm L x 40mm W x 380mm H x 745g
ColorsAluminium Silver Grey, Ash, Black, Black Marble, Walnut, White, White Marble
MaterialsAluminium, ABS in matt white finish
Color temperature3700K
Warranty1 year

4. Lumicharge LED Desk Lamp: with Smartphone Control

With only $89, you can get many features from this LED lamp. Those include a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a wireless charger. It has a simple modern design with an adjustable neck. 

One of the best parts about this desktop light bar is that you can control the brightness and the temperature through an app on your phone. This way, you don't have to walk across the room to adjust it when you are extremely busy. 

Lumicharge LED Desk Lamp with Smartphone Control

Lumicharge LED Desk Lamp with Smartphone Control

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Dimensions16” L x 8” W x 4” H x 3 lbs
ColorsBlack
MaterialsABS Plastic
Input voltageAC 110 - 240V 50/60Hz
Compatible devicesQi-enabled device
Warranty6 months

5. LumiCharge-Mini-7in1 LED Lamp Phone Charging Stand

This desktop LED lighting has similar features to the previous LumiCharge lamp. They’re from the same brand. Both are also affordable with so many features. This one costs as little as $39. 

The LumiCharge-Mini-7in1 LED Lamp has a portable size, so you can carry it anywhere easily. It is perfect for compact and tiny rooms like dorms and small offices. Because of that, it can be considered one of the best study lights for students. 

LumiCharge-Mini-7in1 LED Lamp

LumiCharge-Mini-7in1 LED Lamp

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Dimensions4.5” L x 2.5” W x 11” H x 1.5 lbs
ColorsBlack
MaterialsABS high gloss metallic finish
Input voltageAC 110V 50/60Hz
Brightness1200 lumens with Daylight, Warm Light, Cold colors
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty6 months

6. Ocushield All Day, All Night Light - Oculamp

This low blue light lamp is both portable and rechargeable. With its sleek and unique design, it is perfect for both day and night to accompany your work or sleep. 

It has a touchscreen control bar. The prominent feature is the lighting that can minimize digital eye strain. Optometrists helped with the development process of this lamp. Therefore, you can be sure about its safety for your eyes. 

Ocushield All Day, All Night Light

Ocushield All Day, All Night Light

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Dimensions56.2 x 6.5 x 2.1cm
ColorsSilver, Gold
MaterialsAluminum Alloy + Sillicone
Input voltage5V/1A
Light colors3100k, 4200k, 5400k
Warranty1 year

7. Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger & Speaker

The Lumicharge Lamp is an LED desk lamp with a wireless charger. It features adjustable brightness and temperature. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker and wireless charging station. With this desktop lighting, you can say goodbye to tangling charger cords.

Similar to most Lumicharge lights, it has a stylish design and bendable neck, making it easy to set the light direction. You can’t ask for a better desk companion than this desktop LED lighting solution. 

Lumicharge LED Lamp

Lumicharge LED Lamp

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Dimensions6"L x 8"W x 16"H x 3.75 lbs
ColorsBlack
MaterialsAluminium + ABS
Input voltageAC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness800 lumens
Light colorsYellow 2300-2800K, Soft White 3250-3750K, Bright White 5000-5500K
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty6 months

8. Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp

The Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp is safe for your well-being because it does not emit UV light. It also has low wattage and minimal heat, making it friendly for the environment. 

These wireless LED lamps have a flexible neck that can bend in many directions. There are 10 brightness levels and three light temperatures you can choose. 

Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp

Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp

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Dimensions11"W x 9.25"D x 5.5 lbs
ColorsWhite
MaterialsAluminum, Alloy Steel, Silicone, Plastic, Rubber
Input voltage12V DC, 1.5A
Light colorsWarm White (2800K)
Pure White (4500K)
Cool White (5500K)
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty2 years

9. Lexon Mina M Wireless LED Lamp

This lamp has a cute mushroom-shaped design that can make you easily fall in love with it. It also has many options for the finish color, including red, light blue, light pink, orange, and mint. Not only is it attractive, but it’s ergonomic lighting as well. 

The LED itself has nine color options. It is rechargeable and built to be water-resistant. 

Lexon Mina M Wireless LED Lamp

Lexon Mina M Wireless LED Lamp

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Dimensions⌀ 3.62” x 4.33” H x 0.31 lbs
MaterialsAluminium, ABS
Base colorsDark red, Orange, Dark blue, Gun metal, Alu polished, Light blue, Light pink, Mint
Input portDC 5V-0.5A
Warranty1 year

10. Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger

As the name suggests, this desktop light bar has a built-in wireless charging feature for your phone. It also has three light color options and 10 brightness levels. 

Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger

Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger

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Dimensions8"L x 8"W x 15.8"H x 3.75 lbs
ColorsBlack, Silver
MaterialsAluminium + ABS
Input voltageAC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness850 lumens
Light colorsYellow 2800-3200k, Soft White 3750 k-4250K, Bright White 5500K -6000K
Lamp lifetime50,000 hours
Warranty6 months

Final Verdict

There are so many options of desk lights to choose from, each varying in design, features, and price. You should not underestimate the importance of picking the desk lamp that fits your lifestyle. By picking a suitable desk lamp, you can gain many benefits for your health and productivity. 

You don't need fancy, expensive lights to accompany your desk. In the end, the best lamps are the ones that can cater to your needs.

Autonomous Chair Ultra V2 Early Bird

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