Fix my office lights
August 9, 2016 1:45 PM   Subscribe

The overhead fluorescent lighting in my office is terrible. I don't have a window. Between task-light desk lamps and floor lamps, what should I ask for to make it not terrible?

I just spent six weeks at a research workshop where I had a fantastic workspace-- high ceilings, tall windows, and a Humanscale full-spectrum task light on every desk.

Then I get back to my full-time office. 9'x11', shared with another person, bright fluorescent overhead lighting, no lamps, no windows, pale yellow walls.

If it wasn't so cell-like I'd just go for the normal ergonomic lighting solution of indirect floor lamp and desk task light. But maybe I can compensate for the lack of windows at the same time? I always get outside and have a rude awakening from the daylight, or lack thereof. Is this what light therapy boxes are good for? I get woo-ish vibes from the ones that are also labeled with "ion therapy". Like, is this a decent one for the price? I'm not going to stare into it; I'm just going to put it on my desk and angle it however I can so there's no glare. It would be nice if it matched the light level outside (as if I had a window).

So please recommend away. Some combination of floor lamp, task lamp, lamp that simulates daylight, whatever. Budget ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but lower (under $100 for the room? Maybe 200?) more likely do get done. Can also kick in own funds.

Thanks!
posted by supercres to Shopping (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Daylight bulbs are available for most types of fitting. That would be a cost-effective thing to try first.
posted by pipeski at 2:11 PM on August 9, 2016


I replaced the overhead fluorescent lights in a basement bedroom in college with daylight bulbs that I bought at Home Depot. It made a world of difference. The bulbs were cheap and it was really simple to do.
posted by hootenatty at 2:24 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


Can you swap out your fluorescent bulbs for LED ones? Their light is better, ime.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:28 PM on August 9, 2016


talk the boss into converting to LED lighting. fits the same fixtures & saves HUGE money on the power bill!
posted by patnok at 6:09 PM on August 9, 2016


Daylight bulbs are good. If you find them a little too blue-spectrum, as I do, try halogen bulbs; they give off a very crisp, white light.

I'd be careful about light therapy boxes! Depending on how sensitive you are, using them throughout the day (as opposed to specific therapeutic times, e.g. first thing in the morning) can mess with your body clock & your sleep -- even if you're not staring directly into it. It does depend on the person, though.

My solution for simulating sunlight (during the bleak Canadian winters here) is this IKEA lamp. They have a few other big floor lamps that diffuse light through a sort of translucent paper -- I find the effect to be quite soft, natural, and clear.
posted by stellarc at 9:38 PM on August 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


Turn off the overhead fluorescents (or take the bulbs out if that's not possible) and deploy upward-facing lamps that bounce the light off the ceiling. The resulting light is very soft and appealing. Use daylight-balanced bulbs, in particular good ones like the Ott-Lite.
posted by kindall at 10:34 PM on August 9, 2016


I have a desk lamp I put a plant-grow bulb into and plants on my desk and it's really lovely. The lamp was about $15, bulb was $10 at canadian tire. I also put the lamp on a timer so it turns itself off at night - I think that was about $10 too.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:38 PM on August 10, 2016


« Older Landlord says their bank is inspecting our...   |   Mid life career crisis - help! Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.