As long as you work or study, you need to ensure that your environment is conducive so that you can unleash your full potential. Of course, you will need a comfortable chair and desk, but have you thought about your desk lamp? This is particularly important if you are a night owl.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Desk Lamp
Regardless of whether you need a desk lamp for working in the night, or you simply want a source of light for your book reading, choosing a suitable desk lamp is paramount. Here then are the factors you need to consider as you make your purchase.
Lamp Brightness
Brightness is simply the quality of light produced by a source. Now, the source’s wattage is directly linked to the light brightness, which is measured in lux. Therefore, when the wattage is high, so is the lux. Usually, the wattage of a desk lamp will depend on where you need to use the light.
If you are getting the lamp for your kids between the ages 0f 5-12, an LED bulb with a maximum of 5 watts should suffice. If you intend to read in bed, a 3-watt bulb should do and if you intend to use the lamp for your home office, think about 5-10 watts.
Color Temperature
When you hear of color temperature, it simply means the coolness or warmth of white light and it is measured in (K). Now, warm color temperature sets a soothing ambiance while a cooler one works to stimulate the brain. Moreover, the color temperature can help relieve eyestrain.
Lighting Type
Did you know that desk lamps come in different lighting types? Some of the commonest options include fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent. Nevertheless, the commonest has to be LED, and rightfully so because you get the brightest white light and energy efficiency.
Most desk lamps come with the same and they tend to have controlled light beams. That means you can adjust the lighting for healthier vision and to suit whatever you are doing and the best part is that LED bulbs do not heat up so you may want to consider going that route.
Lamp Style
The lamp style you pick will purely be based on your preference. One lamp will be designed to stand on its own while another will be adjustable. Whichever you pick, keep in mind what we have discussed in the previous point about your eyes and the light source.
Fixture Position
The best position for a desk lamp should be away from your eyes and above your head. That means that the light source should not come into contact with your eyes. In that regard, you want to buy a desk lamp that is designed to fit that description.
How to Prevent Eye Strain
Ultimately, you want to prevent eyestrain even as you look to get the best desk lamp. Here are some tips to help you with that.
*Get a desk lamp that will generate the right amount of brightness. Some tasks require less brightness compared to others.
*Position your desk lamp in such a way that it does not create shadows. Moreover, ensure that extreme contrasts and glares are limited because they are likely to cause eyestrain as well.
*Color temperature matters in that warm color provides a soothing atmosphere and a cool one is thought to increase productivity. That said; a warm temperature is likely to have a lower lux making it impossible to avoid eyestrain. You may therefore want to get the right balance to ensure that your eyes are not strained.
*Adjustable lighting is a lifesaver seeing as you will need different brightness levels for different tasks. With one, you can certainly avoid eyestrain.
Bottom Line
Whether you want to set up your study desk or home office, you will realize that a desk lamp plays a major role. The thing is that you cannot pick just any. You need to consider several factors to make sure that you are making the right choice especially when it comes to your eyes and preventing them from straining.
We have taken all the guesswork out of the selection process so it is now up to you to make the most out of this guide, wouldn’t you agree?
