Pencils, backpacks, folders. and more. Back-to-school season is here with families checking off their supply lists before the first day. And, if you’re looking to set up your young scholars for success in a dedicated homework or study space, you’ve come to the right place. Learn how to light kids’ study rooms, libraries, and work spaces below, and find a member showroom near you.

Whatever type of homework or kids’ study room you’re planning, proper work lighting is an essential ingredient for a productive learning environment. “Proper lighting makes any room more comfortable, floor lamps, desk lamps and dimmers help adjust the overall lighting to your specific need,” says Linda Schneider, lighting consultant at Georgia Lighting in Sugar Hill, GA.

Here, we’re sharing ideas on how to light kids’ study rooms that will keep you and the kids on task all year long.

Why Proper Lighting Is Important for Home Workspaces & To Light Kids’ Study Rooms

There’s a reason why fluorescent home office lighting makes us feel out of sync. Its brightness and color temperature are on the other side of the spectrum from the look and feel of natural light. Recent studies agree that our exposure to light can affect our moods, heart rate, and productivity. Access to natural daylight in particular is important because it helps maintain our bodies’ circadian rhythms and overall sense of wellbeing.

 

In a space like a study or office where hours of focused work takes place, the right type and amount are important to get right. Not enough of the right kind of light can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. If you work long hours at a computer, proper lighting prevents the aches and pains associated with leaning forward to see your screen. Good lighting makes you happier, healthier, and ready to take on the day’s activities. In other words, achieving a good balance of natural and artificial light will keep you comfortable, alert, and focused.

 

Start With Natural Light Sources First

Determine how much natural light you have to work with to determine other types of lighting you’ll need to fill in the blanks. “Natural light not only enhances a space it makes you feel more productive,” says Schneider.

She recommends harnessing the natural daylight coming in from a window or skylight as much as possible with proper window shades and furniture orientation. “It compliments the layers of lighting making a room the best it can be.”

Doing this addresses the big question our member showrooms are asked by people planning home offices and how to light kids’s study rooms, “where do I put the desk?” Desk size, room size, and layout also play a big role in where the primary furnishings go. By and large, orienting a desk to face a window is optimal. You get to enjoy the view outdoors and benefit from the natural light coming in. This is also an ideal setup if you participate in many virtual meetings — the natural light coming in directly in front of you is the most flattering on-camera.

 

Brighten Up Your Workstation

In a highly functional room like a home study or office, task lighting is essential. Your eyes need small, but strong, casts of light for reading, writing, and computer work. Without it, your eyes must work harder to see details and navigate shadows from other light sources, which can lead to eye strain and headaches.

 

 

 

“I try to suggest layers of lighting for any room, it helps balance the room and helps transition a room depending on the occasion” – Linda Schneider, lighting consultant at Georgia Lighting in Sugar Hill, GA

 

Common sources of task lighting in a study are a desk lamp, adjustable lamp, or other table lamp. Keep in mind you’ll need a few sources of task lighting if you perform work in different areas of the space. For example, for a study space with a desk and a separate seating area for lounging and reading, you’ll need a desk lamp as well as a floor lamp or pendant light to illuminate the additional seating area. LED strip lighting is a nice alternative that serves as both task and accent lighting for a workspace that sits below shelving or is part of a built-in cabinet system. For lighting a kids’ study room, we recommend a decorative lamp, a ceiling fixture, and wall sconces for optimal lighting.

Install Ambient Lighting

Even if your space has ample natural light coming in, you’ll still need a source of general lighting. Ambient lighting creates an even wash of light throughout a room for comfort and safety. It most commonly comes from overhead, though ambient lighting can also come from the side of a room.

Home office lighting ideas for ceiling lights include:

1. Flush mounts
2. Semi-flush mounts
3. Recessed lights
4. Track lights
5. Chandeliers

For light coming in at the side of a room, consider wall sconces or a floor lamp. If the room is large, layering an overhead fixture with a wall sconce or floor lamp is optimal.

Add Light Control Features

Want a leg-up in your home study or office lighting or tips to light kids’ study rooms? Build in the ability to control the volume and intensity. The space’s lighting needs will fluctuate throughout the day and depending on its location in your home. For example, a study with a west-facing window requires more artificial light in the morning and early afternoon and less during the late afternoon and evening.

Light control ensures hours of comfort for focus, creativity, and productivity. Hard-wired fixtures with dimmer switches are ideal. Smart lights – fixtures, bulbs, or a combination of the two – allow you to control them by remote, voice command via a digital assistant, or a device. Some models include a dimming feature and are programmable according to your daily schedule.

And, don’t forget the low-tech options for light control in the office or study. Window blinds or shades can work wonders at diffusing sunlight or blocking it out altogether. In fact, some Lighting One member showrooms offer a variety of window treatments to help with light control. A combination of lighting and harnessing natural light will create a space that’s comfortable and productive.

Create Your Study, Light Kids’ Study Rooms, or Craft a Home Office Lighting Plan

Like any well-designed home improvement project, a great office, study, or lighting kids’ study room starts with a plan. Get connected with a lighting showroom that’s staffed with lighting specialists who can help. They’ll review your room layout and photos and come up with a personalized lighting plan and specific recommendations to suit your space. Find a local member lighting showroom near you.