6 ways to manage sunlight and reduce glare at work
Create a glare-free workspace
A recent study found that 47% of office workers experience discomfort due to glare, which significantly affects their performance. In the modern workplace, managing sunlight and reducing glare is essential for maintaining a comfortable and productive environment. Excessive sunlight and glare can cause eye strain, headaches and decreased efficiency.
In our work with clients, we have identified five key step process to help manage sunlight and minimise glare in your office, creating a more pleasant and effective workspace.
Photography by Escandi, Fredericia, Fritz Hansen, Gubi, Astrid, Montana, Santa & Cole and Wästberg
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Your employees’ experiences are invaluable in this process.
01. Assess your current lighting situation
Let’s begin our journey to a glare-free, well-lit workspace by assessing your current lighting situation. This step is essential to understanding where improvements are needed and how sunlight impacts your office environment.
Identify problem areas
Start with a thorough walkthrough of your office space. Pay close attention to areas where sunlight creates excessive brightness or glare. Look for windows that let in too much direct sunlight, making some workstations less comfortable and reducing overall visibility.
To get precise measurements, consider using light meters. These tools can help you determine the light intensity in various parts of your workspace. By documenting these readings, you’ll have a clear picture of where adjustments are needed.
Gather employee feedback
Your employees’ experiences are invaluable in this process. Collect input from them about areas where they encounter discomfort due to sunlight or glare. Use surveys or informal discussions to gather their insights.
Ask specific questions about issues like glare on computer screens, discomfort from direct sunlight and other lighting-related concerns. This feedback not only provides you with crucial information but also involves your team in creating a more comfortable and productive workspace.
By carefully assessing your current lighting situation and listening to your employees, you’ll be well-prepared to move forward with effective solutions for managing sunlight and reducing glare in your office.
For a softer, more aesthetic approach, consider using textiles and drapes.
02. Optimise window treatments
Once you’ve assessed your current lighting situation, it’s time to take action. Optimising your window treatments is a practical and effective way to manage sunlight and reduce glare in your workspace.
Install drapes, blinds or shades
Choosing the right window treatments can make a significant difference in controlling the amount of sunlight that enters your office.
• Textiles and drapes: For a softer, more aesthetic approach, consider using textiles and drapes. Our preferred method is using high-quality textiles and we are proud to collaborate with Swedish textile manufacturer Astrid, known for their exquisite and functional designs. Textiles can be layered to achieve the desired level of light control and can also add an element of style to your workspace.
• Venetian blinds: These offer excellent control over light levels. You can adjust the slats to let in just the right amount of light, reducing glare without completely blocking out natural light.
• Roller shades: These are a sleek and modern option. They can be easily adjusted to various heights, allowing for flexible light management throughout the day.
• Vertical blinds: Ideal for large windows and sliding doors, vertical blinds provide great light control and can be tilted to minimise glare while still allowing natural light to filter in.
Adjustable shades and textiles give you the flexibility to control sunlight throughout the day. By tilting, raising, lowering or layering them, you can find the perfect balance between natural light and glare reduction, creating a more comfortable work environment.
Use reflective window films
Reflective window films are another effective solution for reducing glare while maintaining natural light. These films work by reflecting a portion of the sunlight away from the windows, thus minimising the intensity of light entering the space.
• Glare reduction: Reflective films can significantly cut down on glare, making screens easier to see and reducing eye strain for employees.
• Natural light maintenance: Unlike heavy curtains or blinds, these films don’t block natural light completely, ensuring your office stays bright and welcoming.
• Cost-effective and easy installation: Reflective window films are a budget-friendly option and can be installed quickly and easily, making them a practical choice for any office.
By positioning desks perpendicular to windows, you can minimise direct sunlight hitting screens and work surfaces.
03. Rearrange office layout
After optimising your window treatments, the next step is to rearrange your office layout to further reduce glare and improve overall lighting conditions. Strategic placement of desks and workstations can make a substantial difference in creating a comfortable and productive workspace.
Strategically position desks and workstations
The way you position desks and workstations can significantly impact the amount of direct sunlight and glare employees experience.
• Place desks perpendicular to windows: By positioning desks perpendicular to windows, you can minimise direct sunlight hitting screens and work surfaces. This simple adjustment helps reduce glare and eye strain, creating a more comfortable working environment.
• Avoid screen glare from natural light: Arrange workstations to ensure that screens are not directly facing windows or bright light sources. This setup reduces the likelihood of glare on computer screens, making it easier for employees to focus on their tasks without visual discomfort.
Create collaborative and private zones
Designing your office with specific zones for different activities can help manage lighting needs more effectively.
• Collaborative zones with natural light: Designate areas for teamwork and collaboration where natural light is abundant. These spaces benefit from the energising effects of sunlight, enhancing creativity and communication among team members.
• Private work areas with controlled lighting: For tasks that require focus and concentration, create private work areas with controlled lighting. Use blinds, shades, or drapes to adjust the light levels according to individual preferences, ensuring a glare-free and productive environment.
Managing sunlight and reducing glare also involves tackling the issue of glare on computer screens
04. Reduce glare from screens
Managing sunlight and reducing glare also involves tackling the issue of glare on computer screens. This includes not only individual workstations but also conference room screens that are crucial for presentations and meetings.
Use anti-glare screen protectors
Anti-glare screen protectors can dramatically cut down on screen reflections, making it easier to see content clearly without straining your eyes. There are many high-quality, affordable anti-glare protectors available.
Adjust monitor settings
Fine-tuning your monitor settings can also play a crucial role in reducing glare.
• Brightness and contrast: Adjust the brightness and contrast settings on your monitors to suit the ambient lighting conditions. Lowering brightness in a bright room or increasing contrast can help reduce glare and improve screen readability.
• Dark mode: Enabling dark mode or night mode on your monitors can decrease eye strain, especially in environments with mixed lighting conditions. This setting is particularly useful for those who work long hours in front of screens.
Position monitors strategically
The placement of monitors is critical to minimising glare and maximising comfort.
• Perpendicular positioning: Place monitors perpendicular to windows to avoid direct sunlight hitting the screen. This setup helps reduce glare and makes it easier to view content without distractions.
• Avoid direct light sources: Ensure that screens are not placed directly facing light sources, whether natural or artificial. This includes overhead lights and desk lamps.
• Adjustable monitor stands: Use adjustable monitor stands to find the optimal height and angle for each screen. This flexibility allows you to customise the setup according to individual preferences and reduce glare effectively.
Adjustable task lighting is a simple yet effective way to provide focused lighting where it’s needed most.
05. Implement smart and ergonomic lighting solutions
To further enhance the comfort and productivity of your workspace, implementing smart and ergonomic lighting solutions is essential. These solutions not only help manage sunlight and reduce glare but also improve overall lighting conditions, adapting to the needs of your employees.
Install adjustable task lighting
Adjustable task lighting is a simple yet effective way to provide focused lighting where it’s needed most.
• Desk lamps and task lights: Use desk lamps and adjustable task lights to illuminate specific work areas. This ensures that each employee has the right amount of light for their tasks, reducing eye strain and increasing productivity.
• LED lights with adjustable brightness and colour temperature: LED lights are a great option due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. Choose LED lights with adjustable brightness and colour temperature to cater to different tasks and preferences. Warm light can create a cosy atmosphere, while cooler light is ideal for tasks that require high concentration and detail.
Utilise automated systems
Automated lighting systems can be integrated with existing office technology to create a seamless lighting experience. Use sensors and timers to adjust lighting based on occupancy and daylight levels. However, it’s important to choose systems that can also be manually adjusted. This flexibility allows employees to change settings that might not work for them, ensuring that the lighting environment is adaptable to individual needs. This not only enhances comfort but also contributes to energy savings by ensuring lights are only used when needed.
Need help optimising your office to handle sunlight and glare? Contact Escandi for expert assistance at info@escandi.se. Let us help you create a more comfortable and efficient workspace.
