Lighting at the Computer Workplace – Well-being and Efficiency in Focus

Lighting at the computer workplace is no longer a side issue, but one of the key factors for health, performance, and the identity of modern work environments. In a time when hybrid and digital work forms have become the norm, the right light plays a decisive role: it reduces fatigue, strengthens concentration, and subtly influences how we perceive spaces.
As lighting designers based in Berlin and Antwerp, we deal daily with the question of how lighting goes far beyond pure function and instead creates atmospheres that empower people in their work.

💡 Why the Right Lighting at the Computer Workplace Is So Important
A computer workplace has special requirements. This is due to the combination of monitor light, natural daylight, and artificial general lighting. If the lighting conditions are not right, it quickly leads to complaints such as headaches, dry eyes, or reduced concentration. At the same time, poorly planned lighting solutions can cause reflections on the screen or strong contrasts in the field of vision, which tires the eyes.

The consequences: lower productivity and a workplace that feels more like a burden than support.
Well-planned lighting at the computer workplace works like an invisible companion: it relieves the eyes while also defining the mood in the room.

📐 The Key Requirements for Workplace Lighting

Glare Control and Uniformity
Direct glare from luminaires or reflections on the screen is extremely disturbing. Glare-free luminaires with optimal light distribution and a uniform brightness level in the room are therefore indispensable. A UGR value below 19 is considered an important guideline for computer workplaces (see product data sheets). However, what is decisive is not only the value itself but also the concrete application: even a luminaire with UGR < 19 can cause glare if it is positioned incorrectly or if the ratio to the general room brightness is off.

Adjusted Illuminance
Standards such as DIN EN 12464 recommend an average illuminance of 500 lux for computer workplaces. But numbers alone are not enough. What matters is the relationship between monitor brightness and ambient light – so that the eyes remain relaxed and contrasts are not overwhelming.

As lighting designers, we also believe that it is not always necessary to rigidly adhere to the 500 lux. Different people feel comfortable in different lighting moods, just as some prefer working with music and others in complete silence. The same applies to lighting: some prefer bright environments, while others appreciate subdued light for more focus.

That is why we also take the needs of neurodivergent teams into account in our planning and design work environments with diverse lighting zones, from bright, activating areas to dimmed retreat spaces. This creates tailor-made lighting solutions that combine functionality, well-being, and inclusion.

Light Color and Dynamics
Neutral white light (approx. 4,000 Kelvin) promotes concentration and alertness. Even better is biodynamic lighting that changes color temperature and brightness and follows the natural course of the day: activating in the morning, clear at midday, calming in the evening.
👉 Peak Ace Project

An example of dynamic lighting is our project for Peak Ace in Berlin. Overly cold light (4000K and higher) can, on the other hand, create a sterile atmosphere. If only one static light color is planned, we often recommend 3,000 Kelvin, since artificial light usually has more weight when there is little daylight available, and a warmer tone provides more comfort.
👉 Am Lokdepot Project, Berlin Schöneberg

Natural Light and Artificial Lighting in Interaction
Especially in Berlin offices, ground floor spaces, and home office situations, it becomes clear how important the dialogue between daylight and artificial light is. Large windows can flood rooms with brightness or create disturbing glare. That is why we develop concepts in which shading, luminaire placement, and control systems work together.

A well-thought-out system takes into account:

• the orientation of the workplace to the window

• the time of day and season

• as well as the employee (preferences, diversity)

This creates a balance that flexibly accompanies the space instead of appearing rigid.

Sustainability as a Basis for Planning
At Studio De Schutter, we understand lighting at the computer workplace not only as a matter of ergonomics but also of sustainability. Energy-efficient LED solutions, durable components, and intelligent controls help conserve resources. At the same time, we avoid short-lived trends and rely on timeless, modular systems, and whenever possible, also on circular lighting solutions.

An example of a project where daylight was considered and at the same time built with reused luminaires and special luminaires made from leftover materials is the Impact Hub in Berlin Neukölln.
👉 Impact Hub Project, Circular Lighting

Because a workplace that functions long term not only strengthens employee well-being but also the company’s ecological responsibility.

✨ Light as Part of Corporate Culture
Lighting is always also a visual language. At the computer workplace, it is not only about meeting standards but also about conveying identity.

Open work landscapes require different lighting concepts than focused single offices. Creative start-ups benefit from flexible, dynamic scenarios, while in law firms or public authorities a clear, reduced lighting atmosphere achieves the right effect.

With light, values such as innovation, clarity, or care can be subtly communicated – exactly where people spend many hours every day.

Our Credo
“Designing light means defining perception.” This guiding principle accompanies us in every project. Lighting at the computer workplace is, for us, not just a technical solution but a cultural contribution: it makes work more human, promotes health, and gives spaces a distinctive identity.

Conclusion: More than Just Light on the Desk
Lighting at the computer workplace is a central design element of modern work environments. It influences well-being, efficiency, and atmosphere equally. With a professional lighting concept, not only ergonomic standards can be met but also new qualities can be brought into everyday work.

As a lighting design office in Berlin and Antwerp, we develop concepts that are functional, sustainable, and atmospherically strong. Because we believe: work deserves spaces that inspire, and light that does more than just shine.

👉 Curious? Contact us and find out how we can put your project in the right light.