Desk Lighting Guide

Learn how to properly light your desk for productivity, comfort, and eye health. This guide combines practical tips with visual examples to help you build the perfect setup.

1. Use a Dedicated Desk Lamp

Overhead lighting alone often creates shadows and uneven brightness. A dedicated desk lamp gives you focused illumination exactly where you need it, reducing eye strain and improving visibility.

Desk with a dedicated adjustable desk lamp

2. Position Lighting to Avoid Glare

Place your desk lamp on the opposite side of your writing hand to prevent shadows. For screens, angle the light so it does not reflect directly into your eyes.

Proper desk lamp positioning to reduce glare

3. Choose the Right Color Temperature

Neutral to cool white light (4000K–5000K) is ideal for focused work, while warmer light (2700K–3000K) works better for evening or relaxed environments.

Comparison of warm and cool desk lighting color temperatures

4. Balance Ambient and Task Lighting

A well-lit desk should not exist in a dark room. Combine your desk lamp with soft ambient lighting to reduce contrast and eye fatigue.

Desk setup showing balanced ambient and task lighting

5. Consider Adjustable and Smart Lighting

Adjustable brightness and color temperature allow you to adapt lighting throughout the day. Smart desk lamps can even automate changes based on time or activity.

Modern adjustable smart desk lamp on a workspace

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