Natural light in office spaces benefits us in far more ways than most people realize. Natural light is one of our most basic human needs — after all, where do we get vitamin D from, if not the sun? Since the office is where we spend most of our time, it needs proper lighting with a good balance of natural light. This ensures positivity, calmness, and productivity. Poorly lit, bleak offices offer no benefit to anyone. Humans naturally thrive on natural light, yet we’ve built a world where most of our time is spent indoors, with limited access to it.
In this article, we’ll look at why natural light matters so much for employees, and how to maximize natural light in office spaces. As corporate designers, our goal is always to create an employee-friendly workplace that embraces the flow of natural light — and that starts with understanding why it matters in the first place.
Why Natural Light in Office Spaces Matters
Boosts employee productivity:
Natural light brings positivity and calmness. As positivity grows, so does willingness to work, and therefore, productivity rises alongside it. Employees stay more satisfied and enjoy their work more, and boosted productivity ultimately means boosted revenue.
The Komorebi Effect:
This is a Japanese concept. Simply put, it means the effect of sunlight filtering through the trees. This effect is noticeable when the sun is low. It creates a pleasant ambience and soothing calm effect. Imagine the benefit employees could gain from this effect at work! Offices can recreate it by adding plants alongside a strong source of natural light.
Boost Vitamin D:
Vitamin D it is! Everybody knows vitamin D matters, but it’s worth noting exactly why: it carries anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties that support immune health, muscle function, and brain cell activity. In other words, sunlight exposure genuinely keeps employees healthier.
Ensures a welcoming and bright atmosphere:
Natural light ensures a bright and welcoming environment. Employees will feel less bored. Natural light produces positivity and ensures freshness. An atmosphere that brings in natural light creates a better mood.
Reduced eye strain:
Screens and artificial lights produce hazardous rays that can invite eye problems. Digital eye strain is most common among employees. This is because of the prolonged use of screens and artificial lights around them for several hours. A balance of natural lights can help keep the employees away from eye sickness. Natural light brings in freshness and increases productivity.
Simple ways to incorporate natural light
Incorporating natural light in office spaces doesn’t mean giving every employee a window seat. It simply means ensuring the office has good overall access to natural light to keep it pleasant and welcoming. Here are a few simple ways to do that:
- Ensure your workspace has enough windows to let natural light pass through.
- Re-evaluate and rearrange desks and work areas so more employees have good access to daylight.
- A conference room is a place that needs to be well lit. Tables and shelves can be rearranged to ensure enough natural light in the room.
- Choose colours that reflect light rather than absorb it, since colour plays a big role in how well-lit a space feels.
- Consider morning versus afternoon light patterns when arranging the space, so you make the most of daylight hours.
- Add reflective materials like mirrors and chromatic finishes to help spread light further through the space.
Final Thoughts
It’s no mystery that natural light and productivity are directly linked. Taking the steps needed to maximize natural light in office spaces will have a lasting, positive effect on both employees and the business as a whole. According to Harvard Business Review, access to natural light is consistently ranked among the top workplace amenities employees value most. At Trimit Rachana, we consider your specific challenges and design solutions around them.
Explore our commercial interior design projects or get in touch with our team to bring more natural light into your office.
