Start with the work people do
A good office lighting plan starts with tasks, not fixtures. Most office work happens on screens now, with some paper, plenty of video calls and a mix of focused and collaborative space. Each of those needs something slightly different.
- Desks and workstations need comfortable, even light without reflections on screens.
- Meeting rooms need light on faces for video calls, and the ability to dim for presentations.
- Corridors, break rooms and storage need less light and are ideal for sensors.
- Reception is where a client forms a first impression, so it can carry some accent lighting.
Designers use recommended light levels from lighting industry guidance. For general office work these are commonly in the range of about 300 to 500 lux on the desk, depending on the task and the people doing it. Too much light causes as many complaints as too little.
Layout and fixture choice
Line fixtures up with the way desks are arranged. Rows of linear fixtures running parallel to the windows, placed between desk rows rather than straight above monitors, give even light and make daylight zoning easy.
Common choices are flat LED panels in a T-bar ceiling, linear pendants in open ceilings, and direct/indirect pendants that send part of the light up to the ceiling. The indirect part softens the room and reduces glare, which is why it is popular in open offices.
Desks move. Choose a layout that gives reasonable light over the whole floor, then add task lights where needed, instead of a pattern that only works with today's furniture.
Glare and screens
Glare is the most common lighting complaint in offices. It comes from bright sources in your field of view or reflected in your screen.
- Look for fixtures with a low UGR (unified glare rating) on the spec sheet for screen work.
- Avoid bare, visible LED dots. Diffusers and well-designed optics matter.
- Keep bright fixtures out of the zone directly behind and above where people sit.
- Light the walls and ceiling too. A room with dark walls feels gloomy even at the right desk level.
Daylight and controls
Daylight is free and people like it, but it changes by the hour and by season, from long June evenings to short December days. Daylight harvesting uses a sensor to dim the fixtures nearest the windows when there is enough daylight, while the inner rows stay at full output.
Add occupancy or vacancy sensors in private offices, meeting rooms, washrooms and storage, plus a schedule for open areas. For new buildings and many alterations, the energy code adopted in Alberta can require certain controls. Your designer or electrician will confirm what applies to your project. Our lighting controls guide explains the options.
Colour, flicker and comfort
- Colour temperature: 3500K to 4000K is typical for offices. Warmer tones suit lounges and reception. See colour temperature and CRI.
- Colour rendering: CRI 80 minimum, CRI 90 where colour matters or in client-facing areas.
- Flicker: Cheap drivers can flicker, especially when dimmed. Ask for low-flicker drivers on the spec sheet.
- Video calls: Some vertical light on faces from the front avoids the dark-eyed look. Wall washing behind the camera helps.
Leased spaces, retrofits and timing
Most Edmonton offices are leased, so check your lease and talk to the landlord early. Lighting changes are often part of a tenant improvement and may need landlord approval, a permit and sometimes drawings.
For existing offices, an LED upgrade with new controls can be done floor by floor or after hours. What drives cost is the number of fixtures, ceiling type, the amount of control wiring, and whether work has to happen outside business hours. For the payback side, read what drives LED retrofit payback.
We can handle layout, controls, permits and installation together through our office lighting upgrades service, with online job reporting so you can follow progress.
Common questions
How bright should office lighting be?
General office work is commonly designed for roughly 300 to 500 lux on the desk, depending on the task. The right number for your space depends on what people do, their ages and how much daylight you get.
What colour temperature is best for an office?
Most offices use 3500K to 4000K. It reads as clean and alert without feeling clinical. Warmer light can work well in lounges, reception and meeting rooms.
Do we have to add lighting controls when we renovate?
It depends on the scope of the work and the building. The energy code adopted in Alberta can require controls for new construction and some alterations. Your designer or permit authority will confirm.
Can the work be done without shutting down the office?
Usually yes. We can phase work by area or schedule it evenings and weekends.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.