Light glare is frustration that many of us endure. Not only can it lead to work disruption and poor productivity, but it can also force you into a poor posture! It’s no surprise that people are constantly wondering how to reduce light glare in office? If you’re one of those people, then read on to see what options you have!
Glare occurs when there is excess light in an area. This light enters your eyes and can cause discomfort and make it difficult to see or perform tasks. Source
How to reduce light glare in office?
As a general rule, light glare can be typically reduced by either eliminating the light, reducing or diffusing the light or controlling the environmental conditions in the room to manage light glare.
Light glare can be controlled using the following options:
Eliminating the light glare:
- Turning off lights when they are not required
- Using blinds or curtains to reduce or control the amount of light entering a room
- Using alternative lighting, e.g., a desk lamp
Reducing or diffusing the light to reduce light glare:
- Opting for warm white LED light as this doesn’t cause glare
- Add a lamp shade to the bulb
- Dimming the light in the room
- Relocating the lighting so that it isn’t directly above your desk
- Adjusting the computer or laptop screen to avoid glare
- Adjust the contrast and brightness of your screen
- Set your computer settings to dark mode, e.g., your browser, Microsoft Office
- Putting an anti-glare film on your computer or laptop screen
- Getting an anti-glare coating on your glasses
Controlling environmental conditions to reduce light glare:
- Relocating your desk or moving while the light is affecting you
- Purchase furniture that has a matt effect as opposed to a glossy finish to minimize light reflection
- Organize your work schedule so that you’re away from your desk when the light glare tends to occur
- Install smart windows or a smart film which filters the light entering through the office windows
It’s evident that light glare poses many direct and indirect problems. Understanding how to get rid of light glare can boost your productivity and comfort. Let’s dive a bit deeper to find out which solution suits your budget requirements and what you can do to minimize light glare in your room.
If you’re in a hurry, here is a site I recommended for office equipment with lifetime guarantee!
Productivity and comfort levels are associated to the environmental conditions that a worker is in. Key factors include natural light and clear views of the outside. Source
Related: Should My Desk Face The Wall? – Helpful Tips + Pros & Cons!
Tip: Lowering the brightness and using the night light on your computer or laptop can make it easier on your eyes to look at the screen.
|
Lighting glare solutions |
Effort required |
Cost* |
| Eliminating the light glare | ||
|
Turning off lights when they are not required |
Low |
None |
|
Using blinds or curtains to reduce or control the amount of light entering a room |
Low |
None – medium |
|
Using alternative lighting, e.g., a desk lamp |
Medium |
None – low |
| Reducing or diffusing the light to reduce light glare | ||
|
Opting for warm white LED light as this doesn’t cause glare |
Medium |
Low |
|
Add a lamp shade to the bulb |
Medium |
Low |
|
Dimming the light in the room |
Low |
None |
|
Relocating the lighting so that it isn’t directly above your desk |
High |
Medium – high |
|
Adjusting the computer or laptop screen to avoid glare |
Low |
None |
|
Adjust the contrast and brightness of your screen |
Low |
None |
|
Set your computer settings to dark mode, e.g., your browser, Microsoft Office |
Low |
None |
|
Putting an anti-glare film on your computer or laptop screen |
High |
Low |
|
Getting an anti-glare coating on your glasses |
High |
Medium |
| Controlling environmental conditions to reduce light glare | ||
|
Relocating your desk or moving while the light is affecting you |
Medium |
None |
|
Purchase furniture that has a matt effect as opposed to a glossy finish to minimize light reflection |
High |
High |
|
Organize your work schedule so that you’re away from your desk when the light glare tends to occur |
Medium |
None |
|
Install smart windows or a smart film which filters the light entering through the office windows |
High |
High |
*Low = Less than $50, Medium = Less than $150, High = Greater than $150
How do you get rid of light glare?
There are 3 primary ways to eliminate light glare, turning off the light, blocking the light entering and using alternative light.
Light glare can be eliminated altogether by turning off the light when it’s not required. If the light isn’t present, it can’t cause glare – simple! However, this isn’t always an option, especially if it’s at night or the source of light is from the outdoors.
Using blinds or curtains can block the light from entering a room.
If you are someone who enjoys working in natural daylight, the blinds or curtains don’t necessarily need to be closed completely. Just close them enough to shade yourself from the light glare.
This is where Venetian blinds come in useful.
I personally recommend Venetian blinds as they allow you to control the amount of light entering without blacking out the whole room.
Working in natural light and having an unobstructed outdoor view has been proven to reduce eye strain by 51% and also increase productivity by 2%.
That may sound small, but for one organization, that increased their revenue an extra $100,000 per year of value for every 100 workers.
Diffusing the light can be achieved by using a lamp shade If turning off the light or using blinds isn’t an option, alternative lighting could be sourced. Typically, this is in the form of a desk lamp.
Recommended product: LED light, flicker-free, dimmable + lifetime warranty
Tip: Choose dimmable lighting options so that you can control the strength of the light.
What Type Of Light Bulb Reduces Glare?
Light bulbs which provide indirect lighting are best at reducing glare. The best type of lighting to reduce glare is indirect lighting which spreads the light out and throws more light upwards towards the ceiling than downwards. Other strategies to minimize glare from a light bulb includes filtering or diffused light throughout the room. Direct light is the most common light source that creates glare. Glare can be controlled by selecting lighting products which are designed only to direct light to where it is needed.
Tip: Parabolic louvers can be installed to reduce brightness and glare of a bare bulb as well as distributing the light more evenly.
Do LED lights cause glare?
LED lights can cause glare if the type of light emitted is direct light. However, this is true of generally all types of lights, and it isn’t specific to LED lights alone. LED lights are available in forms that minimize glare, including recessed LED lighting, warm white colors and LED lights with dimmable properties.
How to reduce glare from LED lights?
Glare from LED lights can be reduced by opting for LED lights:
- which emit indirect light to disperse the light throughout the room
- which have frosted light bulbs to diffuse the light
- that have anti-glare properties
- that have dimmable properties
- which have warm white colors, typically with a color temperature of less than 3000K
- with a low brightness that are dispersed around the room as opposed to one strong light
- which emit direct light only in the area required
These steps can be adopted for any room in the home or office.
Tip: Add a lamp shade to a light to reduce the light intensity and diffuse the light around the room.
A study has shown that working in an office with natural lighting can decrease eyestrain by 51% and improves your quality of sleep. Source
What color light is best for working?
The best color lights for invoking a relaxing atmosphere in an office tend to be warm yellow or orange lights. However, cool white lights are generally the most productive type of lighting to use in a work environment.
In terms of the best type of lighting for working in, this will vary depending on the type of work that is being completed.
Direct light will be more of a requirement in certain areas of your office or room.
For instance, if you are reviewing drawings, you’ll probably need better lighting to be able to see the fine details. In this case, direct light, such as a table lamp can make it easier to see the item.
However, for everyday activities in an office, indirect light will generally be more comfortable to work in.
Indirect light will also help to minimize glare and it also ensures adequate lighting is distributed throughout the room.
Plus, if you have natural light entering your room through a window, this sunlight can be more comfortable on the eyes than artificial lighting. It will also save on lighting bills!
How do you get rid of window glare?
Window glare can be reduced by install smart windows, also known as switchable glass. Alternatively, awnings can be installed outside to prevent sunlight glare on your windows.
Window films can be applied to a window to minimize the amount of glare entering a room.
Window films are typically applied to single pane windows, but glare-reducing window film can generally be applied to most types of windows.
Solar shades are also an alternative to blinds and curtains.
These shades come in various strengths and block the sunlight without completely blocking out the view from the window.
However, solar shades are generally more expensive than traditional blinds.
Tip: Indirect LED lighting is one of the best types of light to reduce glare.
Related: Is It Better To Work By A Window? – Proven Expert Studies!
What can I put on windows to keep glare off?
Smart window films are a solution for people who want to eliminate window glare in their room. It is a film that is applied to your existing windows. It works by tinting the window and thus filtering the light coming into the office. Thus, users should experience little to no glare in their office. This is a good alternative to blinds or curtains which tend to darken a room. Plus, anti-glare window films are also a budge-friendly and affordable option for people who can’t afford smart windows or simply don’t want to spend that amount of money on them.
There are some home light glare DIY hacks that can be utilized instead of smart window films. They won’t be as sophisticated looking or offer the same level of intelligent light filtering.
However, these simple DIY hacks will help minimize annoying glare in the interim:
- Tape a black bin liner bag to your window to block out light
- Place cardboard against the window
- If you don’t have curtains or blinds, hang towels or bed clothing over your windows instead
Conclusion
If you suffer from light glare, the above options will help to increase your comfort and increase your productivity. Plus, they will also allow you to work in a more ergonomic position instead of having to lean to one side or lean in to see your screen.
The option that suits you best will be dictated by your budget, how much control you have over your environment and the resources available in the to you to help manage your lighting.
LED lights are frequently highlighted as culprits for creating glare.
However, the type of light bulb that is chosen plays a larger role in determining if it will cause glare than if it is LED.
The best type of lighting to reduce glare in a home or office is indirect light which spreads the light throughout the room.
Minimizing the amount of direct light in a room can also reduce the amount of glare.
Do you have trouble with glare in your room? I’d love to hear your feedback and any queries that you may have! Please leave them in the comments box below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!