Desk lamp for concentrated working and reading
A desk lamp provides light exactly where your documents, keyboard or book are. It’s just as handy when working from home as it is at a study desk, on a small writing desk in the living room or on a bedside table with a writing surface. The right lamp helps to clearly separate the workspace from the rest of the room without flooding the whole area with light. When choosing a desk lamp, it is important to consider a comfortable level of brightness, a suitable light colour, an appropriate size and a design that complements your existing desk.
Which desk lamp is best suited to your workspace?
A desk lamp should illuminate the area where you actually work, read or write. At a fixed workstation in the office, a larger light may be a good idea if it provides a wider beam of light. On a narrow desk in the living room, however, a compact head is a sensible choice, so that there is enough space for the keyboard, monitor and documents. A desk lamp is best placed to the left or right of the desk, depending on which hand you use for writing. This means there is less shadow cast on paper or a notebook.
When using a desk lamp for computer work, indirect glare should be avoided, such as light falling directly onto the monitor or into the eyes. An adjustable arm or a swivelling head makes it easier to position the device. For occasional work, a clearly defined area of light on the tabletop is often sufficient. For longer tasks, flexible desk lighting is a good idea, as it can be adjusted to suit different activities.
Brightness, light colour and dimming function in a desk lamp
The brightness of a desk lamp should be appropriate for the task at hand. Jotting down quick notes requires less light than concentrated work, drawing or reading small print. As a practical guide for lighting a work surface, 100 to 150 lumens per square metre can be used, although the actual effect also depends on the shape of the lampshade, the distance from the desk and the surface of the desk. Light-coloured table tops reflect light more than dark wood or black furniture.
A dimmable LED desk lamp offers great flexibility in everyday life. In the morning, bright light can help you concentrate on your work; in the evening, a dimmer setting is often more pleasant. The light colour also determines how calm or neutral the workplace appears. Warm white light is suitable for living areas and reading corners. Cool white is ideal for focused work at a desk. Daylight can be helpful for tasks requiring a high level of detail, but should not be used at unnecessarily high brightness levels.
A dimming function is particularly useful if the same table is used as a workspace during the day and as a writing or reading area in the evening.
Small desk lamp, clamp lamp or flexible table lamp
A small desk lamp is useful if there is little space on the desk or if the workstation is only used occasionally. A small desk lamp leaves room for a laptop, desk pads and accessories without visually cluttering the workspace. Models with a narrow base or compact lamp head are ideal for small desks, secretaries or niches in the living room.
Clamp lights are an alternative if the table surface is to remain free and a stable edge is available for mounting. Clamp lights are attached to the edge of a table, a shelf or a rack and can be aligned as required. A flexible table lamp with an articulated arm offers more reach if the light needs to switch regularly between several areas. This greater reach is useful for wide desks or workstations where the monitor, documents and writing surface are next to each other. It is important that the light is securely fastened and that the arm holds its position so that the light cone does not slip during use.
Small desk lamp, large desk lamp or clip-on light
A small desk lamp is ideal for narrow tables, children’s bedrooms, writing desks and workstations that are used only occasionally. A compact light takes up little space and is easy to move around. Even with very small desk lamps, the beam of light should still cover the main area used for writing or reading. A large desk lamp is useful if you need to light up wide documents, two work areas or a deep desk.
Clip-on lights save space on the tabletop. They are attached to the edge and sit securely there, provided the table edge allows for a secure attachment. A clip-on light is handy for craft areas, workshops or desks with lots of equipment. A classic table lamp with a base, on the other hand, can be positioned more freely and will also fit on furniture without a suitable edge. The key thing is that the light does not wobble, does not get in the way and reliably illuminates the work area.
Materials and design: choosing desk lamps to match your décor
The material, colour and shape of a desk lamp influence the effect the light has in the workplace and in the room. Metal goes well with minimalist workspaces, shelving with black fittings or desks with a functional look. Aluminium suits a functional, technical-looking interior, whilst wood makes the workplace feel more homely. Wood and metal designs combine a functional and homely feel and are a good choice if the desk is in the living room or bedroom.
Black desk lamps have a subtle look and go well with monitors, keyboards and dark furniture. Bright lights are less conspicuous when the workspace is to be integrated into a calm interior. Attractive desk lamps can also have an understated design. A simple design makes it easier to use when there are lots of things on the table. A stylish desk lamp should nevertheless remain adjustable, so that its design does not take precedence over the direction of the light.
LEDs, bulbs and practical technology for your desk lamp
LEDs are commonly used in desk lamps because LED technology allows for compact heads and slim designs. Some models have built-in LEDs, whilst others use replaceable bulbs. In the case of permanently fitted LEDs, the light fitting should be suitable for its intended use, as the brightness and light colour cannot be adjusted simply by changing the bulb. With interchangeable versions, there is more flexibility should you wish to use a different bulb at a later date.
Whether to choose LED or halogen depends mainly on the type of light fitting you already have and your personal preferences. When it comes to new desk lamps, LED models are usually the obvious choice if you’re looking for a flat lampshade, a dimming function or multiple brightness settings. Touch controls, a memory function or a USB port can be useful if these features are used regularly in the workplace. A simple switch is often sufficient if the lamp is only used for reading or for short periods of writing.
The IP code describes the level of protection offered by the light in specific usage situations and is not usually a key selection criterion for a standard desk in the living room. It becomes more important if the light is positioned close to plants, drinks or a workstation in the kitchen.
