How to choose a desk lamp for a home office
Five steps from measuring your desk to picking the light color.
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Step 1: Look at your desk and room
- How deep and wide is the desk? Measure it.
- Is there daylight, and from which side?
- Is there overhead light? A task lamp works best with some room light.
Step 2: Decide what you do most
- Mostly screen work: you need gentle light on the desk and keyboard, not on the screen. A bar or monitor lamp or a low-aimed arm lamp works well.
- Paper and reading: you need more light on the page. An adjustable arm lamp is the strongest choice.
- Video calls: soft light in front of you, not behind you, is most flattering. A diffused lamp beside the screen helps.
- Crafts or color work: look for high CRI (90 or higher).
| Mostly | Try |
|---|---|
| Screen work | LED bar, monitor lamp, or low-aimed arm lamp |
| Paper and reading | Adjustable arm lamp |
| Video calls | Diffused lamp beside the screen, in front of you |
| Crafts or color work | Any aimable lamp with CRI 90+ |
Step 3: Pick the type and size
- Small desk: clamp, monitor, or compact gooseneck lamp.
- Large desk: a long-reach arm lamp.
- Check the reach covers the middle of your work area.
Step 4: Check the light specs
- Lumens high enough to light the page; dimming to bring it down.
- Color temperature that matches the room, or adjustable.
- CRI of at least 80.
- No visible flicker at low settings.
Spec checklist
- Lumens high enough to light the page; dimming to bring it down.
- Color temperature that matches the room, or adjustable.
- CRI of at least 80.
- No visible flicker at low settings.
Step 5: Place it
- Opposite your writing hand.
- Aimed at the work, not your eyes or the screen.
- Bright part hidden by a shade or diffuser.
FAQ
To the side or above, aimed at the desk so it does not reflect on the screen.
Add a floor or table lamp for ambient light so the desk is not the only bright spot.
Often, if it dims and adjusts color.
General information, not medical advice. See an eye care professional about eye strain or vision concerns.
