When businesses think about improving employee performance and wellbeing, conversations often focus on culture, benefits and flexible working policies. Yet one of the most powerful influences on how people feel and perform at work is often overlooked, lighting.
Whether employees are working in an office, at home or in a hybrid environment, lighting has a direct impact on mood, concentration, stress levels and sleep quality.
Why lighting matters
Humans are biologically programmed to respond to light. For thousands of years, our bodies operated in sync with natural daylight cycles, using sunlight to regulate energy levels, alertness and sleep.
Today, many employees spend the majority of their day indoors under artificial lighting, often moving between screens, meeting rooms and home workspaces with little exposure to natural daylight. As a result, many people experience fatigue, reduced concentration and disrupted sleep patterns without realising their environment may be contributing to the problem.
Lighting and productivity
One of the most immediate effects of lighting is its impact on alertness and focus.
Exposure to bright light, particularly during the morning and early afternoon, helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. This encourages greater alertness, improved concentration and increased cognitive performance.
Poor lighting can have the opposite effect. Dim environments can contribute to sluggishness and reduced engagement, while overly harsh lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches and mental fatigue.
Lighting, mood and wellbeing
Lighting plays a significant role in shaping mood. Natural daylight helps regulate serotonin levels, which are closely associated with feelings of wellbeing and emotional stability. This is one reason why people often feel more energised and positive on bright, sunny days.
Workplaces that maximise access to natural light can help create more positive environments, while poorly lit spaces can contribute to feelings of lethargy and disengagement.
For hybrid workers, the challenge can be even greater. Many home offices are located in spare rooms, corners of living spaces or areas with limited natural light. Encouraging employees to optimise their home working environments can have a meaningful impact on both wellbeing and performance.
Reducing workplace stress
Stress is influenced by many factors, but the physical environment can play a surprisingly important role.
Harsh fluorescent lighting, excessive glare and poorly illuminated spaces can create subtle but persistent sources of discomfort throughout the day. Over time, these environmental stressors can contribute to fatigue and frustration.
In contrast, thoughtfully designed lighting can help create calmer, more comfortable environments. Layered lighting, adjustable brightness levels and greater access to daylight can improve comfort and support a more positive workplace experience.
What businesses can do
Businesses should assess how much natural light employees receive throughout the day and consider ways to maximise it. Workstations positioned near windows, open-plan layouts and the use of glass partitions can help distribute daylight more effectively.
Where artificial lighting is required, organisations should consider lighting that can adapt to different tasks and times of day. Bright, focused lighting may support concentration, while warmer lighting can create more relaxed environments in breakout spaces and collaborative areas.
For remote and hybrid employees, providing guidance on home workspace setup can also be valuable. Something as simple as positioning a desk near a window or using adjustable task lighting can improve comfort and productivity.
About the authorCostel Radescu is the Founder and CEO of CR Group, a fully integrated property and construction company.
When businesses think about improving employee performance and wellbeing, conversations often focus on culture, benefits and flexible working policies. Yet one of the most powerful influences on how people feel and perform at work is often overlooked, lighting.
Whether employees are working in an office, at home or in a hybrid environment, lighting has a direct impact on mood, concentration, stress levels and sleep quality.
