Analysis
Assessment of rooms, heights, furniture and surfaces.
Offices • UGR < 19 • EN 12464-1 • Relux
LED Office Lighting
Lighting design for offices, meeting rooms, reception areas and screen-based workstations: visual comfort, controlled UGR, lower consumption and the right light for better working conditions.
Why LED lighting matters in offices
Office lighting needs to do more than simply illuminate. It should provide visual comfort, support concentration and document reading, prevent glare and ensure clear screen visibility. A correctly designed LED system improves people’s wellbeing, reduces eye strain and cuts energy consumption compared with older fluorescent systems or inexpensive, underperforming panels.
UGR < 19: what it means in offices
Glare control is essential in offices with desks, monitors and screen-based workstations. Luminaires suitable for UGR < 19 designs are used to reduce reflections, visual discomfort and fatigue.
- fewer reflections on screens;
- greater comfort throughout the working day;
- more uniform light across desks;
- a better overall impression of the space.
The RIGEN Method for office lighting
Every office has different needs: open-plan areas, meeting rooms, corridors, reception areas, archives and CAD workstations need different lighting levels. With the RIGEN Method, we analyse the rooms and design the lighting around their actual use.
Relux
Simulation of illuminance, uniformity and light distribution.
UGR
Glare control for workstations.
Product selection
Panels, linear luminaires, darklight or decorative systems.
Savings
Analysis of consumption and return on investment.
Verification
Checking results and providing technical support.
Recommended office lux, UGR, CRI and uniformity
The following table summarises values commonly used in office lighting design according to the criteria of UNI EN 12464-1.
| Activity or area | Average lux | UGR | CRI | Uniformity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing and copying | 300 lx | ≤19 | ≥80 | 0,40 | Uniform, functional light. |
| Writing, reading and data processing | 500 lx | ≤19 | ≥80 | 0,60 | Workstations and display screens. |
| Technical drawing | 750 lx | ≤16 | ≥80 | 0,70 | Precision tasks. |
| CAD workstations | 500 lx | ≤19 | ≥80 | 0,60 | Control of screen reflections. |
| Conference and meeting rooms | 500 lx | ≤19 | ≥80 | 0,60 | Dimming or adjustment recommended. |
| Reception areas | 300 lx | ≤22 | ≥80 | 0,60 | A welcoming atmosphere and visual comfort. |
| Archives | 200 lx | ≤25 | ≥80 | 0,40 | Functional light and low consumption. |
Important note
These values must be checked through lighting design that accounts for dimensions, heights, reflectances, furniture and workstation layout.
Case study: Packing offices
Professional LED solutions were used in the Packing offices to improve visual comfort, the perception of spaces and light quality in entrance and reception areas. The design considers how each space is used: reception areas, corridors, meeting rooms and operational offices should not all be lit in the same way.
Meeting rooms and SKY LED panels
Meeting rooms need comfortable, adjustable light suited both to working with documents and to viewing screens and presentations. SKY LED panels create an elegant, diffusely lit environment that feels more pleasant than flat lighting.
- uniform, comfortable light;
- a more welcoming environment;
- a better impression of the room;
- options for decorative and customised solutions.
Mistakes to avoid in LED office lighting
❌ Wattage alone
Power alone is not enough: actual illuminance, optics and light quality matter.
❌ Ignoring UGR
An inexpensive panel can cause reflections and eye strain.
❌ 6500K everywhere
Light that is too cool can make an office uncomfortable.
✔ Relux design
Simulating the space helps avoid mistakes in luminaire quantity and placement.
✔ Suitable CRI
CRI ≥80 provides colour rendering suited to working environments.
✔ Real efficiency
An efficient system reduces consumption and maintenance over time.
Energy savings in offices
Replacing old fluorescent systems with professional LED panels can significantly reduce consumption, especially in offices where lights run for many hours a day.
| Scenario | Consumption | Light quality | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old fluorescent systems | Higher | Possible flicker | Recurring |
| Budget LEDs | Medium | UGR often uncontrolled | Variable |
| Professional LEDs for UGR < 19 | Reduced | High comfort | Minimal |
Further reading on LED office lighting
Office lighting standards
Explore EN 12464-1 requirements, illuminance levels, UGR and the criteria to consider when designing workplace lighting.
Explore the standards →LED lighting and office productivity
Visual comfort, light quality and appropriate design can help create more comfortable, efficient working environments.
Read the article →Lighting for offices and meeting rooms
Workstations, meeting rooms and shared spaces need different lighting levels, glare control and solutions.
Explore the solutions →Case study: Packing office lighting
A real workplace lighting project, developed around the offices’ characteristics and workstation requirements. Lighting design made it possible to assess distribution, visual comfort, glare control and luminaire selection, checking the solution before installation. Packing demonstrates our approach in practice: site analysis → design → LED solution selection → lighting verification, following the RIGEN Method.
View the case study →Lighting design by Fabio Locorotondo
LED office lighting projects focus on visual comfort, UGR, illuminance, uniformity, consumption and workplace quality. Fabio Locorotondo develops lighting projects for offices, industry, retail and sports facilities using professional simulations and the RIGEN Method.
Would you like better lighting for your offices?
Request an assessment: we analyse illuminance, UGR, consumption, luminaire quantity and the most suitable solution for your spaces.
FAQ – LED Office Lighting
How many lux does an office need?
Writing, reading and data processing generally use an average of 500 lux. Archives and reception areas may require different values.
What does UGR < 19 mean?
UGR < 19 indicates a level of glare control suitable for spaces with workstations and screens.
What CRI is recommended for offices?
A CRI of at least 80 is normally recommended in offices for appropriate colour rendering.
Is 3000K or 4000K better?
Most offices use 4000K for a good balance of comfort, concentration and neutral light.
Is lighting design necessary?
Yes, especially where illuminance, UGR and uniformity requirements must be met. Design helps avoid oversizing and shadowed areas.
Are budget LED panels suitable?
Not always. In offices, check UGR, efficiency, lifespan, driver quality and actual light output.
Can better lighting also save energy?
Yes. A professional LED system can reduce consumption while improving visual comfort and the quality of the environment.
Do you provide Relux simulations?
Yes, we can run lighting simulations to check illuminance levels, uniformity and luminaire placement.
LED office lighting: design overview
Professional LED office lighting improves visual comfort, reduces glare and supports better working conditions. Proper lighting design assesses illuminance, UGR, CRI, uniformity and energy savings. We design LED systems for offices, meeting rooms, reception areas and workstations using professional simulations and high-quality LED products.
Further reading for your project
- UGR and glare: understanding visual comfort in the design.
- Office lighting standards: a closer look at workplace requirements.
- Lux-meter apps and professional measurements: choosing the right verification procedure.