Commercial & Office Lighting — A Ready Reckoner

A quick-reference guide for workplace projects, aligned with EN 12464-1. Office light is about maintained illuminance, low glare and visual comfort across a full working day — neutral, uniform and efficient.

Recommended lighting by space

Space	Illuminance (lux)	CCT	UGR	CRI (minimum)
Open-plan / desks	500	4000K	≤19	≥80
Private / focus office	500	4000K	≤19	≥80
Meeting / conference	300–500	4000K	≤19	≥80
Boardroom / executive	300–500	3500–4000K	≤16	≥90
Reception / lobby	300	3000–4000K	≤19	≥80
Reception desk (task)	500	4000K	≤19	≥80
Breakout / café	200–300	3000K	≤22	≥80
Corridors / circulation	100–150	4000K	≤25	≥80
Toilets	200	3500–4000K	≤25	≥80
Archive / store	100–200	4000K	—	≥80

UGR = Unified Glare Rating (lower is better). ≤19 is the workplace/screen standard; boardrooms aim lower.

Ten rules for workplace light

• Hit 500 lux on the desk — maintained (end-of-life, not day-one), so it still performs in year five.

• UGR ≤19 near screens — glare is the #1 office complaint and a silent productivity tax.

• 4000K is the productivity default; reserve 3000K for breakout and social zones.

• Design for the screen — control reflections on monitors and glass.

• Uniformity matters — avoid bright-dark patchiness; calm even ambient with task boosts.

• Consider tunable white / circadian — cooler mornings, warmer later, supports wellbeing.

• Use daylight — and dim to it — perimeter daylight-linked dimming saves energy and steadies levels.

• Add occupancy & absence sensing — empty rooms should not burn energy.

• Mind the energy budget (LPD / ECBC) — high-efficacy fittings hit targets within limits.

• Elevate the boardroom — dimmable, higher-CRI, flattering light with scene control.

Specification checklist

• 500 lux maintained at desks · UGR ≤19 near screens · 4000K focus / 3000K social

• CRI ≥80 (≥90 boardroom) · daylight-linked dimming · occupancy/absence sensors

• LPD / ECBC compliance · tunable-white option · emergency lighting · floor-plate uniformity

Fitting out an office or commercial space? Sketch Lighting designs and manufactures bespoke, custom fixtures for workplaces across India.

Talk to us — connect@sketchlighting.com · WhatsApp +91 98183 78400.

Indicative values for early-stage design guidance, aligned with EN 12464-1 and common practice. Confirm against project brief, local codes (e.g. ECBC) and a detailed lighting calculation. © Sketch Lighting.