Home office lighting – different styles and how to use them

Image of a wooden desk with black desk light and plants.

Whether you have a dedicated home office or a cosy study nook squeezed into the bedroom, the right lighting is a must when you’re working from home.

Here’s our guide to different types of home office lighting, complete with some lovely examples of our home office lighting at work…

Why is home office lighting important?

Of course, first and foremost, home office lighting needs to be functional, enabling you to work effectively and comfortably.

It can do so much more than that…. Good lighting can boost your energy levels, increase productivity and make you feel positive and motivated. A well-chosen home office lighting scheme can be stylish, warm, welcoming, beautiful, and inspiring.

What’s the best type of lighting for a home office?

There are three main flavours of lighting: ambient lighting, which is the general overall amount of light in a room; task lighting, which is targeted lighting for carrying out particular tasks; and accent lighting, which creates highlights and atmosphere. When it comes to lighting a home office, you need plenty of good ambient and task lighting, and ideally you’ll use a combination of different light sources such as wall lights, desk lamps and floor lamps, and to layer your light.

The sensational home office space styled by Sarah Doyle (@retwiggdstylist) below features our Crick multi-directional triple spotlight and Utopia rechargeable table lamp in white marble – plenty of lighting options and a gorgeous, unique look.

pink wooden desk alcove with plants, a floral painting of a women and brass lights.

Home office lighting: ideas and inspiration

From sleek, understated desk lamps to outrageous chandeliers, home office lighting comes in all sorts of different styles and materials. Here’s how to light up your work-from-home world with plenty of panache…

1) Go for classic style with a desk lamp

a black desk lamp on a wooden desk with typewriter and a pot of paintbrushes

A desk lamp will provide plenty of targeted task lighting – and it can also help to set the tone of the space. Adjustable or articulated designs allow you to direct the light where you need it most, while adding a touch of personality. The Mo desk light in brass, above, gives a confident nod to the classic anglepoise but with additional swagger.

2) Create a cosy study nook with a table lamp

Brass table lamp on a desk with a red vase and green pen pot.

Table lamps can mark out the study zone within a larger space – perfect if you’re using a corner in a bedroom or sitting room. Beyond being a practical light source, a table lamp brings warmth and character. Add a statement lampshade and your ‘office’ becomes a little haven.

If you like a bit of theatre, the Romi table lamp in brass and glass (above) has a glamorous Art Deco vibe – making a feature of your study nook.

3) Use wall lights to free up desk space



Wall light (with a Pooky heraldic teal Ikat shade) for a workspace in this room by @studioheroninteriors

Wall lights are a great alternative to overhead or table lamps in a home office area, freeing up valuable desk space while adding ambient lighting to the room. Position one by and above a desk or use in pairs for symmetry and balance. 

For maximum convenience and flexibility, rechargeable wall lights are as easy to install as hanging a picture. See lots of ideas in our post Rechargeable wall lights: 10 clever, home-transforming things to do with wireless wall light fittings.


4) Make a statement with a floor lamp


A well-placed floor lamp isn’t just for illumination—it’s a statement piece. The Aesop adjustable standing lamp in antiqued brass oozes old-school charm, while the Bow Tie floor lamp, with its sharp black hood and rakish angled shaft, channels mid-century cool with a contemporary twist…

Dark blue wall with a black floor lamp in front of it

5) Add a touch of grandeur with a chandelier

a dark blue lounge room with brown furniture and brass chandelier

A Halo chandelier adds depth and drama in this study by G and co-interiors.

Who says chandeliers are just for ballrooms? A well-chosen one can elevate a home office from functional to downright majestic. Case in point: the study above, by G and co interiors, features our beautiful Halo chandelier in solid brass. Elegant, warm, and just dramatic enough to make your Zoom calls feel like the Ambassador’s reception. Or if a chandelier is going a bit far, opt for a bold pendant light – placed above a desk it can create an intimate, focused workspace while adding visual impact. 

6) Hot desk around your own home with rechargeable lighting

a black marble table lamp in a marble kitchen surrounded by bowlsDoorstop rechargeable table lamp in black marble

If you’re a fan of hot desking around your own home (or just can’t bear the sight of tangled cables), rechargeable lighting is a game-changer. Choose your favourite rechargeable table lamp and plonk it on a desk, the kitchen island, a dining table, or a windowsill in the bedroom – perfect for setting up a study area literally anywhere.

With the right lighting, your home office can be more than just a place to work—it can be a space that’s dynamic, comfortable, and dare we say it, even a little bit dazzling.. Browse our full range of home office lighting.

See also:

Working from home - How to choose the right light for your study + tips on the best desk lighting

Rechargeable wall lights: 10 clever, home-transforming things to do with wireless wall light fittings

Effortless interiors inspiration: four ways to use rechargeable table lamps for cosy living