Lighting is a core part of an ergonomic workstation. You can have a quiet, stable height adjustable desk and a perfectly tuned monitor arm, yet still end up with eye strain, headaches, or washed-out screens if the light is wrong. The fix is not bigger bulbs; it is controlled, flicker‑free task lighting, smart placement, and clean cable management that works as your sit stand desk moves. Use this guide to choose fixtures, set levels, and position lights for comfort, clarity, and focus.

What visual ergonomics actually needs

• Even, flicker‑free illumination at the work surface (not the whole room).

• Glare control so you can see text without squinting or reflections.

• A color temperature and color quality that make paper, plastics, and skin tones look natural.

• Consistency when the standing desk goes from sitting to standing—no new shadows, no cords tugging.

Targets that keep eyes relaxed

• Desktop illuminance: 300 to 500 lux for general computer work and paperwork; 500 to 750 lux for detailed drawing or inspection. Use a free lux app as a rough check.

• Monitor brightness: 100 to 150 cd/m² for typical offices; raise slightly in brighter spaces. Match screen brightness to the ambient field behind the display.

• Contrast ratio: Aim for a 3:1 to 5:1 ratio between the task area and background walls to avoid harsh transitions.

Color temperature, CRI, and flicker

• Color temperature: 3000 to 4000 K is the sweet spot for most offices. Warmer (3000 K) is calming; neutral (3500–4000 K) helps focus without feeling cold.

• CRI (color rendering index): 90+ renders paper, plastics, and skin tones accurately—important for design, media, and video calls.

• Flicker and dimming: Prefer DC dimming or high‑frequency drivers. Low‑frequency PWM can trigger headaches and eye strain. Look for “flicker‑free” claims backed by test data.

Choose the right task light

• Clamp‑on task lamp: The most flexible option for a standing desk. It moves with the top, clears clutter, and avoids floor glare. A jointed arm with 2–3 pivots gives range without wobble.

• Low‑glare head: A diffused head with a glare shield keeps bright elements out of sight lines. Wide, bar‑style heads light the keyboard and documents evenly.

• Dimming and CCT control: Stepless dimming is essential. If you switch tasks, a CCT (color temperature) slider helps you go warmer for late work and neutral for focus.

• On‑base controls: Physical buttons beat app‑only control. You will actually use them.

Placement that kills reflections

• Off‑axis, not overhead: Position the lamp 30 to 45 degrees to the left or right of your dominant hand and slightly in front of the keyboard. This reduces specular glare on the screen and shadows on paper.

• Avoid backlight on screens: Never aim a task light directly at a monitor. Light the desk surface; let the monitor light itself.

• Handedness matters: Right‑handers place the lamp left; left‑handers place it right to prevent casting shadows across the writing area.

• Monitor light bars: If you must use a bar, choose one with an optical cut‑off that avoids the screen and dim it lower than a side task light. Side lighting is usually more ergonomic.

Windows, finishes, and the room

• Control daylight: Sheer shades or blinds that diffuse (not block) give ambient light without striping the screen. Angle blinds to bounce light upward, not across the desktop.

• Matte beats mirror: Shiny desktops bounce task lights into eyes and monitors. A low‑gloss laminate on a height adjustable desk reduces veiling reflections.

• Background field: A softly lit wall behind the display reduces eye effort compared with a dark void. A small backlight behind the monitor (bias light, 4000 K, high CRI) can help.

Make lighting work with motion

• Mount to the top: A clamp‑mounted lamp rises and lowers with the surface, preserving geometry. If you prefer a floor lamp, place it at the side and set the arm to clear the desk at both heights.

• Cable management: Route the lamp’s cord into a rear cable tray and down a vertical cable chain with the rest of the trunk. Leave a small service loop at the clamp so the wire never goes taut as the sit stand desk moves.

• One power drop: Power the lamp from a surge‑protected strip inside the tray so only one cord reaches the floor. This keeps the walkway clear and reduces trip risk.

Lighting for video calls

• Front, soft, and even: Place a small key light just off‑axis near eye height, 3500–4000 K, diffused. Avoid strong downlight that creates eye sockets or glare on glasses.

• Balance with screens: Dim the monitor slightly and the key light to match. Aim for natural skin tones; CRI 90+ matters on camera.

• Avoid backlight: Bright windows behind you force the camera to expose for highlights and darken your face. Close shades or add a secondary fill.

Special tasks and teams

• Design and review: High‑CRI task lights help with material and print checks. Keep 500–750 lux on the surface and neutral (3500–4000 K) CCT.

• Coding and analysis: Lower task light (300–400 lux) with a neutral CCT reduces screen washout. Rely more on ambient wall light behind the monitor.

• Labs and making: If you solder or inspect small parts, consider a bar‑head lamp with a tighter beam and higher lux; add ESD‑safe matting and keep cords off the front edge.

Common lighting mistakes (and quick fixes)

• Glare stripe on the monitor: Move the lamp off‑axis and tilt the head away from the screen; reduce brightness and raise the ambient behind the display.

• Eye strain late in the day: Shift to warmer CCT (3000–3500 K), reduce contrast between desk and background, and lower the monitor from “showroom bright.”

• Flicker headaches: Replace low‑cost lamps that use low‑frequency PWM. Choose fixtures marketed as flicker‑free with high‑frequency drivers.

• Shadows when standing: If a ceiling light sits behind you, your body may cast a shadow at the keyboard when you raise the standing desk. Add a clamp light on the opposite side to fill.

Spec checklist you can paste into your RFQ

• Task lamp: Clamp mount, 3000–4000 K CCT, 90+ CRI, stepless dimming, flicker‑free driver, bar or diffused head, 2–3 pivot joints

• Mount and reach: Arm reach 18–24 inches; stable clamp that fits your desktop thickness (confirm 25–30 mm typical)

• Power: Low‑wattage LED; cord long enough to route into a rear cable tray; on‑device controls

• Bias light (optional): 4000 K, high‑CRI strip behind monitor for eye comfort

• Cable management: Rear metal cable tray, surge‑protected strip, vertical cable chain, service loop at lamp clamp

• Desk and accessories: Stable standing desk frame (dual motors, three‑stage lifting columns, rigid crossbar, long feet), monitor arm for eye‑level placement, matte desktop

Setup routine in two minutes

• Place the lamp off‑axis, slightly in front of the keyboard.

• Set brightness so the desk reads 300–500 lux; raise for detailed work.

• Tune the monitor to 100–150 cd/m² and adjust tilt to avoid reflections.

• Dim room downlights that shine directly on the screen; rely on ambient wall light and the task lamp.

• Save sitting and standing presets on the desk controller, then confirm the lamp cable has slack through full travel.

Lighting is part of your ergonomic system. Pair a stable height adjustable desk and monitor arm with a flicker‑free, high‑CRI task lamp placed off‑axis; control glare with finishes and shades; and route power through a rear tray and vertical cable chain so the cable management stays clean as you move. With the right choices, your standing desk will be easier on the eyes, clearer on camera, and more comfortable all day.

• Explore height adjustable desks, cable management kits, and ergonomic accessories that pair well with task lighting at Venace: https://www.vvenace.com

• Contact us: tech@venace.com