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EASY! 5 Clever Tips if You Have Bad Eyesight

EASY! 5 Clever Tips if You Have Bad Eyesight

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Thanks to old age and plenty of other conditions, bad eyesight is far too common. Some of us here at Hobrecht Lighting suffer from it, too! Surprisingly, home lighting has significant influence in improving (or worsening) one’s vision. So though your home lighting likely has great style, it may not be functional for struggling eyes.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to light for function and style. In fact, having the right home lighting can make details clearer and reduce the need for magnification. Improving home and office lighting can simplify everyday tasks and ease vision strain, so try applying a few of these easy tips! 

1. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible

The first suggestion is to be in natural light at every possible opportunity. Sunlight provides a soothing, bright light that maximizes vision and improves mood. For flexible activities like crossword puzzles, reading, or even homework, place a chair in natural lighting and enjoy the benefits of the brightness.

2. Switch to LED Bulbs

Aside from sunlight, the next best lighting option is LED bulbs. They provide bright light, last for hours, and come in a variety of cooler tones than incandescents. LED lights last thousands of hours so you won’t need to worry about replacing them after they’re purchased.

3. Increase the Number of Lights

Another simple way to boost your lighting is to increase the quantity of lights in the home. Lamps are a great way to start, since they require no structural changes. Remember, when putting lamps in a room, maintain consistent light throughout the space to avoid having dark spots. Also note that lamps with exposed bulbs will increase the glare, so avoid those when possible.

4. Use Lamp and Lighting Timers

Prevent any stumbling around in the dark by putting your lamps and task lighting on a timer. These automatic timers can turn on lights in the times they’re needed the most, lighting key areas. They prevent extra difficulties because without unexpected dark hallways or rooms, the eyes don’t have to adjust from lit rooms to dark spaces.

5. Maximize Task Lighting

Consider your frequent tasks. We’ve been around lighting long enough to know that there’s always some type of lighting that can make those tasks easier! There are adjustable lamps that illuminate your specific task, like a gooseneck lamp. Hanging fixtures can also be pointed at desks, chairs, or other areas. You might even need less magnification because of the better illumination!

Keep in mind, these tips may not work for every eye condition, but they’ve helped us! You can always contact us, or a vision specialist, to determine what type of lighting will be most beneficial for your unique circumstances. 

Your Bathroom Lighting May Be Ruining Your Look- Here’s How You Can Fix It

Your Bathroom Lighting May Be Ruining Your Look- Here’s How You Can Fix It

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Picture this: You wake up early on a workday (a feat to be proud of). You don’t necessarily have to, but you’ve got the time, so you decide to spend some of that extra time on your makeup. After one last quick check in the mirror, you head out the door, feeling yourself and the look that you’ve created. Then, on a bathroom break at the office, you take a peek in the mirror and are surprised to see that your face here looks nothing like it did at home. What happened? Sure, the lighting isn’t great at the office, but there’s no way it could do all of this… right?

If this sounds familiar to you, take heart. Your makeup skills are probably not to blame – it’s more likely that your makeup lighting at home isn’t right – and it’s messing with your look.

Unfortunately, most standard bathroom lighting types aren’t a great help for flawless makeup. You might need to tweak the lighting set up at home to get it working for you instead of against you. This article will compare some of the common pitfalls of builder-grade lighting, and tell you exactly what you need to look for to upgrade your makeup space. 

Remember, the purpose of makeup lighting is to show your face as true as possible, so you know how the look will translate outside of your home.

NO: Windowless Rooms

Hopefully, your home was built with windows in the bathroom to help balance the lighting. However, if your bathroom doesn’t have a window and it’s not in your budget to install one, we recommend you get ready for the day by your bedroom or office window. Not only will this improve your makeup accuracy, but it will add dimension to the styling of your bedroom.

YES: Natural Light

Expert makeup artists all agree that natural light from the sun is the best light for doing makeup. If you can do your makeup facing a bright window, this is the best choice. However, many people do their makeup early in the morning or don’t have a windowed area suitable for makeup.

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NO: Fluorescent and Colored Lighting

Fluorescent Light

Everyone knows that fluorescent light is the most unflattering possible. While many spend days under fluorescent light in the office, it is typically offset by some natural light coming through windows. Bathrooms are often windowless, completely isolating the makeup artist in the worst lighting possible.

Yellow Light

While warm, yellow light could be soothing for a home spa experience, it exaggerates flaws in the mirror. The yellow glow will bring out yellow and green tones in your skin, often making you appear sickly or washed out when you aren’t. This effect commonly results in putting too much makeup in the wrong places and then looking cakey once you step out onto the street.

Pink Light

Pink or rosy light has the opposite effect of fluorescent and yellow light― it hides flaws! This might feel good while applying makeup, but you may notice that you failed to cover certain areas as soon as you get to the office.

YES: Warm White Light

Warm white light is the best artificial light for doing makeup. It most closely mimics the effect of the sun, so what you see in the mirror will match what everyone else sees in the office or at dinner. Many experts recommend backlighting your mirror with LEDs to achieve this effect.

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NO: Light From Above or Below

Kids love to make scary faces at sleepovers by shining a flashlight upwards from their chin. Overhead makeup light can create the same results (although not as dramatic). As the light shines down your face, it will naturally exaggerate certain features, like shadows under the brow, nose, and mouth. It can also catch more harshly on wrinkles. Once again, the results are too much makeup in the wrong places.

YES: “Face-forward” Light

“Face-forward” light shines directly towards your face rather than shining down on you. When your lighting is set up this way, it will reduce false shadows, making it easier to decide where to apply makeup. Many add LEDs around their mirror – it’s is an easy, inexpensive way to customize your makeup table and get the truest lighting for your look.

Pro Tip: If you’re renting and can’t replace your bathroom lights, a ring light is a solid option. They come in a wide range of prices and sizes, so it won’t be hard to find one that will fit both your counter and your budget. Position a smaller ring light around face height. Larger ring lights are designed for you to look through them, so the light shines on your face from all sides to eliminate shadows, as seen below:

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Kick that Crappy Lighting to the Curb

Replacing, or adding to, your bathroom lighting isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Swapping out an old fixture with a new one is a relatively simple project that won’t cost much to have done. It’s also very beginner DIY-friendly – most homeowners can do it on their own. (Just remember to turn off the breaker first!)

A simple lighting upgrade can totally transform your makeup experience, and give you the confidence to trust that what you see in the mirror at home will translate across to the rest of your day. Whether you have a full makeup studio or you’re sharing a small vanity with a partner, you’ll be surprised at how a small change can make such a big difference. 

If you want some help choosing the best lighting upgrade for your makeup area, stop by our showroom and take a look at the options we have available. You’ll be able to see for yourself how you look in different lighting, and our experts can help you find the right options to dress up your space. Stop by, or give Hobrecht Lighting today for a free consultation! 

What to Expect When Visiting a Lighting Showroom

What to Expect When Visiting a Lighting Showroom

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Have you ever purchased something online only to have it arrive looking very different than you expected it to, or it just didn’t look as good in your space as you thought it would? Have you ever purchased an item at the store based off the image on its packaging only to be disappointed by the poor quality once you got it home and unwrapped?

There’s no substitute for being able to see, touch, and try out an item before making a purchase. This is true for any purchase, but it’s especially important when you’re buying things for your home! Your home needs to be somewhere you’re comfortable and can feel relaxed – and good lighting is absolutely essential to creating that environment! 

Don’t leave your lighting purchases up to chance. If you’ve never been to a lighting showroom before, here are a few things you can expect to happen on your next visit. 

Huge Selection of Quality Fixtures

When you shop online, it can be overwhelming and frustrating trying to sort through all of the options to find something you like, and it’s always a gamble as to whether it will look right once you get it. 

Lighting showrooms specialize in one thing: getting you the perfect light for your home. We have access to thousands of lighting options, and our lighting experts can help you sift through it all to find exactly what you need – without hours of frustrating internet searches. 

Showroom owners are choosy about what they’ll offer to customers, so you won’t have to worry about getting a dud. 

See Everything in Person

When buying light fixtures, you’re usually trying to set up an entire room with balanced needs. Unless you are a trained interior designer (and even if you are), it’s very difficult to gauge style, size, space, and balance just from a picture. 

Fixtures look really different when they’re off and on, and the way they cast light can change the feel of a space. It’s also hard to see small details and textures on finishes. Being able to see the light in person before buying can save you the headache of having to return a dark brown fixture you thought was black or a lantern that casts shadows you weren’t expecting. 

Personalized Expert Advice

Most DIY homeowners and interior designers know what it feels like to thoroughly research and still feel dissatisfied with the end result. It doesn’t matter how many how-to videos you watch – the person on the other end can’t give you personalized advice specific to your project. 

With something as crucial to your design as lighting, it’s a really good idea to check over design plans with an expert on the topic before you get started. 

When you stop in at our showroom, our lighting experts can teach you how to select the right bulbs for your needs, get the best light fixture for your money, and instruct you on proper installation, all as a regular part of your shopping experience. You won’t get that level of personalized expertise anywhere else!

Better Value for Your Money

Many believe that lighting showrooms charge “boutique” prices that are much higher than you’ll find online or at the hardware store. This simply isn’t true. When you visit a showroom, you’ll find that showrooms charge comparable prices to other fixture suppliers, and they have higher quality pieces.

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Let’s Recap

When it really gets down to it, if you’re shopping online or at a hardware store, you’re gambling on quality and not getting the best value for your money. 

The next time you’re shopping for lighting, make sure you include a lighting showroom in your process. When you shop at a showroom, you can see what you’re buying before you take it home. When you factor in the free expert advice, the higher quality fixtures, and the time saved, you’re actually paying less to get exactly what you need for your home. 

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Ready for your showroom experience? Check us out at Hobrecht Lighting! 

Lumens vs Watts: What’s the Difference?

Lumens vs Watts: What’s the Difference?

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Light bulbs have been lighting up our world for over a hundred years, but do we really understand how they work? When you go to the store to buy a replacement bulb, the box labels are filled with numbers and industry terms that can leave you wondering how to know which bulb you actually need.

Fortunately, understanding the difference between lumens and watts is fairly straightforward. Take a quick minute to read this quick summary, and you’ll be ready to hit the stores to find exactly what you need.

Lumens

Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb emits. The technical definition is “the unit of luminous flux, equal to the luminous flux emitted in a unit solid angle by a point source of one candle intensity.” In less scientific terms, the higher the lumen rating, the brighter the bulb. Most mainstream bulb labels use the full term, but if you can’t find the word “lumens” on the label look for its abbreviation, lm.

How many lumens do I need?

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t put the brightest bulbs you can find in every area of your home. The rooms in your home will all need different levels of light, depending on how you use them. Use bulbs with a high lumen count in areas where you need a much brighter light, like above your kitchen counters. You need much less light in your bedroom, so consider going with lower lumen count bulbs in warmer colors to keep it a relaxing space where you can get some sleep.

While there are complicated equations out there that you can use to calculate your “exact” lumen requirements, the trouble is that every person and every space is different. You may find that you prefer brighter lights than what’s “necessary” in one place and dimmer lights in another. Your best bet is to try a few different bulbs, or better yet – get a dimmer switch so that you can customize your light levels depending on your needs for the day.

Pro Tip: Lumens can be added across several light sources in a space. It’s not an exact science because it doesn’t take into account distance from the source and the angles of the light, but if you have three 800lm bulbs in a room, it will be lit with roughly 1800lm.

Watts

Watts measure the amount of power consumed by the bulb. One watt isn’t much, it’s equal to 1/746 horsepower. It’s named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor credited for creating a steam engine during the Industrial Revolution. The symbol for watts is “W”.

Most electrical devices are rated in watts, although large appliances that use more power are often measured in kilowatts, which is equal to one thousand watts. (1W = 1000kW)

The wattage of a bulb will tell you only how much power it consumes, not how bright it is. The lower the watt rating on the bulb, the cheaper it will be on your energy bill to light your house.

Before you buy, always check your light fixture for its watt rating. Never put a bulb with a higher watt rating than the fixture can handle. If the bulb tries to pull more power than the fixture can handle, it could start a fire.

 Energy-Efficient Bulbs

Before the days of LED bulbs, it was pretty easy to get a good idea of how bright a bulb was by simply looking at the wattage. The higher the watts, the brighter the bulb. LED lightbulbs can give off the same amount of light as a traditional bulb using far fewer watts. This is what the labels mean when they say the bulbs are “energy efficient” – they need less power to provide equivalent light.

TL;DR Lumens and Watts

Lumens and Watts both describe how a lightbulb works. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb emits – the higher the lumens the brighter the bulb. Watts measure the amount of power a light bulb uses. Newer light bulbs like LEDs can produce a lot of light (lumens) using very little power (watts), making them more energy-efficient.

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Need help finding the right light bulb? Give the experts at Hobrecht Lighting a call!

How to Choose the Right Recessed Lights for Your Home : An In-Depth Homeowners Guide

How to Choose the Right Recessed Lights for Your Home : An In-Depth Homeowners Guide

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Recessed lights go by many names, such as downlights, pot lights, can lights, and puck lights. No matter the name, they all refer to light fixtures that are installed inside (recessed into) your ceiling. They shine light into the room without hanging down into the space like a chandelier or a flush mount fixture. 

There’s a lot to know about recessed lights before you install them in your home, but it can be hard to find all of the information you need in one place. So we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know in one place to help you decide which recessed light is right for you!

Recessed Lights 101

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here’s a quick overview of some of the most important terms you need to know when shopping for recessed lighting.

Recessed Lighting Terms

There are three parts to a recessed light: the housing, the bulb, and the trim. The housing holds all of the wires and connectors inside a protective case that sits inside your ceiling, out of sight. The bulb is the part that gives off light. The trim is the visible portion of a recessed light that covers the housing and the hole in the ceiling, giving it a finished look. 

You’ll also need to pay attention to how widely the trim allows the light to shine – this is called the Beam Angle. Recessed light beam angles can range from a narrow 15-degree spotlight to a 120-degree floodlight. Generally speaking, anything from 60 to 120 degrees will work well for general lighting in your home.

Types of Recessed Lights

Traditional – These are the original recessed lights. They’ve been around the longest, but they have their pros and cons. They’re cheaper to purchase but more expensive to operate than LED options. They also produce heat, so you’ll need to be conscious of location.

LED – These newer recessed lights may cost more upfront, but they use considerably less power to run, which makes them cheaper to use. LED bulbs last for a very long time, so you won’t have to pay to replace them every year. They also produce minimal heat, making them a safer alternative to traditional lights. 

Ultra-Thin / Canless – These are a small subsection of LED recessed lights that have been designed specifically for use in remodels. The housing in these recessed lights is about as thick as drywall, so they’re much easier to install in an existing ceiling.

Ease of Install

If you’re replacing an old recessed light with a new one, installation is a pretty basic homeowner DIY. If you’re trying to add recessed lights where they weren’t before, that’s usually a much larger project. 

Recessed lights typically have a large housing, which means they need to be installed between the framing lumber in your ceiling. In new builds, this isn’t a problem because the spacing of your lights can be planned out during construction. If you’re installing recessed lights after the fact, creating an evenly spaced grid of lights can be a little bit more difficult. You’ll likely need to hire an electrician or contractor to help run the wiring correctly.

Canless lights are often the best choice for renovations because they can be installed almost anywhere in the ceiling. While easier to install, it’s still a pretty significant electrical project. If you’re comfortable with that type of DIY work you can give it a try, but most homeowners usually hire a professional.

Sizing

Homeowners are often surprised at the size of their recessed lights after they’ve been installed. It’s important to know that the measurement on the packaging of a recessed light refers to the size of the light’s housing, not to the size of the trim.

The measurement on the packaging tells you how large the hole will need to be in your ceiling so that you can plan out your spacing. You’ll also need to take into account the size of the trim.

Remember, the trim on a recessed light is there to cover the edges of the light and the hole, so it sits below the drywall and extends out from the fixture. Because trim styles vary, a 4” recessed light could appear 5, 6, or even 7 inches wide once installed.

Make sure you double-check that you measured the right part before you cut, or you could end up with a lot of drywall patching!

How to Choose the Right Size

Recessed lights come in a lot of different sizes, but the 6” size has been an unofficial industry standard for a long time. Now, with LED technology, manufacturers are finding ways to create the same amount of light in smaller packaging. Their smaller 4” counterparts pack a pretty big punch for their size, and they just might end up being a better fit for your space.

Light Coverage 

If you’re lighting an entire room with recessed lights, both 4” and 6” sizes will do the job well. They are pretty interchangeable as a general lighting option, but there are a few things to consider.

Ceiling Height: You’ll need to consider the height of your ceilings. Both 4” and 6” work well at standard ceiling height. For vaulted ceilings, you might want to consider sticking with larger lights with wide beam angles – the taller the ceiling, the more evenly diffused the light will be across your space. 

Existing Fixtures: If you’re adding recessed lights to work together with an existing light fixture like a chandelier or a ceiling fan, take stock of the way the existing fixture lights the space at different times throughout the day and at night. 6” recessed lights can help raise overall ambient light if the room is too dim. 4” lights are often a better choice if you need lighting around the dark edges of a room. 

How You Use the Room: The rooms in your home don’t need an equal amount of light in every square inch. Your rooms will feel better if the lighting is tailored to the way you use them. 

For example, this kitchen has beautiful pendant lights, but on their own they’d cast shadows onto the kitchen worksurfaces. This homeowner installed a row of recessed lights around the perimeter of the kitchen to provide better light on the countertop prep surfaces. In the dining area, a softer chandelier on a separate switch lights the table, which gives it a more comfortable, relaxing feel for when it’s time to eat.

Cost

4” lights are going to cost you less upfront simply because they’re smaller and cost less to make – although prices are going to vary based on materials, finishes, and special features. They also cost less to run because they use less power. 

6” lights may cost more, but (depending on the specific fixture) you may be able to use fewer 6” lights to achieve the same coverage as a larger number of 4” lights. 

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to map out your room with both sizes and then run the numbers both ways to make sure you’re getting the best deal. 

Decor

For years now, homeowners have been ditching ceiling lights in favor of a grid of recessed lights. But, the lack of visual interest is starting to sway designers back towards beautiful statement ceiling light fixtures like chandeliers and pendants. 

In rooms where modern statement fixtures are providing most of the ambient light for space, larger recessed lights aren’t really necessary. 4” lights are a much better option for creating beautiful layers of light without over-lighting your space. You’ll find this size most often in rooms with a modern design.

You’ll find 6” lights most often in large open rooms that need a lot of light, and in rooms with more traditional decor. 

Because 6” lights are more common, they currently have more trim styles available. If you have a specific style of trim in mind, make sure you find out if it’s available in the size you want before you buy!

Location/Uses

4” recessed lights are most commonly used in smaller spaces like hallways, home offices, and over the kitchen sink. They’re perfect for lighting a reading or craft area where you want to see what you’re doing. They’re also a great size for highlighting artwork or architectural features without washing them out. 

6” lights do their best work lighting a large room like a living room or dining room. They’re also a great choice for rooms with high ceilings, as their larger size will help to spread the light more uniformly throughout the space.

Properly placed recessed lights can make your rooms feel bigger if you employ a technique called Wall Washing. Wrapping your room in 4” recessed lights will evenly coat the wall with light, making the entire space feel more spacious. This is a great trick for smaller spaces like hallways and narrow rooms, and it helps to hide imperfections in the wall finish. 

Placement is important here – if your recessed lights are installed too close to the wall, they’ll create a cone of light (called wall grazing) which will not have the same space-creating effect. The goal is to get soft, even coverage across the wall without any harsh lines.

Overview

To sum it all up, here’s a handy comparison between 4” and 6” recessed lights. 

Other Things to Consider

The size you choose matters, but there are other things you need to consider before purchasing! LED recessed lighting has come a long way in the past few years, and new features are regularly being added to the lineup.

Color

LED lights come in a wide variety of colors, measured in Kelvins (K). 

Warm light (up to 3000K) appears orange or yellow, like the light from traditional incandescent bulbs. It feels soft and cozy, and is a great choice for places where you want to wind down and relax, like a bedroom or a living room. 

Daylight light (between 3000K – 4000K) is similar to the light at midday. It feels bright and white, and is a great choice for most rooms in the house. 

Cool light (above 4000K) starts to appear blue as the Kelvins increase. Blue light feels crisp and energetic and is often used in offices and hospitals to help keep people alert. Be careful with blue light in your home – it can keep you up at night! 

The color you choose for your lights will change how the paint on your walls looks, so it’s a good idea to experiment with it first before you commit. 

Color Changing lights – Some LED lights are color-changing, meaning they can be set to emit warm or cool light, which takes the stress out of worrying which temperature to choose. Some lights can be changed with a switch in the housing, which is great for homeowners that want to choose what they like, set it, and forget about it. Others can be changed with a remote control or a smart hub, making the lighting in your house truly customizable to any activity.

Dimmable

We recommend installing LED lights on a dimmer switch whenever possible! Because they are so bright, it’s nice to be able to dim the lights to a level that you’re comfortable with throughout the day. Most LED lights are already dimmable, but some aren’t, so you’ll need to double-check before purchasing if this is a feature you want in your home!

Smart Technology

Smart LED recessed lights come with the ability to communicate with other technologies in your home, like a smart hub. Depending on the features, this means you could set your lights on a schedule or even turn them on with a voice command instead of a switch. 

There are a lot of things to consider when you’re installing recessed lights. Our lighting experts know all of the ins and outs and would love to share their knowledge with you to help get you started. Give us a call or stop by our showroom and see for yourself how recessed lighting can completely transform your home.

Improve Your Focus at Work with Light

Improve Your Focus at Work with Light

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It‘s no secret that there are a number of factors can affect your focus at work: from loud office banter to the slight humming of a computer. However, even after addressing the most common distractions, you may still find that your productivity at work is not where it should be. This may be because you’ve completely ignored one of the most significant factors that affect productivity: light. But before you start changing out your light bulbs, read on to find out exactly what you can do to address the productivity killer that’s been looming over your head (literally).

Importance of Lighting

  1. The type of light you have around you while working significantly affects your ability to focus and work efficiently. The human body is very sensitive to light and the way it is used can make or break your output at work.
  2. If you’re working from home, the light you use during the day may affect your ability to get good rest at night, which, in turn, can affect your focus at work the next day.
  3. The wrong lighting can cause eye strain, leading to tiredness and headaches.

What You Can Do

Improve Focus at Work With Light
Modern conference room interior

Before you learn what can be done to improve your focus at work, it is important to understand how light works. Light is measured by temperature in a system referred to as Kelvin (K). This system uses numbers to convey the color that is emitted when an object reaches a certain temperature. When objects are heated, they usually go through a range of colors: red, orange, yellow, white, then bluish white. Following the pattern of how color is seen on a spectrum, the lower the temperature of the object, the “warmer” the color and the higher the temperature, the “cooler” the color.

Lower temperatures usually measure no more than 3000 K while higher temperatures start at 4600 K and go up. Color temperatures in the middle (3100 K—4600 K) usually give off a cool white.

There are four main types of light sources most commonly used in office settings: natural, fluorescent, incandescent, and LED. All of these light systems can be measured in Kelvin, and all can help improve your focus at work in one way or another.

Natural Light

Since sunlight is considered the most natural light source, natural light refers to sunlight and any other light that very closely replicates the approximate 5,000 K to 6,000 K given off by the sun. No matter how close the Kelvin measurement is, the sun’s light is incomparable and is always recommended for work environments when possible.

Fluorescent Light

Fluorescent light often measures around 3000 K and is likely a reason why your productivity may have slowed. Despite the consistent reports of health issues, fluorescent light is still one of the most commonly used types of light in work spaces. Since it is a dimmer light, it often causes eye strain and can be hard to see in (especially if it flickers). Straining your eyes leads to headaches and migraines and is another distraction you certainly don’t need at work. If fluorescent lights are used, opt for brighter bulbs instead.

Incandescent Light

While they are the least energy efficient light, incandescent lights haven’t been known to negatively affect the body as much as fluorescent lights. However, like other light sources, they can come in a range of color temperatures. This provides a great deal of options for residential and commercial spaces, but for work environments, we recommend choosing a light in the higher color range (about 4600 K) so you can stay as alert as possible.

LED Light

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small, but super efficient device that produces light with semiconductors and electroluminescence. LED light offers a wide range of color temperatures (about 2700 – 7000 K), making them a popular choice for residential and professional spaces alike. However, if you plan on using them at work, we recommend opting for a cooler light so you can stay alert and focused while on the job.

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light

Natural light is ideal, but is not always an option depending on your work location. Artificial lights are commonly used for this very reason. However, they are often dim lights, which means they affect the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that causes you to feel sleepy. Natural, bright light from the sun usually inhibits the melatonin production process. This is why we work when the sun is up and sleep when it’s down—and why you may feel sluggish on a rainy day.

Artificial light can also affect the amount of cortisol in the body. If your body doesn’t have enough of this stress-regulating hormone, you may feel more stressed than is helpful for effective performance, causing you to feel tired.

Blue Light

As a shorter, faster wavelength, blue light produces more energy than most common types of light. Claims have been made about blue light negatively affecting sleep and overall quality of life. However, although it has been the subject of many health debates, there are claims that it stimulates the brain more than other kinds of light. It’s why going outside when you’re feeling drowsy can actually help wake you up a bit.

Having some blue light can actually be good for you. It’s not common knowledge that blue light also comes from the sun, but just as some of the sun’s rays actually does the body good, so does allowing some blue light while working—a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital shows that exposure to blue light during work actually helps you stay more awake and alert and improves your focus at work. When it comes to the light bulbs installed in your workspace, use blue-tinged lights in areas where you want to brainstorm and come up with new ideas, as the bluer lights will keep your brain more alert.

Since there is still some evidence that blue light can throw off your body’s circadian rhythm, we recommend using blue light glasses after sunset if you’re going to be using any devices like laptops, smart phones, and tablets. You may even notice that long-term exposure to blue light or blue-tinged fluorescent light during the day also affects your ability to sleep. If this is the case for you, we recommend wearing blue light glasses as often as you need and for as long as you need during your time at work.

Individual Needs

If you have sensitive eyes, you might find that you may need to choose an even warmer light than the typical mid-range type in order reduce the amount of strain on your eyes. It’s all about finding your productivity sweet spot. Just as some people might function better when listening to music and some prefer complete silence, you may be surprised to find that dimmer lights put you in deeper thought and actually allow you to work better, while bright lights affect your creativity. The type of job you have, your work environment, and your personal preference should all be taken into consideration when optimizing your space to improve your focus at work.

Hobrecht Lighting offers a wide variety of light types to fit your needs and help you work productively no matter the location. Choose from numerous fixture options to get the look you want for any space. You’ll see a huge difference in your productivity and overall well-being.

About Us

Hobrecht Lighting does more than just make your home beautiful. We provide lighting solutions patterned after the sun’s natural light cycle. In line with the Danish principle of “hygge”, our lights adjust with you, so you can feel a sense of comfort and coziness throughout the day. As the lights change throughout the day, your safety, visual acuity, and wellness are enhanced.

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4 Ways to Avoid Headaches in Your Home

4 Ways to Avoid Headaches in Your Home

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Have you ever asked yourself ‘why do I have a headache’ when you’ve been in the house all day? It could be caused by external or internal factors including physical health deficiencies, bright light, loud noises, or allergens and strong odors.

At Hobrecht Lighting, we spend a lot of time in-store helping you choose the perfect lighting for your home or space. Quality lighting can make a significant difference in your overall physical, mental, and emotional health. We realize lighting is not the only way to minimize the number of headaches you get at home; therefore, we have searched for some other triggers. It is our goal to help you feel better and live a healthier life.

Discover how you can reduce the number of headaches you get at home by finding what headache triggers you experience consistently within the walls of your home. The following are common triggers to change or avoid to prevent future pain.

Physical Health and Attributes

Participating in consistent physical exercise and drinking enough water everyday can help minimize the flooding question of ‘why do I have a headache’? Your physical health and attributes play a major role in how your body functions.

Headaches might be caused by light sensitivity; therefore, the color of your eyes could influence whether or not you get a pounding feeling and pain inside your head. If you have lighter colored eyes you might be more prone to experience light sensitivity in environmental situations like bright sunlight. A darker eye color, on the other hand, has more pigment which makes it so there is some protection against harsh lighting environments.

Recommendations for physical health:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking water every day to prevent headache pain by listening to your body
  • Get a sufficient amount of sleep every night and do not sleep in odd positions to avoid muscle spasms, which cause headaches
  • Participate in physical exercise regularly and decrease inflammation applying a cold compress to your head or neck

Light

Different types of light give off different levels of intensity, impacting your overall health. Flickering, bright, glaring, and fluorescent lights can cause sensitivities from repeated exposure and leave you wondering “why do I have a headache?”

Some additional physical and emotional symptoms you might develop from extreme light exposure include but are not limited to: eye pain, blurred vision, eye inflammation, eye strain, dizziness, anxiety, depression, and many other symptoms.

The type of light also plays a factor in how your eyes react and whether or not you get a headache. Blue, white, red, or amber light can increase intensity; whereas, green light can decrease it.

Everyday exposure to electronic screens, overhead lights, and even sunlight, can become headache triggers. Evaluate how much light you are absorbing.

Suggestions for eye relief:

  • Turn down mobile phone, tablet, or computer screen brightness and limit electronic use
  • Change the light bulbs used in your home to LED or softer light options
  • Implement dimmer switches or use candle light
  • Install blinds, shutters, or shades on your windows to filter natural light at peak daylight times

Sound

Repetitive sounds or continuous noise can influence whether or not your head starts pounding. It could even leave you asking: “why do I have a headache?” because sometimes it is relentless. You would do anything to seek relief. White noise is everywhere.

Living in a world full of chatter, construction, and children it can be difficult to tune it all out and be productive. Unnoticed most of the time, the voices on the television shout throughout your home, followed by the videos streamed on social media, and the natural clicks of the clock – noise is overwhelming, not just loud.

Recommendations for ear relief:

  • Alone time – quiet time, read a book or participate in a concentration activity to distract your mind from the pain
  • Turn the television or streaming services
  • Wear headphones or listen to calming music to tune out loud noises when trying to focus

Airborne Allergens and Smells

Seasonal factors, such as airborne allergens can leave you asking ‘why do I have a headache?”

You could be getting a headache from hay fever, food allergies, or odors throughout your home. Specific allergens can have symptoms similar to a sinus infection or cold; however, it can be minimized by staying inside when the pollen is in season and deep cleaning your home.

Consistently remove mold spores, pollen, dust, dirt, and pet dander by cleaning your house and get you back to enjoying your daily routine. Remember to check the air flow throughout your house as well by switching out your filters.

Odors can influence a pounding head. Empty the trash, do laundry, and use unscented household products regularly to reduce headaches caused by smells. You can get a headache from odors because the pain receptors in the brain become stimulated causing them to dilate or swell, arousing the nervous system and making you experience pain, nausea, or sickness.

Recommendations for allergen and nose relief:

  • Ditch hidden allergens including dust and mites by applying a mattress cover to your bed
  • Wash your hands regularly, especially if you have an indoor pet or are exposed to one
  • Implement or add an air purifier to your bedroom or common spaces to filter out dust, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other allergens
  • Use fragrance-free lotions, soaps, and perfumes and minimize the number of air fresheners within your home

Headache triggers are different for everyone, so find what works best for you and free yourself from asking: ‘why do I have a headache?’ Seek relief by making small changes throughout your home.

To reduce the number of headaches you experience try implementing hygge, a Danish principle, into your home. Add lighting systems that imitate the natural light cycle of the sun. Through implementing strategic lighting fixtures throughout your home, depending on the time of day will improve your health by making living spaces more enjoyable and comfortable.

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