Lighting is a key component when it comes to designing a beautiful and practical home office because it brightens up your space for a variety of different tasks. Lighting also provides the opportunity to make a stunning design statement, add texture, and continue a color scheme.
There are countless options, from a traditional table lamp to ceiling track lighting, and depending on the size and style of your office, you may find that the space can accommodate multiple sources of light.
We’ve rounded up 42 office lighting ideas to transform any room into a beautiful and productive space you love spending time in.
Pendant Lights and Chandeliers
Rattan Pendant Light
Hang a rattan pendant light to incorporate a textural piece into your office. In addition to providing overhead lighting, it casts beautiful shadows that set a calming atmosphere.
Statement Pendant Light
A statement pendant light is a great way to add an interesting shape and contrasting material to an office. Consider the furnishings and decor in your office and, if you find lots of linear elements, opt for a round pendant light that breaks up the straight lines.
Farmhouse Lantern
Hang a farmhouse-style lantern-style pendant to infuse your office with historic charm. This timeless fixture makes a dramatic statement with its size. It also looks stunning in a transitional space with a neutral color palette, a subtly patterned wallpaper, and layered materials.
Milk Glass Pendant Light
Milk glass is opaque white glass that’s commonly used for light fixtures. Unlike clear glass which is see-through or frosted glass that’s semi-transparent, milk glass has the appearance of white porcelain. It’s an elegant option for a pendant light that’s both traditional and timeless.
Glass Shade Pendant
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp
Maintain a light and airy office aesthetic with a glass shade pendant light. The clear glass construction prevents the fixture from looking bulky or cluttering the room and doesn’t diffuse the light for maximum brightness.
Geometric Pendant
If you’re working with a small office space or even a closet turned into an office, a ceiling light provides a great opportunity to introduce an interesting detail. This geometric chandelier doesn’t overwhelm the tiny office space but packs a design punch for maximum visual impact.
Three-Arm Light Fixture
A three-arm ceiling light fixture adds an interesting sculptural element and disperses light in multiple directions to fully illuminate the room. Adjustable arms allow you to angle each light as needed and the metal base adds a shiny detail to dress up a standard white ceiling.
Sputnik Chandelier
Add a touch of mid-century modern style to your office with a sputnik chandelier such as this brass fixture with exposed bulbs. Multiple bulbs provide plenty of light and the sculptural design instantly draws the eyes up to the ceiling, visually enlarging the space.
Antler Chandelier
Create a modern rustic office with dark woods and cozy worn-in leather, and hang a statement antler chandelier for a striking effect. The unique fixture brings in a mountain cabin-inspired look, draws the eyes up, and fills negative space.
Contemporary Candelabra
Put a modern spin on a traditional candelabra chandelier with a more streamlined and contemporary version of the classic light fixture. It’s a simple way to instantly elevate an office and give the space a more sophisticated feel.
Crystal Chandelier
Design by Jess Bunge and styled by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design, Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Take a glamorous approach with a crystal chandelier to give your office a sophisticated makeover. Emphasize its elegance and a tall ceiling height with floor-to-ceiling curtain panels and a soft off-white wall color that keeps the room bright and open.
Exposed Bulb Fixture
Infuse your office with industrial style by opting for an exposed bulb chandelier. The geometric design adds visual interest to the ceiling and since the light bulbs are exposed, make sure they all match. Go with clear Edison light bulbs if you want to emphasize the vintage effect.
Ornate Candelabra
Choose an ornate brass candelabra to adorn your office ceiling if you want to create a glamorous aesthetic. Juxtapose warm brass with cool gray tones on the walls and continue the metal throughout the room in the form of wall sconces, table legs, and hardware on built-ins.
Globe Chandelier
Make a dramatic statement with a globe chandelier. A ceiling fixture of this size and with such a bold impact needs breathing room, so make sure that there is plenty of clearance for the hanging light and it doesn’t look cramped.
Beaded Chandelier
A beaded chandelier ushers in a playful touch and lots of visual interest. This type of chandelier comes in a variety of designs—from neutral wood beads to colorful ombré versions. The beads differ in size and arrangement too and often have a tiered design that makes a dramatic visual statement.
Ceiling Lights
Recessed Lighting
Install recessed light for a practical way to brighten a finished basement office or one with low ceilings. They provide an even distribution of light without taking up any physical space and work well in combination with other lighting sources such as a desk or floor lamp.
Semi-Flush Mount
A semi-flush mount is a popular choice for an office light fixture. It has a low profile, tends to be inexpensive, comes in a variety of styles, and is a little more decorative than a regular flush mount.
Track Lighting
Design by @yaelweissinteriors and @sketchfortytwo / Instagram
Install track lighting on the ceiling in your office to illuminate the room. Multiple bulbs brighten the space and their low profile is an excellent choice for a basement office or room with low ceilings.
Sculptural Ceiling Light
A sculptural ceiling light such as this one doubles as a piece of art in an office. It’s an unexpected design choice that makes a statement and adds a stylish edge to a utilitarian workspace such as an office.
Starburst Ceiling Light
Light up your office with a starburst ceiling light that adds a glamorous touch. Its sculptural design is highly decorative and casts beautiful shadows on the ceiling.
Brass Ceiling Fixture
Brass is a timeless material when it comes to office lighting. It’s used for a number of light fixtures, from table lamps to picture lights, but in this modern office, it makes for a stunning ceiling fixture.
Lighted Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan with a light is often more of a practical rather than a decorative choice. There are many stylish options available in a variety of metals as well as wood types, and the light is typically dimmable so you can adjust the brightness to your liking.
Task Lights
Adjustable Arm Task Light
Place an adjustable arm task light on your desk for direct lighting. You can position it at any height and angle to suit the task at hand and it doesn’t take up excessive surface space.
Black Metal Task Light
This black metal task light adds vintage charm to a wood office desk and introduces an unusual shape to the space. Wrought iron or matte black-coated stainless steel are materials that will never go out of style when it comes to lighting and work just as well in a modern space as they do in a traditional style home office.
Table Lamps
Rattan Table Lamp
Introduce a textural element into your office with a rattan table lamp. It brings in a natural element and a touch of vintage charm for a beautiful way to soften a workspace.
Ceramic Table Lamp
Use a colorful ceramic table lamp to brighten your office and add a fun pop of pattern and color. In this eclectic home office, the blue and green lamp ties in a tropical wallpaper while its shade is a design nod to the white office furniture.
Mushroom Table Lamp
Design by Jess Bunge and styled by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Bring in 70’s-inspired vintage flair with a mushroom table lamp that adds a fun decorative element to an office desk or console table. The retro light has a simple shape and its curved design is a great way to break up other more linear elements in the office.
Decorative Table Lamp
A decorative table lamp on the desk adds height and a lovely silhouette while providing direct task lighting. It’s a great addition or alternative to harsh overhead lighting and a great way to bring in an interesting shape, material, or color.
Exposed Bulb Lamp
An exposed bulb table lamp is a minimalist light option that looks great on a desk or cabinet in a home office. Use a vintage-style Edison light bulb since it’s exposed to add extra character to the lamp and the room in general.
Arc Table Lamp
An arc table lamp has an elegant shape, makes a beautiful design statement, and adds direct light. It’s a timeless choice for an office and if you want to add a little extra height, prop it up on a stack of books.
Glass Base Table Lamp
A glass table lamp is visually light if you want to prevent your office from looking cluttered. It’s clean and classic, and an excellent choice for a desk or console table.
Table Lamp With Fabric Shade
In a clean and classic office, you can’t go wrong with a table lamp with a white fabric shade. When choosing a lamp with a linen shade, turn it on first to see the color of the shade when the lamp is lit to ensure it’s what you envision, as it can look significantly different when the light is on as opposed to off.
Wall Sconces
Industrial Wall Sconce
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
For a touch of industrial style, mount a metal sconce on the wall above the desk in your office. The utilitarian design adds character and personality, and a wall-mounted fixture is a space-saving option if your desk isn’t large enough to hold a table lamp.
Plug-In Wall Sconce
A plug-in wall sconce is a bedroom staple, but it’s also the perfect way to illuminate your office. It offers great flexibility since it doesn’t require any electrical wiring, can be easily portable, and doesn’t take up any surface space, which makes it the ultimate pick for a small office.
Double Wall Sconce
A double wall sconce is a two-light fixture that is mounted directly on the wall, whether above a desk or to fill an empty office wall. It adds ambience and style, and comes in both a side-by-side horizontal design as well as a vertical configuration.
Floor Lamps
Three-Arm Floor Lamp
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Zeke Ruelas
Whether you have a reading chair in your office that could use a nearby light or you want to add some height to an empty corner, a beautiful floor lamp is the perfect option.
This mid-century modern style floor lamp features three arms for added light and its brass exterior pops against moody dark blue walls for a stunning design statement.
Brass Floor Lamp
A simple floor lamp is an inexpensive addition to an office when you need an extra source of light. Since it’s not installed into a wall or ceiling, it offers complete flexibility and creates a cozy reading nook when paired with an armchair.
Accent Lights
Picture Lights
Dress up built-in shelves in an office with picture lights. They add an elegant touch and offer a softer, ambient glow than an overhead light. Many picture lights are dimmable so you can adjust their brightness and there are also plug-in options available if you want to avoid electrical work.
Neon Light
Malcom Simmons for Emily Henderson Design
For an element of surprise, hang a neon wall light in your office. It’s a whimsical feature that relaxes the room and looks particularly striking in a space color drenched with a dark and moody paint color.
Bookshelf Lighting
If you have built-in bookshelves in your office, elevate them with lights on the bottom of the shelves. To forgo expensive electrical wiring, opt for battery-operated puck lights that are self-adhesive, dimmable, and typically come with a remote for easy operation.
LED Lighting Strip
Attach a lighting strip under floating or built-in shelves for a soft glow. If you want to skip the electrical work, purchase a plug-in or battery-operated version. In addition to brightening the office, the lighting strips also highlight shelf decor and are a great way to display collectible items.
Multiple Light Sources
Most home offices require multiple sources of light, as each has its own purpose. An overhead light such as a chandelier or track lighting provides general lighting for the whole room.
A small table lamp on the desk offers concentrated task lighting if you are typing or going through paperwork. For more ambient lighting, consider installing picture lights or wall sconces that bring a soft glow for a restful atmosphere.