This is certainly an important question. Not so long ago I came across an article titled “A child has learning difficulties – change the light bulb”. You will say – exaggeration? Probably a bit, and yet it is true that light is important for better concentration, for the comfort and healthy eyesight of our kids.

Using the advice of our lighting specialists, I tried to explore this topic for my own use, as well as others. The question about the right light for studying is certainly very valid. What is important is the type of lighting, the intensity and color of the light, the correct location of the light source and the possibility of adjusting, especially in the case of table lamps.

According to experts, the daylight favors us the most, that is why we set our children’s desks as close as possible to the window so that they can use natural lighting as much as possible. The desk should be facing the window or stand perpendicularly to the window. In the latter case, right-handed people should have their light source on the left, and left-handed ones on the right.

We know, however, that in our geographical latitude, for long months our children will be doing their homework and studying using artificial lighting. That is why it is so important that we provide them with adequate lighting for their studying spot.

As a generation brought up in the realm of a traditional lightbulb, we have got used to it and usually prefer warm lighting. Such lighting creates a cozy mood and allows us to relax. However, experts recommend using light sources that are closer to natural daylight. It turns out that daylight has a much cooler color. Such lighting stimulates the brain and promotes better concentration.

LED lamps, which are gradually replacing traditional lightbulbs, but also halogen lamps or fluorescent lamps (found with all popular types of caps), are available in different variants in terms of color temperature. We should always find information about the color of light on the packaging. It is expressed in Kelvin degrees. The more Kelvin degrees the colder the color of light. It is assumed that daylight is about 5000-5500 Kelvin degrees.

So much for color, and what about brightness? One of the basic questions, after all, is how much light we need to read and study. On the internet, I accidentally found an article in which it was reported that about 20 square meters of room needed 400W of light. Well, a few years ago it would have been a useful clue. Today, from watts, we switch to lumens – a unit measuring the luminous flux. Why not watts? Today, energy-saving, modern sources of light do not need such power. The 10W LED lamp gives you as much light as a light bulb with a power of at least 75W. That is why today we rely on lumens. For comparison, the former 60W lightbulb gave a luminous flux of 800lm, 40 W – about 400-450lm, and to replace the former “hundred” we have to look for a source with a luminous flux of 1300-1500lm.

Does switching to LED lamps mean that we have to replace lamps, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures throughout the house? Fortunately, not necessarily. As I mentioned earlier, we are able to buy LED light sources with all popular types of caps, in various shapes and sizes, and we will be able to match them to most of our favorite lamps, wall lamps etc. So if we already have a comfortable desk lamp for our child, preferably with regulation of the height and the angle of incidence of light, it is enough to just match the appropriate source of light to it.

How to do it? First of all, pay attention to some of the most important information that you will find on the packaging:

  • type of cap – depends on the purpose of the light source (on the fitting in which it will be used),
  • luminous flux – measured in lumens. The higher the value, the more light,
  • color temperature – indicates whether the source is lit with cold, neutral or warm light,
  • dimensions – will allow to check whether a given source of light can fit in a specific place or a given fitting.

In addition, you can also find information on the packaging about:

  • longevity – how many hours a given source of light will last,
  • number of on / off cycles – how many times we can turn on and off the light,
  • operating temperature or humidity resistance – which determine whether a given light source can be used outdoors or only indoors,
  • colour rendering index

However, if you stand in front of a shelf with LEDs in our warehouse or market and it turns out that you do not know what to choose and do not remember what you were supposed to be guided by – do not worry, just ask our salesmen for advice.