Right now my desk is situated right next to a window. I don’t get a huge amount of sunlight, being on the north side of the building, but it’s enough that it helps to perk me up during the day.
I’ll be moving at the end of March. My lease expires, and rather than renew, I’ll be moving into my boyfriend’s place closer to the city until we settle on a house and move again (likely a few months later). My concern is that his apartment can be even dimmer than mine, and where I’ll be putting my pseudo-office has no natural light (meaning a dreary Jenn, especially during night writing).
I’ve been looking into getting a UV spectrum desk lamp, because I’ve read that you get similar effects to sunlight. The only desk lamps I’m finding though all seem rather small, and I’m wondering whether they’re really going to put out enough light to keep me alert and focused on my writing and other work.
Does anyone here have experience with UV spectrum lamps? If so, do you think they provide enough light?
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I have several UV lamps. One is in my bird room and the other is a small bedside reading light. I find the light to be much brigher, more like reading in daylight, than under a regular bulb, which casts a yellowish glow (at least I think this is a UV lamp – if not its just a better reading light). You might want to check Staples. They had several nice desk lamps with the brighter daylight/UV bulbs. Once I get my office in order (after moving recently as well), I think I will be getting another for my desk. Best of luck with your lamp search.
This is something I’ve wondered about too. It is really hard to focus on work in a dark, dreary room. In fact, it’s hard to focus on just being awake. Are these lamps expensive?
Thanks for the feedback Renee. :) Staples was actually next on my list to check, and I’m glad to hear they sound like they’ll be bright enough for a working environment. :)
@Kathleen – I’ve seen them vary quite a bit, from just over $20 to well over $100.
I just looked at the Staples website and a few others specializing in the natural spectrum lights. I’m not finding a whole lot of good reviews, and many of the lamps are just flat out ugly – and yes, I’m that fussy. I like my work area somewhat serene (plants, small fountain, little rock garden on the desk, etc.). The clunky ones just aren’t going to cut it, and I’m not sure I’m willing to spend $100 – 200 on a desk lamp without even know how well I’ll work with it.
In the sense of being energy efficient, I’m thinking I’ll keep looking at these, but I’ll probably also look into some fluorescent light desk lamps and compare them.