Veterinarian Office Lighting

Lighting is an important factor in any location. When planning the lighting in a veterinarian office, this type of setting has a few unique considerations of its own. Here are a few tips to achieve the best balance of function and appearance in your veterinarian office.

• Reduce glare as much as possible. The issue of glare can cause discomfort for everyone involved, including the staff, pets, and pet owners. A good way to avoid glare is to choose anti-reflective lens and diffusers to soften light. You can also look at light placement to reduce glare. For example, indirect lighting where the scope doesn’t fall directly where the task is being performed or meets the eye in the line of vision is a great way to create a comfortable lighting environment conducive to the location.
• Consider task lighting. While overhead lighting is crucial, it shouldn’t be the only aspect of your lighting plan. Any space needs a certain calculated number of lumens to provide proper illumination. However, this figure can be generated by more than one lighting source. Task lighting is usually more focused and directed to a spot such as a desk or exam table. When planning this type of lighting, make sure it is placed so that the output beam is below eye level to avoid glares or discomfort.
• Mix and match solutions to create layered lighting. Many veterinarian offices choose just one type of lighting, usually the overhead fluorescent tubes, but this tends to create a less enjoyable and effective lighting outcome. Similar to the idea of task lighting, you want to incorporate several different solutions into the office to create a more inviting space for pets and their owners, as well as your staff. An example of this would be combining wall sconces in the waiting room with overhead lighting to create a better balance. You also want to have equal amounts of up and down light to balance out the space.
• Add ambient light. Going to the vet can be stressful for not only the pet, but the owner as well. Many veterinarian office lighting plans are aiming to create a more pleasing environment. Ambient light is a gentle casting of light that is less about illumination and more about creating warmth. Of course, if ambient light is not right for your space, you can also experiment with a warmer color temperature instead of a cooler one to create the same atmosphere of inviting warmth to put visitors at ease.