While you might have floor lamps and pendant lights decorating your home, industrial and commercial lighting is all about function over form. In especially large spaces, such as warehouses, filling the expanse with enough light to keep employees safe can be a challenge. If you’re hoping to illuminate your warehouse in the smartest way possible, take advantage of the following strategies.

3 Commercial Lighting Tips for a Warehouse

1. Consider the Arrangement

If you’ve yet to finalize the layout of the warehouse, think about how it might affect the lighting. For example, if you need to install shelves nearly all the way to the ceiling for holding inventory, the lighting will only be effective if installed over the aisles—if a light was installed directly above the shelving, it would be blocked from reaching the warehouse floor. If you anticipate the need to rearrange the warehouse on a regular basis, you’ll want to ensure the lighting arrangement is just as flexible.

2. Minimize Glare

In order to illuminate spacious warehouses with high ceilings, commercial lighting fixtures have to be incredibly powerful. Unfortunately, this can pose risks for employees, especially if the light bounces off a reflective object and temporarily mars their vision.

To minimize the risk of injuries, look for lights that are designed to reduce glare, such as those encased in reflectors or diffusers. These spread light out in all directions instead of limiting it to an intense spotlight.

3. Consider the Color

While you might think all light bulbs give off the same color light, there are many different shades of “white” to choose from. Warmer bulbs have more of a yellow tint, while cooler bulbs have more of a blue look.

Too much blue light can cause eye strain, but light that’s too yellow could make it harder for employees to read labels or recognize graphics. According to the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), your warehouse lighting should be CRI 80 or higher. Luckily, most LEDs are CRI 85 or above.

If you’re looking for an electrical contractor to help you plan a commercial lighting project, turn to J.R. Electrical LLC of Marietta, GA. They cater to both residential and commercial clients, offering everything from installation services to repairs and maintenance. In addition to lighting, they can inspect your warehouse’s wiring, switchgear, smoke detectors, and security cameras. To learn more about their skills, visit the website or call (770) 420-1530.