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Improve Your Focus at Work with Light

It‘s no secret that there are a number of factors can affect your focus at work: from loud office banter to the slight humming of a computer. However, even after addressing the most common distractions, you may still find that your productivity at work is not where it should be. This may be because you’ve completely ignored one of the most significant factors that affect productivity: light. But before you start changing out your light bulbs, read on to find out exactly what you can do to address the productivity killer that’s been looming over your head (literally).

Importance of Lighting

The type of light you have around you while working significantly affects your ability to focus and work efficiently. The human body is very sensitive to light and the way it is used can make or break your output at work.
If you’re working from home, the light you use during the day may affect your ability to get good rest at night, which, in turn, can affect your focus at work the next day.
The wrong lighting can cause eye strain, leading to tiredness and headaches.

What You Can Do

Improve Focus at Work With Light — Modern conference room interior

Before you learn what can be done to improve your focus at work, it is important to understand how light works. Light is measured by temperature in a system referred to as Kelvin (K). This system uses numbers to convey the color that is emitted when an object reaches a certain temperature. When objects are heated, they usually go through a range of colors: red, orange, yellow, white, then bluish white. Following the pattern of how color is seen on a spectrum, the lower the temperature of the object, the “warmer” the color and the higher the temperature, the “cooler” the color.

Lower temperatures usually measure no more than 3000 K while higher temperatures start at 4600 K and go up. Color temperatures in the middle (3100 K—4600 K) usually give off a cool white.

There are four main types of light sources most commonly used in office settings: natural, fluorescent, incandescent, and LED. All of these light systems can be measured in Kelvin, and all can help improve your focus at work in one way or another.

Natural Light

Since sunlight is considered the most natural light source, natural light refers to sunlight and any other light that very closely replicates the approximate 5,000 K to 6,000 K given off by the sun. No matter how close the Kelvin measurement is, the sun’s light is incomparable and is always recommended for work environments when possible.

Fluorescent Light

Fluorescent light often measures around 3000 K and is likely a reason why your productivity may have slowed. Despite the consistent reports of health issues, fluorescent light is still one of the most commonly used types of light in work spaces. Since it is a dimmer light, it often causes eye strain and can be hard to see in (especially if it flickers). Straining your eyes leads to headaches and migraines and is another distraction you certainly don’t need at work. If fluorescent lights are used, opt for brighter bulbs instead.

Incandescent Light

While they are the least energy efficient light, incandescent lights haven’t been known to negatively affect the body as much as fluorescent lights. However, like other light sources, they can come in a range of color temperatures. This provides a great deal of options for residential and commercial spaces, but for work environments, we recommend choosing a light in the higher color range (about 4600 K) so you can stay as alert as possible.

LED Light

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small, but super efficient device that produces light with semiconductors and electroluminescence. LED light offers a wide range of color temperatures (about 2700 – 7000 K), making them a popular choice for residential and professional spaces alike. However, if you plan on using them at work, we recommend opting for a cooler light so you can stay alert and focused while on the job.

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light

Natural light is ideal, but is not always an option depending on your work location. Artificial lights are commonly used for this very reason. However, they are often dim lights, which means they affect the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that causes you to feel sleepy. Natural, bright light from the sun usually inhibits the melatonin production process. This is why we work when the sun is up and sleep when it’s down—and why you may feel sluggish on a rainy day.

Artificial light can also affect the amount of cortisol in the body. If your body doesn’t have enough of this stress-regulating hormone, you may feel more stressed than is helpful for effective performance, causing you to feel tired.

Blue Light

As a shorter, faster wavelength, blue light produces more energy than most common types of light. Claims have been made about blue light negatively affecting sleep and overall quality of life. However, although it has been the subject of many health debates, there are claims that it stimulates the brain more than other kinds of light. It’s why going outside when you’re feeling drowsy can actually help wake you up a bit.

Having some blue light can actually be good for you. It’s not common knowledge that blue light also comes from the sun, but just as some of the sun’s rays actually does the body good, so does allowing some blue light while working—a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital shows that exposure to blue light during work actually helps you stay more awake and alert and improves your focus at work. When it comes to the light bulbs installed in your workspace, use blue-tinged lights in areas where you want to brainstorm and come up with new ideas, as the bluer lights will keep your brain more alert.

Since there is still some evidence that blue light can throw off your body’s circadian rhythm, we recommend using blue light glasses after sunset if you’re going to be using any devices like laptops, smart phones, and tablets. You may even notice that long-term exposure to blue light or blue-tinged fluorescent light during the day also affects your ability to sleep. If this is the case for you, we recommend wearing blue light glasses as often as you need and for as long as you need during your time at work.

Individual Needs

If you have sensitive eyes, you might find that you may need to choose an even warmer light than the typical mid-range type in order reduce the amount of strain on your eyes. It’s all about finding your productivity sweet spot. Just as some people might function better when listening to music and some prefer complete silence, you may be surprised to find that dimmer lights put you in deeper thought and actually allow you to work better, while bright lights affect your creativity. The type of job you have, your work environment, and your personal preference should all be taken into consideration when optimizing your space to improve your focus at work.

Hånsen lighting offers a wide variety of light types to fit your needs and help you work productively no matter the location. Choose from numerous fixture options to get the look you want for any space. You’ll see a huge difference in your productivity and overall well-being.

About Hånsen Lighting

Hånsen Lighting does more than just make your home beautiful. We provide lighting solutions patterned after the sun’s natural light cycle. In line with the Danish principle of “hygge”, our lights adjust with you, so you can feel a sense of comfort and coziness throughout the day. As the lights change throughout the day, your safety, visual acuity, and wellness are enhanced.

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Concentration Hacks for Brain Fog

Ideally, when experiencing situations or strict deadlines, we have thought about working with hyperfocus for hours on end without ever losing concentration and doing our best work. Sadly, our brains are not programmed to work effectively that way because we cannot hold attention for a long period of time. Being highly productive, focused, and efficient when brain fog happens is difficult to overcome; however, by completing the following hacks you can increase concentration.

Multitasking vs. Prioritizing

Multitasking can make you feel productive; however, it actually takes longer for your brain to switch between tasks as you struggle to keep the details straight.

Walking through this simple exercise can help illustrate the difficulty and provide insight into how to prioritize tasks. Take a scratch piece of paper and a pen, while timing yourself — write the word multitask at the top of the page, directly below the word write the numbers 1-9. How many seconds did it take you to complete both of these tasks? Next, time yourself as you write the first letter of the word “multitask” and the number one, followed by the next letter in the word and the next number, in chronological order (i.e. M1U2L3T4I5T6A7S8K9). How many seconds did it take you to complete this task? It should not come as a surprise to note the latter exercise takes twice as long.

It is difficult for the human brain to switch from letters to numbers quickly without getting distracted. Staying focused on one task at a time increases concentration, saves time, and naturally allows your brain to work more efficiently. Each task will become clear because your brain has had the ability to refocus and solely work on it in greater detail.

Brain Training For Sleeping

Struggling to get to sleep because your brain cannot focus or shut off due to the relentless chatter and negative thoughts? An effective way to quiet the chatter is to (while the lights are off and you are lying in bed), close the right eye and then try to focus the left eye onto a point of light or shadow and not lose focus on it. High concentration is key, here. The reason to start this exercise with the right eye is that the human brain is programmed, and it will affect the way the body reacts.

When closing one eye and increasing your concentration, it shuts the vision receptors down in half of your brain and causes the other half to work harder without being able to use the entire brain. This causes your brain to stop the chatter or eliminate the negative thoughts because it is trying to figure out why half of the resources are not in operation.

While this technique can be applied when sleeping, therapists and optometrists use it to also help generally in relationships, insomnia, ADHD, OCD, and improving vision.

Schedule Your Concentration Blocks

Disconnect or unplug to become more productive. Limit the number of times you check your phone, email, or social media by scheduling periods of time where you can have access. Start by monitoring your behavior and making little changes to reduce brain fog and increase your concentration. Study how you spend your time, each day, and see what activities take up the most time.

It is said your brain can start to get distracted or even wander after twenty minutes. If you are studying or need to keep your attention towards a specific task, start by breaking the activity into short 20-minute intervals, spaced out with five-minute breaks. Be completely dedicated to the task for 20-minutes, not stopping until the timer goes off. After four sessions or tasks, take a longer break. Breaking up the amount of time spent on a task helps your brain by releasing a consistent amount of dopamine and allowing you to feel accomplished for completing a task. Productivity will be increased as each job can be accomplished better and faster.

Redesign Your Physical Environment (Clutter and Light)

Evaluating and adjusting your physical environment can influence how productive you are and your ability to concentrate clearly. Becoming more aware of your physical surroundings whether it be in your home, apartment, or workplace will maximum concentration and eliminate distractions.

Remove the Clutter

Stress the mess, as there is a correlation between mental space and physical space. Start in a small concentrated space by removing unused or unnecessary items.

It is easy to get in over your head, but remember to start in a small area, make it a daily habit, and make small adjustments to create clear thinking.

Light Exposure

Adequate lighting is key to increased concentration whether it be inside or outside. Light affects the amount of melatonin your body produces resulting in productivity and your overall well-being. Having access to natural light can help you become more alert and productive in your daily tasks. When using technology, ensure your eyes don’t get too tired from high concentrated exposure and possible glare. Prevent flicking overhead lighting at home or in the workplace.

Investing and implementing different types of lighting throughout your space in accordance with the sun, also known as hygge — a Danish idea, increases concentration as your body can naturally adjust to the changes in light. This concept will allow you to have a healthy start and end to your day, minimizing brain fog and creating a sense of comfort, by allowing your body to be in-tune with your biological clock as the day turns to night.

Applying the simple hacks for brain fog will not only increase concentration but will help you become more productive at home or in your workplace. Your mental health will be clear and focused making it so you can be more efficient in your daily tasks.

About Hånsen Lighting

Hansen Lighting is healthier lighting for healthier living. Operating under the Danish principle — hygge, our lights are patterned after the sun’s natural light cycle and will adjust with you, so you can concentrate effectively but ensure comfort throughout the day. With innovative solutions that many people would never think of, we can bring natural light solutions into your home, apartment, or workplace.

Improve Your Focus at Work With These 3 Types of Light

Workspaces are optimized in many ways to ensure hard work and efficiency are taking place within them. However, one aspect that employers and workers alike often neglect, is the lighting in an office or working environment. It is actually quite simple to improve your focus at work by selecting the proper types of lighting for your specific space. Poor lighting can cause a strain on your eyes that you may not even notice day to day. However, insufficient lighting can cause issues like headaches, irritability, and visual fatigue, that affect your ability to concentrate on work and negatively affect productivity. There are a variety of simple solutions that can help you improve your focus at work and optimize efficiency without changing any other habits other than the lights surrounding you! Lighting color, distance, and position can all be adjusted to optimize focus based on your work atmosphere.

We have broken these tips into the 3 types of light you should be aware of in your work environment. When you are aware of these types of lights and the way they affect your productivity, you can optimize them to improve your focus at work. So let’s cut right to it!

3 Types of Light to Improve Your Focus at Work:

#1: Natural Light

Natural daylight is the best kind of light you can have during a workday or while trying to focus on a task. In an office or home, this often comes in the form of sufficient windows and skylights.

Color temperature is a great way to tell the difference between the appearance of light coming from different fixtures versus the outdoors. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and ranges from warm white lights which are cozy and relaxing (2000-3000K), up to daylight which is cool, crisp, and energizing (4600-6500K). These higher color temperatures reach their peak naturally at around noon and actually have a larger impact on mental activity, alertness, and the central nervous system. This range of cooler light temperature 5000K+ is great for working because it is bright and invigorating without putting a strain on your eyes.

However, because most offices do not have proper natural lighting, and those that do find it hard to ensure this light is consistent throughout the year and at different times of the day, offices cannot rely solely on having impressive natural lighting. If you are hoping to improve your focus at work, take note or how much natural light you get and follow these tips to supplement with additional types throughout the day:

#2: Cool LED Lighting

When natural light is harder to come by, there are some lights better at mimicking its beneficial effects than others. Bright white LED light can improve your focus at work the same way that natural lighting can. Most obviously, artificial light is crucial in making vision more clear in a work environment where you’re switching from something that many be easier to see like a computer screen, to a plain, unlit piece of paper. However, choosing bright artificial lighting with cooler color temperatures can imposter natural light in a way that also keeps your circadian rhythm on track and ensures you are alert during the middle of the day when you need to perform at your best.

You see, the amount of blue light emitted from a fixture increases as the color temperature does. So when we talk about cooler light, we’re referring to lights that are 5000K+, also sometimes referred to as blue light. If you’ve heard of blue light as being negative, it’s likely because of its ability to keep you from sleeping at night. This is because your body is not meant to want to sleep in the middle of the day when the light outside is at this color temperature. While blue light isn’t good right before bed because it stimulates alertness and reduces drowsiness, that is exactly what makes it great for improving focus!

So how do you apply this to your workspace? To give your body the perception of daylight and keep your brain alert and high-functioning, we suggest choosing overhead lighting that is higher than 5000K. Your overhead lighting should also disperse light evenly throughout the space to ensure you’re not straining your eyes from switching for one brightness to another. If you have direct control over your lighting in say a home office, we suggest installing a light dimmer so that you can bring down the brightness when you are getting it from other sources (daylight or a computer screen).

This type of light is one that you are able to have more control over than the natural light you get in your workspace. However, often times in a work environment, you do not have complete control over the types of overhead lighting in your space. While there are many reasons for office spaces to switch to LED lighting, it’s often out of your hands. Therefore, once again, it’s important for you to take note of the balance of natural and overhead light you do have access to and learn how to make your own adjustments where you can, to improve your focus at work.

#3: Task Lighting

Finally, if you’ve found that the previously mentioned light sources are out of your control, task lighting is the kind that you can actually go to the store today and purchase to help improve concentration in your workspace. We’re talking, desk lamps, swing arm overhead spots, wall-mounted lights, under-cabinet lighting, table lamps, and even book lights. No matter what you’re working on, there’s a task light that can be tailored to your activity to ensure your lighting is doing as much to help you get the job done as possible.

Tips for task lighting include paying attention to where you are placing your fixture. You most often want your lighting to come from behind you without any visual disruptions from other things. Take into consideration if you are right or left handed so that your arm is not casting a shadow upon your work. If you are older you may want to look for a brighter lamp. However, if you work solely on a computer, a consistent low level light is better to not strain your eyes. Make sure your task lighting covers your entire workspace, again, so you are not switching from one brightness to another. LED task lights are great for this because they tend to have the most controlled beams of light.

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The perfect lighting balance can sometimes be hard to find on your own. Maybe you are unsure of how to apply this balance to your workspace when you can only control one type of lighting. Or maybe you’re more stressed about designing a new space from scratch, unsure of how to best optimize it to improve your focus and efficiency. Whatever your situation is, professionals at Hånsen Lighting are more than happy to help. From suggesting different color temperatures for different home and office spaces, to customizing lighting solutions for every type of person, at Hansen we care about far more than beautiful lighting. We care about how it works to improve your everyday life.

About Hånsen Lighting

Based on the Danish concept of “hygge”, the idea that coziness and comfort lead to contentment and total well-being, we recognize the ways in which lighting can impact our everyday lives. Hånsen Lighting creates lighting systems that noticeably improve safety and wellness in your home by improving sensory experiences, reducing visual strain, and enhancing visibility.

At Hånsen Lighting, we utilize different colors, brightness levels and angles of lighting at different times of the day to mock the natural light cycle. Ultimately, we are excited to show you how this can make your space more welcoming, cozy, and joy-filled for you and your family. See what makes us the leading healthy lighting provider in Utah!

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Tips for Good Sleep: It’s not About Counting Sheep

We have all heard how important sleep is to our everyday lives; our health, energy, mood, and patience are all affected by the quality of sleep we get. Not to mention there are various studies linking things like weight and memory to the quality of sleep as well . For these reasons and more, tips for good sleep can be a crucial component to improving the overall health and success of you and your family.

Kids are shown to struggle more during school and in their social lives when they are not receiving appropriate sleep. And while we do what we can to get them in bed on time, it often seems difficult to do much more than that to ensure they are actually sleeping through the night.

To help you out, we have compiled a short list of simple, yet effective tips for good sleep to make sure that you and your family get quality sleep night after night. Don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest that the simple fix is meditation or counting sheep. Ultimately, we know that when utilized, these tips and tricks can improve overall health potentials and keep your crew in their best moods, ready to tackle anything that comes their way.

So here we go, 5 tips for good sleep:

#1: Expose Yourself to Bright Light During the Day

First things first, during the day you need to be soaking up the sun. We all know that exposure to sunlight can benefit our health from the Vitamin D our skin produces in response to it. But what you may not have thought about before, is how natural bright light can affect your body’s circadian rhythm.

Basically, your body keeps an internal clock, that milestones throughout the day help keep on track. Aka: sunrise, noon, and sunset. Your body naturally finds it easier to sleep when it’s dark and awake when it’s light whether you’ve had a full 8 hours or not.

Additionally though, when you are exposed to bright light throughout the day, especially in the morning, your body finds it easier to experience a deeper and more satisfying sleep the next night. And if that’s not enough to convince you, “disrupting this circadian rhythm has also been linked to medical issues like depression, obesity, breast and prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disease.”

If you are like a lot of us and find it difficult to experience a sufficient amount of natural bright light during the day in between work, while taking care of kids, etc. there are other ways to keep your circadian rhythm on track. Certain types of light therapy are able to mimic sunlight by using bright white artificial lights that generate up to 10,000 lux.

#2: Watch Your Late Night Snacks

Our next tip for great sleep has to do with what you are consuming late in the day and into the evening. This may seem obvious, but caffeine is a real negative after mid-day. Although different people react to caffeine differently, it can stay in your blood for up to 6-8 hours and can heighten your awareness and focus, making it difficult to doze off. We hate to say it, but any coffee after 3-4pm should be decaf.

Food can affect sleep as well. People argue that eating late night snacks just prior to bed can actually make it harder to sleep. The type of food you’re eating can also make a difference, but this varies from person to person. Sometimes, high-carb snacks may put a person right to sleep. But in other cases, especially when a person is not used to a high-carb diet, it can make it more difficult.

Finally, stay away from gulping down water right before bed. Although it seems like a healthy habit to end your day with hydration, your body may wake itself up during the night having to run to the loo.

#3: Beware of Negative Light Exposure Before Bed

If you haven’t heard by now, the negative effects of blue light exposure, that’s a whole story in itself. We’re focused on how blue light exposure just before bed can affect your ability to fall asleep, though. The same things that make blue light so beneficial to staying awake during the day, make it terrible for sleeping. Natural and artificial light with blue wavelengths improves attention and mood, increasing alertness. This is not what you want right before bed. Save your entertainment and social media fix for before you get into your bed. Avoid screens and fluorescent/LED lighting as soon as you start winding down.

Other artificial lights can be negative as well. As previously discussed, your body wants darkness when it’s sleeping, because it sends a signal to the brain to decrease levels of melatonin, preparing you to snooze. Because of this, it’s really horrible on your quality of sleep if you keep the lights on. However, even smaller amounts of light such as dim lamps and the glow of your alarm clock can be negative.

#4: Stick to a Schedule

No one wants to hear this tip for good sleep, because it means committing to going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. While this may feel limiting, it really frees you up to feel like your best self each and every day. Avoid hitting the snooze button, and commit to a single alarm so that you can experience your deepest sleep for as long as possible before the time comes.

Another trick is incorporating a relaxation time into this schedule. If yoga and meditation aren’t your things, there’s plenty of other options. Have a meaningful conversation with your spouse or family to get all your thoughts from the day off your chest BEFORE getting into bed. Sit and listen to some relaxing music. Even one or two songs can make a difference. Whatever it takes to rid your mind of any nagging thoughts, plan to do it every day and before getting ready to sleep.

#5: Optimize Your Sleep Environment

There are dozens of tips for good sleep, but this is our favorite. Your bedroom absolutely needs to be optimized for sleeping. Many people argue that that’s, in fact, the only thing it should be designed for. Avoid your bed until you’re actually going to sleep, and then make sure your surroundings are set up to help you get the rest you deserve. Some of these have been mentioned, but this is the culmination of all the best sleep factors, put into effect in the place where it all happens. Be intentional about the temperature, external lights, amount of noise, and furniture arrangement that are going on in your bedroom.

Choose lamps that aren’t too bright don’t emit blue light. Charge your phone in a place where it won’t light up and wake you in the middle of the night. Drown out excess noise with a calming noisemaker when necessary, and keep your room cool. If you’re struggling with the decor of your room and setting it up as an optimal space for sleep, look to lighting and design experts for help. This is anything but a waste, in the long run, to help you and your family receive great sleep each and every night.

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So that’s it! Well, of course, there are always additional tips for good sleep, but we truly believe that if you really commit to using these 5 to create healthy habits and a supportive home environment, you will improve you and your family’s overall relationship with sleep.
There are some habits you’ll have to break yourself, to improve your nightly slumber. But if you’re concerned about how the light in your home is affecting the sleep of you or your family, let us at Hånsen Lighting, help. Visit us online or at one of our locations in the Salt Lake City area, where we can walk you through these tips for good sleep and the types of lights that are best at all times of the day to ensure your circadian rhythm isn’t disrupted. Let us help you find the perfect lighting solutions that will increase the health and happiness of your family.

About Hånsen Lighting

Based on the Danish concept of hygge and lighting science principles, Hånsen Lighting creates lighting systems that noticeably improve safety and wellness in your home by reducing visual strain, enhancing visibility, and improving sensory experiences.

At Hånsen Lighting, we utilize different angles, brightness, and colors of lighting throughout the day, imitating the natural light cycles of the sun, to introduce a healthier form of lighting that increases the happiness in your home. Ultimately, this makes your space more welcoming, cozy, and joy-filled for you and your family. See what makes us the leading healthy lighting provider in Utah.

Start Your Healthy Lighting Journey Today!

Which Forms of Light Cause Long-Term Damage to Your Eyesight?

As humans, we are surrounded by light. Unfortunately, over time, certain types of light waves can be damaging to our eyes!

With the naked eye, we can only detect lightwaves on the visible light spectrum, so it’s important to educate yourself on how to keep your eyes protected. As you might know from experience, ultraviolet light from the sun has the ability to burn your eyes. Neighboring ultraviolet light on the visible light spectrum is blue light, which is emitted from the electronic devices we use every day.

The good news is you can improve your eyesight by learning what forms of light cause long-term damage and let your future self thank you!

Visible Light Shouldn’t be Taken Lightly

The visible light spectrum contains all the colors of the rainbow. Our eyes are constantly exposed to different wavelengths of light, varying in length and strength. For example, at one end of the spectrum is ultraviolet (UV) light having one of the shortest wavelengths but carrying the most energy and infrared light is on the opposite side of the spectrum, with the longest wavelength and the least amount of energy.

The crazy part is that objects don’t actually have color. We only perceive an object’s color based off of the lightwaves a particular surface is reflecting and absorbing.

Objects aren’t the only thing that absorbs light– the human eye and brain work hand in hand to convert the energy from visible light into an image. Cones in our eyes are the ultimate receivers for visible light waves. Because of this, it is beneficial to be aware of the strongest visible light waves in order to preserve and improve your eyesight.

UV Light

UV light, short for ultraviolet radiation. This is the light we mentioned earlier as having the shortest wavelength but the most amount of energy. In other words, it is the strongest and has the ability to be the most damaging to not only your skin but your eyesight too.

Ultraviolet light is the light your mom probably warned you about, nagging you to wear sunscreen and sunglasses all summer long. As usual, your mom was right. Other sources of UV light include tanning booths, black lights, fluorescent and incandescent light sources. Although, you shouldn’t let UV light keep you from doing what you love or from being outside!

Just take this as a friendly reminder to use proper eye protection because no one is immune to UV light. The longer your eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of experiencing vision damage or developing cataracts later in life.

Pro-Tip 1: Take time to protect your eyes and improve your eyesight with 100% UV blocking sunglasses while outdoors and never look into the sun or a fluorescent light bulb directly. Also, make sure the lighting in your home is safe for you and your family!

Blue Light

It’s been a long day of staring at your computer screen. You come home and your eyes are feeling heavy and strained. Having trouble staying asleep? You may be exposing your eyes to too much blue light. Blue light is one step down from ultraviolet light on the visible light spectrum, producing high amounts of energy!

Studies show that too much blue light can disrupt the sleep cycle and cause Digital Eye Strain, also known as, “Computer Vision Syndrome.” The most common sources of blue light are our electronic devices including phones, tablets, and computers.

Too much exposure to blue light has been known to cause macular degeneration, indicating serious damage to the retina. In the digital age, this is becoming more and more common. Blue light is not something to be taken lightly.

Pro Tip 2: You can protect your eyes from electronic devices by purchasing blue light blocking glasses or turning on Night Shift mode. Night Shift mode automatically shifts the colors in your display to the warmer end of the spectrum, cutting out some of the blue light. Also, we suggest installing the proper lighting into your home to reduce visual strain!

Improve Your Eyesight

Improve your eyesight by protecting your eyesight! Simply being aware of the harmful forms of visible light is the first step. Taking the necessary precautions and purchasing protective eyewear will prevent common vision problems and save your eyes in the long run.

Be kind to your eyes, after all, they work so hard for you.

About Hånsen Lighting

At Hånsen Lighting, we take pride in creating lighting systems that improve the safety and wellness of your home. Hånsen Lighting is engineered to reduce visual strain while enhancing visibility.

Light makes a house a home. At Hånsen we know, light has the ability to set the mood and the overall feeling in a home. Introduce a healthier form of light into your home. Protect you and your family today by choosing Hånsen lighting.

Start Your Healthy Lighting Journey Today!

How to Choose the Right Ceiling Fan for Your Home

Some of the most overlooked fixtures in the home, ceiling fans have more than just aesthetic value. Of course, they can beautify your home with personality and pizzazz, but they also have a practical use.

Ceiling fans help promote air circulation and improve air quality. But heading to a big box store and grabbing the first one you see won’t do. To find the right one for you, three things must be carefully considered.

Here’s what you should look for when buying a ceiling fan for your home:

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#1: Blade Pitch

Blade pitch refers to how steep the blades are when attached to the fan motor. Since every degree in alignment affects how much air is moved, it’s important to find the“ample pitch”. For example, a fan with a 14-degree blade pitch pushes about 80 percent more air than a fan with a 10-degree blade pitch.

Most stores only offer fans with a lower blade pitch, so consumers have to use a lot more power to get the fan to work the way they want. Not only is this very inefficient and uses much more energy than necessary, it also causes fans to burn out after just a few years and require a costly replacement.

At our Lighting Experience Center in the Salt Lake City area, we feature fans with a blade pitch between 12 degrees and 18 degrees. This optimal range for quality ceiling fans ensures the fan will run at a low speed with silent operation.

Plus, you won’t need to go looking for a replacement for many, many years. What’s even better? We offer a lifetime warranty on many of our ceiling fans so you can enjoy the benefits of proper air circulation for years to come.

#2: Energy Star Rating

Look for Energy Star-rated ceiling fans. Energy Star fans are guaranteed to last longer and save you money. When you see this logo, you know the fan is made with durable and reliable parts, and will also work efficiently in your home.

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#3: Airflow Direction

Ceiling fans can be set to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Why is this? It all has to do with the season. Yes, the time of year actually affects the airflow needs of a room!

If you set your fan counterclockwise, the air will be pushed directly downward. This setting is best suited for summertime when the downward airflow will give a nice, cooling breeze that reaches the whole room. If your fan has a higher blade pitch, you can even reduce the “feel” temperature of the room by an entire 7 degrees!

However, during winter the hot air rises to the ceiling. Set your fan clockwise during colder months, and it will push the air off the ceiling and out to bounce it off the walls to create a warmer feel that fills the entire room.

Now that you know how to choose the right ceiling fan, you will be able to enjoy a unique sense of hygge that is far too often overlooked.

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About Hånsen Lighting

We’re committed to offering you the best lighting and ceiling fan fixtures that will not only serve practical purposes throughout your home but beautify it as well. In line with the Danish concept of hygge, we encourage our customers to install these fixtures in unique ways to bring happiness and cozy vibes into their homes.

Visit our Lighting Experience Center in the Salt Lake City area to learn more about our healthy lighting solutions!

How the Benefits of Light Can Decrease Depression

Did you know: The light in your house could be the cause of your depression symptoms?

Have you ever noticed yourself feeling a little bluer during the winter months? If so, you may have experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is quite common in most people. SAD is a specific type of depression that is affected by the changing weather or seasons.

A similar effect can also be caused by poor lighting in your home, even in the Summer months. Fortunately, we’ve got some great ideas to show you how the benefits of light can help brighten up your home and your life.

Sun Lamps

The Winter months can be long, dark, and cold. Almost everyone can feel the effects of the lack of sunlight. A great solution to brighten your room and gain the benefits the sun has to offer is by adding a sun lamp into your home.

These kinds of lamps produce similar light the sun would and can provide benefits of increased productivity, higher levels of alertness as well as boosted feelings of happiness.

Cool Tones vs. Warm Tones

Choosing warmer tones for your home in things such as paint, furniture, and lighting can make a huge difference in your mood. Warmer tones can help provide a feeling of coziness, especially during the cooler and darker months.

So take a trip to the store to find a new warm paint color for your walls or add a perky yellow piece of furniture to brighten up the room. You’ll be amazed by the benefits of light, warm tones on your mood.

Cozy Nooks

f you’re ever feeling blue, having a cozy nook to escape to can help lessen feelings of depression. Being in a safe space where you can be yourself and do something you love can help elevate your mood significantly.

Find a comfy chair, a cozy blanket and a cute little bookshelf for a nice little nook. Make sure there’s plenty of good lighting for your nook to really add that extra cozy feeling.

Open the Window

This seems simple but it’s an easy thing to do to help boost your mood. Letting in some fresh air and some natural sunlight will really help you feel the benefits of light in your home.

So draw open those curtains, pull up those blinds and let the warm sun seep into your home.

Donate Clutter

Clutter can actually have a significant negative effect on your mood. Clutter creates dark corners in your home and can increase levels of stress.

Take some time to clean out the things in your home that you don’t use anymore. Keeping things simple and clean can help you feel more comfortable in your own home.

Set a Theme

When you are feeling sad or depressed, closing your eyes and transporting yourself to a more peaceful place can be helpful. Why not make that peaceful place a reality in your own home?

Perhaps a jungle bungalow brings you peace or maybe beach vibes relax you or maybe even a cozy cabin to hunker down and help you feel happier.

You can create your own little paradise by incorporating plants, pictures, lighting and even scent to your home to help brighten your mood.

Brighter Lights

Changing the actual light bulbs in your home can make a significant difference in your mood. Typically, fuller coverage with warmer toned lighting can provide you with the full benefits of light. Ensuring that you have the right coverage of light and the right temperature are very important in creating a safe space in your home.

The Benefits of Light

Having better lighting in your home can add a multitude of benefits to your life. Better lighting can increase mood, productivity, focus, alertness and more.

Hånsen Lighting in Orem and Sandy, Utah have experts to help you find fixtures that will fill your home with wonderful bright light. The lighting in your home can make a huge difference in your mood. If it’s too dark in your home, feelings of depression could come creeping in. Don’t let that happen, visit one of the experience rooms at Hånsen Lighting and see for yourself how the benefits of light can change your mood for the better.

4 Ways to Avoid Headaches in Your Home

Have you ever asked yourself ‘why do I have a headache’ when you’ve been in the house all day? It could be caused by external or internal factors including physical health deficiencies, bright light, loud noises, or allergens and strong odors.

At Hånsen Lighting, we spend a lot of time in-store helping you choose the perfect lighting for your home or space. Quality lighting can make a significant difference in your overall physical, mental, and emotional health. We realize lighting is not the only way to minimize the number of headaches you get at home; therefore, we have searched for some other triggers. It is our goal to help you feel better and live a healthier life.

Discover how you can reduce the number of headaches you get at home by finding what headache triggers you experience consistently within the walls of your home. The following are common triggers to change or avoid to prevent future pain.

Physical Health and Attributes

Participating in consistent physical exercise and drinking enough water everyday can help minimize the flooding question of ‘why do I have a headache’? Your physical health and attributes play a major role in how your body functions.

Headaches might be caused by light sensitivity; therefore, the color of your eyes could influence whether or not you get a pounding feeling and pain inside your head. If you have lighter colored eyes you might be more prone to experience light sensitivity in environmental situations like bright sunlight. A darker eye color, on the other hand, has more pigment which makes it so there is some protection against harsh lighting environments.

Recommendations for physical health:

Stay hydrated by drinking water every day to prevent headache pain by listening to your body
Get a sufficient amount of sleep every night and do not sleep in odd positions to avoid muscle spasms, which cause headaches
Participate in physical exercise regularly and decrease inflammation applying a cold compress to your head or neck

Light

Different types of light give off different levels of intensity, impacting your overall health. Flickering, bright, glaring, and fluorescent lights can cause sensitivities from repeated exposure and leave you wondering “why do I have a headache?”

Some additional physical and emotional symptoms you might develop from extreme light exposure include but are not limited to: eye pain, blurred vision, eye inflammation, eye strain, dizziness, anxiety, depression, and many other symptoms.

The type of light also plays a factor in how your eyes react and whether or not you get a headache. Blue, white, red, or amber light can increase intensity; whereas, green light can decrease it.

Everyday exposure to electronic screens, overhead lights, and even sunlight, can become headache triggers. Evaluate how much light you are absorbing.

Suggestions for eye relief:

Turn down mobile phone, tablet, or computer screen brightness and limit electronic use
Change the light bulbs used in your home to LED or softer light options
Implement dimmer switches or use candle light
Install blinds, shutters, or shades on your windows to filter natural light at peak daylight times

Sound

Repetitive sounds or continuous noise can influence whether or not your head starts pounding. It could even leave you asking: “why do I have a headache?” because sometimes it is relentless. You would do anything to seek relief. White noise is everywhere.

Living in a world full of chatter, construction, and children it can be difficult to tune it all out and be productive. Unnoticed most of the time, the voices on the television shout throughout your home, followed by the videos streamed on social media, and the natural clicks of the clock – noise is overwhelming, not just loud.

Recommendations for ear relief:

Alone time – quiet time, read a book or participate in a concentration activity to distract your mind from the pain
Turn the television or streaming services
Wear headphones or listen to calming music to tune out loud noises when trying to focus

Airborne Allergens and Smells

Seasonal factors, such as airborne allergens can leave you asking ‘why do I have a headache?”

You could be getting a headache from hay fever, food allergies, or odors throughout your home. Specific allergens can have symptoms similar to a sinus infection or cold; however, it can be minimized by staying inside when the pollen is in season and deep cleaning your home.

Consistently remove mold spores, pollen, dust, dirt, and pet dander by cleaning your house and get you back to enjoying your daily routine. Remember to check the air flow throughout your house as well by switching out your filters.

Odors can influence a pounding head. Empty the trash, do laundry, and use unscented household products regularly to reduce headaches caused by smells. You can get a headache from odors because the pain receptors in the brain become stimulated causing them to dilate or swell, arousing the nervous system and making you experience pain, nausea, or sickness.

Recommendations for allergen and nose relief:

Ditch hidden allergens including dust and mites by applying a mattress cover to your bed
Wash your hands regularly, especially if you have an indoor pet or are exposed to one
Implement or add an air purifier to your bedroom or common spaces to filter out dust, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other allergens
Use fragrance-free lotions, soaps, and perfumes and minimize the number of air fresheners within your home

Headache triggers are different for everyone, so find what works best for you and free yourself from asking: ‘why do I have a headache?’ Seek relief by making small changes throughout your home.

To reduce the number of headaches you experience try implementing hygge, a Danish principle, into your home. Add lighting systems that imitate the natural light cycle of the sun. Through implementing strategic lighting fixtures throughout your home, depending on the time of day will improve your health by making living spaces more enjoyable and comfortable.

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About Hånsen Lighting

With 60+ years of experience, we have lighting experts available to help you with every lighting need or desire. With a unique approach, we want your home to be your favorite place to be.

Visit Hånsen Lighting to start adding to a wishlist or view the hundreds of light fixtures we have in stock. We want to help you find the right lighting, as it should do more than just brighten your home. Hånsen Lighting can assist you in implementing the perfect lighting to improve your overall health. Visit a showroom at one of our locations for a local lighting experience or shop online.

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5 Tips to Improve Your Relationship With Light

What is your relationship with light?

Does your brain first think of the sun radiating light and heat? How it naturally influences the details of how life comes to be? The role it plays in biology, impacting the life cycle? Or does your mind automatically go to a lightbulb that radiates artificial light 24 hours, if needed?
Have you ever entertained the thought of how you see light and the chemical synapsis that takes place within the body to allow your brain to process what you are actually seeing? Regardless of what you thought of or where your thought process is currently, it is important to evaluate your personal relationship with lighting and health.

Lighting and health are directly correlated, meaning one affects the other. As human beings we need light to survive. From the air you breathe to your circadian rhythm – light impacts your overall health. Implement the following tips to improve your relationship with light and increase your overall wellness.

1 – Internal Light – the Human Glow

Humans admit light and the body actually glimmers. It goes unnoticed to the naked eye because the emission is so weak, but you have it. You actually shine.

Human bioluminescence, according to a study completed by a Japanese researchers, indicates changes within the body based on energy levels. Most living organisms actually admit weak amounts of light which is caused by the biochemical reactions within molecules.

As you are attracted to light, it can draw us together making this world codependent. Additionally, human beings have an innate desire to connect or feel connection one with another. In nurturing relationships and allowing yourself to feel a sense of belonging you may seek emotional safety.

Benefits of internal light:

Improves mood – Benefit from connecting with others. Increase your mood by interacting in social settings and reduce depression or anxiety. Exposure to light can make you feel happier, as it produces serotonin.

Behavioral changes – Establishing a positive physical environment and circumstances will directly influence your health.

Expands social relations – Create more valuable human connections as you foster nurturing qualities throughout your social circle. Connecting with others around you by being present in the moment.

2 – Optimize Your Mind

Light obviously affects your vision, but it also impacts other functions within the body and mind like how balanced your circadian rhythm, internal or biological clock is.

Colors of light stimulate the brain in different ways; affecting the hormones and chemicals produced including serotonin. This feel-good chemical will influence basic mental function, your overall mood, and emotions.

Your visual system processes light at a faster rate than your circadian rhythm and even uses different forms. Neurobiological and physiological systems are also altered by exposure to light.

When you are thinking of lighting and health, understanding basic light functions will help you with brain responses and in establishing a positive visual environment. Artificial lighting can disrupt your rhythm making it difficult to stay alert throughout the day.

Benefits of optimizing your mind:

Higher productivity – Having the ability to focus intensely on a task by having a clear mind will make you more productive. Efficient and effective task management can help in improving your daily health.

Ability to focus – Improve your mental function and ability to focus by reducing the amount of artificial light you are exposed to.

Improved alertness – Become more alert as you expose yourself to brighter light during the day, balancing your circadian rhythm, and sleep in darkness.

3 – See the Sun, Every Day

Lighting is required for your circadian rhythm, biological clock, to work. As humans, the proper amount of vitamin D can only be achieved by receiving 20-30 minutes of sunlight daily. Supplements and specific specialized diets can help in boosting vitamin D levels, but do not allow the body to receive all that it needs to improve health.

The sun releases multiple colors of light, one of which is blue light even though it appears to be white or yellow when observing with the naked eye.

As the sun moves across the sky and depending on the time of day, the amount of visible blue light will fluctuate – making it so there is more blue light when the sun is at the highest point in the sky and less blue light when the sun is setting. This is particularly important when evaluating the visible spectrum of light and comparing wavelengths to energy.

To maintain a natural rhythm, light variation can be valuable because it will help you re-set or become more in sync with your biological clock. Evaluate the pattern of the sun and set your routine to mimic it, as best you can.

Benefits of sunlight:

Effective pain management techniques – Exposure to sunlight can help you manage pain, recover more quickly, and minimize the number of painkillers you need because of the chemicals produced in the brain.

Helps you sleep – Sunlight helps your body produce melatonin, making it easier for you to fall asleep and get more sleep.

Improved mindfulness and self-care – Reconnecting with nature by getting up and going outside can help you improve your physical health, making you discover deeper self-worth and become aware of what is around you.

4 – Light Blocking Glasses

Sunglasses help protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can be damaging to your eyesight if exposed to large amounts. UV rays have higher energy than visible light.

Being more than a fashion accessory, sunglasses can block up to 100% of ultraviolet rays. Additionally, if you are inside, blue light glasses can filter out blue light being emitted when looking at a screen for a long period of time.

Minimal exposure to natural blue light is helpful and can contribute to overall wellness; however, artificial blue light can create eye strain and long-term damage depending on the dosage.

Benefits of light blocking glasses:

Benefits vision – Reduce the risk of developing eye diseases by wearing protective gear.

Minimize mental irritation – When changing visual tasks throughout the day whether you are working on a computer or viewing a smart phone it can be difficult to adjust to the amount of light provided. Supplement the type of light you are looking at with artificial and natural light to reduce mental irritation.

Reduce eyestrain – Blocking your eyes from the sun or filtering out blue light can reduce or eliminate eye strain making it so you can focus longer.

5 – Home Lighting Improvements

Improve your relationship with lighting and health as you establish a sense of coziness throughout your home. Turn the lights down or work natural lighting options into your floor plan.

Hygge, a Danish Principle, can be implemented by purchasing or upgrading lighting fixtures throughout your space with ones reflecting the movement and position of the sun.

Travel back in time as you prioritize simplicity by lighting candles in the evening or snuggling up by the fireplace, emitting lower light throughout the room. Change out traditional light bulbs for LED lighting options to increase durability or add a dimmer to each light switch. I possible, install a skylight as it can provide heat and bring natural light into any space.

Benefits of home lighting improvements:

Enhance sensory experiences – Using candlelight or fire light at night will help your body wind down as you prepare to sleep. Dimming the lights in a defined space can also set a specific mood in a room.

Creates a comfortable environment– physically enjoying your home and space can help you feel calm and at peace.

Energy efficiency – Implementing small changes throughout our home can help you save money on your electricity bill long-term, relieving stress.

Find out what will help you have a positive relationship with lighting and health as they go hand in hand. Not only do living organisms have a deep need for light, but you do too. Whether you bask in the sunlight or implement Hygge lighting throughout your home, apartment, or workplace — there are many ways to improve your relationship with light.

About Hånsen Lighting

Hansen Lighting is your guide to wellness. We implement Hygge, a Danish and lighting science principle, by offering lighting fixtures which reflect the natural light cycle and help make your home a happy and peaceful place to live. Enjoy a happier and healthier life by let us help you improve or upgrade the lighting in your home or office.

Visit a showroom near you or add your favorite lighting designs to your personalized wishlist on our website to improve your lighting and health.

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5 Lighting Design Rules: Keepin’ it Lit!

Whether you’re interested in designing a new space or upgrading your current one, there are some very important lighting design ideas to keep in mind.

Lighting can be the make or break of a beautiful, efficient, and functional space that you will either want to spend all your time in or be dying to get out of.

If you follow these simple lighting design rules, you’re sure to create an environment that you love and that is best set up to make your life a lot brighter!

If you’ve ever started from scratch with any type of design, it can be a little daunting. We suggest thinking about lighting as part of your entire design instead of adding it in as an afterthought.

When great lighting design ideas are implemented in a home, office, or other space, it can actually make a huge difference in the health and happiness of an individual or family interacting with it day in and day out.

If you’re interested in rehauling your lighting situation, follow these 5 simple lighting design rules to keep your spaces lit!

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#1: Know Your Room:

Designing a lighting plan for different rooms requires completely different planning and implementation.

Consider what the most important thing you will be doing in this particular room is. Is it a space for sleeping, relaxing, or productivity? This is the first step to finding great lighting because once you know what you want out of your space, you can learn how different lights will help you optimize it for that function.

For instance, bright white and blue lighting is actually great for energizing a person to reach full efficiency and get more done.

Offices, kitchens, and creative spaces are great places to utilize blue lights. However, if used too late in the day, blue light can continue to keep you awake when its time to hit the hay.

In your bedroom, warm lighting and candles are far better suited for relaxation and good sleep.

If you think lighting design is entirely about which lamp most beautifully fits the aesthetic of the rest of your interior design, you’re missing the mark.

Light is a crucial component of any design. So when you’re planning your room, think about what you need it to do for you. Simple as that. Then you can begin searching out lighting design ideas that will make that plan a reality.

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#2: Functionality Comes First

There’s nothing more frustrating than living or working in a space that just doesn’t make sense… even if it’s beautiful. Your lighting design should always put functionality first. If you’re looking in the right places, you can still find a beautiful fixture to fit the function you need.

This applies to main lighting as well as the smaller details. Think of workspaces like countertops and bathroom vanities. Adding lights under cabinets or over mirrors will make a big difference in not only adequately lighting your space but ensuring your space is functioning the way you need it to.

All this is to say, don’t get too caught up with the look of your lighting before you think about the purpose it’s actually serving. We’ll get to the pretty stuff soon, don’t worry.

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#3: Mimic the Pattern of the Sun

This one may not make sense without a little bit of explanation:

Sunlight affects your body’s natural circadian rhythm by telling it when to wake up, when to be at full efficiency, and when to wind down.

This is why getting natural sunlight in the morning and afternoon is great for productivity and positivity! However, different color temperatures of light can actually mimic this to make sure your circadian rhythm isn’t thrown off by harsh or inappropriate lighting for the time of day you’re using it.

Sunlight follows a pattern throughout the day, changing from warm tones of the sunrise, to bright white lights midday, finally into dims and warmer tones in the evening. Color temperatures (measured in Kelvin) represent these different tones of light.

Your lighting design ideas should mimic the sun by utilizing different color temperatures at these different times during the day to help your body naturally function the way it was designed to.

Lighting between 1,500 and 2,700 Kelvin is similar to a sunrise and helps you more easily wake up and transition into go-getter mode.

The afternoon is all about bright, white overhead lighting between 3,000 and 4,000 Kelvin to keep energy up and productivity at an all-time high.

Finally, use warm, dim, lower-than-eye-level lamps and wall lighting fixtures in the evening to copy the cozy sunset feeling.

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#4: Get Creative

Great lighting design ideas include so much more than just overhead lights. Think chandeliers, pendants, spotlights, floor lamps, fairy lights, votives, and more! A great lighting company will have gorgeous lighting fixtures that still check all the boxes of the aforementioned.

Especially when it comes to task lighting, and evening mood setting, overhead lights aren’t the best at getting the job done.

Think outside the box with many different types of fixtures that are all working together to fulfill that larger purpose you established. If this seems overwhelming to you… well, let’s move on to step 5!

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#5: Ask Questions

Coming up with Lighting design ideas can be fun and exciting, but can often become stressful when you don’t know what you’re doing. Moreover, it’s possible to buy a bunch of lights that don’t end up working together or fulfilling your ‘functionality first’ intention.

There is no shame in asking for help. Professionals can help you make your vision a reality while ensuring your lighting design ideas are actually efficient and effective at appropriately lighting the most important areas in your life!

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If you’re located in Utah, Hansen Lighting has friendly lighting professionals to help you do just that. They are able to help you balance your lifestyle with your aesthetic style to beautifully light your home or other spaces.

Hansen Lighting follows the Danish principle of Hygge which is a way of utilizing your spaces to make them cozy and comfortable. By optimizing your lighting, you can actually improve the overall health and happiness of those living in your home.

Hansen Lighting is the perfect place to turn your lighting design ideas into reality. Start with a wish list of your favorite beautiful fixtures. Then, visit an experiential center in Utah to see Hygge lighting for yourself and hear from a pro how to utilize it in your home.

Visit Hansen Lighting Today!