Glare in Commercial Lighting Design: How to Reduce Glare Indoors

In commercial interiors, glare is a silent deal-breaker. A space can achieve the right illuminance levels and still feel harsh, fatiguing and unpleasant to work in. That is when complaints start, productivity drops and post-handover “lighting fixes” become expensive.

For architects, consulting engineers, interior designers, facility managers and contractors, glare control is not just a comfort issue. It is a design quality issue and, in many applications, a performance and safety consideration too.

This guide explains what glare is, why it happens and how to specify lighting that delivers visual comfort without compromising efficiency or project outcomes.

What is glare?

Glare is excessive brightness in the field of view that causes discomfort or reduces the ability to see clearly.

In real projects, glare typically shows up in two ways:

• Discomfort glare

  • Discomfort glare is glare that results in the feeling of visual annoyance or irritation caused by light sources that appear too bright. Although it is still possible to complete tasks in the affected area, this type of glare can result in severe eye strain/damage over prolonged exposure and often results in a significant reduction in efficiency.

    
    

• Disability glare

  • Disability glare is glare that results in a reduction in visual acuity caused by bright light scattering inside the eye, which reduces contrast. This type of glare often results in the inability to complete tasks in the affected area.

  
  

Both matter. Discomfort glare drives complaints. Disability glare creates risk.

Why glare is so common in commercial interiors

Glare is rarely about “too much light” alone. It is usually a combination of spec choices and layout decisions, including:

• Visible high-luminance LED sources (especially shallow optics or clear covers).

• Poor shielding and cut-off control where the light source is directly in the line of sight.

• Incorrect mounting height or spacing creating hot spots.

• Highly reflective finishes (gloss floors, polished stone, glass partitions, stainless, whiteboards).

• Wrong beam angles aimed into occupant view.

• Over-lighting to compensate instead of improving distribution and control.

In offices, retail and hospitality, glare can be amplified by typical viewing conditions: seated eye level, long sightlines, and frequent screen use.

The business cost of glare

Glare is not a “nice-to-have” improvement. It has measurable operational impact:

• Lower comfort and productivity from visual fatigue and headaches.

• Increased complaints and rework (diffusers, repositioning, retrofits, additional controls).

• Poor perceived quality of the space, even when premium finishes are used.

• Reduced usability for screens, reception counters, meeting rooms and task areas.

• Safety concerns in circulation spaces, stairwells and transitions between bright and dim zones.

Glare control is often the difference between a technically adequate installation and a genuinely successful one.

How to reduce glare:

1) Prioritise optical control, not only wattage and lumens

When specifying luminaires, look for:

• Recessed or deep-set light sources that reduce direct view of the LED.

• Controlled optics that put light on the task plane, not into the eye line.

• High-quality diffusers or lenses that minimise harsh hot spots and visible LED points.

A quick on-site indicator: if it is uncomfortable to look toward the general area of a luminaire at typical eye level, it is likely to create complaints and be the source of decreased efficiency.

2) Design for screens and sightlines

In offices and boardrooms, glare often appears as:

• reflections on monitors.

• bright luminaires within the normal seated field of view.

Best practice is to:

• select luminaires with appropriate shielding and distribution.

• position fittings away from primary sightlines.

• avoid “bright points” above desks and meeting tables.

• balance illumination so the room feels evenly lit without harshness caused by high levels of contrast.

3) Use layered lighting instead of brute-force brightness

Over-lighting is a common response to dark patches, but it often increases glare and energy use.

A better approach is layered lighting:

• ambient lighting for general illumination

• task lighting where detailed work happens

• accent lighting only where it adds value (feature walls, displays, brand elements)

Layering improves comfort and typically produces a higher-end look.

4) Match the luminaire to the interior finishes

Reflective surfaces can create reflected glare, even if the luminaire itself is well controlled.

If your specification includes glossy tile, stone, glass or polished floors:

• Select diffused luminaires

• use softer distribution and better cut-off where possible

• consider luminaire placement relative to reflection angles, especially in corridors and meeting rooms

5) Pay attention to glare metrics during design

Commercial project teams often assess glare using established metrics during the design phase, especially in offices and screen-heavy environments.

The point is not to chase a number for its own sake, but to ensure the selected luminaire and layout will deliver:

• comfortable viewing conditions

• reduced fatigue

• better usability across typical occupant positions

If the project demands performance certainty, glare evaluation should be part of the lighting design conversation, not a post-installation afterthought.

A quick glare-control checklist for commercial projects

Use this before final sign-off:

• Can the LED source be seen directly from seated or standing eye level?

• Are fittings positioned in primary sightlines (walking paths, reception seating, desk rows)?

• Are there strong reflections on screens, floors, counters or glass partitions?

• Is the beam angle appropriate for mounting height and spacing?

• Does the design feel evenly lit, or is it “bright points” with dark gaps?

• Is the solution layered, or is it relying on more fittings to solve distribution problems?

Get glare control right with Superlume

Glare control is where product selection and lighting design decisions truly show. Superlume supports commercial project teams with specification guidance that balances:

• visual comfort and user experience

• practical performance for the task

• design quality and long-term satisfaction

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Contact us for expert advice on glare-controlled lighting for your next commercial interior project.