Start with the screen, window and working hours
A practical first arrangement is to place the desk so the window is to one side of the screen. A bright window directly behind the screen can create a difficult contrast; sunlight behind you can reflect in the display. The best arrangement depends on the room, so test it with the actual equipment.
Direct sun and daylight are different. A room can receive useful daylight from the sky without a sunbeam crossing the desk. The US Department of Energy's daylighting overview provides background on using natural light in buildings.
Check more than one moment
- Sit at the proposed desk at the beginning, middle and end of your normal work period.
- Look for reflections in the screen and bright areas in your normal line of sight.
- Test a video call: a window behind you may leave your face poorly lit.
- Check whether blinds or another desk position solve the problem without darkening the whole room.
- Repeat when possible in a different season, since the sun's height and direction change.
Use orientation to anticipate questions
East-facing windows may admit morning sun and west-facing windows afternoon sun. Outside the tropics, equator-facing windows generally have more opportunity for winter direct sun. These tendencies do not determine the light inside a particular room: neighbouring buildings, balcony slabs, window size and room depth can outweigh the compass direction.
A comparison of apartment orientations can help shortlist rooms. In hot climates, solar control and ventilation may be more useful than maximizing direct sun.
What the app helps you investigate
Coffee in the Sun shows estimated shadows from mapped buildings around your address. Use it to investigate a nearby building that may obstruct the relevant part of the sky. It does not simulate sunlight through your exact window, at your floor or across your desk. Trees, awnings and terrain are not included in the shadow model.
Make the workspace adjustable
Try movable blinds, a different screen angle and a desk lamp for darker periods. Keep controls easy to reach, and evaluate the arrangement while doing real work instead of judging the room from a doorway. Where changes to windows or exterior shading are involved, check the building's rules and seek appropriate advice.
If you are still choosing a home, add your proposed desk position to the viewing checklist. A bright room is valuable only if the light works for the way you use it.
