Whether home offices are used for work or play, they generally do not need significant amounts of light. Most home offices are where the computer is, and since you're looking directly at a source of light (the monitor) there is less need for large amounts of ambient lighting from light bulbs. It is good to have some ambient lighting however, in order to reduce eye strain.
Home Office Light Fixtures
Fixtures that are good for home offices are adjustable desk lamps of all sorts, and floor lamps for indirect lighting. The floor lamps and their indirect lighting are great for avoiding glare on the monitor, and also for reading/writing the old fashioned way (with paper). The mobility of these types of fixtures is another benefit allowing greater customization of your lighting.
In these days of energy efficient light bulbs and forthcoming light bulb legislation enforcement, there is little reason to use standard incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs are the best for home office lighting. Their energy draw is miniscule, but they provide as much light as incandescents and at even higher quality. Home offices usually don't need dimmer switches, as one level of light is sufficient.
Energy Efficient Light Bulb Options
Compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs are available in multiple color temperatures, so you can set the lighting tone in your home office far better than can be done with incandescents. As I've said in many blogs, I prefer daylight compact fluorescents, which have a color temperature of 6500K. People who prefer incandescent light would be best served by 2700K and similar color temperatures. LED light bulbs, due to their cost, are best used in small wattages to replace 40 watt incandescents. Adjustable fixtures are great for MR16 type LED flood lamps; their light spread isn't the best, but the direct place they light will be lit very well indeed.
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