i have a 3' double florescent over my cutting/ironing table, and another one over the area with 3 machines. in the other room i have another one over my ma. i have an ott table lamp on the desk for small jobs. it sounds like a lot, but with 3 machines and a big table in one room and the mid-arm in the other room and virtually no windows at all, i really need them, and could actually use more light. there's never enough light, is there? if i got another free-standing light, i would try a knockoff of the ott.