9 Bathroom Lighting Tips: Design, Light Fixture Selection

A knowledgeable approach to bathroom lighting will enable it to fulfill other duties in addition to its principal one. Lamps may enhance the decor and visually enlarge even a tiny space. However, you must be very careful while selecting them because the bathroom’s usage of both power and water necessitates adherence to safety laws. Here are some suggestions for bathroom lighting.

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1. HOW MANY LIGHTS ARE NECESSARY?

The size of the bathroom directly affects how many fixtures there are. A chandelier in the middle of the ceiling with two or three bulbs will do if the space is very small and measures just 5 by 7 feet. To make all cosmetic operations much easier to perform, it is better to also illuminate the bathroom vanity and mirror area, especially if the bathroom is so small.

If the bathroom is large enough, zonal illumination should be a must-have option. The features of this lighting will rely on the layout of the room, the design concepts, and other elements.

It is crucial to consider a variety of other aspects that affect the lighting of the bathroom. Those include:

• the style of the interior, or rather the chosen color scheme, because, as you know, light shades reflect light fluxes more, which means that the room will seem more illuminated. The same point about glossy, mirror and glass surfaces;
• the height at which the lamps will be installed, because the closer they are to a person, the brighter the light they give;
• type of lamps.

It is better to determine the number and location of lighting fixtures at the stage of bathroom renovation planning in order to avoid unnecessary trouble and waste in the future.

2. WHAT KIND OF LIGHT SHOULD I SELECT?

Since there are so many options for lighting fixtures available nowadays, everyone can select the one that best satisfies their needs. Thus, the bulbs can be any of the following depending on their location on the surface:

• open;
• built-in. This choice is preferred for small bathrooms with low ceilings.

The lamps can be:

• Ceiling fixtures. This has stood the test of time. At least one ceiling light that will provide the room with general illumination should be installed in every bathroom;
• Vanity and wall lights.
• Floor lamps have a more ornamental use, since they may liven up a space’s decor. These lights are made to highlight specific functional sections of the room.

Each of the lamps used can perform one or more of the following functions:

• working lighting;
• decorative lighting;
• directional lighting;
• general lighting.

Today, various types of lamps can be used as light sources:

• incandescent lamps;
• halogen;
• luminescent;
• LED.

Everyone has the ability to select the sort of lamp they want, based on the design preference or their own desire to save money, but LED lamps should receive special consideration. Due to the fact that they do not heat up when operating, they are regarded as the safest and most affordable. Additionally, LED lighting is frequently used, which gives the bathroom’s interior a tremendous boost. The cost of LED bulbs is its lone disadvantage.

3. HOW DO I PROPERLY POSITION THE LIGHT SOURCES IN THE BATHROOM?

When placing lighting fixtures in the bathroom, experts urge extreme caution. According to experience, you should consider some of the intricacies, such as:

• Lighting should be consistent, thus keep the following in mind at all times: The more light sources in the room, the lower their power should be;
• it’s crucial to avoid glare, therefore you shouldn’t direct the lamps perpendicular to reflective surfaces: it is best if they are set at an angle;
• the light should be well distributed, and the lamps should be placed in all functional sections of the bathroom;
• Placing one lamp immediately over the mirror is a common error. The reflection in this situation is frequently slightly distorted. It is preferable to employ side or top and side mirror lighting; Color spots, such as unique ceramic tile inserts and colored blinds, can bring zest to the decor. To avoid distorting the reflection, it is preferable to avoid placing such details near the mirror;

It is better to connect different lamps in the bathroom with separate lines because you won’t always need to turn on all the lights at once. Those who like unconventional ideas can be advised to experiment with the location of the LED strip: it can be placed under the side of the bathtub, under the windowsill, etc.

4. IMPORTANCE OF CEILING LIGHTING

Even in the tiniest bathroom, one source of lighting is necessary, as was already established. Ceiling lights often serve as general lighting, and they must be present in the bathroom. Therefore, a chandelier is preferable for plain ceilings, while recessed lights can be used for suspended ceilings. Do not hang long chandeliers in low rooms; instead, take into account the room’s height. A spotlight is a great choice because it can be set to shine in any direction, providing adequate illumination throughout the room.

Lighting fixtures come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors, and the decision should be made based on personal preferences, the design of the room, but not forgetting about functionality.

5. WHAT BATHROOM FUNCTIONAL ZONES SHOULD I CHOOSE?

If your bathroom is large enough, it’s important to highlight different areas with separate lighting:

• a sink area with a vanity and a mirror obviously there;
• a bathtub or shower in the bathroom;
• a space that is free to be used for laundry, folding, or changing clothes.

Additionally, lighting can be added to furniture pieces. Shelves, cabinets, and bedside tables can all have small built-in lamps that emit gentle, unobtrusive light and can highlight the entire contents of the cabinet, making it simpler to locate the requested item.

6. MIRROR AND VANITY LIGHTING

The mirror must be lighted such that its reflection is as natural-looking, free of extra shadows, and without color distortion. In this situation, it is preferable to avoid colored lights and lamps underneath the mirror because they will cause superfluous color spots on your reflection. The shades can be matte or white as long as the light is as gentle as feasible. The ideal choice is to place light sources along the edges or all the way around the mirror. Any sort of lamp can be used, although it is preferable if the illumination is as reminiscent of natural daylight as possible.

7. BATH OR SHOWER LIGHTING

Bathroom lighting is optional and merely cosmetic, contributing to a calming and warm ambiance. So, you can arrange bottom lighting in the bathtub, hang a few sconces over the bathtub, and find multiple lamps in the shower. Everyone is aware that taking a bath is more of a restorative experience than a hygienic one, and the right lighting can enhance the comfort of such a rest.

7. DECORATIVE LIGHTING POSSIBILITIES

It is possible to employ lighting that has no functional purpose at all and is merely meant to adorn the interior and create a certain atmosphere in bathrooms that are sufficiently large and have attractive architectural aspects. Anything can be highlighted, including windows, steps, niches, and other room features. Even a tile with embedded LEDs is available nowadays.

Separately, it should be mentioned that floor illumination requires strong bulbs, such as those used for garden paths, and that their wattage should not exceed 5 watts. They may assist you in designing a distinctive décor and pushing the boundaries of the bathroom visually.

8. SAFETY REGULATIONS

Where electricity and moisture meet, there is an increased risk of unforeseen situations that can be dangerous. That is why when choosing, installing and using lighting fixtures in the bathroom, you need to follow a number of rules:

• correctly develop a bathroom lighting scheme, and this task can be entrusted to professionals;
• it is necessary to use only those lamps that perfectly tolerate the effects of moisture;
• metal parts of fixtures must be protected from corrosion;
• lighting fixtures in the bath and shower should have a power of no more than 12 W;
• it is impossible to place sconce lamps immediately above the bathroom;
• the risk of water splashing on wall or ceiling lights should be kept to a minimum. There is no place at all for open incandescent lamps in the bathroom, since when drops of water fall on the heated glass, the lamp may break altogether, and glass fragments will scatter around the room;
• in the bathroom there is no place for open wiring, extension cords, tees.

9. IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion. bathroom lighting is a small feature that serves multiple purposes at once, therefore organizing lighting needs considering a number of variables, including the type and power of the lighting fixture, the position, safety, design, etc. With all of this, it’s critical to remember safety, both throughout the repair process and moving forward. Keep in mind that you can make an environment that is snug as well as comfy owing to lighting.