The days when bathrooms were primarily used to shower and brush your teeth are long gone. Nowadays, bathrooms are more of a personal place for relaxation and romance and a place where shaving and applying makeup are done. Among all the things, lighting is one of the most crucial factors to consider in the bathroom, both in terms of functionality and esthetics, as well as for safety reasons.
There are a number of different ways to light up your bathroom, but it is important to choose the right one for your needs. As for lighting, here are some basics that could help you make the bathroom a place to relax and recharge.
Adequate Natural Daylight
Natural light is the most important thing when it comes to lighting. It is the best way to light up your bathroom, especially when you are using the bathroom during the day. Primarily, the first thing to do is to maximize the amount of natural daylight available in the room.
If you have a large window in your bathroom, make sure that it is well-positioned to allow plenty of natural light to enter. It is important that the window is not too high, as it will cause shadows in the room. Keep the window treatment plain, and this will allow the sunlight to enter your bathroom and provide adequate natural lighting.
If you are looking for more privacy in your bathroom, you can use a frosted glass pane or a roller blind to prevent spying from outside the house.
If you do not have a window in the bathroom, you can consider installing a skylight to let the natural light in.
Light Color
It’s better to choose light wall and tiling colors in your bathroom because they reflect natural or artificial light and make the room look brighter and more relaxing. Light colors such as white, light blue, and grey will help to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom.
You can also use some colorful towels and bath mats to make the bathroom look even more attractive. You can also add some interesting items to the bathroom, such as a mirror with a picture of your family, a flower vase, a plant, or a collection of your favorite things to match up with the wall and tiling colors for the best result.
Large Mirrored Cabinets
Large mirrored cabinets bounce light around the room, especially in small spaces to add a feeling of more space, light, and freshness. It will help you to create a feeling of a bigger room and a more spacious feeling.
Use the mirrors to create more space and light in the bathroom, and you can also use them to reflect the light from the windows. If you have a large bathroom, you can use the mirrors to divide the space into different areas.
Layer the Light
You need to apply different types and sources of light for adequate lighting in the bathroom, as in all other rooms. The layers of lighting are important because they can make the bathroom look more elegant and interesting.
Here are some useful tips, and you can use them in a combination as well:
- General ambient lighting: usually achieved by a ceiling-mounted fixture
- Task lighting: for shaving or applying makeup, accomplished with a pair of fixtures mounted on the wall, flanking the sink
- Accent lighting: for highlighting a plant, a beautiful tile, a piece of art. It adds depth, dimension, style, and elegance to the décor
- Decorative lighting: hang an eye-grabbing fixture to add luxury to the space
Place the Light Right
Consider carefully the position of the light fixtures to eliminate casting shadows and create a balanced lighting scheme with a soft and dreamy glow.
For example, there are several options to achieve the ideal lighting for the mirror zone that minimizes shadows and provides even illumination in your bathroom:
- Fixtures can be placed beside the mirror, above it, on it, or in the ceiling.
- Vertical sconces or strips at about 60 to 65 inches above the floor/flanking the mirror afford the greatest light coverage.
- As for above the mirror, choose a completely enclosed fixture or one with open diffusers. The latter can be mounted with the open end of the glass either up or down. And it should be placed 75 to 80 inches above the floor and, like all vanity lighting, contain at least 150 watts.
For extra light in the shower area, you can consider adding shower lights. Usually, recessed spotlights are used, specially waterproofed to protect them from shower spray. Another great option for this particular area is tile lights, and it definitely creates a wow effect.
Dimmers and Sensors
Also, you can consider using dimmer switches to dim the downlights in your bathroom. Dimmer switches give users the ability to adjust any lighting scheme and alter the mood of the space.
Not to mention that dimmer switches save energy as well, and they only use up to 80% less energy than halogen light bulbs.
Sensors cannot alter the lighting, but they can free users from reaching the light switch every time they come and go, which might help homeowners remain in a good mood in a similar way. Usually, a bathroom motion sensor switch can get the job done, and sometimes the switch can even control the fans and humidity as well.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that a bathroom is a place with high humidity. So it is important to choose the right kind of material for bathroom fixtures.
You might need to consult a lighting designer, yet it all depends on your creativity, inspiration, style, and taste to create your dream oasis where to start and end the day.
Safety First, electricity and water are lethal companions, and nowhere else do they mingle more closely than in the bathroom. So, always consult a certified electrician before tackling even the simplest lighting project in your bathroom.
