Lighting Tips for your Bathroom

To make it a bathroom where you can feel your best, you need to style it with the correct lighting. Bathroom lighting, like most other rooms in your house, should be layered, with ambient light for general illumination, task lighting for grooming, and accent lighting for aesthetic highlights.

Outstanding lighting is essential for great bathroom design. Lighting is just as important as the fixtures in a place that each family member utilizes on a regular basis. A layered approach to lighting that treats each bathroom function separately, from grooming to unwinding, while functioning as a whole to accentuate the best aspects and create ambience is the key to success.

Task Lighting

In the bathroom, task illumination is essential. Other than general lighting, the most important function of lighting in a bathroom is to light your face when using the vanity mirror. Whether it’s to shave or put on makeup, during these sorts of tasks is where you need your lighting to work for you — the rest of the lighting in your bathroom is considered general or creative mood lighting

Installing a light above the mirror that casts light on the face as well as the mirror itself is one technique to accomplish this. This allows the light to bounce evenly over the face, reducing shadows and glare. The other way is to light either side of the mirror. This provides equal light onto each side of the face, again eliminating shadows cast by overhead lighting.

The right accent

Show off your best design features and fittings with accent lighting. Recessed spotlights make stylish statements, while lights with domed covers spread the light out more evenly. Bath and shower lighting works best with diffused rather than direct light.

Illuminate cabinetry with integrated LEDs and add flexibility by having lights wired to separate switches and installing dimmers to control the brightness.

The impact of strip lights around the mirror or under the vanity is amazing. It also helps to provide a soft lighting so that you don't startle your body awake when you go to the restroom late at night. Decorative pendants are another type of accent lighting. These offer a touch of elegance to a bathroom and help to create a spa-like atmosphere.

Wattage for Bathroom Lighting

In the main or guest bathrooms use fixtures that provide 75 to 100 watts of illumination, which equates to a 24 to 26 watt compact fluorescent or 20 to 25 watt LED.

Compact fluorescent bulbs are best for task lighting. Lights in a second bathroom, where there is less need for task lighting, can function with much lower wattage, in the 45 watt range.

TIPS FOR YOUR BATHROOM LIGHTING

Whatever lighting fixture you choose, make sure they have the appropriate IP rating for wet areas. Speak to your electrician for advice on safe installation locations and requirements.

Besides lighting, maintaining airflow is also an important consideration in the bathroom. Install an exhaust fan to expel the stale moist air to the outside of your home and leave a window open to allow fresh air to enter. This helps maintain a circulation of healthy air and keeps your bathroom dry and safe from mould.