When it comes to lighting, home owners tend to focus mainly on the living room, the bedroom, or the kitchen. The bathroom, more often than not, is either ignored, or not taken seriously!
However, it is important to note that the bathroom is the one place we like to retire to when we are feeling down and out, and want to switch off. There’s nothing a long, warm shower cannot cure. Therefore, it only makes sense to pay attention to the bathroom interiors, and especially the lighting, since it needs to be just right to banish the blues!
On this thought, let’s take a look at some of the lighting options you can use for your bathroom…
Here’s How You Can Light Your Bathroom Right
Here are some kinds of lighting that will do justice to your bathroom.
1. Layered Lighting:
The modern bathrooms that offer hydrotherapeutic experiences are often fitted with oversized bathtubs and walk-in showers and thus call for proper lighting to enhance their utility. A good lighting plan for the bathroom should encompass a series of layers like extra illumination for daily tasks like showers, shaving, dental hygiene, make-up, etc., as well as proper overall lighting to enhance the mood of the room.
Additionally, specific lighting to highlight any décor would add charm to the bathroom. A properly lit bathroom will make one feel optimistic at the onset of the day and instill confidence throughout the day.
2. Ambient Lighting:
This first layer of lighting refers to the overall centralized lighting in a bathroom. This is predominantly a fill-in ceiling light that blankets the entire bathroom space sans a harsh glare. One can opt for various choices like a beautiful chandelier, pendant lamp, flush mounts, etc. Track lights that cover larger spaces are also a good option.
While ambient lighting helps you to broadly and safely move from one space to another in the bathroom, it is not suitable for working closely with various grooming essentials or for highlighting your face. This is where the second aspect of task lighting plays a key role.
3. Task Lighting:
This second layer of lighting is required for daily tasks where one can best view themselves. Routine tasks like shower, shaving, etc., require proper task lighting.
4. Vanity Lighting
An essential aspect of task lighting is Vanity lighting, which is used to illuminate the face properly for personal grooming.
A common mistake made in this area is fixing recessed ceiling fixtures straight above the mirror. Such fixtures will cast shadows on the face especially under the chin, nose, and eyes making grooming activities difficult.
The vanity lighting should have at least 150 watts and should be placed at eye level. It is ideal to place the vanity lighting on either side of the mirror about 37 to 40 inches apart and about 65 to 66 inches above floor level roughly meeting the eye level.
Sconce lighting fixtures work best for casting an even light on the face. A good pair of extended sconces help to diffuse the light on the vanity mirror evenly. Sconces on big mirrors at sink vanities offer better functional task lighting.
5. Shower Area Illumination:
The secondary area in task lighting is that of the shower. This is a tricky area, and it should be ensured that only damp rated lights are used here. The electrical parts should be fully enclosed to prevent moisture covering them.
In case the bathroom consists of a bathtub then one can go in for the traditional recessed lights of dim fixtures. Dimmers in the bathtub areas help to offer romance and relaxation. If you want to be royally pampered, then treat yourself to a lavish bath in a tub beneath a stunning, bright and decorative chandelier.
However to get the spa feel and to add more drama and glow, one can go in for soft lighting above the bathtub with LED strips or other indirect forms of illumination.
6. Powder it up Right:
To brighten the powder room opt for a recessed mirror into the wall with bright LED lighting above and below the recessed mirror.
The task lighting in a powder room can have lower wattage, as it offers a relaxed ambiance. Also, the powder room is not the area that one uses for daily morning personal grooming rituals and hence it can be slightly dimmer to give a better ambiance. The wattage of 45 would be ideal for a powder room.
7. Accent Lighting:
This tertiary layer of lighting is a concentrated form of lighting predominantly directed at a decorative piece of art or beautiful tiles. Accent lighting helps to illuminate a focal point while shadowing surrounding areas. For instance, installing tilting recessed shower fixtures will help accentuate those glamorous tiles. Recessed directional lighting also helps to focus illumination on a specific piece of art or architecture.
8. Decorative Lighting:
Another form of lighting is that of decorative lighting. Examples of such light includes candles that offer a romantic sparkle. Installing a single decorative pendant in a small bathroom would also bring in the sense of right décor. Infusing light in decorated wall alcoves will add a touch of sheen to the bathroom.
A Few General Tips To Get The Bathroom Lighting Right!
Putting the task lighting on a dimmer mode will help to adjust the eyes the first thing in the morning and also when relaxing at night.
Use of dimmers in bathrooms help to achieve the desired mood at the push of a button.
Allow space for natural light to complement artificial lighting.
Illuminate the sink, shower and tub areas evenly.
Allow for a different combination of light sources on separate switches to choose what to switch on and when.
Use colour lighting that can be lit in a preset of 4 to 5 different temperatures depending on the mood. For instance soft lights give a warm and comfortable feel; while bright lights provide a crisp and refreshing feeling. One can opt for neutral temperatures during the day.
Given today's smart home concept, tunable lighting offers to change colour temperatures from your smartphone.
Incorporating natural daylight into the bathroom gives an energetic feel.
While both CFL and LED bulbs are good choices the latter though slightly expensive offers good savings over a while.
Use fixtures that have bulbs in standard sizes rather than going in for installations that use special bulbs as dealing with replacement in fixtures that use standard size bulbs become easier.
The number and size of bulbs should complement the size of the bathroom.
Choose bulbs that save energy to cut down energy costs.
While most bathroom lighting may be away from water sources, there are certain wet areas like the shower that must be kept safe.
For instance, if one wants adequate lighting within the shower area itself, then one has to be extra careful in choosing the type of light.
Choose lights that are rated safe and specifically designed for wet areas like the shower.
Lighting in the bathroom should be a combination of splendour as well as functionality. So take the time to review the various options and choose one that best suits your aesthetics and layout.
If you are looking to design a home that stands out, get in touch with Hipcouch today!
Get Interior Designing Cost Calculators Interior Design Tips, Guides to help you make Smart Choices for your Interiors & Decor without filling up your email inbox!