When it comes to lighting for bathrooms, there are a lot of things to consider. What type of lighting do you need? What is the best way to light your face when you’re applying makeup? Do you need to follow any lighting regulations? In this Bathroom Lighting Buyer’s Guide, we will answer all of those questions and more!
Knowing how to light a bathroom is the place to start as you need to think about where you want to place the light for the various times of the day. The morning shower through to the lazy night time bath, different moods, different functions, different lighting requirements.
Let’s take a look at your options:
One of the most popular lighting options for bathrooms is recessed downlights. They work so well as they are functional, adaptable to suit all the times of day and recessed out of the way.
They are a great way to provide task lighting over a sink, create a bright general light throughout the room and can be installed in a variety of ways depending on your needs.
If you can, always include recessed ceiling.
Recessed Can Lights are the American description of downlighters and can be used in the same way as downlights.
Spotlights are perfect for adding an extra dimension to your bathroom lighting and can be used to great effect to create an ambient light or highlight certain features in the room such as a beautiful freestanding bath. This is a useful option when you are restricted for places to put lighting as they can be fitted into the ceiling or wall and directed in a variety of directions
Ceiling lights are a great way to add general lighting to your bathroom and can be used in conjunction with other lighting options such as spotlights and recessed lights. There are a variety of bathroom ceiling lights to choose from and, as with all lighting, it is important to think about what you want the light to achieve.
Be sure to try and mix a ceiling light with a wall light as it will help distribute the light into the room from a mixture of directions which is more flattering.
A great way to add some luxury and drama to your bathroom lighting scheme is by installing a chandelier.
Chandeliers are a luxurious addition to any bathroom lighting scheme and can be used to add some sparkle to your mornings or provide a relaxing glow for an evening bath. When choosing a chandelier for your bathroom, it is important to consider the size of the room and the height of the ceiling as well as the style of the chandelier.
Wall lights are a great way to add some extra light to your bathroom without taking up any floor space and come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit all bathrooms. They can be used as task lighting for shaving or applying makeup or simply as added ambient lighting.
LED strip lights are a versatile lighting option that can be used in a variety of ways in the bathroom. They are perfect for lighting up shelving or behind mirrors and can be used to create a luxurious ambience in the room.
When it comes to choosing lighting for your bathroom, there are a few things to consider. The first is what type of lighting you need. There are three main types of lighting: task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting.
Task lighting is the most important type of lighting for bathrooms as it is used for specific tasks such as shaving, applying makeup and hair drying. Task lighting should be bright, directional and focused on the task at hand.
One of the best ways to achieve this is by using recessed downlights or spotlights.
Ambient lighting is used to create a general atmosphere in a room and should be soft, diffused and provide enough light to see around the room safely.
Ceiling lights, wall lights and chandeliers are all great options for ambient lighting in a bathroom.
Accent lighting is used to highlight certain features in a room or add some extra drama. Just the accent lighting on is perfect for night time use and that well deserved bath.
Bathroom vanity lighting around a mirror is a great way to add some accent lighting to your bathroom.
Now that you know the different types of lighting available, you can start thinking about what lighting will work best in your bathroom.
When it comes to lighting your face, there are a few things to consider. The first is the type of light. There are three main types of light: natural light, artificial light and mixed lighting.
If you have access to natural light, then use it! Natural light is the best type of lighting for your skin as it is soft and diffused.
If you don’t have access to natural light, or if you want to add some extra lighting, then artificial lighting is the next best thing.
There are a few things to consider when choosing artificial light. The first is the color of the light. Warm white light is the best type of light for your skin as it is closest to natural light.
The next thing to consider is the type of light. There are three main types of lighting: direct lighting, diffused lighting and mixed lighting.
Direct lighting is when the light comes from a single source and casts shadows on your face. This type of lighting can be harsh and is best avoided.
Diffused lighting is when the light is scattered, giving a soft, even light. This is the best type of lighting for your skin as it minimizes shadows and gives a natural looking glow. The light needs to be pushed through a material, such as fabric or a frosted plastic to diffuse it.
Mixed lighting is when you have both direct and diffused lighting. This can be a good option as it gives you the best of both worlds, but it is important to make sure that the diffused lighting is the main source of light.
When choosing vanity lighting, remember to choose a light that provides diffused lighting. This will give you the best results for your skin.
LED bathroom mirrors are a great way to get some extra lighting in your bathroom. They come with built-in lights that provide diffused lighting, which is perfect for applying makeup or shaving.
They also come with a variety of features such as Bluetooth speakers, motion sensors and demisters.
When choosing bathroom lighting, it is important to know the different IP ratings. IP stands for ingress protection and is used to rate how well a product is protected against dust and water.
IP44 – Splash proof, can be used in bathrooms but not near showers or baths.
IP65 – Dust proof and splash proof, can be used in bathrooms but not near showers or baths.
IP67 – Dust proof and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. Can be used in bathrooms but not near showers or baths.
IP68 – Dust proof and can be submerged in up to two meters of water for 30 minutes. Can be used in bathrooms but not near showers or baths.
Bathroom lighting is divided into three lighting zones: zone 0, zone one and zone two.
Zone 0 – Is the area around the bathtub or shower. Zone 0 lighting must be at least IP65 rated to prevent water getting into the electrical components.
Zone 1 – Is the area around the sink. Zone one lighting does not need to be IP rated as there is no risk of water getting into the electrical components.
Zone 2 – Is the area above the sink and toilet. Zone two lighting does not need to be IP rated as there is no risk of water getting into the electrical components.
When choosing lighting for your bathroom, make sure that you choose lighting that is compliant with the IP ratings and lighting zones. This will ensure that your bathroom is safely lit.
When it comes to lighting your bathroom, there are a variety of choices to suit every style and budget.
If you want a simple, minimalist look then recessed downlights or bathroom spotlights are a good choice.
For a more traditional look, try ceiling lights or wall lights. And for a luxurious touch, choose a chandelier. When choosing lighting, remember to think about the style of your bathroom and choose a light that will complement it.
Every space has it’s opportunities and limitations and your decisions are guided by them:
The first thing to consider is the size of the room. If you have a small bathroom, you will need less lighting than if you have a large bathroom.
If you have a high ceiling, you will need more lighting than if you have a low ceiling.
Think about what type of lighting you need and what you want the lighting to achieve. Do you need task lighting, ambient lighting or accent lighting?
Your bathroom lighting should be in keeping with the style of the room. If you have a modern bathroom, you will need different lighting than if you have a traditional bathroom.
Now that you know how to choose bathroom lighting, you can start shopping for the perfect lights for your bathroom.
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