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Bathroom Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial light from vanity bathroom lights and general lighting is important during hours when natural light is not available. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom cannot be developed properly nor can you use the space to its maximum effectiveness. And since the day usually begins and ends with a trip to the bathroom, time spent there should be comforting, relaxing and you should have sufficient light when grooming.

Here are some artificial light options for the bathroom:

Ambient Lighting - chandeliers, surface-mounted, bathroom vanity lights, wall sconces and recessed fixtures are types of general lighting that illuminate the overall bathroom area. This type of illumination allows you to move around and see safely in the room. These types of bathroom light fixtures should be controlled by dimmers where you can change the intensity of the light for a relaxing feel when you are soaking in the tub, for example. General ambient lighting gives your bathroom the most illumination towards the floor, and it will produce more glare than other types of bathroom light fixtures.

Task Lighting - this is a direct beam of light that illuminates a particular area for very specific tasks and is not intended to light the entire room. Task lighting can be a beam of light directed towards the reading area while in the tub, while shaving, exercising on the treadmill, applying makeup or putting in your contact lenses. It can be turned on exclusively when you need it. Use wall sconces on both sides of the mirror or medicine cabinet as bathroom vanity lights so that you benefit from lighting from both sides.

Accent Lighting - these types of bathroom light fixtures are intended to create a certain visual drama and atmosphere in the bathroom, and they provide focus to selected details of the room for a decorative touch. Consider using track lighting to spotlight decorative objects or to provide a relaxing environment that you can enjoy when soaking in the tub.

Decorative Lighting - these are lighting fixtures that draw attention to themselves as objects and they are used to create an effect. Chandeliers, candles (traditional and electric), fireplace, candelabra and low voltage pendant fixtures are examples of decorative lighting.

Always choose light bulbs for bathroom vanity lights that provide light in the natural daylight spectrum. Bulbs that are mostly yellow or white will not show you how you will appear outside the bathroom, which makes applying makeup more difficult.

Light Layers

In a bathroom, a good lighting plan includes "layers" of light from different sources - a mix of task lighting, general illumination (ambient lighting), and decorative accent lighting. Task lighting is important in bathrooms, since adequate illumination is essential for shaving, applying makeup, and other personal grooming tasks. Task light should be concentrated around mirrors, but the idea is to illuminate your face rather than the mirror. The best way to evenly distribute light is to put vertical fixtures or sconces at eye level on each side of the mirror, 36 to 40 inches apart, and a fixture above the mirror, 70 to 80 inches from the floor. Vanity-style lighting should be at least 150 watts, spread over a fixture, that's at least 24 inches long.

The shower and other compartmentalized areas may also benefit from task lighting. Shower fixtures should be recessed and waterproof, with neoprene seals and glass lenses (plastic will yellow). If you have a small bathroom, and your shower has a clear glass door, a dedicated fixture may not be necessary. Similar fixtures work well over a freestanding tub.

In a small bathroom, vanity lights can provide ambient illumination as well as task lighting. In a larger bath, a surface-mounted ceiling fixture is usually the main source of ambient light, while the low profile of recessed lighting is perfect for small rooms. Recessed fixtures can also be aimed to provide concentrated accent lighting. As a finishing touch, you can add low-voltage ambient lighting in the soffit or toekick.

Bulb selection is as important as the type of lighting. The full-spectrum light of a halogen bulb is best for lighting the bathroom mirror because it renders skin tones more accurately. Crisp, white halogen light is also exellent for highlighting architectural and decorative details. Flourescent bulbs, once banished from the bathroom because they gave a ghoulish cast to skin tones, are now available in good color rendering along with unsurpassed energy efficiency. You may even consider installing both flourescent and standard incandescent fixtures - on separate switches - so you can see how you'll look in differently lighted environments.

Make sure that all light fixtures are UL-approved and suitable for use in damp areas. Fixtures placed within a certian distance of the tub or shower (usually 6 feet) must be "wet" or "shower-location" rated.

You should have many options for your bathroom vanity lights. Just as a luxurious soaking bath is a great way to begin or end the day, the lighting in your bathroom should provide you that warm, cozy feeling when you want. And when you need to see while grooming or shaving, vanity bathroom lights and lighting should make it easy to see.

If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed, consider consulting with a lighting designer to assist you in creating the best lighting for your home. Read and learn as much as you can about bathroom vanity lights and lighting in your home. Good lighting planning, design and implementation will provide you with enjoyable, practical and dramatic effects for your bathroom and your home in general.