When renovating or building your bathroom, the lighting is one of the most important things to get right. Lighting not only dictates the atmosphere of the bathroom, but plays a big role in its visibility and safety as well. Below, we will explore bathroom lighting and how to get it correctly positioned.
Why Is It Important to Get Bathroom Lighting Positioning Right?
Bathrooms are unique rooms in the house due to the fact that they are full of moisture. If not chosen and placed properly, lights in the bathroom could get damaged by the water. Where you place the lights matter, and there are zones in the bathroom for different ratings of IP lights.
Beyond safety, there is a matter of practicality to consider. Good positioning ensures that each area is well-lit for its intended purpose. Since bathrooms are where grooming, makeup application or otherwise checking the appearance occurs, having quality lighting is a must.
Lights for mirror in a bathroom, for example, should be placed in such a way that it provides even illumination across the face. Good placement of bathroom mirror lights will eliminate harsh shadows so you can enjoy more flattering lighting while getting ready for the day.
With well-placed bathroom wall lights, you can also enhance the overall look and feel of the room. Gentle wall-washing lights, diffused illumination and accent lighting are key to creating a relaxing, spa-like setting.
Advice on How to Position Ceiling Lights in a Bathroom
Bathroom ceiling lights are one of the most important light fixtures for your wet room. This is because bathroom ceiling downlights make up the foundation of the overall lighting scheme, upon which you can build and supplement with other light features.
It is important to avoid placing them directly over the mirror area, as this can create unflattering shadows. You should be spacing them evenly across the entire ceiling in order to provide even illumination instead.
Using multiple smaller downlights instead of one central light can ensure illumination is spread all across the bathroom instead of centralized in one location. It is also recommended you place the downlights closer to the walls in order to create a soft washing effect.
Walk in shower lighting should also be considered. A ceiling light can be placed directly over the shower area to give focused light free from shadows. Just be sure that you are choosing waterproof shower lights with the appropriate IP rating for wet areas like this.
How to Light a Mirror or Vanity Area in a Bathroom
The vanity area is perhaps the most important task-based zone in the bathroom. For this reason, lights for mirror vanity spaces are incredibly important to get right. From basic grooming to skincare to makeup application, use of the vanity requires clear, focused illumination with no shadows or harshness.
One of the most popular ways to light a vanity is to place vertical lighting on either side of the mirror. Such lighting eliminates harsh shadows while providing accurate, clear lighting for makeup and grooming. It also gives a soft and flattering glow instead of casting the face in deep shadow.
To achieve this, mount the lights around eye level and keep them between 60 and 90 centimetres apart. Choose fittings that have diffused light to avoid any glare.
Another type of lighting for mirrors is a horizontal light above it. It provides focused, strong task lighting and works especially well with wide mirrors. Be sure you choose bulbs with diffused lighting to soften the illumination and help avoid shadows.
Other considerations when choosing the best light for your vanity include:
● Colour temperature between 2700K and 3000K warm white bathroom light
● High colour rendering index (CRI) of 90 or above
● IP rating to ensure it is safe for use in the vanity area
Advice for Creating Ambient, Task and Accent Lighting in a Bathroom
Layered lighting is key for creating a bathroom with well-balanced illumination. It involves three distinct levels of lighting that come together to create a unified and clearly visible space.
The three layers of this lighting scheme include ambient light, task light and accent lighting. Each one plays an important part in the overall illumination of the bathroom.
Ambient Light
Ambient lighting is the main foundational layer of light. Modern bathroom ceiling light fixtures tend to be most commonly used for the ambient layer due to its wide spread.
To create ambient lighting in the bathroom, you can spread recessed or surface mounted lighting across the ceiling. This will help you avoid dark patches and create a solid foundation for the rest of the lights.
You can position downlights closer to the walls in order to not only create ambient light but to create a soft wash of light on the walls. Warm to neutral lighting works best here.
Task Lights
The task light layer refers to lights that are specifically used for better visibility when performing tasks. In a bathroom, this usually comes in the form of vanity mirror lighting and shower lighting.
Vanity wall lights can create a flattering glow and enhance visibility as you apply makeup or do your grooming. It helps you see your face clearly so you don't miss a spot.
Accent Lighting
Accent lights are the lights responsible for depth and atmosphere. They bring visual interest to the bathroom by highlighting architectural features and creating a spa-like feel. It can take the bathroom from being a purely functional place and give it a luxurious resort quality for relaxation.
There are many ways to incorporate accent lights into your bathroom. These include:
● LED strip lighting behind mirrors, under vanities, or along recesses
● Niche lighting in alcoves
● Wall washers to highlight textured surfaces or tiles
To create this layered effect, begin with ambient lighting to ensure the entire room is lit evenly. Then, add task lighting in the most important areas to provide ample lighting in task-based locations. Finally, finish it off with accent lighting to introduce depth and enhance the overall mood.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Positioning Bathroom Lighting
When lighting your bathroom, there are a few mistakes that many homeowners tend to make. Get familiar with them beforehand so you can navigate the process without running into such issues.
Mistake: Not Using Appropriate IP Ratings
It is crucial that you choose lights that are designed for use in the different zones of the bathroom. Look for IP65 bathroom wall lights and ceiling lights for areas closer to the bath and shower, or around IP44 for other zones in the bathroom.
Mistake: Relying on One Single Light
Having a single round LED bathroom light in the middle of the room does not often provide enough light coverage. Though it may seem convenient, it introduces a number of issues, including uneven illumination, dark corners, and making the room feel smaller.
Instead, layer the lighting with ambient, task and accent lighting. This will create a well-balanced look that ensures the entire bathroom has plenty of light.
Mistake: Neglecting Ceiling Height
When placing bathroom lights, it's important to consider the height of the ceiling. For example, wide-beam lights in rooms with high ceilings can make the lower part of the room feel dim. Conversely, narrow beam lighting in rooms with low ceilings can generate concentrated pools of harsh lighting.
Be mindful of the size of your bathroom, especially the ceiling height, when lighting it. Having the right lights for your bathroom size is imperative, so be sure you choose thoughtfully.
Mistake: Choosing Style Over Function
Though it can be tempting to simply choose lights based on appearance, this isn't always the wisest move. Doing so can lead to issues like placing decorative lighting in IP-dependent wet zones and damaging them. Take into consideration the appearance of the light, but don't allow it to be the main factor you use when choosing a fixture.
Mistake: Forgetting Dimmer Switches
If you want to make your bathroom a more relaxing place, remember to add in dimmable light. Being able to lower and raise the brightness according to your needs at any given moment can transform your experience in your bathroom.
Conclusion
Visibility, functionality and atmosphere are all equally as important when it comes to lighting the bathroom. Each of these elements can be influenced in part by the positioning of the light. In this article, we've explored how to layer and position lights throughout the space to give you the best results.
