Designing a good lighting solution can be complicated. From bright vanity lights, to adjustable overhead lights and controlled natural light there are many considerations. We have recently been sent a great resource which comprehensively explains the various choices, considerations ans details.

How to Improve Bathroom Lighting: A Holistic Approach

As the main place people go to get ready for their days and nights ahead, bathrooms need excellent lighting to best serve everyone’s needs. In the morning, many people head to the bathroom first thing to wash up, get dressed, and do their hair and makeup. In the evening, the bathroom often becomes a quiet retreat where it is easy to relax and become rejuvenated after a long day.

Every bathroom experience can only live up to expectations when the lighting is just right, however, but that is not always so easy. To learn all you need to know to achieve this goal, browse these tips, ideas, and guidelines on how to best set up bathroom lighting in every household.

What is Good Bathroom Lighting?

Good bathroom lighting has the flexibility to adjust to the task at hand whether people are getting ready for the day or winding down at night. The lighting needs to be bright enough to accommodate all activities by the vanity and shower areas, yet dim down as the occasion calls for it.

In general, bathrooms call for symmetrical lighting positioned along the walls rather than a single fixture overhead. The layout of each bathroom determines how to best add these elements to achieve the desired effect at every corner of the room.

Balance is key when optimizing the bathroom lighting in any household. Less is not necessarily more, however, though it is still possible to overdo it. An excellent lighting layout for a bathroom might include:

• Soft overhead lighting from multiple fixtures

• Bright task lights around the mirror

• Additional task lights around the tub and shower area

• Accent lights to dress up key decorative elements

To achieve true balance in the bathroom lighting design, always aim to create layers of light. As household members switch between activities, they can adjust the lighting with the flick of a switch, creating their ideal atmosphere. Dimmer switches are another way to allow for the quick customization of the lighting in the room at any given time.

Light Levels

In the name of ergonomics, or optimized comfort and efficiency, the light levels in the room must match the task. This is especially important in the bathroom where tasks might require excellent vision and a steady hand.

Getting the light levels just right can prove challenging, however, especially in small spaces. There must be just the right number of lights in the right places with the correct bulbs or the space could have too little or too much light.

In the task-lighting areas, aim for 700 lux, or lumens per square meter, which is almost as bright as full daylight. Allow the lighting to dim down to 300 lux at the lowest to create an ideal space for rest and relaxation. For best results, consider using dimmable 75 to 100 watt bulbs in each fixture.

To keep the selected light levels static, remember to clean the bulbs and fixtures on a regular basis. Otherwise, dirt on the globes and other components can block light and make the bathroom look dim and dingy. Also, check the light output of each bulb after cleaning them up to see if any are in need of replacement.

Harnessing Natural Light

Before optimizing the fixtures and bulbs, look at the natural light in the room and see how to best harness it. Using natural light as much as possible provides household members with many exceptional benefits, such as:

• Setting the body’s circadian rhythm and optimizing sleep/wake cycles

• Promoting the production of vitamin D for improved bone health

• Aiding in the healthy development of the eyes, which prevents nearsightedness

• Increasing production of serotonin for better moods

• Making people feel more productive, which can last well into the workday

Ample natural light also helps make the bathroom feel more spacious and open, creating the ideal space for rest and rejuvenation. It can decrease the money spent on lighting the bathroom during the daytime hours. Furthermore, when there is more natural light, there is less mold and mildew, making cleaning sessions much faster and easier.

To boost the natural light in the bathroom, look into adding more windows, changing the window treatments, or even adding skylights. As these elements bring more light into the room, they will greatly improve the bathroom’s beauty and function. Once natural light is maximized, turn your attention to selecting the right fixtures for every corner of the bathroom.

Know Your Fixtures

When replacing or adding fixtures, study all the available options on the market today to find the best configurations for the bathroom in question. Here’s a look at the most popular options for residential bathrooms.

Pendant

Hanging from the ceiling by a cord or chain, pendant lights can provide the perfect amount of overhead light when placed in the optimal location. These lights work well along the center of the room or on either side of the mirror. Their height is adjustable to suit the space perfectly, creating beneficial layers of light.

Recessed

With their canisters that sit flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can provide the ideal amount of overhead light without the clutter. The light simply shines down from the ceiling and brightens up the space. As they can create a swiss-cheese-like pattern in the ceiling, overdoing it is easy with this type of fixture. Use the minimum number to create enough ambient light, and then fill out the rest of the room with task lighting.

Sconces

When it comes to task lighting, wall sconces are the way to go. These fixtures attach to any wall and shine light outward to brightly illuminate the immediate area. They come in many different shapes and sizes to suit a wide range of room designs and décor.

Although other fixture options, like chandeliers, are not used as often in bathrooms, there is no real reason they cannot be installed. As long as the fixture suits the space and provides the right amount of light, it can be used to elevate the look and function of the bathroom.

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