Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, from apartment-sized single bathrooms to expansive spaces where the masters of the home can retreat for a luxurious bath in a spa-like environment. Regardless of the size of the bathroom, one common element – the lighting – matters in terms of functionality and design. Have you ever experienced a dark, dimly lit powder room or used a bathroom where harsh overhead lighting casts your reflection in the mirror in a pale, pallid light? Neither is an ideal situation. To eliminate those concerns forever and make the most of your bathroom, you can take a few simple steps by placing appropriate lights where they matter most. And, you can add a decorative touch to the room with beautiful lights that complement the rest of the bathroom décor. Here we discuss the three main areas of the bathroom and the best lighting for each.
Overhead Lighting – Ample overhead lighting is important because it provides the brightness you need in a bathroom. Most people have a tendency to place an overhead light directly in the center of the room – in other words, aimed down on your head. Light coming at you from this angle is too harsh and presents you – literally – in an unflattering light. Instead, place the overhead light off-center and toward the entrance to the room, so that you are lit from behind. Recessed lights, used in moderation, also work well for providing general ambient lighting.
Vanity Lighting – Most vanities have a mirror on the wall above the sink. Here, the best lighting option is wall sconces, as they can be placed evenly on each side of the mirror. This way, the light is balanced and comes in from both sides, which makes putting on make-up, shaving, or performing other routine grooming activities a breeze. An alternative to sconces is to place a light fixture above the mirror, as this provides great task lighting over the sink where it is needed most. Lights above a vanity sink should be centered and usually have two or three globes. A pretty alternative to a light above the mirror is to hang a pendant light instead.
Shower and Tub Lighting – Often, shower curtains or divider walls block a bathroom’s main light from flowing into the bath and shower area. A standalone shower should have at least one overhead light. A bathtub, depending on its size and position in the room, should have one, if not two, overhead lights. Sufficient tub and shower lighting is important for seeing which tubes and bottles of soap and hair care products you’re picking up as well as for safety in general.
Aside from your laundry room, your bathroom is the smallest room in your home. Even so, we use our bathrooms multiple times throughout the day and night. When light from a window is minimal, or there is no window at all, purposefully placed light fixtures provide just the right amount of lighting, whether for a specific task or to illuminate the entire room. A lighting store, design website, or home builder can give you all the suggestions and inspiration you need to get started. Focus on your specific needs and choose light fixtures that match your existing décor – typically this is brass, chrome, or brushed nickel. Make sure the fixture is the right size for the space and that you use light bulbs of the recommended wattage for the best results.
Are you interested in learning more about bathroom lighting and renovation options? Steve Rush, owner of Sovereign Construction Services, is a professional home remodeling contractor with the experience to recommend lighting and other options for improving your bathroom space. Steve is available to share his expertise and answer all your questions.
Call Steve at Sovereign Construction Services today at 610-639-2986 for a free consultation.