The Best Way to Illuminate in Bathroom
The difficult part of bathroom lighting is that you need to work with your individual space to create the proper lighting you need but there is no one tried and true formula that works for every single bathroom and so keep this in mind when you are mixing and matching light fixtures for your space. The bathroom can be a difficult room to choose light fixtures for and not only do have to make sure that any fixtures you choose are UL wet or damp listed but you’ve also got to find light fixtures that properly light the space without being overwhelming and after all, the bathroom is an important space. You shower, shave or do your makeup so it’s important to have adequate lighting during these tasks and here’s a few tips and tricks on the best way to light a bathroom space.
1. Light Fixtures Around Mirrors
As noted earlier, the bathroom is an important space but perhaps the most important space is the mirror. The mirror is where you and your spouse may apply makeup, shave or style hair. Therefore, it’s vital to have proper lighting in this area. Typically you will want a fixture that is as large as the width of the mirror, if not slightly wider. For example, if you have a 20 inch mirror, you may want a light fixture that is 22 to 24 inches wide. In addition to bathroom lights over the top of the mirror, you should also consider installing UL wet or damp listed wall sconces on either side of them mirror to eliminate shadows. This is extremely beneficial for applying makeup. Some bathroom lights may feature an overhead light for the mirror and feature attached hanging pendant lights on either side of the fixture to help eliminate shadows for exactly this purpose. These can be extremely beneficial if you do not have the time or means to install additional hard wired wall sconces on either side of the mirror.
2. Overhead Lighting
Aside from task lighting for the mirror, you should also have a ceiling light for general overhead lighting. This is the light that will be most beneficial to you when using the toilet, tub or shower. Typically in the average American bathroom, the ceiling light and the vanity lights are the most you need. However, in some instances, particularly if you have a large bathroom, you will need to add additional light fixtures into the space.
3. Additional Light Fixtures for Larger Scale Bathrooms.
When choosing light fixtures for a larger scale bathroom, you need to remember to always choose fixtures that are UL wet or damp listed. Failure to do so could result in serious damage to the electrical system, including fire. Depending on the shape of your bathroom, you may want wall sconces added to aid in creating proper lighting. Wall sconces could work well for elongated bathrooms. Other options could include recessed lights, pendant lights or even a chandelier.
