When most people think about interior lighting, they don’t think about bathroom lights. Lots of people will tell you that since it’s the least used room in their house, they don’t bother to do anything special.

bathroom lightingA simple overhead light, maybe a vanity mirror and they call it done. But I read somewhere recently that bathrooms are getting bigger and becoming a place where maybe you do want to spend some time – relaxing in that garden tub for instance. So let’s talk about how you might want to light your bathroom.

As experts will tell you, a good lighting plan is a series of layers – ceiling, surface and wall. Bathroom lighting is no different. First, you need ample light for everyday activity like showering or brushing teeth. Then think about ambient or mood lighting. Placing an electric candle or a small lamp by the sink will enhance the mood of the room. Lastly, think about the other important bathroom light fixture – the lighted mirror. A lighted mirror will give you all the light you need for tasks like shaving or putting on makeup.

Here are a few good tips as you begin shopping for bathroom light fixtures.
If you are thinking about multiple fixtures, keep them at least two and a half feet apart. Make sure that the fixtures complement each other. You want visual harmony. When you are thinking about over the sink lighting, be sure that the brightest lights are not overhead. That would create shadows, making important grooming tasks more difficult. Also consider the heights of various family members. If you have children, there should be lights that will be suited to their size. Also think about cleaning and maintenance. Did you choose bathroom lights with many arms and exposed bulbs? Those will take longer to clean than a simple fixture.
Color qualities and light distribution are important things to keep in mind, too. These depend on the type of bulb you want to use. Choose the kind of light you want first. The two main aspects are color “temperature” and brightness. Color temperature tells you if the light source appears cool (bluish) or warm (yellowish) or neither/neutral. Spot lights, clear bulbs or small halogens tend to be very bright. This type of bulb will require lots of shielding from the fixture for glare control. In other words, you’ll need a hefty shade for this type of bulb.

This is just the tip of the bathroom lighting iceberg, but I hope that reading it will help you make some great lighting decisions in your bathroom!