Getting the Most Out of Your Bathroom Lights

Ginger Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lighting is generally one of the least thought about items in the home, given the amount of time we spend in the bathroom you would think this is the top priority. The lighting in your bathroom should get the same attention as the lighting throughout the rest of the home. Most modern bathrooms are more than just a pit-stop in your day it is now a place to relax and recharge. Homeowners are now adding spa tubs, shower systems, and even steam showers.

Think about every corner of that room and where you will need good lighting, in the shower, above the mirror, and just a general overhead light. Think about what area needs brighter light and what area can get away with ambient lighting.

Lighting for over your mirror
Vanity lighting is a very typical fixture in the bathroom and might be the hardest one to choose to give the best lighting and the hardest to illuminate the head and face for grooming. Some homeowners think the best way to solve this dilemma is to add recessed ceiling lights directly over the mirror, this is wrong. Recessed lighting is too far from the mirror and will cast shadows on the face, making daily grooming rituals more difficult.

Mounting vertical fixtures or sconces on each side of the mirror is the best option but since mirrors can come in all shapes and sizes a light fixture over the mirror might work better.

Ambient and Accent Lighting

Ambient lighting often is a substitute for natural light and is generally a ceiling light. This is a great way to show a bit of your personality by using a pendant lamp, chandelier, or “cove lighting” — rope lights hidden behind a molding dropped several inches below ceiling height — this type of lighting adds a soft glow around the room. If you have a large room and want to highlight a work of art or piece of furniture think about a small recessed spotlight. Another trending feature is recessed shower fixtures angled to highlight custom tile or fixtures.

Choosing the Right Bulbs
A light bulb is a light bulb… or is it? Light bulbs do come in different colors and strengths, so how do you choose the right one? A crisp white light will show your skin tone more accurately in the mirror but a halogen bulb is the best. Halogen bulbs will cost more than a standard bulb but it will last longer and save you money over time. Fluorescent bulbs offer up to 10 times more efficient than regular light bulbs with the added benefit of showing the correct skin tones.

Money-Saving Dimmers
Dimmers not only allow you to “set the mood” of any room they also allow you control over the lighting and conserve energy. Your savings will depend on how much you dim the bulb, but dimming the light just 10 percent will make the bulb last twice as long.

Still, having questions about bathroom lighting? Head over to PlumbTile for the expert’s opinions. They will be able to aid you in the right direction. Lighting can make or break the bathroom. It’s time to start investing in the bathroom and making it as important as the kitchen and bathroom and that starts with something as simple as lighting!