Bathroom Lighting: A Foolproof Guide to Getting it Right HOUZZ.CO.NZ
Nail your bathroom lighting scheme first time around with these practical tips from experts in the field.
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ood lighting is an essential part of any successful room design, and the bathroom is no exception. Here, three experts share their top tips for lighting your bathroom right – from practical task lighting to those beautiful finishing touches. TYPES OF LIGHTING YOU NEED IN A BATHROOM “The number one thing you need in a bathroom is shadow-free task lighting at the mirror,” says Adele Locke, director of MINT Lighting Design. “So many of us live in homes with poor bathroom lighting, and we all know how frustrating it is to find something’s been missed in the shaving or make-up process when we’re out. “The second layer of lighting you need is subtle, ambient lighting for using the bathroom for short visits.
“A night light is an excellent thing to include too. And, depending on the style of your bathroom, you may also need a decorative layer of lighting for luxuriating in the bath,” says Locke. Accent lighting is another optional extra you may want to consider if budget permits, says Genevieve Wild, design director at Wildly Illuminating. “It allows you to highlight specific features in the bathroom and will add character and personality to the space.” For general lighting, consider a three-in-one exhaust fan with heating and lighting, says Jess Paladino, lighting designer at Beacon Lighting. “They are a great option for providing general illumination as well as for keeping the bathroom well-ventilated and warm on cold days. For low ceilings that measure 2.7 to three metres, I’d suggest flush mounts or even track lighting,” she says. WHERE TO PUT IT “Ambient lighting is most effective when it’s located close to the walls. This allows for great reflectance of light within the space, keeping it bright end avoiding a ‘cave-like’ feel, which is the classic effect you get with four ceiling downlights in a grid pattern, where the floor is lit and the walls are dark,” says Wild.
“Install accent lighting on a larger wall, over the bath or in a corner next to the basin in a splash-free zone – it really is the icing on the cake. Be sure that wiring rules are met to ensure safety,” she says. “Place wall lights on either side of the mirror if it’s not flush, above the mirror, or install a mirror with a built-in LED light,” says Paladino. “Consider adding LED strip lighting in shower nooks and under the vanity,” she adds. THINGS TO CONSIDER Locke says: • Make sure there is light between your face and the mirror when you’re at the vanity. Too many bathrooms end up with lights in the middle of the ceiling, and I’m yet to see a bathroom with anything vital in the centre of the room. • When you’re choosing decorative lighting, make sure it is IP-rated and safe for a damp/wet environment. • Keep an eye on glare and brightness. We rarely see dimming in bathrooms and as it’s a room we all use a few times a day, making sure it’s always comfortable is important. • Showers that are behind nib walls or tucked into corners need to be lit – you may not want a spotlight in there, but you also don’t want dark corners. Paladino says: • When selecting bathroom lighting, consider the ceiling height, the other finishes in the room, the style of your home and the purpose of the light fitting. • Heating and fans are also important in a bathroom, so if they’re not integrated into your ceiling light, how else will you fit them in – underfloor heating or a heated towel rack?
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