How to Get the Best Lighting in Your Bathroom
The lighting in your bathroom is very important, from both a design and a functional standpoint. But lighting your bathroom can be a challenge, because typically you'll want to strike a balance between function and ambiance. Here's how to pick the right lights for your bathroom while considering safety, function, and style.
Use the right materials
To prevent your light fixtures from being damaged, avoid using brass or bronze in your bathroom, as these materials corrode easily. Stainless steel, chrome, and nickel are the safest bets, since they are strong against moisture. Most of Urban Ambiance's bathroom light fixtures are finished with chrome or nickel, but others, like the Dallas Collection Industrial Vanity Light, have an antique black finish, which is also safe. We also recommend avoiding any lamps or fixtures with fabric shades, as those will mold with time.
Keep tub safety in mind
Do you have enough lighting in your shower to really see what you're doing? For tub showers it is recommended to have a light above each end, so that the potential for slipping and falling is decreased. Plus, if you typically shave in the shower, you will want as much light as possible to avoid cutting yourself. If you have a square shower, a single light may be sufficient, but the more rectangular your shower space becomes, the more you will need to illuminate it.
Design for the purpose
Is the bathroom where you shave, do your hair, and put on makeup? If you are going to spend a lot of time grooming in front of the mirror, installing lights around it will help you get the best visibility out of it. You can choose either a light on both sides of the mirror--this is often a designer favorite as it provides even light to both sides--or a long light, or line of lights, above the mirror. You can also hang pendant or ceiling lights with bright bulbs above the space between you and the mirror, for optimal, flattering lighting. Try the Nantucket Collection Nautical Indoor Pendant Light, which will work well to disseminate bright light downwards and out.
For general lighting, overhead lights are key
You can install a chandelier in your bathroom for a beautiful style, but experts say don't rely on it for your main source of light. Most designers recommend small recessed lights that are flush with the ceiling for the best general lighting in your bathroom; they're unobtrusive and practical, and won't disrupt the style of the other light fixtures. Place them along the walkway of the room, for example, from the door to the toilet and/or shower.
For ambiance, configure your electrical setup
Sometimes you'll want to take a nice bath to relax in a dimmer, spa-like atmosphere. To do this, separate the electrical switches for each of the lights in your bathroom. That way, you can switch off some of the stronger lights, and leave only the general lights on for those relaxing moments. To make it even more pleasant, install a dimmer, so that you can choose the perfect level of light any time.
It's not so difficult to light your bathroom, once you know what the function of each space is! The hard part is choosing the style of your light fixtures. Urban Ambiance has a great selection of lights for the bathroom, so contact us if you have any questions, and we'll be happy to help.
