Bathroom Lighting

Lighting is essential to our lives. In today’s homes, it serves many needs. These include lighting for performing activities, enhancing décor, creating mood and ensuring safety and security. Good lighting also contributes to health and a sense of well being.

Bathroom’s requires two types of lighting, task lighting and ambient lighting.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is important because it is lighting that is focused on a specific area making the completion of visual tasks easier. This enables us to perform tasks that require attention to detail, such as, shaving, applying makeup, styling our hair and doing our nails.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting or general lighting is important since it provides lighting throughout the whole bathroom. It is most often supplied by a central fixture, usually a surface-mounted ceiling light.

The lavatory and vanity area requires the right amount of illumination. It is important that this lighting be bright and flattering, but not glaring. A common mistake is putting recessed ceiling fixtures directly over the mirror, which casts shadows on the face. For even lighting, consider mirror lighting, pendant lighting, or sconces mounted on either side of the mirror. Lighting the Vanity Right To eliminate shadows under the chin, eyes, and cheeks, fixtures should be mounted on either side of the vanity mirror (or on the mirror’s surface, if it’s large), 36 to 40 inches apart.

The center of each fixture should be roughly at eye level, or about 66 inches above the floor. This will ensure even illumination across the face for grooming. A functional and decorative choice for vanity lighting is the “Bath Bar” or Cosmetic Strip fixture mounted above the mirror. It is important to specify bulbs that have a lower wattage or frosted glass to minimize glare. Wall lights or Sconces should be mounted at eye level. When standing and looking at the sconce, you don’t want to be able to the see the light bulb itself.

Shower/Bathtub/Toilet Closet Lighting

Another layer of lighting bathroom lighting is the bath/shower area. Recessed fixtures work well over a shower, bathtub, or in the toilet area. For the shower, it is very important to use a recessed fixture that is intended for the shower and rated to work under conditions of humidity and possible contact with water.