Too much lighting or its poor placement can make your bathroom one of your least favorite rooms in the house, just like too little light can become a problem since you won’t be able to see what you are doing. Both balance and right placement of bathroom light fixtures are important. Also, light fixtures should complement the already existing bathroom decor and create a shooting environment. Here are a few things to consider when buying new bathroom light fixtures.
Choosing the Perfect Lighting
Things to remember when shopping for light fixtures are CRI (Color Rendering Index) and color temperature. When it comes to CRI, choose a fixture with a high CRI; 90+ is the best. Incandescent and halogen light sources always have a high CRI. If you want energy efficient LED lights, make sure your choice has a CRI of at least 90. For color temperature, select bathroom light fixtures with a warm color temperature, 2700K–3000K. Keep these tips in mind and ask the staff in the store for help when buying a light fixture.
Mirror Lighting
Even though it’s very common, try to avoid adding a light fixture right above your mirror, as on the ceiling directly above it. This throws a strong light on your forehead, chin, and nose and makes the light ineffective for shaving or applying makeup. You should be satisfied when you look at your reflection, and the proper lighting will make you feel more confident throughout your day. If you want to place lighting closer to your mirror, consider choosing one of its side surfaces, and be careful about the fixture you are going to choose.
Bathroom Vanity
Wall sconces or pendants on each side of your seated vanity mirror might be your perfect solution. Mount them with the center of the fixtures about 60’’ high and about 28’’ apart to get the best effect and gorgeous lighting.
Ceiling Fixtures
Every bathroom needs a central ceiling light fixture. When choosing it, make sure to follow the rules about the temperature and CRI, since that is the only way to make sure that you’re going to install the perfect lighting. Whether you choose a chandelier or LED bars for ceiling lights, the end result will definitely look good as long as they complement your bathroom decor, design, and colors.
Shower and Tub Area Lighting
For this area, you will need lighting that is capable of withstanding water damage. The best materials to use are glass, metal, and plastic. If you own a tub, consider placing two beautiful LED wall sconces above it. You can also place accent lighting above the tub to draw attention to the piece of art. You should also consider this idea if you have higher ceilings.
Layered Lighting
There is a wide variety of tasks done in the bathroom, such as shaving, washing your hair, and applying makeup, which is why it is a good idea to have layered lighting options designed for the specific needs of each task. Install a down-light mounted over the sink with a dimmer, about 12 inches from the wall. This way you’ll achieve great lighting for the area over the sink.
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