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How to Select your Bathroom Lighting

You are remodeling your bathroom and you do not really know what lighting fixtures to select. Bathroom lighting comes in many styles, colors, designs and layouts. You can get vintage, contemporary, traditional or strikingly modern lighting fixtures. There are vertical fixtures or sconces to be mounted on either side of the mirror, straight bar fixtures for above the mirror, mini-chandeliers, reccessed lights, and surface-mounted ceiling lights.

Here are the things to consider when selecting your bathroom light fixtures …

1. Lighting Right

Vanity Lighting

Vertical fixtures or sconces mounted on either side of the mirror are best for casting an even light across the face
To eliminate shadows under the chin, eyes, and cheeks, fixtures should be mounted on either side of the vanity mirror, 36 to 40 inches apart
The center of each fixture should be roughly at eye level, or about 66 inches above the floor
Over a pedestal sink, you can have strips or sconces on either side of the mirror
They should be at least 28″ apart to give glare free, shadow free lighting
For large mirrors, the lighting should be attached onto a mirror, either bolted through holes in the mirror, or put on with mastic
Over a round or oval mirror, a powder bath style is a better choice
If sidelights are impractical due to the size and positioning of the vanity mirrors, select an over the mirror fixture
A straight bar looks fine over a square or rectangular mirror and it really should be at least 24 inches but not any wider than the mirror is
Over the mirror fixtures should be placed 75 to 80 inches above the floor and have at least 150 watts spread over the fixture
Avoid installing recessed ceiling fixtures directly over the mirror as they cast shadows on the face.

Area Lighting

The shower is another area which should get proper lighting
In smaller bathrooms, if the stall has a clear glass door, a dedicated fixture may not be necessary
Otherwise, it is recommend a recessed light with a glass lens
Similar recessed fixtures work well over a freestanding tub or the toilet.

2. Add Style

Accent Lighting

Accent lights bring style to a bathroom
Add a small recessed spotlight directed at a piece of decorative art or a beautiful powder room basin
Add an angled recessed shower fixture to highlight nice tilework or fixtures and make them sparkle.

Ambient Lighting

This light serves as a substitute for natural light
It is most often supplied by a central fixture, usually a surface-mounted ceiling light
It could also be provided by a chandelier or a cove lighting instead
Cove lighting add adds a soft glow around the perimeter of the room.

Add Dimmers

Dimmers grant absolute control over the lighting, and thus the mood, of the room
In a very small bathroom, dimming the vanity fixtures can provide ambient and accent lighting
Dimmers conserve energy and enhance the lifespan of the bulbs
Incandescent dimmers are compatible with any incandescent or halogen light bulbs
Low-voltage and fluorescent fixtures require their own compatible dimmers.

3. Technical Stuff

Choosing Bulbs

A crisp white light tends to render skin tones most accurately
Halogen bulbs are the best
Halogen bulbs compact, and smaller bulbs give a nice sparkling effect
Halogen bulbs cost a few dollars more than incandescent bulbs but will last longer
The newest compact fluorescent bulbs are up to 10 times more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs

Choose Wisely

Bathroom light fixtures must be able to withstand high humidity, moisture and, in some cases, even water
Light fixture in a shower stall or over a bathtub must be resilent to water
Typically their electrical components are sealed as opposed to being open
Do not take chances and install in your bathroom light fixtures not designed with these criteria in mind - electricity and water may lead to death

Ventilate your Bathroom