Right Ways to Lighten Up Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the only places that we have shower and lock ourselves inside. It is sometimes necessary to make this place as clean and comfortable sanctuary with the proper lighting. Then how to make this private room to be a well illuminated refuge that can be relaxing as well as functional? Among all of the basic four types of lighting such as task lighting, decorative lights, accent lights and sparkling lights, Let’s have a look at which light can offer the best atmosphere.

As for task lighting, we can see by its name that it is used mainly for some certain task, or it is a type of lighting via which we can see objects or ourselves clearly. In the bathroom, proper task lighting at the mirror seems rather essential. So we can try a pair of sconces fixed at eye level on either side of the mirror to offer shadowless illumination for makeup application, tooth care, etc. Still, we have to keep in mind that above the mirror, no light. Any lighting above the mirror will just reflect a very strong light back into our forehead and cast deep shadows below the eyes or chin.

Then, we still need to consider the right wattage for the task lights. For better relaxation in the bathroom, we can try the light fixtures that offer 75 to 100 watt. For the task lights in powder rooms, we can use fixtures with even less wattage for not anyone will need to do the morning ritual. Light with such wattage range can give out much softer and inviting ambience to family members or even guests.

Then let's come to accent lighting. Accent lighting is usually a kind of light for artistic purpose. If you enjoy any art in this room, you may try to use the accent light for better show off the art or just highlight the art. For better illumination, try to use recessed directional lights for even proper focus.

Different from accent lights, decorative lighting is much about adding some visual sparkle. We can try to use some creative and water proof lights of different types in the bathroom for right atmosphere. For a bathroom of square shape, maybe we can try a single pendant light. For a bathroom with rectangular shape, maybe we can use two or even three light fixtures fixed along the ceiling plane for enough light. If you like the romantic and welcoming tone, try candles that can give out very splendid sparkle. Be sure to keep it far away from towels or hair that can catch fire easily.

Then we come to the last lighting - ambient lighting. It is much a fill light. If our bathrooms have taller ceiling or cantilever details, we can use ambient lights. Such architectural details can help hide the light fixtures and still offer indirect illumination. Try a pendant light together with a translucent shade for the ambient lighting effect or combining the pendant fixture together with ambient and decorative lights.

We can use just one type of light and still combine the use of different lighting. For example, for the mirror at the sink which is much about function, we can use task lighting such as sonces. For tub area, we can use recessed cans in dimmers to create ambient light since romance and relaxation are emphasized here. For additional decoration, we can use wall sconces. Anyway, for the lighting at the bathroom, we need to balance the function against ambience.