Category Archives: bathroom lighting

When renovating a bathroom, you often think about the tiling that you want in the shower, a vanity that is the most attractive, and the perfect flooring for your needs. But that’s not all you should consider. Lighting is also important. In fact, lighting is an important element in any room, but bathroom lighting is particularly important.

3 Lighting Ideas Every Homeowner Should Consider for Their Bathroom:

Fixtures – You’ll want the fixtures over your sinks to add beauty to your bathroom as well as provide adequate lighting. For a small bathroom, a simple fixture with two or three lights might prove sufficient. For a larger bathroom though, consider more elaborate fixtures that hold four or even five lights. With the variety of styles available, you can find fixtures for any decor from traditional to contemporary to modern. For something truly elegant and unique, try art glass or fixtures with crystal accents. Once you decide on a style, place one over each sink, or select more of the same style to span the width over both sinks in a continuous line for a more striking look.

Dimmer Switch – Installing a switch so you can dim your lighting is a useful feature for any bathroom. Imagine taking a bath with the lights down low at the end of the day. Your tired eyes will appreciate the dimmer lighting, and your whole body will unwind more easily. A dimmer is also useful when you want to create a romantic atmosphere. You and your loved one can share a dreamy bath together without having to hassle with candles.

Nightlight – Every bathroom should have a nightlight. When you get up in the middle of the night, you won’t have to switch on the bright lights and blind yourself. With a nightlight, you can remain relaxed in the low light, so you’ll more easily fall asleep again after getting back into bed. Various styles of nightlights are available, from rustic to Victorian, so you don’t have to settle for an ordinary, boring design. You can find the perfect one that fits your decor.

For more ideas and information about lights for your bathroom, please contact us today. We can provide quality lighting products for all of the rooms in your home!

Choosing lighting for different rooms in the house isn’t as straightforward as you may think. You should consider each room’s purpose and layout when deciding what types of fixtures to use and where to place them. Start out by identifying what you need for your lighting to do for you in that specific room.

Is Your Bathroom Up to the Task?

For many, task lighting–illumination for a specific purpose–is the most important aspect of lighting the bathroom since it is where we perform tasks related to grooming and cosmetics-application. Lighting at a vanity mirror should neither diminish nor idealize your image. When it comes to bathroom task lighting, just like Goldilocks, we need it to be just right.

In smaller bathrooms, it is not uncommon for the only light fixture to be placed over the vanity–this can actually detract from your reflection. A sole source of light over the mirror casts unflattering facial shadows on those standing below it and that can make applying makeup accurately a challenge and lead to more shaving nicks than necessary.

There are several solutions to this problem. Installing eye-level sconces on both sides of the vanity mirror will balance the light level and reduce shadows by providing cross-illumination and diffusing soft light. Hanging pendant lights from the ceiling on opposite sides of the mirror or placing lamps on each side of the vanity has a similar effect. (Note: Bathroom lamps should only be plugged into GFCI-protected receptacles.) By ensuring both sides of a mirror are equally lit you’ll see a more realistic reflection.

Here are some more tips to consider when lighting your bathroom:

• Soften The Strip

  Strip lights put off a harsh glare, which washes out the complexion. Choose frosted bulbs for strip fixtures–they cause less glare than clear bulbs and they soften the light in the room.

• Maximize Your Mirror

  If you are lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom, place a mirror opposite from it to bounce and “multiply” natural ambient light.

• Ace Ambient Lighting

  Recessed spotlights or halogens are highly effective for providing ambient light in the bathroom. (Note: Any fixture located over a tub or a shower enclosure must be vapor-proof and approved for use in a wet location.)

• Buy the Best Bulb

  Skin looks best when bathed in warm light, making incandescent bulbs and fluorescent bulbs with color correction ideal for the vanity area.

• Get Ready for Your Close Up

  A lighted magnifying mirror is an inexpensive way to add task lighting for shaving or applying makeup. A fixture or lamp with a swing arm positioned near the mirror can also help illuminate these tasks.

To learn more about effectively lighting different rooms in your house, please Contact Us.

We pay lots of attention to lighting for kitchens, bedrooms, and other rooms in our houses, but many of us don’t give enough thought to one of the most frequented rooms in the house, the bathroom. Often it’s just an overhead light and a couple of lights over the sink. But there’s much more to lighting the bathroom than you’d think.

First and foremost, we want our bathrooms to be clean and bright, which is where ambient overhead lighting comes into play. But an overhead light that shines directly down on people is harsh and unflattering. Position overhead lights over the walkway area so that the light comes from behind you when you’re standing at the sink. You can use recessed ceiling lights — but use them sparingly. Even the largest of bathrooms don’t need too many recessed lights, and overdoing them breaks up the ceiling and makes it look like it’s full of holes!*

Vanity or sink lighting should have frosted or white glass, to diffuse the light and eliminate shadows. Although clear filament bulbs are popular these days, they tend to give off harsh, shadowy light. And stay away from anything with a fabric shade, which won’t hold up well in the often moist environment in the bathroom. You can use an overhead light, as long as it’s giving off diffused light, or mount sconces on each side of the bathroom mirror. Avoid an asymmetrical light on only one side of the mirror, though — it’ll cast shadows. Today’s LED light bulbs give off a much warmer light than when they were first introduced to the market, so they’re a great choice for good light and energy savings.

Shower lighting is also important. If your shower is 3-4 feet long, one overhead light is fine, and this one should shine directly over you as you stand under the shower, for safety’s sake. If your shower is longer than 4 feet, put one at each end. And install dimmers on all overhead lights so you can create a spa-like atmosphere for relaxing soaks in the tub!**

Yale Lighting Concepts and Design has thousands of stylish and functional lighting choices for your bathroom and for every room in your house! Browse our on-line catalog and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about any of our products.