Bathroom Lighting - Getting it Right
Choosing the right lighting for your bathroom is key to creating a space that works for the home. A bathroom is used for a variety of functions, all of which require good lightning. Yet there’s a fine line between a well-lit bathroom and an overly bright, hospital-esque room.
Natural Lighting
This type of lighting is the most ideal for any type of room, but for a bathroom it can be a little impractical. Often on the smaller side, between showers and vanities, room for windows in bathrooms is often lacking. If there isn’t enough natural light from windows, a skylight can be a great solution to ensure you’re getting sunlight into the room, while still retaining privacy.
Halogen Bulbs
A variation of incandescent light bulbs, the halogen light bulb burns brighter (and hotter) than a standard bulb, making it ideal for lighting a mirror. Its crisp, white colour will light the face, and help to emit shadows that are often caused in a bathroom. However, because of the heat that is produced by the bulb, it can also pose a fire risk. Using halogen bulbs to light a mirror, instead of the room is a great way to ensure the bulbs will be used efficiently and safely.
LED Bulbs
Light emitting diode bulbs are an energy efficient way to light your bathroom, ensuring you’ll keep costs down over time. However, it’s important to note that LED light bulbs are significantly more expensive to buy than other light bulbs, but this cost is easily justifiable when comparing the lifespan of an LED bulb to that of other standard bulbs. A typical LED bulb has a lifespan of between 50,000 - 100,000 hours, and generally the lighting will fade overtime as opposed to just dying.
Shower Lighting
Ensuring your shower is well-lit is not just a good design element, it’s also an important safety aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. Shower curtains, opaque screens and even some transparent screens can block out lighting from the rest of the bathroom which can be a serious hazard. A simple overhead light, such as an LED bulb, can make the world of difference to increasing visibility in the shower. Lighting will need to be waterproofed, but both LED and halogen bulbs can be fitted with sealed covers. Another option is a specialised showerhead with in-built lighting, which can add an interesting design aspect to the room. A range of different options are available, with some showerheads incorporating temperature sensors which can alter the colour of the light as the temperature increases.
Feature image: Your Home and Garden
