Bathroom lighting
In the design of such a multifunctional room, like a bathroom, every element is important, every participant in the interior. The organization of the lighting system is not the last in the list of necessary cases in the repair of this utility room. Depending on the size of the space, the distribution of functional segments, the chosen color palette of the interior, and many other criteria, you can choose a lot of options for combining various lighting devices. Recessed lights, wall sconces, small chandeliers, or luxurious pendant lights with many decorative elements - which of these options do you choose? We will try to help you in choosing a lighting system using the example of design projects of bathrooms of our extensive selection of photos.
Criteria for choosing bathroom fixtures
The special microclimate of the room for water and sanitary procedures imposes certain criteria on the choice of lighting devices for it. High humidity and temperature changes affect all surfaces. But at the same time, one can speak quite definitely - in the bathroom, lighting should be more intense and more extensive than in all other premises of the dwelling. Even in a small bathroom it is impossible to get by with just one ceiling lamp or a pair of wall sconces in the mirror area - a systematic approach is needed.
The combination of high humidity and electricity presents serious consequences for improper use. In order to ensure a high level of electrical safety of the bathroom, it is necessary to pay attention to the marking of all lighting fixtures. The first digit in the marking indicates dust resistance, the second - moisture. For domestic use, the second digit should be larger than the first (when marking from 1 to 4, it is desirable to choose the largest digit).
Obviously, the selected lighting devices, in addition to their technological qualities, must also correspond to the interior of the bathroom - a stylistic design, color palette, room size. And most importantly - the purchased lamp in the complex should provide the necessary level of illumination of the room.
Depending on the functional segment in which the lighting fixture is located, it should simply provide illumination (around the perimeter of the room or certain areas, furniture or sanitary ware), general diffused lighting (to relax in the bathtub, hydrobox or shower) or give maximum illumination (in the area of mirrors for applying makeup, creating a hairstyle or other procedures).
So, the following factors will influence the choice of fixtures for the bathroom:
- room dimensions and ceiling height;
- the number and location of functional areas (combined bathroom or bathroom, but containing not only a bath and sink, but also a shower or home sauna, hydrobox);
- the presence of a natural light source (in private homes, a bathroom with a window is not uncommon);
- the power of lighting devices can be selected with the possibility of adjustment (the device can be equipped with a remote control or a conventional lamp is equipped with a dimmer instead of a switch);
- the choice of devices for lighting is affected by the color palette of the interior (for light, snow-white surfaces that perfectly reflect light, you will need lamps of lower power than for decorating a bathroom in dark colors);
- the number of mirror surfaces also affects the choice of power of lighting devices;
- if fixtures with decorative hanging elements are selected, then it is necessary to take into account the play of light and shadow from such decorations on the surfaces of the room (the most inappropriate device from this point of view is with a stained glass shade).
Combination options for fixtures of various modifications
Only at first glance it may seem that there are few options for choosing bathroom fixtures - pendant or built-in lighting fixtures. In fact, there are many ways to combine fixtures - modern manufacturers offer us a wide selection of lighting devices in terms of power, ways of attaching to surfaces, design, shape and size, materials used, not to mention a wide range of stylistic variations.
In the bathrooms, decorated in a modern style, hi-tech and even minimalism, you can often find the use of band lighting of various surfaces. LED strips are placed around the perimeter of the ceiling, floor, around mirrors, at the bottom of sinks or storage systems located under it. The backlight can be used to highlight certain functional segments and individual elements of the interior, visually change the image of the room - to increase its volume, the height of the ceiling.
In some cases, it becomes advisable to use color backlighting (often with the ability to control changes in shades). In such a bathroom, in addition to water and sanitary-hygienic procedures, the owners get the benefits of using color therapy (chromotherapy) - each shade is responsible for a certain emotional state - relaxation, tone, vivacity, optimistic mood, general favorable background.
The use of recessed fixtures is a popular way to create lighting in a modern bathroom. The convenience of "hidden" lighting devices is that the smallest part of the entire device is exposed to humidity. It is convenient to install the built-in lamps in suspended structures of ceilings, in the case of creating various niches from moisture-proof drywall and other modern materials.
One of the most important points in creating the necessary level of illumination of the bathroom is the high-quality illumination of the mirrors located above the sink. The most common way to illuminate this functional area is to use wall sconces of various modifications. Before you wall lamps with a snug fit to the surface, a large area of shades, an intense, but not dazzling level of lighting.
An equally popular option for using wall lights is the location of lighting devices above the mirrors. For these purposes, use long lamp models or platforms with two to three or even four shades.
Another option for lighting mirrors is pendant models. Devices are attached to the ceiling and hang over the mirror at a level that will be optimal for maximum illumination of the mirror surface. This option is convenient for those who would not like to drill holes in mirrors that occupy the entire surface above the sink.
With the help of modern tools, it will not be difficult to create a wall sconce mount directly to the mirror surface. This way of designing this functional area is especially relevant for small spaces where the entire space above the sink is occupied by a mirror. On sale there are both ready-made combinations of mirrors with a lamp, as well as possible options for combination. If it will be necessary to drill holes in the mirror surface, it is better to entrust such installation of lighting devices to specialists.
There are many models of mirrors with built-in lighting. In addition to the original appearance, this type of combination of a mirror and a lamp allows you to apply makeup, style hair and perform other procedures at a high level of illumination.
A beautiful and even luxurious chandelier in the bathroom is not a myth, but a very probable reality. If the bathroom is represented by a rather spacious room with a high ceiling, then why not bring a little luxury into its interior by using a beautiful model of a chandelier with many decorative elements? Moreover, it is possible to find a lighting device that is suitable for the level of moisture resistance in the line of suspended chandeliers of classical and Baroque style.
Obviously, all lighting devices, in addition to performing their basic functions, can also play the role of decorative elements. Decorating the interior, adding originality to the design of the bathroom through the use of non-trivial color, texture, choice of material or modification of the device - not only design models, but also mass-produced lighting fixtures can cope with this task.
Modern, eco-style or country style can be effectively emphasized by lamps made in the form of street lamps. Such wall-mounted appliances bring originality even to the most ordinary interior, not to mention the fulfillment of their basic functions - high-quality lighting of the space.
And in conclusion
When creating a bathroom interior, we spend a lot of time choosing a color palette, practical and aesthetic finishing materials, and choosing plumbing that meets all our requirements. Storage systems, textile design, and even decorative elements - many interior items are carefully selected by a whole list of criteria. But all these efforts will be spent in vain if the interior of the bathroom is not organized sufficiently powerful or incorrectly distributed over the functional areas of the lighting. This moment is especially important for spacious utility rooms with several functional segments, a complex color palette or non-standard architecture.