X

Whether you have a simple bathroom with a shower and toilet, or a grand space with a hot tub that can fit three people, your bathroom will always look better with great lighting. The problem is that lighting a bathroom effectively can be tricky; small rooms and tight spaces can make it challenging to figure out where to place ceiling lights, wall sconces, and even light switches. This is important, because a variety of tasks take place in the bathroom, which, in turn, require different types of lighting.

If your [city] home’s bathroom needs a lighting makeover, don’t worry. You can get the job done right by avoiding these lighting mistakes.

Not Having Enough Layers of Light

Many homeowners think that installing one overhead light fixture inside a bathroom is enough to light the whole area. This is not the case, however. Even if you were to install a very bright overhead light, you will still create shadows that make it hard to see what you’re doing when you’re shaving or applying makeup in front of a mirror.

To avoid this problem, you can layer your lighting. Layering light fixtures involves using different types of lights to create a lit area that’s balanced both in terms of aesthetics and usability.

  • Use ambient lighting as your source of general lighting.
  • Add a couple of task lights, such as sconces mounted on the wall on each side of the mirror and above the sink.
  • Install a few accent lights for areas you want to highlight, such as interesting tile décor on the wall or even some art pieces.

Pro Tip: Make sure you use damp-rated light fixtures so your lights will last longer.

Not Paying Attention to Color Temperature

With LED light bulbs and fixtures now a leading lighting choice of homeowners and consumers, it’s also become more important to look at the packaging to check the LED’s features.

Take note of the LED bulb’s color temperature, which indicates how warm or cool its light is, expressed in Kelvin (K). An LED bulb with a color temperature of 2700K, for example, will give off a warmer light similar to the classic yellow glow of an incandescent light bulb. In contrast, a bulb with a color temperature of 5000K will produce a cooler light that’s closer to the appearance of natural daylight.

Why does all this matter? For starters, certain tasks in the bathroom require certain colors of light. When you’re soaking in the tub after a long day of work, you want a light that’s soft and relaxing (i.e. warm light). On the other hand, if you want to see what you’re doing when applying makeup, a cooler light tends to be better for the job.

Not Using Dimmers

Consider adding dimmers to your bathroom lighting system. This way, you can control the brightness of your bathroom lights and save energy at the same time. Although a bright, fully-lit bulb might be perfect for getting ready in the morning, it won’t be the best thing to see during those late-night bathroom breaks. Most modern light bulbs are compatible with dimmers. They’re also very easy to install and use.

Be sure to avoid these bathroom lighting mistakes to create the perfect bathroom for your home.

X