A bathtub cannot be complete and multifunctional without the presence of lighting fixtures in it. Since this is a room with its own special microclimate, before organizing the light in the bathroom, it is worth studying some rules, and not only design ones.
In the bathroom, you can not only carry out purely hygienic procedures, but also relax morally, relaxing after a hard day's work. Therefore, it is important that the dimmed light in the bathroom is in harmony with the overall situation, forming the appropriate atmosphere.
I want to say right away that the symmetrical placement of fixtures in the bathroom is a bad idea, but what about everything else, in particular, with the connection of lighting fixtures, read on.
Species diversity of lamps
The first thing to understand when organizing lighting, regardless of the room and its type, is the options for the lighting fixtures used. Since the bathroom is a room with its own microclimate that is different from other rooms, this should be taken into account whenchoosing a lighting scheme and the fixtures themselves.
Incandescent lamps and their features
This is one of the cheapest and most affordable options, but not the best for the bath. The so-called Ilyich's bulb does not tolerate high humidity, therefore, if water splashes or active condensation forms on a heated lamp, there is a danger that it will simply burst. In an ordinary room, the lamp is capable of working up to 1 thousand hours of glow.
A distinctive characteristic of such a product is a strong incandescence, accompanied by by no means full-fledged light emission. A weak luminous flux leads to a dim, inferior light in the bathroom, and the use of such lamps in a company with fabric or plastic lampshades is highly discouraged. Among other things, the incandescent lamp is one of the most voracious and consumes more electricity than others.
But still, this is the preferred option in the choice of lamps among buyers due to the cheapness of products.
Halogen lamp specifications
They are preferred for spot use. They give off much more light than previous lamps, they heat up weakly, and last a long time. On sale you can find a version of the product designed for use with a voltage of 220 and 12 V. Although in the second case you will have to install a transformer to get such light in the bathroom (see photo below).
Fluorescent lamps and their distinctive features
These are products of the modern generation, giving a powerful luminous flux, differingenergy-saving properties and excellent performance regardless of the conditions and type of microclimate in the room, including in conditions of high humidity.
With a stable voltage, such lamps last for several years.
Interestingly, not only traditional white, but also multi-colored lamps can be found on sale, which will allow you to beat the interior or create an interesting lighting option. All types of lamps, regardless of color and version, work absolutely silently.
Sometimes with such lighting there is a problem - the need to "flare up" the lamp. This means that it takes several minutes for the light to go from dim, dim to full-fledged - bright. In total, this effect will take no more than 120 seconds.
Fluorescent lamps differ in that they do not tolerate low temperatures in the room. It is also interesting that fluorescent lamps that are broken, burnt out or out of working order should not be thrown away with household waste. These products are sent for special recycling.
LED bathroom light
This is the most economical type of lamp on the market. Their service life is estimated at tens of thousands of hours. Such light bulbs are screwed into a standard base, therefore they are suitable for replacement in any light source. From the advantages of products, buyers highlight:
- environmental safety, which is important and especially valuable to buyers;
- light quality;
- minimum energy consumption indicators.
Disadvantages compared to the advantages declared by the manufacturer cannot be called significant, because they are mainly reflected in the high price of products and not always justified service life. Although the second factor pops up not because of poor quality, but because of the voltage drops inherent in our power grid, which leads to very negative consequences.
LED lighting is a good option
Using LED strip or special fixtures is a good alternative. They provide an excellent opportunity to organize an original lighting effect. Therefore, it is precisely such a tape that is often mounted on furniture in the bathroom, to illuminate the mirror, to create the effect of “floating” furniture by mounting LEDs under it. But there is one thing! In almost all cases of using this kind of backlight, an additional converter with an operating voltage of 12 V is required.
Number of lights in the bathroom
Before you connect the light in the bathroom, you need to decide on the type of lighting, the variant of the lamp and, of course, their quantity. So, for a bathroom with a small area (up to 5 m22), it will be enough to mount 2-3 spotlights.
Please note that additional light will be required in the washbasin and mirror area, making the morning toilet as convenient as possible.
It's different with a spacious bathroom. The zonal arrangement of light is important here. This will not only make the atmosphere more pleasant, but visually divide the space into zones, highlighting each of them in its own way.
Bin this case, it will be necessary to determine the type of light and the number of lamps even at the stage of repair work preceding the finishing. So you can organize the wiring in accordance with all requirements and regulations, making the light in the bathroom absolutely safe to use.
Types of fixtures and their place in the bathroom
This aspect also requires attention, and no less than other issues. Devices in their configuration and type are completely different. The first type of classification is determined by the position on the surface. There are two options here: open type and built-in. Moreover, the latter fit best into rooms with a small area. Light in the bathroom with a design (see photo below), its intensity and direction depend on the location of the lighting fixtures.
Classification of luminaires by location:
- On the ceiling. A traditional option that will not be difficult to implement for any style of interior. It is recommended that every bathroom have at least one such lamp as a central element.
- In the wall. These products fulfill a specific goal - highlighting certain areas of the bathroom.
- On the floor. This option is most often used to fill the decorative function, which gives the interior a special originality. Through the play of light and the use of individual models of lamps, it is not difficult to visually beat the space, making it more voluminous.
Each of these optionscan be used as functional, decorative, directional or general lighting and can be used in any room, including bathroom lighting.
The main types of lighting in the interior of the bathroom
Any designer will tell you that there are three main types of lighting:
- general;
- local;
- accent.
When the lighting fixtures are evenly placed in the upper part of the room, general lighting is formed. It provides visibility by illuminating the interior as a whole. Experts advise giving preference to this kind of lighting in those functional areas of the house where there is the most need for bright light - the nursery, living room, kitchen. Although they do not exclude the use of such a technique when organizing light in the bathroom.
Local lighting means local lighting, which is also welcome in the bathroom. This kind of lighting is appropriate when additional lighting is needed or to recreate the "smell of lavender" - the light in the bathroom with a muted effect. Floor lamps, sconces, floor and wall spotlights cope with this task better than others.
Accent lighting is designed to emphasize individual interior details: a picture, a rack, a mirror, a niche. In this case, an LED strip or lamp is used as an alternative light source.
Tips for organizing different types of lighting in the bathroom
To your attention are the main tips of experts that contribute to the organization of a cozy and stylishinterior design with different types of lighting. Lighting options include:
- multilevel lighting;
- bottom illumination;
- rotary lights;
- illumination of openings and niches;
- hidden lighting;
- pendant light structures;
- lamps as decorative interior elements.
How to organize each type of lighting in the bathroom, let's figure it out together.
Multi-level lighting option
This option can be confidently called a bright light cocktail that combines three types of lighting in its composition at once, which gives the space depth and comfort, providing an unsurpassed visual effect. How the light in the bathroom with pendant lights looks like in the photo, see below.
As you can see, this kind of lighting is not only beautiful, but also functional. It can be easily transformed by turning off some of the sources and changing the direction of the lighting, for example, wanting a more relaxing environment or an atmosphere for focusing on makeup.
Low light features
This is an opportunity to focus attention by placing a lamp that emphasizes one or another piece of furniture (design) in the interior. Thanks to this kind of system, it is easy to organize another tier in the lighting. The best way to cope with this task is the LED strip, which does not heat up, is airtight and shines brightly enough, which is important when organizing light in the bathroom and toilet.
Severalwords about moving lights
This is the newfangled trend of modern lighting. An unusual system that allows you to change the direction of light will please the most sophisticated customers in the design of a bathroom interior project. An interesting feature of rotary lights is the ability to move thanks to a special attachment to stretched cables or tracks, which resembles beads on a thread.
Illumination of openings and niches
The presence of such a spectacular element of the interior is more advantageous than ever. This is a place for decorative elements, in the bathroom - cosmetics and other hygiene items, bottles with creams, shampoos and other products. Additional lighting of the opening in the bathroom will give the room the desired volume and fill it with light, especially if the room is small. Bathroom makeover in the evening looks original and stylish.
Below in the photo is the light in the bathroom and interior design in an interesting interpretation.
Hidden light features
The presence of light and the absence of any sign of its sources is the best characteristic of this kind of design technique. Thanks to such unusual lighting, the interior acquires attractiveness and originality. The background light gently illuminates the room, and any light switches in the bathroom are securely hidden without spoiling the overall picture with their unpresentability. Luminaires are also hidden, placed on cabinets, shelves, multi-level ceiling structures. Often, to meet such goalsspecial linear panels are used, also called light slots.
The place of the pendant lamp in the interior
This is the best product for highlighting and at the same time zonal division of the room with the help of light alone. Pendant lights are a great option for a shared bathroom or bathroom with both a shower and a spa bath. By placing one lamp in each of the zones, you can highlight another corner inside the room, emphasizing its merits.
Features of choosing lighting for the bathroom
We bring to your attention simple rules, selected on the basis of the recommendations of the masters and the opinion of experts in the field of design, which will help organize the light in the bathroom. Features of the choice of lighting are hidden behind:
- The degree of lighting in the bathroom, which should be brighter and lighter than other functional areas of the home.
- The safety of the lighting system, regardless of the type of room, due to the exceptional microclimate of the bathroom.
- The location of the lighting fixture, preferably outside the area of the tub or shower box.
- The height of the light source, exceeding the distance from the floor to the fingertips of the outstretched hand.
- Dryness of the lighting fixture, because any ingress of water, even a few splashes, can lead to a short circuit. Therefore, it is worth considering these features during the illumination of the very mirror, near which experts recommend placing closed-type lighting devices and only on the sides ofreflective surface. Plus, the lamps don't have to be blindingly bright.
- Humidity level, which determines the need to purchase moisture-proof lamps and other products, the characteristics of which are contained on the packaging with the product. The optimal water resistance for a bathroom is 4 or more.
- The number of light sources, determined by the area of the room, the height of the ceilings, as well as the presence of windows in the bathroom. Do not forget about the rule that the larger the area of the room, the more lighting fixtures that provide the optimal level of light in the bathroom should be.
- The type of lighting and the combination of several lighting options. A combination of options is not excluded, on the contrary, it is an interesting solution that makes the interior even more advantageous and interesting. This approach to the design of light in the bathroom will definitely be appreciated by fans of non-standard solutions. This is especially important if the designer presents the possibility of choosing a project with an adjustable level of lighting. Below in the photo is the light in the bathroom, the interior design of which is successfully complemented by transparent lamps.
How bathroom imperfections can be turned into virtues with the help of light play
A harmonious look of the room is easy to achieve with just the right lighting. You can even adjust the shapes and edges of the room by getting the lighting right. To do this, you need to take into account a few simple rules, including:
- The location of the lamps around the perimeter of the ceilingbathroom on a special ledge with lamps. It looks interesting option with directed beams of light on the walls of the bathroom.
- Bright illumination of the far wall, visually expanding a narrow cramped room. This technique is suitable for both the bath and the corridor or kitchen with a non-standard layout.
- Installing two rows of light design fixtures in the bathroom, one on the floor, the other on the ceiling, which will elongate the room.
- Using wall sconces to add dimension to a room.
- Radically expand and increase space by completely eliminating bulky ceiling chandeliers and replacing them with floor lamps.
Do not forget that diffused and reflected light contributes to a visual increase in space, and the effect is enhanced by the introduction of light colors and glossy surfaces into the interior. Below is a design with light in the bathroom, combined with blue tones.
Rules for quality bathroom lighting
Proper organization of lighting in the bathroom is based on 7 basic rules:
- First and foremost, safety.
- The intensity of light is determined by the area of the room.
- Zonality of light distribution in bathroom design.
- The more bulbs, the lower their power, and vice versa.
- Glare taboo.
- Breaking stereotypes - style your lighting the way you like it. Combine options and do not deny yourself the possibility of creativity.
- Energy saving is the future. Therefore, the use of energy-saving, environmentally friendly and absolutely safe lamps is welcome.
Now you know how to make the light in the bathroom harmonious and combined with the interior. The above rules will help determine the lighting option, the type of fixtures, and the installation scheme, which is important during the work. Remember that the light in the bathroom, however, as in any other room, is the basis of the basics. After all, even the most attractive design with an illiterate arrangement of light sources will look ridiculous.
