The choice of bathroom fixtures should rely on three main criteria. This is beauty, safety and sufficient lighting in the room. How to choose a lamp in the bathroom? Consider the features of choice, models of fixtures and selection factors.
Lamps for the bathroom should not only be a decoration of this room, but also a safe element in conditions of high humidity. That is why experts recommend choosing waterproof counterparts. Let's consider the varieties of waterproof lamps, the features of the zoning of the room, the factors of choice and the main manufacturers of these models.
How to distinguish moisture-resistant bathroom fixtures from conventional ones?
Lighting moisture-resistant devices in appearance are no different from ordinary ones. Their difference lies precisely in the internal elements and additional components. Waterproof LED bathroom lights are resistant to high humidity, so they last longer than conventional ones.
In the place where the ceiling connects to the restpart of the electrical appliance, there must be rubber seals, the cable entry into the housing must be equipped with waterproof plugs. All these features of waterproof luminaires must be indicated in the passport of the product itself, depending on the protection class. The entire classification system is in line with international standards.
The abbreviation IP ("Ingress Protection Rating") is the degree of protection of the housing, which is assigned to each electrical appliance and with which you can distinguish a waterproof lamp from a conventional counterpart. The higher this indicator, the higher the class and degree of protection against moisture of bathroom fixtures.
This indicator is a criterion for the safety of lighting devices for a person during water ingress, as well as the duration of its performance in conditions of high humidity.
For example, IP 54 on a lamp means that moisture can get on it and this will not affect the nature of its work. IP 68 is the marking of strips or LED fixtures that can easily work under water.
Types of waterproof fixtures
All waterproof fixtures for the bathroom can be divided into several modifications:
- Built-in models They are installed in a false ceiling, a niche in a wall, a partition or a floor surface. Most often, such models are compact and have a round shape.
- Overhead lamps. Their shape and design can be quite varied. Most often they are attached toceiling and perform not only the direct function of lighting, but also act as a decorative element.
- Hanging options. This is a type of fixtures in the bathroom, which are mounted in the ceiling. It can be a chandelier or modern spots of various modifications and colors. They differ in originality, but at the same time they require additional lighting in the room, as they do not cover the entire room with sufficient light.
- Floor lamps. They are used quite rarely, as they require additional space in the room during installation, therefore they are not at all suitable for a small bathroom. But a floor lamp or a hanger with several shades in the bathroom always looks original and unusual.
- Desktop. They are also rarely used and do not illuminate the entire room. Often placed on a table in front of a mirror. The advantage is their use as needed (unlike other light sources), as well as originality and an unusual design solution.
- Wall options. These can be sconces of various shapes, which are mounted either on the wall or above the mirror. Most often they serve as a decorative element in the room.
- Backlight. It can be an LED strip, which additionally decorates the room, but for it you need to additionally equip a special niche.
What to look for when choosing?
You need to think over the lighting system in the room even at the stage of repair or redevelopment, especially for built-in lights for the bathroom. Here are a fewrecommendations.
To choose the right lighting fixture you need to consider:
- dimensions of the room (not only the nature of the lighting directly depends on this, but also the quality of the light in the room, which should be enough);
- the color of the walls and reflective surfaces (if it is a bright space with an abundance of mirror surfaces, then there may be less lighting fixtures than usual, but if the room is decorated in dark colors, then there should be a lot of light sources);
- working areas (often these are areas above the mirror where additional lighting is needed);
- room interior (lighting fixtures must be combined with the existing design in the room);
- technical points (before choosing a lamp in the bathroom, it is important to consider the technical possibility of installing it in the room);
- safety and quality of lighting (if small children or elderly people live in the room, then the lighting in the bathroom should not only be sufficient, but also safe).
Features of lighting zoning in the bathroom
Often, when arranging bathroom fixtures, several options are chosen at once for a certain zoning of the territory. Some can be the main source of light and be used all the time, while others will perform a decorative function and turn on periodically.
You can highlight the zone of upper and lower lighting, as well as additionally illuminate the place near or above the mirror. If athe room is large and there are steps or darkened corners, then you can additionally illuminate them, which is required for high-quality cleaning of the territory.
For room zoning, you can choose both conventional and LED bathroom fixtures. Ceiling, shower, cabinets, mirror - these are the elements in the room that may need additional light.
Often, these lighting fixtures perform a decorative function to emphasize an interior design, make a room more proportional, or highlight a certain place with a colored lamp.
How to choose a waterproof lamp?
Waterproof bathroom fixtures have their advantages over conventional incandescent lamps.
Pros of moisture-resistant lighting fixtures:
- economy (they don't use much electricity, so they last longer);
- practicality (often lamps made in this form are easy to care for, especially in conditions of high humidity);
- variety of models, shapes and colors;
- functionality (many lighting fixtures have additional options in the form of adjusting the brightness of the light);
- accessibility and safety (recessed bathroom fixtures are in an affordable price category, when using them, you should not worry about safety, as they are not afraid of increased moisture or water ingress on them);
- variety of sizes (light fixture should not interfere withfree movement in the room).
Soffits in the bathroom and their features
Waterproof spotlights in the bathroom can be of various types and shapes. This is a fairly new element for this room, which is becoming more and more popular and original solution every year. Moisture-proof bathroom spotlights make the interior of the room aesthetically beautiful and original.
The following types of bathroom spotlights are distinguished by the type of construction:
- With one or more lights, which is most often chosen for ceilings.
- Rotating or stationary structures (stationary ones are fixed and illuminate a certain area, while rotating options can conveniently move and illuminate the place that is needed).
- Mobile or built-in (mobile fixtures are fixed on special rails, on which the lamp can move to another place if necessary).
In one bathroom, depending on the size, you can install several structures in the form of spotlights. They fit any design, from retro to hi-tech, are quite practical, compact and have many different variations (from children's in the form of a soccer ball or an airplane to adult options).
Modern waterproof spots and economical spotlights: features
Waterproof LED bathroom lights come in a variety of shapes andvariations. Recently, spots that are distinguished by originality and non-standard design are gaining more and more popularity. The degree and nature of the lighting can be adjusted, they are practical, modern and suitable for any design in the room.
Spots are of different types. It can be several lighting fixtures in one housing at once or single spotlights. The best option, according to user reviews, is the fastening of spots in the form of rails to the ceiling or wall. But before installation, you need to correctly calculate the number of lighting fixtures.
Lamps in the bathroom ceiling can differ both in energy consumption and in the quality of light (a 30W lamp is enough for 1m2). For a bathroom measuring about 4m2, only four LED spots are enough, with a power of 5 W each.
Despite the fact that fans and extractors are a must in the bathroom, they may not be able to cope with the humidity in the room. Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of luminaire. When choosing waterproof devices, you should pay attention to the appearance, parameters and quality.
Economical spotlights are most often located on the ceiling. They can be in the case or in the ceiling, with various decorative elements and in different colors. When installing, it is important that all lighting fixtures are designed in the same style or color scheme.
How many lights should a bathroom have?
Many are wondering how many spotlights in the bathroom should be, how many light sources are required. As a rule, even for a small room, there should be at least two or three light sources. This includes both ceiling or wall lighting fixtures, as well as fixtures above or on the sides of the mirror.
It is also important to take into account the characteristics of the parameters of the room itself and the color scheme in which the walls are finished. If the room is lighter in color, then fewer fixtures will be needed. If the room is finished with dark shades, then there should be more light sources. The norm of illumination according to SNiP is 50 lux, but experts recommend focusing on the standard for such premises of 150 lux. The area near the mirror should always be brighter and more lit.
Why does the lamp rust and how to prevent it?
Regardless of the choice of ceiling lamp in the bathroom and due to the presence of constant high humidity, each fixture tends to rust. In this case, the protective outer coating on the ceiling is damaged or ugly red spots appear on the lamp itself.
Which lamps to choose so that they do not rust? Here are some recommendations:
- it is better to give preference to glass, plastic or other materials that are protected from high humidity;
- The highest quality materials with a long service life are polymerized or powder-coated metals that do not break down under the influence of high humidity or detergents.funds;
- It is important to choose reliable lighting manufacturers who guarantee and are of high quality.
Overview of manufacturers of moisture-resistant lamps
Spotlights in the bathroom with protection against high humidity are not cheap, but you should also pay attention to the manufacturer. If you choose budget models, they do not differ in sufficient tightness and quality of the material, so they fail quickly. Also, the use of such products may be unsafe.
Companies that are popular in the lighting market for the quality of their products:
- Arte Lamp (Italy) - the company has been producing lighting products since 2001. It is the market leader in waterproof wall lights for the bathroom and beyond. The products of this manufacturer are presented in 20 countries, the range is large, high quality guarantee and a variety of design forms and original devices.
- Eglo (Austria) has been on the lighting market since the 60s of the last century. It is distinguished by a large assortment of its products, which are manufactured on modern equipment and using high-tech materials. The company's specialists every year develop new models, various shapes and colors. That is why the company is always in the top of popularity and keeps up with the times.
- MarkSlojd (Sweden) - has been manufacturing lighting products for over 40 years, products are differentoriginal design and high quality.
- MW-LIGHT (Germany) - founded in 2003, but (despite its small age) the company is very popular among consumers. Lighting fixtures of this brand are of high quality, practicality, luxurious design and a variety of shapes. The company's products are affordable.
- Massive (Belgium) - the company has an 80-year history in the lighting market. Produces a huge number of various forms of lighting, including waterproof wall lamps in the bathroom, spotlights and sconces that fit into rooms of different sizes.
There are many foreign companies that are represented on the Russian lighting market. But there are also domestic counterparts that offer no less high-quality products at an affordable price. Among domestic companies, one can single out Kvant-electro (Lipetsk), Ultrasvet (Moscow), LED STAR (Yekaterinburg) and Diora (Kirov).
When choosing, you should rely primarily not on the price of the product, but on its quality and safety.
