Having the correct lighting in your bathroom is essential. Whether it’s to shave, put on make-up, or set a relaxing mood for a bubble bath, lighting plays a huge part in the functionality of your room. Because many bathrooms do not offer a natural light source, consideration of lighting is very important, though all too often an afterthought!
Today many bulbs used in bathroom renovations are eco-friendly LED (as opposed to incandescent), which come in a wide array of color “temperatures” ranging from cool to warm. It is recommended for most bathroom applications that a soft, warm color choice is best (between 2,000-3,000 Kelvins). Sharp, white lighting with higher “K’s” can appear too harsh and is usually used more commonly in areas like a basement, outdoors or in a garage. Of course, adding dimmers to your bathroom lighting will allow you to enhance your room’s ambience and provide softer light when needed. Be sure the bulbs you choose have dimmable capability.
Wattage refers to the energy output of your bulb. In other words, the higher the wattage, the more energy it needs to use. Typically LED bulbs do not need nearly as much energy as traditional incandescent bulbs. For example, a 60 watt incandescent bulb would be fairly comparable to a 12-watt LED bulb.
In addition to being very cost effective, having a longer life span, and using less energy, LED lighting is available for nearly every possible fixture option. Surface mount LED pot lights come in a range of sizes and are very popular for bathroom ceiling installations. They can be placed anywhere in the room, including over a shower or bathtub area, where more lighting may be preferred. These give broad, clear illumination to any room and are often used in conjunction with over vanity lighting or side-vanity sconces, which provide more “task lighting” close to the mirror.
Although side mounted sconces minimize shadows and are an excellent choice for many close-up grooming tasks, they are not always practical because of the size or position of the mirror. Over vanity lights tend to be the more widely chosen option. Be sure to consider the length of your vanity, and the positioning of the bulbs within the fixture to provide the optimum illumination. Another consideration is a back-lit mirror, which is available in several styles.
If you happen to be installing a wall-hung floating style vanity, a popular option is to install “toe kick lighting” which illuminates the lower area beneath your vanity. This is typically LED strip lighting, and it is particularly useful in the evening when it will provide a subtle illumination to the bathroom.
Remember, light bulbs come in a wide variety of shapes, strengths and sizes, and it is wise to consider what will work best for your particular installation. Whatever your choice, consider placement and opt for lighting that will give you maximum efficiency. Often LED bulbs that cost more initially, could potentially last years longer and provide ultimate cost savings.
Choosing lighting for your bathroom can be a challenge because the options are truly endless! In some cases, matching sconces and vanity lighting are available to correspond with a particular bathroom fixture series, such as the Moen 90 Degree line. If you are stuck to make a decision, ask your local supplier or your WE DO BATHROOMS team if they can recommend a corresponding lighting option. This often simplifies choices and will definitely give your renovated bathroom a very coordinated look!
