Bathrooms tend to have small windows. This helps to provide privacy, but can also leave some bathrooms feeling a bit gloomy due to the lack of natural light. By exploring ways to add more light, you can make your bathroom feel warmer and cheerier. Below are a few tips when it comes to improving bathroom lighting.
Don’t settle for a single bulb
A single overhead bulb is often not enough to fully illuminate most bathrooms. Adding extra wall lights and ceiling lights can be useful for those darker corners and alcoves. Some bathrooms have multiple recessed lights installed across the ceiling. Others have multi-arm single-light fittings installed with multiple lights pointing in different directions. Lights can also be useful in cupboards and cabinets.
Consider the IP rating
It’s dangerous and illegal to install the wrong type of lighting in certain areas of the bathroom. The ingress protection (IP) rating can help you determine how waterproof lighting is – only lighting with a rating of IP44 or above should be installed in a bathroom. If you’re putting lighting in a bathtub, this will have to be submersible lighting installed by a specialist electrician.
Opt for LEDs or halogen bulbs
LEDs and halogen bulbs consume less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. This makes them more economical and more eco-friendly. Try to choose these bulbs – especially if you’re installing lots of lights in your bathroom. There are other ways to think green in your bathroom as these bathroom tips for an eco bathroom explain.
Create a relaxing atmosphere with dimmable/mood lighting
There may be times when you don’t want super bright lighting in your bathroom. Adding a dimmer switch or exploring bathroom mood lighting options could give you the option of a more atmospheric glow (perfect for a relaxing evening bath). Mood lighting could include anything from soothing coloured LEDs to candles.
Brighten up the space with reflective surfaces
Mirrors and chrome steel features can help reflect light and make a bathroom appear brighter (as well as making your bathroom appear bigger). Most bathrooms contain a mirror over the bathroom sink, but you can place mirrors in other places such as the back of your bathroom door or even across a full empty wall. Materials like chrome steel can meanwhile be used on various fixtures from taps to towel racks.
Explore different types of mirror lighting
Adding lighting above or around a mirror can prevent your face being cast in a shadow when you look into it. Pendant lights hanging above a mirror over a sink can be a fun classy touch. Alternatively, you can install a Hollywood mirror with lighting all around the edges.
Switch the shower curtain for a glass door
Shower curtains may offer more privacy, but they also block out the light while taking a shower (aside from transparent shower curtains). Glass shower doors allow light to still pour through as you’re taking a shower, so that your shower doesn’t feel as gloomy. It’s a much less costly solution than installing extra waterproof lighting in and around your shower.
