Tips for Proper Bathroom Lighting

In many households, the bathroom is arguably the most used room. For all of the time we spend cleaning, grooming and relaxing in the bathroom, the room deserves to be properly lit! Yet, many homeowners neglect to put much thought into its lighting design. We offer four best practices for bathroom lighting from our experts.

Illuminate the Vanity with Side Lights

Kichler 1-light polished nickel wall sconce

Kichler 1-light polished nickel wall sconce

An important lesson to learn about bathroom lighting is to never have recessed lights above your vanity mirror as the only source of illumination. Downlighting casts shadows that make you appear less attractive and make it more difficult to complete grooming tasks. Placing wall sconces on either side of the mirror will distribute light evenly and help you avoid injury when shaving.

Mount a Light Above the Tub

In many bathrooms, the shower is situated in a corner where light cannot reach. To combat the issue of limited light when you’re trying to shave or reach the shampoo bottle, have a light installed right above the tub. A recessed can will throw just the right amount of light to help you see, without being too harsh in the early morning or late night hours.

Install Separate Dimmers

Depending on the time of day, you want different levels of light. For instance, when you’ve just woken up in the morning, you likely prefer less light; maybe you switch on the wall sconces by the vanity and that’s it. If you have one dimmer for three different sources of light, you won’t have full control over the bathroom lighting. Instead, have a dimmer panel for each source: sconces, recessed cans, chandelier, etc.

Add a Touch of Decorative Sparkle

If you spend a lot of time relaxing in the bathroom, why not make the space more of a spa-like atmosphere? A sophisticated chandelier or pendant light can help create the ideal ambience you want for a quiet bubble bath after a long day at the office. Plus, a central fixture looks very elegant in a room that is often overlooked when it comes to decorating!

For all of your bathroom lighting needs, visit Connecticut Lighting Centers today. Find a showroom near you!