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Lighting the
Bathroom
Light serves several goals in the bathroom. The utilitarian
function is obvious. But that purpose can be served in numerous
ways. At the same time, there are design issues that affect the
feeling of spaciousness, atmosphere and other less immediately
practical issues. A bathroom lighting design scheme deserves
some careful thought to address all these aspects.
There are two main areas that are usually attacked first:
whole-room illumination and highlights for the bathroom mirror.
Both involve issues of task lighting. But there's a third that
shouldn't be neglected: accent lighting.
The main illumination for the bathroom is usually some sort of
central fixture more or less in the center of the room on the
ceiling. But even within that constraint there are many
choices. Elegant coverings participate in the overall design
scheme. Where exactly the light is placed determines where
shadows fall.
An elegant bronze design, for example, can complement the
bathroom sink faucet and controls. An old-fashioned trio of
glass funnels works with that to produce a certain look of days
gone by. But contemporary designs can lend the same kind of
integral function. A chromed can-style light housing gives a
good reflector for efficient LED bulbs, while the rim can offer
a design element that matches a high-tech looking shower.
Strip lights over the mirror can serve a dual purpose, too.
They provide helpful extra light for applying makeup or shaving
and other grooming tasks. At the same time, both the type of
bulb and the fixture are part of the bathroom's
decor.
A series of cones that direct light straight down is one common
choice. But a softer light can be produced by angling them up
at the ceiling instead. Far from creating a dark, shadowy
atmosphere as they might in the home entertainment area,
bouncing light off highly reflective bathroom paint gives
plenty of light.
The fixtures are equally important. They're one of the first
things anyone will notice when flipping on the light switch.
Even with the bulbs off, they're part of the overall look of
the room. Select a fixture with the rest of the design scheme
in mind. A Walnut or Teak support will lend a natural feel. A
brass one will provide a bright elegance that matches the hot
and cold water controls for the bathroom sink.
But consider, too, the role that accent lights can play in the
bathroom. A dark corner in an L-shaped bathroom can be fitted
with accent lights to throw illumination in that space. That
provides a sense of spaciousness that helps the bathroom appear
larger.
If the toilet sits in a nook around the corner from the sink or
bathtub, a set of accent lights is perfect for creating yet
another zone. It also produces a mixture of light and shadow
that is a design element all its own.
Don't settle for just lighting up your bathroom so you can see.
Design the lighting scheme so that you'll want to see what's
there.
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