| Bathroom Lighting Fixtures |
| Lighting fixtures are an important part of any bathroom, both in terms of design and function. While a plain light can brighten a bathroom enough to be usable, they cannot provide specific lighting needs such as mirror lights and accent lights. And with vanities, dressing areas, and tubs being built into most bathrooms, there are endless lighting options for anyone wishing to update their bathroom. Here are some of your choices.
Vanity lighting fixtures These include mirror lights, cabinet lights, and sometimes small overhead spot lights. Also known as frontal lighting, vanity fixtures typically use low-voltage bulbs and have a sleek, simple look. The most common vanity fixtures, as well as the mist tricky, are mirror lights. Because the light bounces off the mirror, mirror lights tend to be too bright and harsh, or too dim. The result is either an unflattering reflection with ghastly shadows, or too little light to shave, fix your hair, or put on makeup. For effective mirror lighting, surround the sides with light bulbs or place diffused lamps on either side. Vanity lighting is available in various styles, from traditional strip lighting to elegant and contemporary wall sconces. There are also mirrors with built-in lighting, a perfect start if you are putting together a vainly from scratch. Most are available in soft, muted shades to better match the skin tone. Ceiling fixtures Ceiling fixtures provide general lighting, illuminating the entire bathroom area to make it functional. Unlike soft vanity lights, ceiling lights are large and bright. They are almost always the overhead type, either in a globe shell or a fluorescent lamp. The challenge of choosing a ceiling light is that they have to be bright enough to illuminate, but soft enough to be comforting. Warm to medium tones usually work best. For a seamless look, try installing a series of down-lights instead of a single lamp. Place them over key areas such as the toilet, shower, and bathtub. This way, you can flick on the switch only where you need light, effectively avoiding glare and saving you power costs. Also use them with a dimmer to better control brightness. Closet fixtures Closet lights are small and cheap, but very useful. These lights help you find things in your bathroom closet without having to turn on the nearest overhead light. If you have a wall-mounted closet over a vanity counter, you can also install them underneath to provide frontal and spot lighting. If you have a small cabinet, use recessed lights to save space. Flush-mount ceiling lights are ideal for large walk-in cabinets. There are also simple under-cabinet lighting strips that you can install on the cabinet ceiling, floor or base, depending on your lighting needs. You may also want an automated door-jamb switch to automatically turn the lights off when you close the cabinet door. |
| Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas |
Fixture casing and lenses
While plain fluorescent tubes or matchstick bulbs will do the job, a simple decorative casing over the bulb can make a world of difference. There are glass casings in various shapes, the most common ones being shells, rings, and fluted plates. Check out different hardware or home supply stores for options, or have one custom-made to suit your tastes. Make sure the casing is heat-resistant and still allows enough light to pass through.
You can soften or brighten an existing light by changing its lens. Translucent lenses are a favorite for bathroom lights because they diffuse the light while keeping brightness intact. Clear lenses can cause light to glare unflatteringly from mirrors, while opaque lenses provide poor illumination. You can use a translucent lens on your general lighting, mirror or accent lights only, or place them over the entire system.
Lighting makes up a small part of most bathroom plans, but for serious bathroom designers, it is one of the most demanding aspects of bathroom design. It has to be bright enough to be functional, but soft enough to relax and flatter. It also has to match your color scheme without clashing or blending in. You also need to consider safety, as you will be installing them alongside heating and water systems. The following guide should help you pick the right lighting system for your bathroom.
Start with a plan for Lighting
Even the most expensive lighting fixtures are useless when installed with faulty wiring. Consult an electrician or contractor to help you plan out your overhead wiring. If your existing layout is still functional, you can simply have it rechecked for flaws before installing. But if the wiring is severely damaged or stands in the way of the heating or water system, you may have to have your bathroom rewired. A wiring plan will help you locate errors and know where it is safest to install your fixtures.
Maximize Natural light in your Bathroom
Natural light is still the best, safest, and cheapest way to illuminate, so use it whenever you can. Large windows and skylights allow sunlight to stream in and light up the entire room. Add a light-colored curtain to filter the light and cast a warm, relaxing glow. If you have small windows, increase natural light by placing mirrors opposite the windows. Mirrors reflect incoming sunlight and spread it throughout the room.
Use downlighters in Bathroom
Downlighters are lights that are recessed into the ceiling and point downwards. These are usually low-voltage and come in small bulbs, making them both economical and attractive. Install a series of downlighters instead of a single fluorescent tube for a softer, more even lighting. They can be blindingly bright at night, though, so use them with a dimmer.
Light mirrors from the sides
Mirror lighting can be tricky – lights have to be in the right position, angle, and brightness to be both functional and pleasing to the eye. Some of the no-nos are a strip of light at the top, daylight or fluorescent lighting, and dim incandescent bulbs. The best arrangement is a series of light bulbs installed around the perimeter, but this design is a bit dated, not to mention costly. A good alternative is to put a strip of frosted or diffused light on either side of the mirror.
Illuminate your tub
There are also underwater lights available for your bathtub. They are usually available in various colors, allowing you to set the right mood for a long, relaxing bath. Fiber optic lights are completely safe and perfect for children’s bathtubs. Make sure the wiring for these bulbs are kept safely away from the water and that the switch is tightly sealed and waterproof.
| Lights are often the last to be installed in a remodeled bathroom, but that does not mean they should be considered last. In fact, even expertly designed bathrooms need good lighting to accent their décor. The wrong lighting choice can ruin an otherwise beautiful bathroom. Read on for some of the things to look for when buying bathroom lights.
Color temperature This refers to how warm or cool the light appears. Bluish to pure white lights have the highest color temperatures and are considered cool, while yellowish shades are the warmest. Your choice of color temperature depends on what you want out of your bathroom light. If you want something simple and functional, go for a daylight or sunlight bulb. These color temperatures range from 5000 to 6500 Kelvin and are the brightest on the scale. For mirror lighting, you may want something more subtle, because mirrors reflect light and can make daylight too harsh and unflattering. Warm and medium temperatures – less than 3500K – work best for mirror lighting. Accent lights should be warm and subtle, but strong enough to draw attention to themselves. Lamp placement Bathroom lights can be classified into three general categories: general, accent, and mirror lighting. General lighting provides overall illumination to make the bathroom usable. Plan out your general lighting before deciding on accents and mirror lights, or whether you want any at all. Fluorescent lamps are the cheapest and most functional choice. Place accent lights along the wall above eye level, preferably in a sconce shell that directs the light upward. If you have long, wide walls, hang accents in a horizontal line every few meters. Mirror lights depend on how big your mirror is. Regular-sized rectangular mirrors are best lit up by a wall sconce on either side. Position the lights about 30 inches apart and 66 inches above the floor. This will allow the light to frame your face and flatter your skin tone. |
| Creating the best possible bathroom lighting |
 Most people think about showers, baths, toilets and color schemes when designing their new bathroom, but very few think about the lighting. It could be argued that lighting is one of the most important factors in creating ambiance and a place of relaxation inside the bathroom.
When choosing the best form of lighting, you have a large variety of lighting fixtures to choose from. This article is going to give you some of the most common choices for creating a bathroom with impressive lighting. Bathroom light fixtures are very varied. You can find them in many styles and deigns. They also come in an assortment of colors, so you can match them to the color scheme in your bathroom. You also need to think about the type of lighting that you want inside your bathroom. Do you want mirror lighting, cascade lighting, wall mounted lighting, pendant lighting or another variety? These are some of the many options that you have. The current trend in bathroom lighting is toward those that are very usable, renewable and very visually appealing. Most people want a well-lit bathroom with a feeling of relaxation and comfort. This can be achieved with the right type of lighting effects. Some of the best ways to create this effect is with mirrored lights. This works very well because it creates light throughout the entire bathroom, as it is obviously reflected. If you bathroom is relatively small, then this is something that is highly recommended. With a larger bathroom, you will also need to have a number of wall mounted or ceiling fixed lights. You also have the option of using general light and then special lights for those moments of total relaxation. This is something that more and more bathroom designers are starting to use. Many bathrooms use superfluous flush ceiling lights that bring most of the light into the room. They then use small recessed lights in the rest of the bathroom, such as the shower area. Of course, you can make these decisions for yourself, but it makes sense to understand your options ahead of time. You will find that recessed lighting is generally used over the bathtub. In this area, harsh lighting is not wanted as it spoils the mood that people want to experience when bathing. It is best to use recessed lighting in combination with more focused lighting, as you can enjoy the best of both types. If you live in a cold area, then you might want to consider a heat lamp as well. This can serve two purposes at once and provides fast heat during cold winters in the bathroom. The majority of the bathroom lighting decisions come down to your personal choice. You might prefer to have ornamental lighting throughout the bathroom. If this fits with your current bathroom design, then it will look great. However if you want a more modern design, then the recessed lighting, together with more focused intense lighting is probably the way to go. Combining these two forms of lighting gives you more options and versatility inside the bathroom. It also looks great and gives you a feeling or ambiance and comfort |
Size is your Bathroom?
When you select your bathroom lighting there is one factor which will influence you more than any other – the size of the room.
Single light
If your room is small, then for your bathroom lighting consider having one central light fitting on the ceiling. This can be any
Single Light in Bathroom
type, but a recessed fitting in the center of the ceiling, or a diffuse light (where the bulb is hidden by a white glass cover) are the most common and effective. However, make sure that you really do get enough light by using this method, especially when standing in front of a mirror to shave or apply make-up.
Shaving/Make-up lighting
Many bathrooms will need additional light, especially by the mirror over the washbasin. If the light is just needed for shaving, then one light above the mirror will be enough. You can get lighting units which combine a light and a shaving socket.
For applying make-up you’ll need to have a light either side of the mirror. The usual solution here is to fit wall lights either side of the mirror. They should be placed so the light falls on your face, and doesn’t reflect in the mirror.
Alternatively, you can buy mirrors which have lights set into them, usually down either side. Most of these consist of squares or circular sections which have not been silvered, and allow the light from a fluorescent tube to shine through.
General lighting
General Bathroom lighting
One of the best methods of bathroom lighting is to use down lighters – small (maybe low voltage) lights which are recessed into the ceiling. You can fit as many of these as you think necessary. Make sure you have one fitted over the bath and one over the shower.
Warning
Combining electricity and water can be lethal! Always get a qualified expert to install light fittings for you. You may also find there are strict rules about electrical fittings in bathroom – which types can be used safely, etc. – so always make sure you comply with the rules.
These rules are made for your own safety!

Compact yet functional
This bathroom is modern and not too large, yet still manages to combine all the necessary elements. The large mirror is ideal for
Compact Bathroom Lighting
both tall and shorter people, and the lighting over the mirror gives light both above and from the sides. The use of open glass shelves gives space for practical and decorative objects, but doesn’t encroach into the room as would be the case with a wall mounted unit with doors.
Start thinking about living room lighting once you’ve placed your seating and furniture.
There are five types of living room lighting:
- Daylight
- Background
- Task (reading, etc)
- Feature (lighting up objects such as pictures)
Daylight Lighting
Daylight Lighting
You can get maximum daylight into your room by making sure any curtains and drapes can be pulled back clear of the windows. And because the light in most rooms is as little as 10% of daylight, you’ll often find (especially on dull days) that one or two table lamps can be lit to supplement daylight.

Background lighting
Background Lighting
Background living room lighting can be given by table lamps, chandeliers, wall lights & uplighters.
The downlighters in the ceiling brighten areas of the floor and furniture. The lamp in the background creates interest with the light and dark areas on the walls. If you can imagine all the lighting uniform, the room would look quite ‘flat’.
Uplighters are normally associated with more modern or contemporary rooms, but don’t let this influence you too much. Unless the design is distinctly modern, uplighters in traditionally furnished rooms are perfectly acceptable. Chandeliers, modern or traditional, unless they have fabric or opal glass shades, can give a harsh light. If it’s a crystal chandelier, however, this is an advantage, as the light is reflected and refracted in the crystal.
With most lighting today you can have ‘dimmmer’ switches fitted. These allow you to control the amount of light emitted, and are very useful. Fit them whenever you can.

Table lamps probably give the most relaxing living room lighting. Their position is such that light is reflected off the ceiling, so they act as uphighters, and they shine light downwards, so they act as reading lamps.
As well as sources of light for your living room lighting, table lamps can be objects of beauty in their own right.
The advantage of table lamps is that you can re-arrange them as necessary. The lamp bases can also be items of beauty in their own right. Hand painted Japanese pots are a classic example of items which are used as lamp bases.

Task lighting
Task Lighting
Task lighting can be given by table lamps and specialist reading lights. As well as desk lamps for reading, you’ll find floor lamps which can have their light section pivoted to direct the light. These are are very effective for your living room lighting.
If you ever need to place a table lamp in a certain position in your room and you don’t have a suitable piece of furniture to put it on, use a circular table. You can make these easily (or have one made for you). Simply cover it with a circular cloth, have a piece of glass cut to size and the edges polished, place it on the top, and voila! These covered tables also give ’softness’ to a room, especially if you have a lot of hard edges on view.
Uplighters are available which also have a reading light attached, so you can use either light, or both lights together.
Feature lights
Feature lighting can be supplied by recess ceiling lights, picture lights, spotlights on ornaments etc. Recessed down lights in the ceiling should be able to rotate a small amount, so you have some control over the direction of the light.
Hint: Don’t think of lighting as ‘this lamp’ or ‘that wall light’. Think of a lamp as a brush which ‘paints’ light over the floor, walls and ceiling of your room.
Home lighting is often the last thing you think about when you decorate your home. You’re usually so relieved to have finished (more or less!) that you rush out to a lighting store and buy the first ones you see.
But home lighting is a crucial part of your decorating.
The quality of the light determines how you see your room. Daylight may provide a completely different mood from artificial light. And because there are so many options for artificial light you can create many different moods and effects.
Importance of Daylight in Living Room
Establish where the light comes from, what sort of light it is, and you’ll find it easier to decorate and think about your home lighting ideas.
Daylight is usually the most important source of light for a room. It changes with the time of day and the seasons; it changes in intensity and color, and therefore affects how your room will look from hour to hour.
In order to make the most of daylight, small windows should be free of clutter, and have curtains drawn back. Large windows may need to have shades, shutters or sheers to reduce intense daylight which may fade or damage furniture and furnishings.
But daylight can’t penetrate your room evenly, and no more than ten per cent of daylight gets into the room. So even on a bright day you may need alternative sources of light for tasks such as reading and writing.
Very few homes are situated so they have good daylight provided in all areas, so artificial light is something to consider using not just at night. Darker areas such as halls and passages may benefit from having a lamp or uplighter to give warmth and provide an inviting interior.
Think carefully before installing your bedroom lighting. More than any other room bedrooms need soft lighting, but also lighting for specific tasks, such as reading or next to a make-up mirror.
One feature which many folks forget to plan for with their bedroom lighting is the position and arrangement of light switches. It’s always useful to be able to control all the lights in your bedroom from the bed.
Similarly, when you enter the room, it’s nice to just push one switch, and a selection of lights come on – the bedside lamps and dressing table lamp, for example. So once you’ve planned your furniture positions, plan the position of your light switches.

Bedside lamps
Side Lamps
Bedside lamps are almost essential for your bedroom lighting. Make sure they are the correct height: when you’re sat up in bed you want the light to shine on your reading material, but not shine in your eyes. A good indication of the correct height is when the bottom of the shade is at eye level when you are sat up reading.
Plenty of warm light is given by these two bedside lamps. They give enough light for background lighting as well as for reading. Bedside lamps are usually a very good option for your bedroom lighting.

Wall and ceiling lamps
Wall and Ceiling Lamps
If you don’t have bedside tables or cabinets, then a useful alternative is to have wall mounted lamps on swing arms. You can also use these if space is limited, or you have some form of curtains enclosing the bed.
If you already have wall lights you can fit them either side of the bed, but make sure they are fitted at the right height.
As well as bedside lamps, this bedroom has downlights recessed in the ceiling above the bed.
Lights for make-up
Make up Lights
For lamps next to a make-up mirror, you need the light to illuminate your face, not shine into the mirror and dazzle you. One of the best solutions is to have a lamp placed either side of the mirror.
Having lamps with dimmer switches will enable you to balance the light more effectively in your bedroom.
There’s no need to wait to buy your lighting. National Builder Supply offering you Free Shipping on all Lighting and Home Furnishings orders of $99 or more. With their vast choice, competitive pricing and free shipping you’ll have your lighting sorted in no time.

The beams in the ceiling of this bedroom provide a perfect place to fix spotlights. These allow you to direct the light to suit the room. A bedside lamp and a lamp on the chest of drawers give a warm and comfortable look to the room.

No Bathroom remodel is complete without bathroom lighting and flooring. Let’s start with bathroom flooring.
If you’re living in a cold climate, one of the most luxurious treatments you can do with your bathroom flooring is heated tile. This is a feature available with most all ceramic, slate, granite, and stone tiles which really takes the shock out of your morning routine.
For bathroom tile selections, don’t forget to look beyond color to consider texture and tile dimensions. For carpet, hardwoods and linoleum think about durability and usage. Really focus on how you use the bathroom to determine the type of bathroom flooring. There are a number of innovations in carpet and wood flooring that can make your selection perfect you’re your lifestyle. Again, as with most other bathroom design products, your choices are endless. Your contractor should have some direction for you.
Bathroom Lighting is critical to the bathroom remodel. You should consider ceiling, vanity and recessed in general (light from above), accent (lighting from below counters, inside showers, etc.) and decorative as in sconces. Do you want lighting around the mirrors? Are you looking for a brighter bathroom? Have you built in any features you’d like to accent?
People have different tastes; hence the reason why there are so many different types of bathroom decor. However, one thing that remains important irrespective of the design and style of your bathroom is the lighting. When choosing your bathroom light fixtures, you have to consider exactly what ambience you want fro your bathroom.
Single Light in Bathroom
Obviously, you need adequate light for all the essentials such as applying make-up etc., but the lighting should also enhance the entire bathroom. Vanity lighting or mirror lighting in the bathroom is critical in that it must provide perfect reflection and imagery without distorting by any other light in the room.
When picking fixtures, be aware that the clearer your lens or shade is, the more light it will spread into the bathroom. Layout of your lighting plan for your bathroom needs to be done in conjunction with all other accessories in the room, such as candles and cabinet lighting. In large bathrooms, where you may have different leisure accessories, such as a steam room and sauna or Jacuzzi, you need to ensure that there is adequate central ceiling lighting to highlight the features of the bathroom.
It is advised that that in rooms of this size you are in the realm of choosing almost chandelier type ceiling lighting that is considered usually only for receptions rooms in the house. If a lot of money is already invested in a superior design on the bathroom, it is foolish to skimp on the ceiling lighting.
Only incandescent bulbs should be used in your lighting fixtures. These bulbs, whilst more expensive, are far more economic in the long run and will not blow as frequently as regular ones. More importantly, they give off a day-glow effect that will give a true reflection from mirrors. Nothing is worse than leaving the bathroom with your entire make up seemingly perfect only to realize that in normal daylight you look awful!
Ceiling Light
This style of lighting has two or more light bulbs and is installed over the sink and mirror. The number of bulbs needed for these lights is dependent on the length of the mirror. Bathroom Lighting is one of the many approaches that you could experiment to add more glamour and beauty when improving your bathrooms. When planning the lighting for a room size is one of the biggest determining factor. Smaller rooms can be well-lit with sconce lighting controlled by rheostats
The prominent location of ceiling lights is at the centre of the room. For very small rooms, use mini pendant ceiling lights. Living room ceiling lights come in different
Bathroom Lights
shapes, design, color and range and are always centre of attraction. Ceiling light not only provides light but adds to the beauty of the room also. Bedroom and living room ceiling lights includes: chandeliers, recessed lighting fixtures, flushed and semi-flushed and florescent ceiling light fixtures. There can be fixtures that are compact and close to the ceiling or amazing chandeliers. The secret to light decorating is finding the right balance for the room.
Good Kitchen lighting
Good kitchen lighting is an essential part of your kitchen decorating. Again, you need to think about all the different ways you’re going to use your kitchen.
If you just use it for preparing food, then good lighting on the work surfaces might be sufficient. But you probably have a dining area, or breakfast bar. You may have a TV in your kitchen, and when you have a spare moment (a what?) you sink into a chair and watch your favorite show – before the ravenous hordes arrive. In this case, you’ll want some background lighting, not spot lights shining into your face.

Practical kitchen lighting
Practical Kitchen Lighting
One of the best ways to provide good light for working if you have a modern kitchen is to have strip lights fixed under the wall units. These can have a separate switch on each one, but it’s best to have all of them controlled from one switch, usually near the door so you can turn them on as you enter your kitchen.
Recesses down lights in the ceiling, strip lights under the wall units, and suspended light fittings all contribute to a well lit kitchen.
Bellacor.com supply a good selection of under cabinet lighting (the link opens in a new window). Largest Online Source for Lighting & Home Furnishings

Background lighting
Background Kitchen Lighting
All kitchens will can benefit from good background lighting by having recessed downlights in the ceiling. If you also have these connected to a dimmer switch, you can control the amount of background light.
An attractive effect is created in this kitchen by the use of lighting. The recessed down lights in the ceiling give background lighting, the strip lights under the wall units light the work surface, and the glass-fronted wall units are internally lit.
(If you put lights inside a cabinet as illustrated here, be sure to use glass shelves so the whole cabinet is illuminated.)
Another way to get background lighting is when you have space between the top of the wall units and the ceiling. You can fix lights on the top of the wall units which shine up and are reflected off the ceiling.

Focused lighting
Focussed Kitchen Lighting
A breakfast bar or dining area will need light of its own. If the bar or table is fixed, then you can have lamps hanging down from the ceiling to light up the immediate area.
Two lights suspended over this fitment provide good light for eating meals.
If your recessed downlights in the ceiling are able to move, you can direct one or more of them onto the table area to provide your kitchen lighting.
You can also fit spotlights onto the ceiling. These can be on a circular plate or on a bar. You can then direct these where you want.
As you can see, all these options for your kitchen lighting design are only practical if you first know what your kitchen plan is. So make sure you know all the details of your kitchen before you install any units.
Any necessary wiring needs to be completed before you begin installing your kitchen.
