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What lighting for the bathroom? Our specialists answer you

19 Abr 2022
#Interior

The role of the bathroom has changed in recent years. It is a space that we rarely pay attention to but which is very important and used on a daily basis. And as it is important, so is the lighting that we install in each area.

 

In this article, which we have prepared together with our projects department, we want to give you tips and recommendations to light a bathroom correctly and leave your customers happy this 2022.

 

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It is essential to have good lighting that is practical for the different situations in this room. From an ideal light that allows make-up or shaving to a warmer and dimmer light that favours relaxation.

 

 

10 Professional tips on how to light the bathroom:

  1. Combine practical and versatile luminaires with more decorative ones.
  2. Make the lighting homogeneous and functional by combining general and spot light.
  3. Use a neutral or cool colour temperature, from 4000º Kelvin.
  4. If the bathroom has natural light, make the most of it, as it is the best.
  5. Create a uniform light that does not produce marked shadows or glare.
  6. Use lamps that offer good colour rendering, low energy consumption and low heat emission.
  7. Install several switches: one for general light, one for mirror light and one for spot light at night, so that you can better control the lighting according to the needs of the moment.
  8. Do not use fluorescent tubes, as these types of lights alter the vision of colours and emit heat.
  9. Opt for energy-saving bulbs or LED bulbs as their consumption is not as high as that of other bulbs. 
  10. Make sure that the protection rating of the luminaires you are going to use complies with safety standards and watertightness requirements. More information on IP zones for the bathroom here.

 

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How to light a bathroom 

 

As for the different areas/elements of the bathroom, we will now detail the best ways to use lighting in each of them.

 

How to light the mirror area

 

This is a very critical area. Poorly planned lighting can cast shadows on the face, creating problems when it comes to make-up or hygiene.

 

As they are very close to the face, we must choose these fixtures carefully, as they must not dazzle. It is also important that the luminaires reproduce colours correctly and that the wall lights are adjustable to achieve the right level of illumination at all times.

 

To solve this problem, the best options are: 

  • Direct general lighting wall lights on both sides of the mirror.
  • Linestra LED or wall light above the mirror, perfect for covering with a continuous line of light for frontal illumination.
  • Recessed lights directly above the mirror.

 

Regarding the colour temperature, the ideal for the mirror is to install 4000k lamps, which offer low consumption. Some Faro Barcelona models that can be installed in the mirror are:

 

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Toilet area

 

If the toilet is in the general space of the bathroom, with the residual light of the shower or mirror we have enough for this area.

 

On the other hand, if the toilet is in a closed cabin, it is best to install a recessed LED strip in the ceiling, recessed in the ceiling or wall. 

 

The toilet is the element that we use the most in this space. This is why we must avoid causing glare. To avoid this annoyance, the best thing to do is to find a place to hide a warm, low-power LED strip and, to provide an even better experience for our customers, a simple movement sensor will even save them from having to turn on the light.

 

How to light the shower area

 

The most cost-effective and practical option for lighting this area are recessed ceiling lights that incorporate diffusers and have been specially designed for wet areas, complying with watertightness and safety standards. 

 

However, it is best to install a LED strip with IP44 low power and diffused lighting directly in the ceiling, in a recess, where wall and ceiling meet.

 

In addition, if possible, our project team especially recommends installing a recessed shelf inside the shower. The function will be the storage of soaps and utensils so it should be at hand level. You can also install here the LED strip with IP44 that we have already mentioned.

 

 

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How to light the bathtub area

 

Unlike the shower, the bathtub has a more relaxing and spa-like character. It takes on a prominence that is difficult to compare with other elements. For this reason, we cannot ruin such a special moment with lighting that dazzles, due to power or poor installation.

 

 

 

How to light the washbasin area

 

Many people wonder why illuminate the washbasin when the light from the mirror is enough. In answer to this question, we would like to point out that taking these details into account makes the difference between a good project and an exceptional one.

 

The best way to illuminate a washbasin well is with lighting from the ceiling. Recessed or surface-mounted luminaires can be used, which are placed in the central axis of the washbasin.

 

Although you may think that the light from the mirror is enough to illuminate the washbasin, we would like to give you some tips for a complete illumination. Therefore, for this area we recommend accent lighting from the ceiling, with recessed or surface-mounted spotlights to focus the light so that it does not invade other areas.

 

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General and spot lighting in the bathroom

 

The relationship between general and spot lighting in the bathroom should complement each other, always seeking a balance and without generating shadows or glare. 

 

General lighting 

 

We refer to general bathroom lighting as lighting that allows you to see and move around a room, without the disturbance of shadows or more or less illuminated areas. It is lighting that does not seek to highlight a specific element.

 

For this reason, it should be as similar to natural light as possible, as it is the one that best reproduces colours and creates better atmospheres. 

 

 

General lighting in small bathrooms

 

A ceiling light will be enough to provide the necessary light, as well as to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere when the occasion arises.

 

General lighting in large bathrooms

In this case, recessed ceiling lights provide a pleasant and homogeneous general light. It is important to take into account the dimensions of these to be able to calculate the number of lamps that need to be installed. 

 

As a guideline, in a 6m2 bathroom, 4 recessed luminaires will be necessary.

 

  Project: Renovation in Valladolid | Interior design: Estudio Bespoke | Photographer: César Prados

 

Spot lighting

 

Spot lighting, which is intended to illuminate a work or activity area, is essential in the bathroom for tasks such as grooming, make-up or shaving. It must be practical and functional according to the needs of each area.

 

A detail that makes the difference: it hides a low-power LED strip.

 

Finally, we bring you a very useful tip for those times when we arrive at the bathroom quite sleepy. To avoid being dazzled by the general lighting, we suggest you find the perfect place to hide a warm, low-power LED strip that is switched on by a micro presence sensor. 

 

Where to place the LED strip in the bathroom

  • Behind the main mirror.
  • At the bottom of the vanity unit.
  • On one of the towel shelves.

 

This element, at the same time, can serve as a general light, which will support the rest of the luminaires specifically installed for each of the areas.

 

 

Trends in bathroom lighting 2022

 

Finally, we look at some of the most popular trends in bathroom lighting today.

 

The bathroom as a spa

 

This space is no longer just a necessary part of the home, but is being transformed into a space for relaxation, beauty and wellness. For this reason, all elements of the bathroom, including the lighting, must be designed to create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

 

Saving energy

 

As in many other aspects, when installing bathroom luminaires we must take into account the consumption and lifetime of the elements. This can only be achieved by installing quality, planet-friendly luminaires. 

 

Towards a smart bathroom

 

Sensors and dimmers provide a pleasant and efficient bathroom experience. If we take into account the user's use of the room, we can offer automatic lighting functionalities, as well as allowing them to regulate the brightness to their liking.

 

Lighting as decoration

 

Both lighting and the different elements that give life to this world are being introduced in an increasingly elegant way in the bathroom. Following this premise, we can also use floor lamps in strategic parts of the bathroom to bring class and design to the room.

 

Let's design!

 

So, with all this information, we are sure that you will be able to design lighting that is suitable for the characteristics of the space you are working in.

 

Remember also that at Faro Barcelona we put at your disposal our great team of experts in lighting design and interior design to accompany you in your lighting projects. 

 

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