Choose the right type of lighting for your bathroom
There are many options for bathroom lighting, including wall lights, spotlights, pendants, and light-up mirrors. While this is good news, it can also make things a little more difficult when designing your bathroom and deciding which lighting is right for your space.
To choose the perfect lighting for your beautiful bathroom, you need to know what is available. This ensures that you will find the ideal lighting element both in design and function.
So if you’re designing or renovating your bathroom this year, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll look at different bathroom zones, lighting options, and how you can use them to create an inviting and atmospheric bathroom.
Here’s how to choose the right type bathroom lighting.
1. Make the most of natural light
First and foremost, you should consider how much natural light your bathroom will have and maximize it as much as possible. This will help you decide how many light fixtures you need, how bright you need, and if you want several different light sources around the room.
There are some simple but effective ways to do this. First, check for any furniture or large objects (such as bathroom vanities or large plants) blocking your windows. Next, choose light colors for the walls to reflect light and make the room feel brighter.
A final suggestion is to add a mirror. Mirrors also reflect light and can instantly make a room feel larger and brighter.
A good understanding of how much natural light is coming in and whether there are areas in the room that are darker than others can help you choose the right lighting for your bathroom.
2. Understand different bathroom zones
Before starting the choice of lighting, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the different zones of the bathroom and the types of lighting that can be used in these zones.
Each luminaire you select must have an IP rating associated with the corresponding zone.
An IP rating stands for Ingress Protection (IP) and determines where a luminaire can be installed in a given area. The higher the rating, the more protection against dust and moisture is required. If you have any questions about these zones, please check the following: map Or ask an expert.
There are four different zones and they are:
zone 0 – This is the area inside the tub or shower tray. Lighting installed in these spaces must be low voltage, immersion resistant and have a minimum rating of IP67.
Zone 1 – This is directly above the bathtub or shower, specifically 2.25 meters above the floor. Luminaires in this area must have a minimum rating of IP44 to protect them from splashes and moisture.
zone 2 – This area extends from the perimeter of the bathtub to 0.6 m outside and 2.25 m high.Lighting in this area also requires a minimum rating of IP44
outside zone – Spaces outside Zones 0, 1, and 2 that do not come in contact with water do not require an IP rating.
3. Know your different lighting options
Besides understanding the different zones, it’s also important to know about the different lighting options available.
There are several common types of lighting, including recessed downlights, spotlights, and traditional ceiling lights. You can also choose sconce, chandelier and pendant lights. All of these are ideal for illuminating a room and acting as the main lighting source.
However, other light sources must also be considered, and whether to incorporate them as well. This may include vanity lighting around the sink and vanity, LED or light-up mirrors, task lighting, and even ambient lighting in the bath.
As you can see from this, there are many options available, but it’s important to decide which one looks best while making your bathroom a usable and enjoyable space. More on this below.
4. Think about how you use the toilet
It’s important to think about where you place the light in your bathroom and what role it plays in terms of functionality. This helps you narrow down the type of lighting that best suits your purpose, but can also narrow down the ones that fit your design and personal tastes.
For example, do you have a station where you get ready for work in the morning or get ready to go out at night?
Alternatively, if your bathroom is purely a space for relaxing and unwinding at the end of the day, you may need lower, more ambient light to create a warm glow.
As with any bathroom, knowing where lighting is most convenient and functional in the room can help narrow down your choices.
5. Create atmosphere
Last but not least, think about how you can transform your room into a spa-like experience or create a calming environment when you need it. This can be done using dimmer spotlights or warm sconce.
Again, knowing how you want to create this vibe will help you narrow down your options and decide which fitting best suits your design and purpose.
Ready to choose your lighting?
Considering these five points will help you choose the right lighting for your bathroom and determine the best placement of each light in the room. You can also decide if you need additional lighting, such as a dressing table, or if you need additional features to create ambience.
This will also help you choose the right fixtures to complement your color scheme or larger design.
There are many options for bathroom lighting, including wall lights, spotlights, pendants, and light-up mirrors. While this is good news, it can also make things a little more difficult when designing your bathroom and deciding which lighting is right for your space.
To choose the perfect lighting for your beautiful bathroom, you need to know what is available. This ensures that you will find the ideal lighting element both in design and function.
So if you’re designing or renovating your bathroom this year, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll look at different bathroom zones, lighting options, and how you can use them to create an inviting and atmospheric bathroom.
Here’s how to choose the right type bathroom lighting.
1. Make the most of natural light
First and foremost, you should consider how much natural light your bathroom will have and maximize it as much as possible. This will help you decide how many light fixtures you need, how bright you need, and if you want several different light sources around the room.
There are some simple but effective ways to do this. First, check for any furniture or large objects (such as bathroom vanities or large plants) blocking your windows. Next, choose light colors for the walls to reflect light and make the room feel brighter.
A final suggestion is to add a mirror. Mirrors also reflect light and can instantly make a room feel larger and brighter.
A good understanding of how much natural light is coming in and whether there are areas in the room that are darker than others can help you choose the right lighting for your bathroom.
2. Understand different bathroom zones
Before starting the choice of lighting, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the different zones of the bathroom and the types of lighting that can be used in these zones.
Each luminaire you select must have an IP rating associated with the corresponding zone.
An IP rating stands for Ingress Protection (IP) and determines where a luminaire can be installed in a given area. The higher the rating, the more protection against dust and moisture is required. If you have any questions about these zones, please check the following: map Or ask an expert.
There are four different zones and they are:
zone 0 – This is the area inside the tub or shower tray. Lighting installed in these spaces must be low voltage, immersion resistant and have a minimum rating of IP67.
Zone 1 – This is directly above the bathtub or shower, specifically 2.25 meters above the floor. Luminaires in this area must have a minimum rating of IP44 to protect them from splashes and moisture.
zone 2 – This area extends from the perimeter of the bathtub to 0.6 m outside and 2.25 m high.Lighting in this area also requires a minimum rating of IP44
outside zone – Spaces outside Zones 0, 1, and 2 that do not come in contact with water do not require an IP rating.
3. Know your different lighting options
Besides understanding the different zones, it’s also important to know about the different lighting options available.
There are several common types of lighting, including recessed downlights, spotlights, and traditional ceiling lights. You can also choose sconce, chandelier and pendant lights. All of these are ideal for illuminating a room and acting as the main lighting source.
However, other light sources must also be considered, and whether to incorporate them as well. This may include vanity lighting around the sink and vanity, LED or light-up mirrors, task lighting, and even ambient lighting in the bath.
As you can see from this, there are many options available, but it’s important to decide which one looks best while making your bathroom a usable and enjoyable space. More on this below.
4. Think about how you use the toilet
It’s important to think about where you place the light in your bathroom and what role it plays in terms of functionality. This helps you narrow down the type of lighting that best suits your purpose, but can also narrow down the ones that fit your design and personal tastes.
For example, do you have a station where you can get ready for work in the morning or get ready to go out at night?
Alternatively, if your bathroom is purely a space for relaxing and unwinding at the end of the day, you may need lower, more ambient light to create a warm glow.
As with any bathroom, knowing where lighting is most convenient and functional in the room can help narrow down your choices.
5. Create atmosphere
Last but not least, you need to think about how to transform your room into a spa-like experience or create a calming environment when you need a mood. This can be done using dimmer spotlights or warm sconce.
Again, knowing how you want to create this vibe will help you narrow down your options and determine the best fit for your design and purpose.
Ready to choose your lighting?
Considering these five points will help you choose the right lighting for your bathroom and determine the best placement of each light in the room. You can also decide if you need additional lighting, such as a dressing table, or if you need additional features to create ambiance.
This will also help you choose the right fixtures to complement your color scheme or larger design.
