A bath cannot be full and multifunctional without the presence of lighting devices in it. Since this is a room with its own special microclimate, before organizing the light in the bathroom, it is worth exploring some rules, and not only design ones.
In the bathroom, you can not only carry out purely hygienic procedures, but also relax morally, relaxing after a hard working day. Therefore, it is important that the dim light in the bathroom is in harmony with the general environment, forming the appropriate atmosphere.
Just want to say that the symmetrical placement of fixtures in the bathroom is a bad idea, and what to do with everything else, in particular, with the connection of lighting fixtures, read on.
Species variety of lamps
The first thing to understand when organizing lighting regardless of the room and its type is the options for the lighting fixtures used. Since the bathroom is a room with its own microclimate that differs from other rooms, this should be taken into account when choosing a lighting scheme and the lamps themselves.
Incandescent lamps and their features
This is one of the cheapest and most affordable options, but not one of the best for a bath. The so-called Ilich lamp does not tolerate high humidity, therefore, if water splashes or when condensation forms actively on a heated lamp, there is a danger that it will simply burst. In a normal room, the lamp is able to work out up to 1 thousand hours of glow.
A distinctive characteristic of such a product is strong incandescence, which is accompanied by no means a full-fledged light emission. A weak luminous flux leads to dim, defective light in the bathroom, and the use of such lamps in the company with fabric or plastic lampshades is highly not recommended. Among other things, an incandescent lamp is one of the most voracious and consumes electricity more than others.
But still, this is the preferred option in the choice of lamps among buyers due to the low cost of products.
Characteristics of halogen lamps
They are preferred for use in spots. They give out much more light than previous lamps, they warm slightly, and serve for a long time. On sale you can find a product variant, designed for use with a voltage power of 220 and 12 V. Although in the second case you will have to install a transformer to get such light in the bathroom (see photo below).
Fluorescent lamps and their distinctive features
These are the products of the modern generation that give a powerful luminous flux, are characterized by energy-saving properties and show excellent performance in operation, regardless of the conditions and type of microclimate in the room, including in high humidity.
In the presence of a stable voltage, such lamps last for several years.
It is interesting that on sale you can find not only traditional white, but also multi-colored lamps, which will allow you to beat the interior or create an interesting option for lighting. All types of lamps, regardless of color and version, work absolutely silently.
Sometimes a problem arises with such lighting - the need to “light up” the lamp. This means that it takes several minutes for the light, due to the muffled, dim, to turn into a full - bright. In total, this effect will take no more than 120 seconds.
Fluorescent lamps are distinguished by the fact that they do not tolerate lowering the temperature in the room. It is also interesting that fluorescent lamps that are broken, burned out, or go out of working condition must not be disposed of with household waste. These products are sent for special disposal.
LED light in the bathroom
This is the most economical type of lamp found on the market. Their service life amounts to tens of thousands of hours. Such bulbs are screwed into a standard base, so they are suitable for replacement in any light source. Of the advantages of products, customers distinguish:
- environmental safety, which is important and especially valuable to customers;
- quality of a light stream;
- indicators of minimum energy consumption.
The disadvantages compared with the advantages declared by the manufacturer cannot be called significant, because they are mainly reflected in the high price of the products and not always justified service life. Although the second factor does not come up at all because of poor quality, but because of the power surges inherent in our electric network, which leads to very negative consequences.
LED backlighting is a good option
Using LED strip or special lights is a good alternative. They give an excellent opportunity to organize an original lighting effect. That’s why it is such a tape that is often mounted on furniture in the bathroom to illuminate the mirror and create the effect of “floating” furniture by installing LEDs under it. But there is one thing but! In almost all cases of using this kind of backlight, an additional converter with an operating voltage of 12 V is required.
Number of fixtures in the bathroom
Before you connect the light in the bathroom, you need to decide on the type of lighting, the option of the lamp and, of course, with their number. So, for a bathroom with a small area (up to 5 m 2 ) it will be enough to mount 2-3 point lighting fixtures.
Please note that in the area of the washbasin and the mirror you will need to organize additional light, making the morning toilet as convenient as possible.
With a spacious bathroom, everything is different. The zonal arrangement of light is important here. This will not only make the atmosphere more pleasant, but visually divide the space into zones, highlighting each of them in its own way.
In this case, it will be necessary to determine the type of light and the number of lamps at the stage of repair work, prior to finishing. So you can organize the wiring in accordance with all requirements and standards, making the light in the bathroom absolutely safe for use.
Types of fixtures and their place in the bathroom
This aspect also requires attention, and no less than other issues. Devices in their configuration and type are completely different. The first type of classification is determined by the location on the surface. Two options are distinguished here: open type and built-in. Moreover, the latter fit best into rooms with a small area. The light in the bathroom with the design (see photo below), its intensity and directivity depend on the location of the lighting fixtures.
Classification of luminaires according to location:
- On the ceiling. The traditional option, which is not difficult to implement for any style of interior. In each bathroom, it is recommended to provide for the presence of at least one such lamp as a central element.
- In the wall. These products fulfill a specific goal - lighting of individual areas of the bathroom.
- On the floor. This option is most often used to make up the decorative function, which gives the interior a special originality. Through the play of light and the use of individual models of fixtures, it is not difficult to visually beat the space, making it more voluminous.
Each of these options can carry a working, decorative, directional or general nature of lighting and can be used in any of the rooms, including for the organization of light in the bathroom.
The main types of lighting in the interior of the bathroom
Any designer will tell you that lighting is divided into three main types:
With a uniform placement of lighting devices in the upper part of the room, general lighting is formed. It provides visibility by illuminating the interior as a whole. Experts advise to give preference to this kind of lighting in those functional areas of the house, where there is most a need for bright light - a nursery, living room, kitchen. Although they do not exclude the use of such a technique in the organization of light in the bathroom.
Local lighting means local lighting, which is also welcome in the bathroom. This kind of lighting is appropriate if you need additional lighting or to recreate the "smell of lavender" - the light in the bathroom with a muffled effect. Floor lamps, sconces, floor and wall spotlights are better than others.
Accent lighting is designed to emphasize certain details of the interior: a picture, a rack, a mirror, a niche. In this case, an LED strip or lamp is used as an alternative light source.
Tips for organizing different types of bathroom lighting
The main expert advice contributing to the organization of a cozy and stylish interior design using different types of lighting is presented to your attention. Among the backlight options are as follows:
- multi-level lighting;
- lower backlight;
- rotary lights;
- illumination of openings and niches;
- hidden lighting;
- suspended light structures;
- lamps as decorative elements of the interior.
How to organize each type of lighting in the bathroom, let's figure it out together.
Multi-level Lighting Option
This option can surely be called a bright light cocktail that combines in its composition just three types of lighting, which gives the space depth and comfort, providing an unrivaled visual effect. How the light in the bathroom with pendant lights looks in the photo, see below.
As you can see, this kind of lighting is not only beautiful, but also functional. It can be easily transformed by turning off some of the sources and changing the direction of the lighting, for example, wanting a more relaxing environment or atmosphere to focus on makeup.
Low light features
This is an opportunity to focus attention by placing a lamp that emphasizes a particular piece of furniture (design) in the interior. Thanks to this kind of system, it is easy to organize another tier in lighting. It is best to cope with such a task LED strip, which does not heat up, is leakproof and shines brightly enough, which is important when organizing the light in the bathroom and toilet.
A few words about moving lights
This is a trendy trend in modern lighting. An unusual system that allows you to change the direction of the light will delight the most sophisticated customers with the design of the interior design for the bathroom. An interesting feature of rotary lighting devices is the ability to move thanks to a special mount to stretched cables or tracks, which resembles beads on a thread.
Illumination of openings and niches
The presence of such a spectacular element of the interior as never before is advantageous. This is the place for decorative elements, in the bathroom - cosmetics and other hygiene items, bottles with creams, shampoos and other products. Additional illumination of the opening in the bathroom will give the room the desired volume and fill it with light, especially if the room is small. The transformation of the bathroom in the evening looks original and stylish.
The photo below shows the light in the bathroom and the interior design in an interesting interpretation.
Hidden Light Features
The presence of light and the absence of any signs of its sources is the best characteristic of this kind of design technique. Thanks to such unusual lighting, the interior becomes attractive and original. Background light gently illuminates the room, and any light switches in the bathroom are securely hidden, without spoiling the overall picture of their unpresentability. Lamps are also hidden, located on cabinets, shelves, structures of multilevel ceilings. Often, special linear panels, also called light slots, are used to make up for such goals.
The place of the pendant lamp in the interior
This is the best version of the product for lighting and at the same time zonal separation of the room using only light. Pendant lamps are an excellent option for a combined bathroom or bathroom with a shower and a bathtub with hydromassage. By placing one lamp in each of the zones, you can highlight another corner inside the room, emphasizing its merits.
Features of the choice of lighting for the bathroom
We bring to your attention simple rules, selected based on the recommendations of the masters and the opinions of experts in the field of design, which will help to organize the light in the bathroom. Features of the choice of lighting are hidden behind:
- The degree of illumination of the bathroom, which should be brighter and lighter in comparison with other functional areas of the house.
- The safety of the lighting system, regardless of the type of room, due to the exceptional microclimate of the bathroom.
- The location of the lighting device, preferably outside the area of the bathtub or shower box.
- The height of the light source, exceeding the distance from the floor to the tips of the fingers of an extended arm.
- Dryness of the lighting device, because any ingress of water, even a few splashes, can lead to a short circuit. Therefore, it is worth considering these features during the illumination of the same mirror, near which experts recommend placing lighting devices of a closed type and only on the sides of the reflecting surface. Plus, the lamps should not be dazzlingly bright.
- Humidity level, which determines the need to purchase moisture-proof lamps and other products whose characteristics are contained on the product packaging. The optimal indicator of moisture resistance for the bathroom - from 4 and above.
- The number of light sources, determined by the area of the room, the height of the ceilings, as well as the presence of windows in the bathroom. Do not forget about the rule that the larger the area of the room, the more lighting fixtures that provide the optimal level of light in the bathroom should be.
- A type of lighting and combining several backlight options. A combination of options is not excluded, on the contrary - it is an interesting solution that makes the interior even more advantageous and interesting. Such an approach to the design of light in the bathroom will definitely be appreciated by fans of non-standard solutions. This is especially important if the designer presents the opportunity to choose a project with an adjustable level of lighting. Below in the photo there is light in the bathroom, the interior design of which is successfully complemented by transparent lamps.
How to turn the disadvantages of the bathroom into advantages with the play of light
A harmonious look of the room is easily achieved by organizing just competent lighting. You can even adjust the shapes and edges of the room by arranging the lighting correctly. To do this, you need to take into account several simple rules, including:
- The location of the lamps around the perimeter of the ceiling of the bathroom on a special ledge with lamps. It looks interesting option with directed rays of light on the walls of the bathroom.
- Bright illumination of the far wall, visually expanding the narrow cramped room. This technique is suitable for both a bath and a corridor or kitchen with a non-standard layout.
- Installation of two rows of fixtures for the design of light in the bathroom: one on the floor, the other on the ceiling, which will stretch the room in height.
- Using wall sconces to give the room extra volume.
- Radical expansion and increase in space by completely abandoning bulky ceiling chandeliers and replacing them with floor lamps.
Do not forget that the scattered and reflected light contributes to a visual increase in space, and the introduction of light colors and glossy surfaces contributes to the effect. Below in the photo there is a design with light in the bathroom, combining with blue tones.
Rules for quality bathroom lighting
The proper organization of lighting in the bathroom is based on 7 basic rules:
- First and foremost is security.
- The light intensity is determined by the area of the room.
- Zoning light distribution in bathroom design.
- The more light bulbs, the lower their power, and vice versa.
- Taboo for glare.
- Away stereotypes - arrange lighting in such a way that you like. Combine options and do not deny yourself the possibility of creativity.
- The future is in energy savings. Therefore, the use of energy-saving, environmental and absolutely safe lamps is encouraged.
Now you know how to make the light in the bathroom harmonious and compatible with the interior. , , , . , , , – . .