The choice of fixtures for the bathroom should rely on three main criteria. This is beauty, safety and adequate lighting in the room. How to choose a lamp in the bathroom? Consider the features of choice, models of fixtures and factors of choice.
Lamps for the bathroom should not only be a decoration of this room, but also a safe element in conditions of high humidity. That is why experts recommend choosing waterproof analogues. Consider the varieties of waterproof luminaires, features of the zoning of the room, factors of choice and the main manufacturers of these models.
How to distinguish moisture-proof fixtures for a bathroom from ordinary analogues?
Lighting moisture-proof devices in appearance are no different from ordinary ones. Their difference lies precisely in the internal elements and additional components. Moisture-proof LED lamps for the bathroom are resistant to high humidity, therefore, they have a longer service life than usual.
In the place where the cover is connected to the rest of the appliance, there should be rubber seals, the cable entry into the housing must be equipped with waterproof plugs. All these features of waterproof luminaires should be indicated in the passport of the product itself, depending on the class of protection. The entire classification system complies with international standards.
The abbreviation IP (“Ingress Protection Rating”) is the degree of protection of the housing, which is assigned to each appliance and with the help of which it is possible to distinguish a waterproof lamp from a conventional analogue. The higher this indicator, the higher the class and degree of protection against moisture of bathroom fixtures.
This indicator is a criterion for the safety of lighting devices for humans during water ingress, as well as the duration of its performance in conditions of high humidity.
For example, IP 54 on a luminaire means that moisture can get on it and this will not affect the nature of its operation. IP 68 is the marking of tapes or LED devices that can easily work underwater.
Types of waterproof luminaires
All moisture-proof fixtures for the bathroom can be divided into several modifications:
- Built-in models. Their installation is carried out in a suspended ceiling, a niche in the wall, a partition or a floor surface. Most often, such models are compact and have a round shape.
- Overhead lights. Their shape and design can be quite diverse. Most often they are mounted on the ceiling and perform not only a direct function of lighting, but also act as a decorative element.
- Hanging options. This is the kind of fixtures in the bathroom that are mounted on the ceiling. It can be a chandelier or modern spots of various modifications and color schemes. They differ in originality, but at the same time require additional lighting in the room, as they do not cover the entire room with sufficient light.
- Floor lamps. They are rarely used, as they require additional space in the room during installation, therefore they are not at all suitable for a small bathroom. But a floor lamp or a hanger with several shades in the bathroom always looks original and unusual.
- Board. Also rarely used and do not illuminate the entire room. Most often put on a table in front of a mirror. The advantage is their use as necessary (unlike other light sources), as well as originality and an unusual design solution.
- Wall options. It can be sconces of various shapes, which are mounted either on the wall or above the mirror. Most often they serve as a decorative element in the room.
- Highlight. This can be an LED strip, which additionally decorates the room, but for it you need to additionally equip a special niche.
What to look for when choosing?
You need to think over the lighting system in the room at the stage of repair or redevelopment, especially with regard to built-in fixtures for the bathroom. Here are a few recommendations.
To choose the right lighting device you need to consider:
- the dimensions of the room (not only the nature of the lighting directly depends on this, but also the quality of the light in the room, which should be enough);
- the color of the walls and reflective surfaces (if it is a bright space with an abundance of mirror surfaces, then the lighting fixtures may be less than usual, if the room is decorated in dark colors, then there should be a lot of light sources);
- working areas (often these are areas above the mirror where additional lighting is needed);
- the interior of the room (lighting fixtures must be combined with the existing design in the room);
- technical aspects (before choosing a fixture in a bathroom, it is important to consider the technical feasibility of installing it indoors);
- safety and quality of lighting (if young children or persons of advanced age live in the room, then lighting in the bathroom should not only be sufficient, but also safe).
Features of zoning lighting in the bathroom
Often, when arranging fixtures for a bathroom, several options are chosen at once for a particular zoning of the territory. Some can be the main source of light and used constantly, while others will perform a decorative function and turn on periodically.
You can highlight the zone of upper and lower lighting, as well as additionally illuminate a place near or above the mirror. If the room is large and there are steps or darkened corners, then you can additionally illuminate them, which is required for high-quality cleaning of the territory.
For zoning the room, you can choose both conventional and LED lamps for the bathroom. Ceiling, shower, cabinets, mirror - these are the elements in the room that may require additional light.
Often such lighting fixtures perform a decorative function to emphasize interior design, to make a room more proportional, or to highlight a specific place with a colored lamp.
How to choose a waterproof lamp?
Moisture-proof fixtures for the bathroom have their advantages over conventional incandescent lamps.
Advantages of moisture-proof lighting:
- profitability (they do not consume a lot of electricity, therefore they have a longer service life);
- practicality (often fixtures made in this form are easy to care for, especially in conditions of high humidity);
- a variety of models, shapes and colors;
- functionality (many lighting devices have additional options in the form of light brightness settings);
- accessibility and safety (recessed fixtures for the bathroom are in an affordable price category; when using them, you should not worry about security, as they are not afraid of excessive moisture or water getting on them);
- a variety of sizes (the lighting device should not interfere with free movement in the room).
Spotlights in the bathroom and their features
Soffits in the bathroom waterproof can be of various types and forms. This is a fairly new element for this room, which every year becomes an increasingly popular and original solution. Moisture-proof fixtures for the bathroom in the form of spotlights make the interior of the room aesthetically beautiful and original.
According to the type of design, the following types of spotlights for the bathroom are distinguished:
- With one or more lighting lamps, which is most often chosen for ceilings.
- Rotating or fixed structures (stationary fixed and illuminate a certain area, while rotating options can conveniently move and illuminate the place that is needed).
- Mobile or built-in (mobile lamps are fixed on special tires, along which the lamp can move to another place if necessary).
In one bathroom, depending on the size, you can install several designs in the form of spotlights. They are suitable for any design, from retro to hi-tech, quite practical, compact and have many different variations (from children’s in the form of a soccer ball or plane to adult options).
Modern moisture-proof spots and economical spotlights: features
Waterproof LED bathroom lights can be of various shapes and variations. Recently, spots that are distinguished by originality and custom design are gaining more and more popularity. The degree and nature of the lighting can be adjusted, they are practical, modern and suitable for any design in the room.
There are different types of spots. It can be several lighting fixtures in one housing at once or single spotlights. The most optimal option, according to user reviews, is the fastening of spots in the form of battens to the ceiling or wall. But before installation, you need to correctly calculate the number of lighting fixtures.
Lamps in the bathroom ceiling can differ in both energy consumption and light quality (30 W lamps are enough for 1 m2). Only four LED spots with a power of 5 W each are enough for a bathroom of about 4 m2.
Despite the fact that fans and hoods are a must in the bathroom, they may not be able to cope with the humidity in the room. Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of lamp. When choosing moisture-proof devices, it is worth paying attention to the appearance, parameters and quality.
Economical spotlights are most often located on the ceiling. They can be in the case or in the ceiling, with various decorative elements and in different colors. During installation, it is important that all lighting fixtures are designed in the same style or color scheme.
How many fixtures should be in the bathroom?
Many people wonder how many spotlights in the bathroom should be, how many light sources are needed. As a rule, even for a small room light sources should be at least two or three. This includes both ceiling or wall lights and lights above or on the sides of the mirror.
It is also important to take into account the particular parameters of the room itself and the color scheme in which the walls are decorated. If the room is lighter in color, then less fixtures are needed. If the room is decorated with dark shades, then there should be more light sources. The norm of illumination according to SNiP is 50 lux, but experts recommend focusing on the standard for such premises of 150 lux. The area around the mirror should always be brighter and more illuminated.
Why does the lamp rust and how to prevent it?
Regardless of the choice of a ceiling lamp in the bathroom and due to the presence of constant high humidity, each device has the property of rusting. In this case, the protective outer coating is damaged on the ceiling or on the lamp itself ugly red spots appear.
What fixtures to choose so that they do not rust? Here are some guidelines:
- it is better to give preference to glass, plastic or other materials that are protected from high humidity;
- the best quality materials with a long service life are metals with polymerization or powder coating, which do not collapse under the influence of high humidity or detergents;
- It is important to choose reliable manufacturers of lighting products that provide a guarantee and are of high quality.
Overview of manufacturers of waterproof luminaires
Spotlights in the bathroom with protection against high humidity are not cheap, but it is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer. If you choose budget models, they do not differ in sufficient tightness and quality of the material, so they fail quickly. And the use of such products may be unsafe.
Companies that are popular in the lighting market due to the quality of their products:
- Arte Lamp (Italy) - the company has been producing lighting products since 2001. It is the market leader in waterproof wall lamps in the bathroom and not only. The products of this manufacturer are presented in 20 countries, the assortment is large, a guarantee of high quality and a variety of design forms and original devices.
- Eglo (Austria) - in the market of lighting products from the 60s of the last century. It is distinguished by a large assortment of its products, which are manufactured using modern equipment and using high-tech materials. Every year, specialists of the company develop new models of various shapes and colors. That is why the company is always in the top of popularity and keeps up to date.
- MarkSlojd (Sweden) - has been manufacturing lighting equipment for more than 40 years, products are distinguished by original design and high quality.
- MW-LIGHT (Germany) - was founded in 2003, but (despite its small age) the company is very popular among consumers. Lighting devices of this brand are of high quality, practicality, luxurious design and a variety of shapes. Company products are affordable.
- Massive (Belgium) - the company has an 80-year history in the lighting market. It produces a huge number of luminaires of various shapes, among which there are waterproof wall lamps in the bathroom, spots and sconces, which are suitable for rooms of different sizes.
There are many foreign companies that are represented on the Russian market of lighting devices. But there are domestic counterparts that offer equally high-quality products at an affordable price. Among domestic companies, one can distinguish “Kvant-electro” (Lipetsk), “Ultrasvet” (Moscow), LED STAR (Yekaterinburg) and “Diora” (Kirov).
When choosing, it is worth relying primarily not on the price of the product, but on its quality and safety.